Copy 144 LED console for my school project

[mtripoli]

Though I haven't "been on"' this site in months I get these email updates regarding threads. I haven't been on, or contributed, to this site for EXACTLY the reason shown in this thread. I figured it was better to stay away from this site than get into flame wars and what ultimately would have turned into me getting outright banned. So far, "Mackrakit" has been the only one to step up and say it outright (paraphrasing) "do some work".

First, from my own perspective; after Art did what he did, I saw very few (if anyone) say "thank you" (no, I'm not going to comb through the whole thread looking for the exception). I saw lots of "you should have done it this way or that", but no one stepped up and presented what Art did. I volunteered to do the PCB layout, and did. Once posted (on my hosted domain) I saw hundreds of downloads. You would have thought JUST ONE PERSON would have said "thank you", but no one did. I didn't do it (nor did Art I'm guessing) for accolades, but damn, there isn't ONE person that learned something and would offer a simple "thanks". The ONLY TIME you hear from anyone is when they want something from you. So, so as not to have to pay more for the download traffic, I pulled the files. If you think this petty, tough, you post the files and pay for it. And no, I won't send you the files.

Along the way there was the question "do I have to use the "18" instead of the "16"? Well, did you compare TFD sheets? No, you jump on here and ask someone else to do it for you.

And then the transistor questions; for CRYING OUT LOAD, it's a FRAKING TRANSISTOR, being USED AS A SATURATED SWITCH. If you don't know what a SATURATED SWITCH is STOP NOW and GET A BASIC BOOK ON ELECTRONICS. Why are you even LOOKING at microcontroller projects? There are literally THOUSANDS of transistors that could
be used here; but, because you have NEVER CRACKED a BOOK you wouldn't know that. You just find complete projects that "look like what you want" and then needle people to make changes until it does "what you want".

And students, students ARE THE WORST! You are supposed to be learning, not copying. By starting your questions about the type of transistor to use simply proves you have not been paying the slightest bit of attention and most likely have been cheating your way through school. There is no way, no way at all that you could have arrived in a microcontroller class and have to do a project without using transistors first. I don't care where you live, it's not going to happen. I belong to a professional engineering consulting site and I'm sickened by the posts by students looking for pro's to "do their homework"; I've seen incrediably complex tasks posted as final exams and these guys want to pay a pro to do it for $100.00. No wonder so much junk is out there.
And then you follow-up with "convert it to C (or whatever) for me. With the following mods, Change this, change that. AND, do it FAST because we've already commited this for our final project. I can't tell you how many times I've seen this over the years. And when someone calls you on it, you get nasty with them and tell them to mind their own business. Bull. I've seen this on other threads over the years; people asking unreasonable questions (do I HAVE to use a resistor with an LED?) and the incredible amount of replies for not using one. If you don't know what a diode is and how to use one why are you doing this. If you went to machining site and asked if you "had" to use a sharp tool you'd get all kinds of replies I'm sure. Go to a car site and ask if you "have" to use oil in your engine.

And the crap from the "beginners" that ask these questions, and the others that jump to their defense "we're just learning and you're being unhelpful and mean" and follow-up with "you don't know everything". Well, here's the deal; I had to learn and I did it by reading, studying, building and testing. When I didn't understand something, I got a BOOK about whatever it was and learned about it.

Forums started out as a place where if you got truly "stuck" others knowledgable about a subject you could ask others about the subject and get a different perspective. But at that point you didn't have to ask questions like "what is the power supply doing", "did you bypass the supply pins", "is the clock running","is the reset pin tied active". Now you get people that know NOTHING, NOTHING and jump in the middle. And then, if you ask a legitimate question you get every bozo answering ("did you tie the reset pin active, I did this once and it didn't work" - no kidding, huh).

Back to the "students"; there are a TON of references out there about "converting" "BASIC" to "C". I've seen one in particular about converting PICBASIC to C (no, I won't go find the link for you). Frankly, I doubt you could do that anyway; I'm guessing you know as much aout C as you do about transistors.

So flame, kick me off for being "mean" or "unhelpful"; I couldn't care less. I will leave you with this; I'll do your final project, exactly as you want, in any language you want, with PCB layout, production ready (as I REALLY think the whole "student" thing is a ruse) with a B.O.M (that's "Bill of materials", the parts you'll need), with a list of substitute components of 50 different manufacturer part numbers. At my consulting rates the PCB layout alone was worth $1500.00. I figure with code and all, $6000.00 should do it.

[mackrackit]

Does the $6,000 include a working prototype?

[Ioannis]

I wish I could charge that amount of money for my consultancy too...

May be I have to change country.

Seriously now. Mtripoli has absolutely right on alsmost all the points. I do not like to the attitude of some members too.

And would never agree on giving the food on the plate. So for these members the direction to find their food is my option.

I know that these kind of posts for "give that", "do this for me", etc will never stop. People are trying to get the best for them with minimal labor. It is in our nature. Others do more work, others not.

Ignore them who are not worth it and spend your time creatively instead of commending it about it. After all your time is precious and they will not read it!

Ioannis

[mtripoli]

Does the $6,000 include a working prototype?

No "working prototypes"; actual production ready modules.

$6000.00 might sound like alot but it includes the obvious aggravation factor that would be involved here.

Because of the proliferation of the DIY "modules" and DIY PCB etc. there is this idea that designing electronics is cheap. It's not. Slapping together a few parts and calling it done is not a design. I won't go into it because frankly it would be a waste of time. I design products designed for millions of units per run. If I did things the way I see some around here do I wouldn't be a design consultant, I'd ask people every day "you want fries with that".

The REAL problem here is that any human being has this inherent want to help others. I do too. However, when people start a thread with "I know nothing about electronics or this stuff" and then continue on with nonsense it can get under your skin real fast. Or, in this case jump on a Picbasic forum and ask for C code; come on, get real.

I think there is a very simple solution to this kind of problem. I've seen it suggested before in one form or another and the suggestor gets slammed for it. There should be a test to gain entry to the site. If you can't pass a simple test on basic electronics then you should go somewhere else. Immediately "beginners" say "but I came here for help". I'm talking about the truly basic; ohms law, transistor switching, simple logic, an "increment x" program. I in fact happened upon an electronics site that had just this kind of "entrance exam". It was for high-end audio amp design. I took the test and failed. I only failed by a couple of questions, but the fact of the matter is the people that were members of that site could converse with each other on a level that they all knew what the other was talking about. If I wanted to join it was on me to go learn what the things are that I failed. This site is open to anyone with a computer. I stopped coming here because you had to weed through all the nonsense to find the posts from people that had something genuine to offer or the ones that knew what they are doing but need help. Frankly, it's too bad it's called the "PICBASIC" forum. It sheds a bad light on a very good product and the people that are genuinely interested in using it.

[Acetronics2]

Though I haven't "been on"' this site in months ....

Hi, MTripoli

As I fully do understand your point of view, as I am surprised by it's violence may I say INNOCENCE ...

What you describe have been observed for years in many specialities , and of course in workplaces and universities.

Some kind of Internet spread desease ??? ... may be ...

Everyone ( not exactly everyone ... Thanks to god ! ) " copies and Pastes " , ask for Instructables, Videos and , of course a touch of customization ... just to be able to tell bar-friends " I DID IT " ... or pass their exams !!!

One of our greatest actor ( Jean Gabin ) was saying, 40 years ago, in " Les tontons flingueurs " , famous comic film about papies ripping off :

" Bloody stupid people dare to do anything ... thats also how one can recognize them. "
... yeah, your right, sad world.

I gently would answer you ...

As you are not paid in any way here ... you're not to answer any query ...

Just keep in mind everything placed on the Web can be " stolen " ...
Copyright ??? ... just a view of mind !!!


Regards
Alain

[C_Beginner]

MTripoli is correct.

I recall reading a paper not so long ago written by a UNI professor regarding his concerns with all of this. Copy & paste to do assignments. Where's the world headed?

Anyhow here's a glimpse at some C code:

/*
   8-LED Knight Rider Scanner    
   MCU: PIC16f877a
   
   Requirements:
      1. Connect 8 leds to portC
      2. 1 x push button to RB1 with pull up resistor
      3. 4MHz XTAL
   
   Usage:
     Pressing the switch causes the leds to chase back & forth   
*/

// Global scope variables
char i = 0; // Direction of scan
char j = 1; // Gen working var
char k = 0; // Gen working var

void main()
{
  TRISA = 0x00;      // PortA as output
  TRISB = 0x02;      // RB1 to as input rest as out
  TRISC = 0x00;      // PortC as output
  TRISD = 0x00;      // PortD as output
  TRISE = 0x00;      // PortE as output
  PORTC = 0x00;     // Init port, all pins low

   // Infinite loop
   while(1)
   {
      if (PORTB == 0)        // Button pressed?
      {

         PORTC = j;            // Write to port
         delay_ms(100);      // 100mS delay
         
         // Scan dir forward //

         if (i == 0)
         {
            j = (j << 1);       // Shift bits left
         }
         
         // Scan backward //

         else
         {
            j = (j >> 1);    // Shift right
         }

         // Toggle direction //

         k ++;                   // Inc counter
         
         if (k == 7)           // Counter reached n val?
         {
            k = 0;              // Reset
            i = ~i;             // Toggle dir
         }
      }
   }
}

Not much more involved than BASIC. The help file in MikroC is great, if that fails then go and buy a book. If that fails too, then go and do some formal study.

[mtripoli]

Hi, MTripoli

As I fully do understand your point of view, as I am surprised by it's violence may I say INNOCENCE ...

"Violence" may not be the correct translation (I see you are from France - God I love the food there; I 've spent some time in Pau at Elf Aquitane many years ago. The Pyrenees mountains are stunningly beautiful). How about "frankness" or "forthrightness" (franchise?).

As you are not paid in any way here ... you're not to answer any query ...
Alain

I wasn't answering any query. I was stating my opinion.