Re: Re: Forget the webbrick

[ant <blowback@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 19:01:19 -0000, David Buckley <db@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> You guys crack me up.
>
> First off, this isnt a new product, there was even a talk of a bulk
> buy of these his time last year.

Heh, talk of? Talk of?!! I'll have you know I've organised two
successful bulk buys of these little beauties from Oz already!

http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=152


> Second off, theres no useful software.

Yes. The feedback I've got from many of the people I sold modtronix
boards to indicates that they find the learning curve a bit steep -
even the really beardy ones. You need a good grasp of PIC assembler
and C, and a feel for the peculiarities of writing C on a PIC, not to
mention the strange world of PIC tcp/ip. Being able to debug code with
an oscilloscope is a definite plus.

If you have the skills and patience though, these are a fantastic and
cheap resource. I have one acting as an ethernet -> DMX-512 convertor
for my prototype lighting system, slaved over ethernet to a second SBC
that does complicated light switch decoding (on/off/bright/dim from
regular latching switches, basically). I've got another that does,
erm, various management functions for my old analog cable box.

> Third off, the commercial compilers for the Microchip C stack are
> pricey, if you exclude the limited student edition compiler. Unless
> I've missed it somewhere, the MicroChip code hasn't been ported to the
> lower cost CCS compilers.

True, the microchip compiler is pricey. The last time I spoke to the
CCS guys and the PicAnt guys, they were busily doing ports of the
microchip TCP/IP stack. Can't remember which one it was now, but they
were having to port it to their C++ compiler because of lack of
support for structures in their C compiler. It's not much fun doing
complex C without structs :(

I agree with your point on the useable software front too. I have
bespoke solutions for my specific needs, and am mindful of the fact
that 90% of the modtronix boards I've imported are languishing in
drawers, long discarded.

However, suitable software could be written which allows the devices
to be configured and used by end users without all the faffing about
outlined above. I didn't have the time or the inclination to do
anything like this on my tod, but I'd be interested in helping out in
a group effort.

I'll be interested to see how you guys get on!


cheers

ant