Arduino presentation?

[David Knaack]

A while back I gave a very basic presentation on Arduino, just the essentials on what you'd want to get started and a quick overview of the tools.

I'd like to do a more in-depth presentation of executing a simple project from beginning to end, with a focus on the coding portion.

I am curious if people would rather see this in the regular meeting type presentation format, or more of a sit-down format with a smaller group, or maybe a split format where I present a higher-level overview of the project to the group, then do a detailed walk-through with those who are interested in taking a deeper look at the code.

DaveK

[Stephanie Jensen]

I would vote for a sit down

[James Woody]

Hey guys, I'm an OMG Lurker, and also got started recently on my first arduino project.although I live in lincoln, I would try to make it to an arduino presentation.

[Dave Thacker]

I think this might work better as a sit down.  Perhaps at an off week Wednesday.  I would like to attend whenever you present it.
DT

On Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 9:26 AM, David Knaack <david...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Stephanie Jensen]

Depending on your schedule - a weekend daytime provide a nice time block.... 

[Ryan Stille]

I would be interested in this. But if you are going to show code I think we need a different type of display. It's hard to read things on the TV unless you are very close or the text is very big. Maybe someone has a projector that could be lent? We could make a screen out of white paper, painted or covered insulation board, etc.

-Ryan

On Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 9:26 AM, David Knaack <david...@gmail.com> wrote:

[David Knaack]

Either or both is fine with me. A weekend would probably be quieter at the Makery.

I agree with Ryan about showing code, the TV is very nice, but it is perhaps not ideal for detailed work with code. I think it would be fine for a simple walk-through for a medium-sized group when using a large font, but for more complex code we would probably need to just switch away from the presentation model and look off of a monitor or two.

[Ben Hutcheson]

For in-depth programming, you're probably right.  However, wasn't the last programming presentation on the old plasma TV?  We've now got a 1080p LCD, so things ought to be fairly clear.  You still can't read it in the back of the room, but for a small group sitting close it's the same as a monitor, just a lot bigger.

[Tyler Swain]

I have a portable digital projector and I also have ELMO projection system that I could let you use if you give me enough notice.  Are people going to be around the Makery tonight?  I was hoping to drop by with those acrylic tubes I had mentioned a couple weeks back.

[Ben Hutcheson]

Tonight is regular Off-Week Wednesday.  You can reasonably expect at least a few people to be at the Makery from about 5:30 till about 11.

[David Knaack]

I'm considering options for a project and I think I've settled on building a small hobby-servo based 3-axis robot arm.

At the simplest level this provides several instructional options, including using libraries and servo control via simple analog inputs. At a more advanced level it provides options for linking to the computer to provide scripted/automated control.

Opinions or other ideas?

On Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 9:26 AM, David Knaack <david...@gmail.com> wrote:

[David Knaack]

Preview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbHCVD1OTBo

Only 2 axis hardware, because my cheap servos seem to have a 50% failure rate.

[Eric Kaplan]

I have one of these at home:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/b696/

If you think it might be better to start with a fully-assembled arm (for the programming and control aspect), I would be willing to partner up with you and bring the arm to the project.

--

Eric J. Kaplan                                       

• ekap...@gmail.com
• www.ejk00.smugmug.com

[David Knaack]

The focus for this presentation is the software, so a simpler model is better for clarity. However, if you wouldn't mind bringing it in for the presentation I think it would really help to stimulate thought and discussion about  the software and hardware that would be required to control such an arm.

I noticed that Target carries that arm (or one nearly identical) and thought it might be fun to connect to the computer. I didn't come up with any great ideas about what to use it for though. Except for a really annoying clock, or a very slow cat feeder.

[Eric J. Kaplan]

I typically use mine to hold a flashlight over my projects as a nice spotlight.  Or has a very fancy articulated "helping hand".

They make a USB interface for connecting and programming through a computer, but I do not have that (it's on my Amazon wish list, though...).

When is your presentation? Or have we determined that yet? I can definitely bring the arm in for that.

Sent from my iPad

[David Knaack]

It's not on the schedule yet. As of last night it is probably about as ready as it's going to be. I'm not terribly motivated to make a powerpoint with pictures and stuff, but the code is all done and the hardware works (minus the third axis, which perhaps someone would want to assemble after the presentation).

[Kevin Fusselman]

We have January 22nd available...

February 5th is also likely available, but I'm waiting to hear back.

[David Knaack]

Either would be fine with me.