[sdiy] Rotary encoder

[Eric Brombaugh]

On Jan 10, 2009, at 12:25 PM, Cary Roberts wrote:

>>> However, as 74C922 are pretty expensive ($7.50 even at Futurlec),
>>> it's probably
>>> not an ideal solution...
>>>
>>
>> Still a brilliant idea, IMHO.
>> It's also handy if one wants to interface a 12 position switch to a
>> microcontroller. 7 I/O ports versus 12.
>
> Excuse my ignorance, but how is this brilliant?  Using an obsolete
> expensive part in place of a microcontroller that costs less than a  
> 10th
> as much seems absurd.

A few reasons come to mind:

* The desire for a clever hack. Sometimes seen by others as a klu(d)ge.
* Learning to program a microcontroller is haaarrrrd.
* Rather spend two weeks scrounging than pay a few bucks to buy new.
* We fear these new-fangled computer thingies.
* Don't have any databooks newer than 1978.
* Gotta do something with that garage full of old keyboards.

Eric