.I.P. for D.I.Y.

From: Peter C. Wallace <pcw_at_mesanet.com>
Date: Thu Apr 25 15:20:39 2002

On Thu, 25 Apr 2002, Andy Holt wrote:

>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org
> > [mailto:owner-classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of Allison
> > Sent: 25 April 2002 15:57
> > To: classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org
> > Subject: Re: .I.P. for D.I.Y.
> >
> >
> > From: Andy Holt <andyh_at_andyh-rayleigh.freeserve.co.uk>
> > >I'll agree - but perhaps the main reason is that modern components are
> > >almost impossible for the home builder ... and only the odd few
> > (Tony? :-)
> >
> > Impossible? How?
>
> When I was home-brewing computers about 20 years ago the modern components
> of the time were
> reasonably easy to obtain
> reasonably stable for wire-wrap
> easy to solder - or use in sockets
> adequately documented (usually :-)
> if programmable could be DIY programmed rather than needing an expensive
> box
> and almost everything worked from a simple 5v supply
>
>
> Nowadays
> You typically have to deal with distributors - little problem for the
> experienced, but an obstacle to newcomers

Digikey is not bad for small orders

> The edge speed of modern logic is so high that WW is unlikely to work

You can lower the I/O slew rates on programmable parts

> In fact even PCBs now need designing using UHF techniques for the same
> reason

Not all pcbs...
> SMT devices - and almost everything nowadays is only available as such -
> are best handled with an expensive soldering station (and BGA devices need
> even more expensive equiment).

A simple soldering iron and a hot air gun are adequate for much surface mount
assy...

> Documentation - though nowadays typically easier to obtain - is often
> oversimplified.
> Programming devices often needs (one or both of) expensive hardware or
> extremely expensive software.

Software for at least Xilinx stuff is free...

You can download the configuration to a FPGA with nothing more than a parallel
port, or a few I/0 bits...

>
> I stand by the "almost impossible" statement above.

Nonsense! Just people who don't want to bother trying...

>
> The one main exception to this black picture is the single-chip flash
> micro - such as the PIC family or the 8051 derivatives. But working with
> these is more like computer programming than hardware design.
>
> > Generalizing on DIY/homebrewing is not good as exceptions do abound.
> Which is why I use terms like "almost impossible" and "few" rather than
> absolute statements.
>
> Andy
>
>

Peter Wallace
Received on Thu Apr 25 2002 - 15:20:39 BST