Fry's

[TeknoAXE]

So, these guys have capacitors, transistors, resistors, and inductors. They've got gates, decoders, multiplexors, buffers...they even have high speed flip-flops. You'd think they'd be carrying 8-bit microcontrollers by now.

[fuerve]

http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=64

[TeknoAXE]

Yah, I know. The internet. I'm just saying over-the-counter microcontrollers should be the norm now.

[fuerve]

I've seen ICs of various types at Radio Shack, but I don't know if I've ever seen them selling an actual microcontroller, although I could be wrong. I've never dabbled in electronics.

[Nukegrrrl]

Originally posted by TeknoAXE
So, these guys have capacitors, transistors, resistors, and inductors. They've got gates, decoders, multiplexors, buffers...they even have high speed flip-flops. You'd think they'd be carrying 8-bit microcontrollers by now. They also have porn.

Lots of porn.

[TeknoAXE]

Originally posted by Nukegrrrl
They also have porn.

Lots of porn.

Says who? Consumer electronics doesn't spell porn to me. Where are you from?

[Nukegrrrl]

Originally posted by TeknoAXE
Says who? Consumer electronics doesn't spell porn to me. Where are you from? Says me, a shopper at the Seattle/Renton Fry's and an occasional shopper at the one by Portland (Beaverton?).

In the DVD section they have some shelves under black plastic that say 18+. That's where all the fun stuff is :)

[Cethe]

dude, you buy porn?

i thought thats what the internet was for?

[Nukegrrrl]

Originally posted by Cethe
dude, you buy porn?

i thought thats what the internet was for? I don't buy it, but it's just nice to know that it's there.

[djsteel]

Yeah, I think the only real 'over-the-counter' microprocessor is the Parallax Basic Stamp, and they go through Radio Shack. (And that isn't even a real controller, because they use their own watered-down language to program it)

I think that there are very few microcontrollers sold over shelves because there still isn't enough 'desire' shown to the manufacturers for a specific chip to set up relationships with stores...
Say Fry's wants to carry a processor...Let's say they go with PIC. PIC then says, "Which chip do you want?" and Fry's says, "I don't know...what do you have?" ...and from there, they have to determine which chips are most cost-effective for both the manufacturer and the store...and which will actually sell to customers....And even if they carry that specific chip, there is no guarantee that any consumer (other than the very few like you or me) even want the specific chip they decided to carry.

I really hate it too. I hate the fact that I need to buy all of my parts at once from digikey or mouser, and 'hope' that everything goes well.

I hate the fact that if I hook up power wrong, and fry a $2.50 part...I can't just go to the store and buy it. I have to buy it online, and pay another $8.00 for shipping. TICKS_ME_OFF.

[kizat]

Originally posted by Nukegrrrl
Says me, a shopper at the Seattle/Renton Fry's and an occasional shopper at the one by Portland (Beaverton?).

In the DVD section they have some shelves under black plastic that say 18+. That's where all the fun stuff is :)

wilsonville...

that's all I have to offer to this conversation

[Cethe]

Originally posted by Nukegrrrl
I don't buy it, but it's just nice to know that it's there.


oh werd werd ...I can dig that...good idea actually :)

[More Wise]

theres also the make microcontroller.

http://www.makezine.com/controller/

http://www.makezine.com/images/06/intefacecontroller1.jpg
*

All schematics freely available.

Make Controller Kit - Board Schematics

Make Controller Kit - Application Board Schematics
*

Atmel SAM7X processor, ARM7, 32-bit, 256K Flash, 64K SRAM, up to 55MHz and 48 MIPS — 10x performance increase over most competitors
*

Two-board layout—general Controller board plugs into specific Application board.
o Controller board makes almost all signals from the chip available.
+ 256K EEPROM for additional onboard storage (logging, etc.)
+ Ethernet PHY for easy connection to Ethernet jack
+ CAN Transceiver for board-to-board communication
o Application board has application specific hardware (motor control, networking (Ethernet/USB/CAN/Serial/SPI), circuit protection.
o If a project does not require all the features of the Application board, users can buy just the Controller board, and design their own Application board, including only the features they need. Otherwise, the MAKE Application board allows users to interface directly to relevant devices (sensors, high current outputs for motors, etc.) and not worry that they're going to break the delicate Controller board.

Software Environment/Programmability

*

Cross Platform—Windows, Mac, Linux. All source provided.
*

Works as an interface to the PC when connected by Ethernet or USB
o Software to use the board as an I/O interface directly from .Net, Processing & Java, Max & Pd, Flash, C/C++.
*

Can be programmed to run standalone programs
o Simplified API available to program the board in C—uses operating system (freeRTOS) so that most difficult aspects of microcontroller programming (interrupts, etc.) are taken care of for less experienced users. Otherwise, full access to the chip is available for experienced coders.
o Easily download finished programs developed and shared by others onto your board, no coding required.
o Eventually provide further simplified programming environment similar to Wiring/Arduino.
*

JTAG connector for fast code download and debug.
*

Several boards can be networked together (CAN) to create more complex devices with more I/O.
*

LabView routines from Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories

I/O/Protection/Power supply

*

Polarity protection on power supply circuit
*

8 10-bit analog inputs with op amp unity gain buffer protection.
*

8 digital outputs through 2 Half H drivers—high current (1A per coil). Drive 2 unipolar stepper motors, 4 DC motors, or 8 individual outputs (solenoids). Output protection circuit to prevent power spikes from noisy output devices affecting the processor. Driver chips are socketed for easy replacement in case they burn, and replacement chips are cheap ($1 each).
*

4 standard servo connectors
*

4 LEDs for program feedback
*

8 position DIP switch for easy configuration
*

trimpot for easy parameter modification

Getting Started

Self contained unit—ready to connect to sensors, motors, etc. straight out of the box. No additional hardware needed. Comes with simple/common functions pre-programmed on chip for immediate experimentation. Download free software from MakingThings to begin programming/interfacing.

[More Wise]

and for the record.. frys seems to only be good for buying refurbed stuff you dont want to wait until it ships to you...

their sales staff is lacking to say the least. i feel like im in a big taco bell when im in that place. unless im near the big ticket items like plasma tvs... they seem to know whats going on... but thats probably where the bread and butter is too.

[TeknoAXE]

Huh. The ARM is supposed to be the microcontroller that is used by most cellphones, right?

[TeknoAXE]

Hey More Wise,

I see your microcontroller eval board and raise you one. :P

http://www.digilentinc.com/Data/Products/CEREBOT-II/CEREBOT-II-400.gif

www.digilentinc.com

[More Wise]

i guess i kinda misread that ish at the beginning.. this being about frys and all.. i dont see the make microcontroller being on frys shelf any time soon.. nor do i want to see it there. whoops.

[gingerballs]

Originally posted by Nukegrrrl
Says me, a shopper at the Seattle/Renton Fry's and an occasional shopper at the one by Portland (Beaverton?).

In the DVD section they have some shelves under black plastic that say 18+. That's where all the fun stuff is :)

That's about all they have.

The computer section looks like it was worked over by a bulldozer then bought by the mafia to be a front.