Idea for anthrocon 2009, a microcontroller programming panel
Posted by firehopper (FireHopper) on Sun, 2008-08-10 10:31
 Location: Kutztown, PA
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I would be interesting in hosting one, and providing help. a couple of things though.. I'm not rich, so I couldnt afford to give free dev kits :> each person would need a laptop as well.. my ideas are as follows. each furson interested would pay for a seat, but that would get them a devkit to take home I'm into the parallax propeller right now, which isn't super expensive but isn't super cheap either. is there any interest at all? I use the parallax basic stamp 2 in my animatronic wings, but the propeller is so much better |
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Sounds a little too advanced for a furcon. (I, for one, have no idea what you're talking about.) Sounds like a course better taught over several days either online or in person.
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permalinkI'd say you have the ideas for one, maybe two panels...
The interesting, relevant-to-the-con one would be 'microcontrollers (or electronics) in costuming' where you could have a panel discussion on the uses of different controllers, other components (what do you hook the processor to? How do you fit those boards and all those batteries into your setup? etc.) and what are the big challenges in costuming it can address? (interactivity, moving facial features, 'different' concepts like the Chromatail, etc.) Get some people who've done this work in on it, and you'd have a great costume track panel.
Then you could add on with a panel about the tools... I think your idea there might be better implemented (and free) as sort of a 'how to get started' session. Show off the development toolchain (maybe more than one vendor, if you can get it), discuss the programming language, and have info so that people can go out and get started.
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permalinkLocation: Cleveland, OH
Website: [Link]
I second Warphammer's comments on this. A typical workshop to cover even a basic introduction to a product/topic like this is easily an 8-hour all-day event when sponsored from a vendor, and this is usually in the context of presenting to an audience who already has prior knowledge of the subject matter.
I think people would find the *application* of technology into costumes to be far more interesting, since you will get a mix of both techies (who might want to do it) as well as casual onlookers. In-depth information with how to get started on the technical side of things is available from the Internet, in far more depth than can ever be presented at a workshop, and in a form that people can study at their leisure outside of a convention setting.
Provided the panel focuses on the application side of things I would be more than happy to contribute, show off the in's and out's of the Chromatail, and to give people some ideas for how to get started on their own.
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permalinkFizz, you are being far too modest about your own accomplishments in the field!
HEY EVERYBODY!!! The otter you see above me built this:
And YOU CAN TOO!!! But only if you come to Firehopper's panel, and learn from the technological innovators who did it furst!
Anyway, seriously cool hack, dude. Oh, by the way, Firehopper, perhaps you might want to give Triggur a buzz about this panel? He's done some work along these lines as well, and may have something to contribute. (Scroll down to "LED light sequencer circuit" for the goods!)
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iSKUNK!
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permalinkI cant see this, as dont have net at home, and panera bread is blocking that website as adult.
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permalinkIt's just one of those YouTube embed-thingies. It's the Chroma-Tail video; you've seen it already.
(But for those who haven't, and couldn't get it above, try here, or here)
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iSKUNK!
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permalinkI ment triggur's website
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permalinkOh, I see. Yeah, Triggur's done quite a few shenanigans, all documented on his Web site, and certain overzealous Web filters may be leery of it.
For example, I only recently discovered that it was Triggur (and, more generally, someone in the furry community) who gifted the world with the most brilliant invention since the whoopee cushion:
ROBODUMP!!! ("Drop it!")
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iSKUNK!
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permalinksnicker, also blocked for me
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permalinkwell Its not a definate yet, its just ideas, but fizz, I would love help.. esp if I do manage to duplicate your tail, we can show the two methods off, and my wings of course
since they are animatronic 
Hey triggur!
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permalinkWebsite: [Link]
I would probably try and make it to a panel on this, even if it was just a "how to get started" panel.
I've always been interested in giving furry animatronics a shot, just never knew where to start.
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permalinkWebsite: [Link]
Blog: [Link]
I'd be all over an MCU design and implementation panel, but as has already been said, the subject is FAR too complex for you or anyone to be able to get further than "This is what an MCU is" in the span of an Anthrocon panel, not to mention that it's a niche area (EE-based solutions) of a niche area (animatronics) of a niche area (fursuits).
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permalinkWebsite: [Link]
I'm very interested! Maybe have folks buy the kits beforehand. Maybe make a very small, but very configurable, scrolling badge. Color, maybe?
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permalinkthe controller is $99 ish, a small 1 inch color Oled display is 89$ish.. and they sell a oled display with a propeller already onboard
notsure how much it is.. but that would be something 
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permalinkInteresting because my micro controller was only $35 but you would have to know how to code in C to use it.
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permalinkand I dont understand C or C++ at all really. I'm more comfortable with basic or spin.
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permalinkLocation: Horse Ranch in Texas
Website: [Link]
i'd be very happy to see a panel like that at anthrocon. since i make costumes for a living i think it'd be interestin' and fun to learn somethin' like that.
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The wolf in me will forever desire the sheep in you.
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permalinkit would be interesting, but I would need help
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permalinkLocation: Horse Ranch in Texas
Website: [Link]
well i may not know too terribly much but i'll be happy to do what i can to help. oh and btw i might be able to recrute someone of big use to you. he's my uncle Ted he builds animatronics as a small side job/hobby.
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The wolf in me will forever desire the sheep in you.
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