New Forum

whizzer

Senior Member
Thanks for all the comments. We will try tweaking the format over next few days, but we will never please everyone...

Remember also that you can set your options (User CP, top right after logging in) to hide signatures etc.
Erm... the User CP is showing up at top LEFT on my screen here!
Then again, maybe it's because we're in the southern hemisphere here. -heh heh :)

PS: If changing default point size -please don't make it too small!

Cheers
 

Technical

Technical Support
Staff member
A pdf containing circuit diagrams can easily be larger than the current 19KB limit . If the diagram can be squeezed into this limit it will be illegible.
We'll look into the pdf limit, but circuit diagrams should really be posted as jpg/gif rather than pdf anyway.
 

manuka

Senior Member
Hear! Hear!

It transpires that (back in 2001-2) I was probably #2 (after Hippy) to discover Rev.Ed's darlings, so I likewise applaud their 5+ year reign. The lasting impression I've gained in that time surely relates to their "can do" confidence boosting ability,for both learners & old hands! Manuka/Stan
 

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BCJKiwi

Senior Member
OLD/New Forum Queries

1. External links have not converted from the old forum to the new properly.
e.g <A href='http://www.lancer3.com/dwnlds.htm' target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>
trust these can be updated in due course. This behaviour is the same in the archive view (the link in the footer) as the new views

2. How about a section for comments/issues/assitance etc with the forum itself so this stuff doen't get mixed in with the 'real business' - i.e. PICAXE stuff?

3. it seems that over the years I have managed to create 3 memberships - only one of which is currently active - is there a way we can combine these?

4. a look at the members list suggests there are a large number of never used/test/play meberships that should probably be culled. I'm not sure if there is any overhead in having these remaining but a tidy may be in order.

5. There does not seem to be any way to search the archive view.

6. There does not seem to be any way to sort the archive view.

7. No Spellchecker!

Thanks
 
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Technical

Technical Support
Staff member
1) we are aware of this issue, due to differences in the forum software it is not easy to fix. However the actual web link is still visible in the archive post.
2 -4) points considered
5-6) The main purpose of the archive is for search engine (e.g. Google) optimisation, not for general use. However you can still read posts there if you prefer the format.
7) There is a spell checker function available (IE or firefox - small download may be required on first use). Go to to User CP > Edit Options, and then select the text editor to anything other than the 'Basic Editor'. You'll then get the normal 'tick ABC' button to make use of!
 
Exporting Circuit Diagrams from sPlan to use as attachments

We'll look into the pdf limit, but circuit diagrams should really be posted as jpg/gif rather than pdf anyway.
Having experimented with sPlan I come to the conclusion that gif offers the best "performance" for circuit diagrams when they are to be used as attachments in the forum. However exporting with a resolution of 438x272 (with 272 close to the max dimension of 620x280) does not produce good results - see attachment). If resolutions of upto about 865x538 were allowed (which gives a gif file of circa 15KB) then acceptable results are acheived.
Allowing resolutions of upto 1536x955 produces a file of 35KB and is very acceptable.

I have no idea whether the forum software will handle such resolutions!

(p.s. the circuit diagram attached is not meant to be a "good" example of a diagram)
 

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BCJKiwi

Senior Member
Technical - Thanks for the update. Sorry I missed the 'Tick ABC' - the best place for the spell checker is in the editor.

My spelling is excellent - it's just my dyslexic touch typing fingers conspiring with my keyboard and working against me!
 

Michael 2727

Senior Member
Technical - the 97.1Kb file I posted in the, User Projects - Misc - DIY 08 0r 08M ,,,,,
http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7710
was originally a very clear 33Kb .GIF (720 x 269 x 8 BPP ) I had to convert it to a 97.Kb .jpg just to be able to read the lettering wich is still very fuzzy. An 8 colour BMP converted to an 8 colour GIF may offer better value for space, compared to JPG, seems my apps all want to convert JPGs to 24 colours.(wasting space and clarity)
It will take a while to sort out the best format and size to use, keeping everything small will teach everybody to be more effecient, a smidge larger wouldn't hurt though.
There's nothing worse than 1.5Mb of, e.g. 5 photos out of focus that show no real usable information on a projects construction etc.
 

beny1949

Senior Member
New forum is looking good! Been a while since i have been on here... I have missed it.

I have recently started my A-levels. I have taken Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Electronics (which i have to do in my frees) and Genral Studies.

I am hoping to do computer science at university in a couple of years, hopefully specialising in embedded systems. Does anybody have any wise words on the matter?
 

BeanieBots

Moderator
Feeling Lost

I've been off-line for a few days and have come back to find this new forum.
Everyone seems to be very happy and posting away like there's no tommorrow so I guess the populous likes it.
Maybe I'm just an old f@rt that can't cope with change anymore but for me I've lost that "what's new at a glance" feel and look.
Looks like I have to browse and READ to know what's going on rather than just pop open the forum. Used to be 'nothing in purple', close it again.
Have to login to reply and/or view images?

I've not yet had time to give it a fair chance or see what options can be set so,
for now, the jury is still out.
 
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manuka

Senior Member
Embedded systems!

Yes- don't get seduced by the swish "Embedded Systems" title when selecting a course! Almost all electronic circuits now use such an approach of course, & inbuilt micros have become almost disposable items,yet the term is often considered to rank in status with genetic engineering,fuzzy logic & brain surgery. It may get you fluttering eyelids & admiring glances at parties, but ...

I've had a number of debates in recent years regarding academic empire building,& have deflated a few egos by pointing out that the likes of a $ PICAXE & a few hours of concentration can often now achieve circuitry wonders rivalling $$$$$ & a 4 year degree.

This is of course not to dissuade you, but rather an alert to "academic propaganda". Look beyond the hype at the bones of a course, as boring aspects such as marketing & finance may contribute more to your career than semesters of algorithms. Probably the best example of this may well be Google- the 2 founders abandoned their Ph.D study in 1998 to follow a bright idea. The outcome is (recent) history... Old chalkie - Stan
 
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papaof2

Senior Member
Just click on "New Posts" at the top of the page. It will show what's new since the last time you logged in.
To make it easier to find the list, right click on each thread of interest and select "Open in New Window". When you finish that thread, close it and you'll be back at your "menu" for new posts.
 

beny1949

Senior Member
Thanks Stan,

I agree, there are LOTS of situations where lateral thinking and a picaxe will save the wad, but I would also say there are many other, mission critical situation systems that cannot rely on a PIC-Axe. for example i have started to dabble with a STR750 series chip with a 32 bit core and many many complex on board devices.

I will just have to play it by ear, but for the moment I will stick with my goal.

Ben
 

Dippy

Moderator
Absolutley beny, stick with your goal. It's a good 'un. Keep that cerebellum churning.

After all, we don't hear much about those thousands of students who have abandoned their academic career to follow bright ideas that weren't very bright!
 

Fowkc

Senior Member
Wow, new forum is nice. I'm kept busy for a few months, and when I get back I find that's it's all changed!

You will all be pleased to know (or more likely not care very much) that I have graduated, and have a nice electronic engineering job, with which I can afford to start some PICAXE projects I've been mulling over, and more importantly start contributing to this forum again.

Also, I have mastered the art of SMT soldering. It's so very, very easy, and quicker than through-hole. No holes to drill or leads to cut.
 

manuka

Senior Member
Embedded micros et.al

Beny- I MOST certainly encourage bright minds to study further,but after a V E R Y lengthy academic career my tone is naturally moderated by decades of marketing hype, "smoke & mirrors", inertia & sheer BOREDOM I've had to put up! A large part of the enthusiasm I show for technology has arisen as a result of past exposure to such mind numbing culture(s). Far from exciting you, the workload & presentation may totally kill off your interest in a topic...

New students keen to work with satellites, micros & fuzzy logic may find the course reality leaves such juicy topics to the final year, when it's delivered by a dry "English as a 2nd or even 3rd language" academic who normally hides in a back room polishing up his conference submissions! Meanwhile YOU could spend years running up a mega student debt & slaving over course work that's akin to an obstacle course.

Although a degree is often essential for getting ones foot in the door to a career, it's fair to say that self directed learning & vision is often more valuable in the real world. Take young William H. Gates III "Traf-O-data" & later mid 70s Harvard BASIC experiences as an example. Mmm- that was over 30 years ago. I wonder what he got up to after that? Stan
 

manuka

Senior Member
Embedded micros et.al

EXTRA: The most valuable benefit of higher education often relates to the people you meet !
 
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