Spring Cleaning for the list--repost

[KA4HJH]

[It figures. I got all fired up and posted this twelve hours ago, and 
it bounced. When I checked the mail and it wasn't there, I was really 
pissed. So here it is again. The original will probably show up two 
minutes later so just ignore the duplication. This is not an 
invitation to complain about your ISP issues (how's it goin', Rick?)]


Well, if this hasn't been refreshing! I don't think a single person 
(who didn't deserve it) even got hurt this time around.

Here's my own personal situation:

A. I don't have the money to buy lots of kits
B. I don't have the money to buy oddball parts with huge minimum orders
C. I can make single-sided PC boards
D. I like to change things to suit my own needs, which is one of the 
great things about synth modules you build yourself
E. I am not an engineer, and my knowledge/patience has limits. I also 
absolutely hate re-inventing the wheel. If someone else has already 
figured it out, GREAT...
F. I haven't had the opportunity to get much built up till now.

I can't afford an MOTM VCO, period. I'm reminded of the real "good 
old days," when people like my grandfather HAD to build/repair stuff 
like furniture and TV's because they couldn't afford it. I'm not 
broke, I just can't afford the "luxury" of building a fabulous kit, 
or lots of more modest kits. I'd have to bung up the front panels 
anyway, because the first thing I would do is start adding inputs, 
attenuators, another LFO, etc.

I want, nay need, working designs I can modify. For my OWN PERSONAL 
USE. I'm not the least bit interested in experimenting with 
"marketing", because I know it's a complete waste of my time.


[ranting portion]
Something even worse situation has been mentioned--software. I 
absolutely REFUSE to buy software for an embedded controller that I 
can't modify. I've seen MCU-based gadgets with a zillion features and 
no open source code--I don't need a zillion features! This is DIY!! 
If I can't modify the software, what the hell can I modify??? 
Everybody wants something different as far as MIDI implementation is 
concerned so don't throw in the kitchen sink. Give me basic code I 
can add on to. I'll make it do what I need it to do myself. Leave the 
MIDI gadget market to the people who want to fool with marketing.

Just thought I'd start the next argument.
[end rant]


I've heard a lot of intelligent statements in the last couple of 
days. I always knew this list is where intelligent people hang out. 
Special thanks to Grant for clarifying his original remark--I KNEW he 
was joking, but I was AFRAID he wasn't.

Hopefully we scared off any glorps...


-- 
Terry Bowman, KA4HJH
"The Mac Doctor"