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I've come across an interesting and confusing problem. I am using an FTDI based USB to Serial converter board. When plugged in, Window's acknowledges it as COM6. The Program Editor (latest version) does not "see" it and even after a Refresh, it still does not appear on the list of COM ports. I...

Technical, The Programming Editor Example Files need some serious updating. Many of of the older files generate a syntax error when using the latest version of the PE. For example, the led_test.bas program use "Loop" as a label. Since "Loop" is now a BASIC command. a syntax error is generated...

Here is an early test using DIPTRACE to layout a circuit on a Gadget Gangster "half-board" prototyping board. This can also be used for a breadboard. Myc

Hippy, Will you give a brief explanation of the internal pull up resistors inside a PICAXE. The question is whether they can be used instead of external pullups on inputs with switches. Myc

From a discussion about using DIPTRACE with a stripboard editor. Myc: DIPTRACE doesn't have any strip board design tools -- directly. I've been playing with DIPTRACE and stripboards lately. With a little creativity, You can set up a 0.1" grid and layout a stripboard, or you can export a...

As a user of both PICAXE and Arduino micros, one of the things I like about the Arduino system is the "shields". The shields are stackable add-on boards for the basic Arduino. Shields come in many flavors, containing simple prototyping areas to motor drivers to Xbee modules. The shields...

The folks at DIPTRACE are offering a free upgrade to PICAXE forum members. This is not offered on their website. Previously, the full function, free, non-commercial version, that we've all been using, will do 2 layer boards of any size and up to 250 pins. The new upgrade will do 2 layers and...

The specs on the PICAXE 20X2 have now been released, the chip will be available shortly. A quick browse through the updated manuals show some very interesting and exciting new built in functions for the 20X2. 64 mHz operation without a crystal A built in comparator A background timer A SR...

For those PICAXErs using DIPTRACE to create schematics and pcbs, DIPTRACE PCB has just published an upgrade to version 2.0 This upgrade includes 8000+ new parts including all the PICAXE chips. Even some that are not yet available yet. :) Attached is a pdf of the schematic symbols. Myc

http://www.coolepochcountdown.com/

For the week 11/10/08 to 11/17/08: Total posts* = 574 Top Four posters BeanieBots--63 Westaus55--49 Boriz--31 Hippy--26 Total--169 29% of posts by the top 4 *Total posts is the sum of the posts in the Main PICAXE forum

I've been watching the Let's make robots site for a while now. It has turned into a very good source of practical PICAXE information and robots. Definitely worth a look. http://letsmakerobots.com/ To paraphrase a holiday quote: Yes Virginia, there is a world of PICAXE outside this forum. Myc

I came across this recently. It's actually kind of obvious, but I have never seen it mentioned. By tapping into the internal wiper in a servo, you can use it as a position sensor. http://vimeo.com/2223262 Not PICAXE based, but easily PICAXE-able. Myc

I was cleaning out my cellar recently and came across a number of old Commodore 64 peripherals, printer, plotter, etc. These were all connected to the C64 on a serial bus. It would be fun to re-use some of these with a PICAXE project. Has anyone done any work with the Commodore Serial Bus? The...

My wife bought herself an ASUS Eee PC last weekend. They were on sale at TARGET FOR $300. I was pretty impressed with it. The screen size good and the readablity is great. At 2 lbs, it is very portable and the small footprint makes it great for the electronic bench. It is actually more...

Halloween this year seems to have a large number of battery powered gizmos offered by the chinese manufacturers. I have found many that use either 2AA or 3AA cells. They also have LEDs, motors and switches that are also useful. With a little imagination, these can be converted to cheap project...

This project file is for DIPTRACE / Picaxe related files. The purpose is to make it easier to find and use them. Please add any new stuff you have created. Note: Because of the limitations of the forum, I suggest that you use the extension "dsn" for files that will not be accepted by the...

Today September 12 is the 50th anniversary of Jack Kilby's demonstration of the first working IC. Myc

An open letter to Xbox gamers: 1.Yes, the PICAXE 08M is an easy method of adding rapid fire to any game controller. 2. No, you cannot read a preprogrammed PICAXE and make a copy of the program. There are technical reasons, but just let's say it's designed to prevent that. It is not like a dvd...

My latest PICAXE / DIPTRACE project is interfacing with Veecad, a stripboard layout program. Veecad requires a separate schematic editor to generate netlists. Then matches the components frrom Veecad's footprint library and does the stripboard layout. It's a pretty clever program and under...