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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : MicroMite Companion kit...
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9063 |
My kit of parts arrived this morning from the United States - thanks guys! 
Very nicely packaged, all components in static-sheild bags, IC sockets in foamy stuff to protect pins from getting bent in transit etc, and a very nice looking PCB. The only thing missing, was any kind of documentation, but then - I can get that from the web easy enough, and the PCB itself has a weblink on it, so I guess that is OK. NOT A COMPLAINT - just would have been nice if there was a little bit of paper to point you to the website for documents and other useful information. As I say - not a complaint though, just curious why that was not there. 
I have managed to clean my workbench at the weekend, so I have some space, so I will start assembling this beast tonight. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| hitsware Guru  Joined: 23/11/2012 Location: United StatesPosts: 535 |
Paper is so passe' |
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| micronut Newbie  Joined: 03/09/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 37 |
I agree Grogster. I knew where to go and I actually had my Kindle Fire nearby to look at the website. That made me a little nervous having the Kindle by the soldering iron. I usually print the website out but my printer wasn't cooperating. I would also like to see a schematic since that makes tracking problems easier. |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9063 |
@ hitsware - LOL!  , Well, maybe. But still....
@ micronut - As I say - not a complaint, I just found it curious that there was no printed material at all with the kit, as most kit's always have the documentation with them. However - not a problem. My printer is working, so I will put it to work on the website later!  Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| hitsware Guru Joined: 23/11/2012 Location: United StatesPosts: 535 |
@ hitsware - LOL! , Well, maybe. But still.... That reminds me of when I first bought a sound card ( SB ? } I asked the salesguy where was the manual and he didn't know what I ment ...... |
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| micronut Newbie Joined: 03/09/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 37 |
After a little thought on this I think you are right that a sheet with a reference to the link of how to do it would be great. To have all the instructions would cause the shipping to be more and I believe OBC is trying to get costs down. As for kits with documentation: I bought a Velleman kit and it only has a link to the site on how to to do it and their site only said to solder parts in the order as listed on their site. OBC's site is much better. Also most Parallax parts I get have a label stating that I go to their website put in the part number on the label in a search box to get any documentation. The worst website reference was when I got an answering machine once with no documentation, only a link to a website. I went to the website and they had a download but I had to purchase the e-manual for $5! I never bought from that company again! My favorite use of a website for documentation was when computers used phone modems. One phone modem said if you had any problems with connecting to the internet go to their website for more info |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9063 |
Thanks for that update, but let me be very clear - I was not criticizing your product, it was just an eyebrow raiser for me, as I guess my brain "Expected" some kind of printed matter!
It's all good, and not a problem. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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palcal Guru Joined: 12/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1802 |
Very much like my old PC running XP if the keyboard is not connected at start-up it gives me a 'Keyboard Error' and tells me to press any key to continue. Paul. "It is better to be ignorant and ask a stupid question than to be plain Stupid and not ask at all" |
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Oldbitcollector Senior Member  Joined: 16/05/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 172 |
I'm really pleased to see the kits are safely arriving on that side of the pond! The choice of offering the instructions and the like as a "webpage" allows us to keep the costs of the kit as low as possible. Even more, I've discovered that a string of forum threads where each entry is a step is a great way to control and update the information if anyone has difficulty. (Note the builder tips.) We can do things with the forum version of the instructions we could never do with paper, and provide fast support while we are doing it. I'd also like to invite MMC builders to join up on the forums while you are scrolling through the build materials. I'd be downright honoured to have a couple more of you brainy MMBASIC guys on the Propellerpowered forums. A bunch of us over here know our Propeller well enough, but we are still novice users when it comes to the Micromite BASIC itself. :) Jeff My Propeller/Micromite mini-computer project. |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9063 |
Just had a quick hunt around YOUR forums, and found some very nice assembly instructions indeed here. These instructions look superb. Perhaps just a simple bit of paper in your kits, directing kit builders to this thread location? You could print the same note & link several times on one single sheet of paper, then slice up the paper and put one in each kit. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Oldbitcollector Senior Member Joined: 16/05/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 172 |
I like that idea.. Actually, I'm thinking one better.. We'll pick up another batch of stickers (in sheets) and setup some identification details along with an assembly URL. My Propeller/Micromite mini-computer project. |
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| akashh Senior Member Joined: 19/01/2014 Location: IndiaPosts: 115 |
Although this isn't a tech joke, this actually happened to me the other day: I went to a bar with a bunch of friends the other day and we were missing a few chairs at the table. I went over to the waiter and told him we needed a couple of chairs and he said "yes sir I will bring them to you soon, please sit down and wait"... |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9063 |
"Keyboard error. Press any key to continue..." Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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Justplayin Guru Joined: 31/01/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 309 |
Darn Any key!!!! I still can't find it after all these years! How am I suppose to press it, when it isn't even on the keyboard. Will a "after market" add-on Any key work?  I am not a Mad Scientist... It makes me happy inventing new ways to take over the world!! |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9063 |
"To start, press any key. Where's the any key?!" - Homer Simposon. Sorry - I digress...... Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2794 |
@Grogster, Have you managed to build your MMC yet (or are you still looking for the 'Any Key')? For everything Micromite visit micromite.org Direct Email: whitewizzard@micromite.o |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9063 |
Ha,ha,ha,ha! 
I have not managed to build it yet - it is sitting here waiting on me, but I just never seem to find the time - I will make an effort this weekend, as the weather is supposed to be horrible, so ideal indoor work. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Oldbitcollector Senior Member Joined: 16/05/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 172 |
In way of encouragement for those who haven't built it yet.. Here's a video update of the "tile detection" routines added to mode 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJOGulKxGUI This was a critical item to being able to write platform style games. My Propeller/Micromite mini-computer project. |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9063 |
I seriously need to clean up my desk..... 
Not enough room and not enough hours in the day. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2794 |
@Oldbitcollector Just woke up and seen your latest video. I was never really into computer games BUT now I think I will be
Excellent addition to an already excellent product.
Whats next? . . . . . For everything Micromite visit micromite.org Direct Email: whitewizzard@micromite.o |
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