[sdiy] Beginner questions

[Magnus Danielson]

From: Richard Wentk <richard at skydancer.com>
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Beginner questions
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 16:27:41 +0000

> >Is there any FAQ out there or some tutorials that give a computer guy
> >some ideas about the electronic side of this ? I´ve seen that there are
> >some machines based on PICs, others on VARs, other on 68xxx, but I don´t
> >know why to prefer this or that way.
> 
> If you're treating this as a learning experience rather than as a 
> straight-out attempt to build a tool you can use right away, I'd seriously 
> suggest looking into a simple processor-free design first. You'll learn a 
> lot more about basic electronics that way, and also appreciate why you 
> might/might not want to use a processor, and what kind of enhancements it 
> can give you.
> 
> H/ware design and s/ware coding seem to require different mindsets. S/ware 
> is much less hands-on and physical than h/ware, and your mind works in 
> different ways to solve different puzzles. If you have s/ware experience 
> already, it might be interesting to try to learn to solve problems in a 
> h/ware kind of way.
> 
> It's not that one is better (although one may definitely be better for 
> certain problems) but more that they're different in interesting ways. 
> Having experience of both is definitely more useful than just being fluent 
> in one or the other.

I'd say there is three important disiplinces here... analogue electronics,
digital curcuit designs (including up to multi-million gates FPGA/full custom)
and software. There are also cross-overs betweeen these if you look carefully.

The trick is to learn to use each of them with care and thought, and only then
you figure out which problem is best solved in either of them.

> >Would this list be a good point to ask about sequencing stuff as well ?
> 
> Almost certainly. :)
> 
> Incidentally a standard recommended book is The Art of Electronics by 
> Horowitz and Hill. It's not cheap, but it's one of the best introductions 
> around.

Indeed. Also, don't forget to actually read it! You don't necessarilly read
it linearly, but eventually it's good to have covered it.

Cheers,
Magnus