[chbot] My stampalike project....

[Chris Hellyar]

Hi-ho,

I've still not decided what to make!

You know that process you go through were you over-design something to
death, but never actually build it?

Well, since I started playing with this stampalike idea I've done
exactly that, three PCB designs and two bootloader re-codes later I've
still not got it to an end result.  I've settled on the PIC18F2520 as
it's the best bang for buck in a 28pin PIC at under $7 for 10mips with 

What features do you think are useful in a controller module?  RS232
bootloader? I2C interface? Inbuilt buffered I/O?  A huge number of I/O
lines? ICSP header? SIL Plug in module, IDC header connection or DIL
form factor?  Socketed processor?  Onboard high current regulator?
Onboard LED(s)? R/C Servo connectors?  SMD or through hole?

As an aside, anyone on the list remember the wee ABS plastic platform I
bought to the very first club meeting back in '03?  (Can't believe it
was then!) I've just put it back together, and it's bump-steering around
the floor in a very brainless sort of way, but it's too bulky, needs to
loose weight! :-)

Cheers, Cris H.