Microchip MASTERS

Returned from the Master's conference last Sat. This was my first time, and I recommend it to everyone that can make the trip. Great hotel, and everything was taken care of (meals, transportation, etc), the one fee covered absolutely everything. There was absolutely no need to leave the hotel (which was a good thing, since the daytime highs were 113 degrees). The food was very good. Coffe and cakes and cookies and bagles and fruit and cheesecake and... were everywhere, so you could grab a snack and a Starbuck's on your way to the next class.

The sesssions started at 8AM and ended at 5, but there were always more training available on various topics from 7-9PM. The sessions covered basics to advanced and I would like to stress that you did not have to know 'C' in order to benefit. Although I do know some 'C', I'm hardly an expert. I know it better now, and I absolutely learned something new about hardware or software in every class and lab I took (14 in all). As an extra bonus, one night there was an 'engineer-comedian', another night they had 'Casino night'. Microchip's president, Steve Sanghi, was there gambling with us peons. Good, loud rock music filled the air. An open bar was willing to give me far more beer and wine than I could drink.

In the classroom or in the hall, the Microchip personnel were always friendly, approachable and willing to answer any question and they gave away quite a few 'toys'. The attendees were a great bunch and made you realize just how many products use PICs. Some people that I talked to were involved in: Restaurant oven control, switching power supply design, 'fake' hand grenades (for training), remote car starters (that used the cell-phone network for communication), gambling machines for Las Vegas, talking street-crossing signals (for the blind), oil drilling equipment, automotive lighting, audio systems for motorcyles, shaving razors (Schick Aqua5), brushless motor control, solar power, etc. etc. etc. Every conversation was fascinating.

And I ran into Jeff Schmoyer and Chuck Hellebuyck. At dinner one night, I told Jeff how badly I wanted real FUNCTIONS in PBP. He tried to convince me that they weren't needed. I'm not convinced. Chuck Hellebuyck agrees with me.

Again, if anyone has a chance to go next year - DO IT!

That sounds great. I am assuming it was in the US? Where was it and how much did it cost?

Phoenix, AZ
About $1600 - Room + Conference + meals + transportation to/from airport.