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LaunchPad questions...

westfw
Intellectual 895 points

1) Is there going to be a separate forum for just the LaunchPad?  Given its popularity, I predict that that might be a good idea.  There are sure to be a large number of "beginner issues" that it might make sense to segregate as much as possible (even if that is a politically incorrect word.)  I've noticed that a large portion of beginner questions can actually be helpful to establishing a community (the beginners help each other, and often come up with questions that make even the experiences users think), but that doesn't mean that everyone in THIS forum will be happy with the traffic level...

2) Given that digital IO ports on MSP430x2xx have configurable internal pullup/pulldown resistors, why is there an EXTERNAL pullup the p1.3 pin of the launchpad design?  Compatibility with 1xx series chips?

 

  • 0
    Guru 58965 points

    1)  I second that!

    2)  I think that was and oversight. Compatibility with 1xx series chips is not a possible reason.

  • 0 in reply to old_cow_yellow
    Intellectual 895 points

    Compatibility with 1xx series chips is not a possible reason.

    Right.  No DIPs.  Duh!

  • 0
    Intellectual 370 points

    Given that LaunchPad seems aimed at students and hobbyists, a separate forum seems like a good idea.

    Since the LaunchPad is at least in part for people new to microcontrollers or at least new to the MSP430 line, perhaps the LaunchPad designers wanted these users to get up and running with simple programs before they learn about internal pullups and how to set them.  This might explain the choice of an external pullup on S2.  Maybe the simple demo programs from TI don't use internal pullups, either.

    I now have a confession.  Since my first few test programs toggled one or two LEDs on the LaunchPad, I didn't notice that LED1 and LED2 are active high rather than active low.  Old habits from other development boards die hard, I guess.  Since my more "advanced" programs used external boards connected to the LaunchPad with squid cables, this fact was overlooked at first.  I guess my first program should have been just to turn an LED on with a button push.

    Another feature that would be good to add would be a separate area where completed projects can be posted and shared, including downloads of the project files.  That wouldn't be of much interest to professionals who are working on company projects, but hobbyists like me like to show off their little accomplishments, however humble they may be.  I currently have one project file in my profile's Files area which I announced in a forum post, but a separate common area might be easier for folks to access.  Just a thought.

    Cheers.

  • 0 in reply to Andrew Palm
    Guru 17650 points

    Hi there,

    having a seperate forum (area) for the LAUNCHPAD is an excellent idea.

    In addition I also welcome to have a place were new (and old) MSP430 users can upload some code snippets and/or complete projects they want to share with the community. Searching in 'My Files' isn't that funny.

    Rgds
    aBUGSworstnightmare

  • 0 in reply to Joerg Quinten
    Intellectual 970 points

    I totally agree that the LaunchPad should get its own forum. It is cool that TI has brought together hobbyists and experts in the field, but I do think that everyone would be happier if LaunchPad forum traffic could be separated.

    As far as a place to submit user projects? I'm not sure that's something TI should be responsible for running. It can be messy if a company allows customers to post projects on their page, for liability reasons and other reasons. Personally I'm waiting for someone to get a web page up and running for the community which would have forums, a place to post project, and some basic hobby app notes. There are a few websites out there for other microcomputers that are very similar to what I would love to see. Maybe all we need is a web developer who has the motivation to create a page? I for one am not a web developer, I hate designing and building websites, thus why I only have a blog. Blogs are easy in comparison to a real website!

    -NJC

    ______________________________

    http://msp430launchpad.blogspot.com

  • 0 in reply to NJC
    Guru 17650 points

    Hi NJC,

    nice idea with your Blog! Keep on blogging :0)

    Rgds
    aBUGSworstnightmare

  • 0 in reply to Joerg Quinten
    Guru 227245 points

    aBUGSworstnightmare said:
    In addition I also welcome to have a place were new (and old) MSP430 users can upload some code snippets and/or complete projects they want to share with the community.

    The MSP430 Wiki was intended to receive code snippets as well as tips and tricks.
    Messing with a WIKI frontend isn't intuitive, however.

    aBUGSworstnightmare said:
    Searching in 'My Files' isn't that funny.

    Searching on the TI website isn't funny at all. The only really reliable search is when you know the exact part number and do a part number search. All other searches are a real pain, Even more with the website and all those gadgets loading so incredibly slow. If google were that slow, they'd be out-of-(searching-)business for long.

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