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Hi, I'm the guy behind it... Just wanted to stand up for it a bit - the -uino postfix is really because of the hobby electronics association. I wanted to do som

Hi, I'm the guy behind it... Just wanted to stand up for it a bit - the -uino postfix is really because of the hobby electronics association. I wanted to do something a bit different by adding the prototype area, and I found the Arduino form factor was too big for any sensible hand-held projects. The board is still small enough that it can sit on a simple adaptor PCB for Arduino shields though. I'll try and put one online when the campaign ends. Also port initialisation is automatic so pinMode is not required - it's a huge potential gotcha for learners, and it seemed wise to remove the need for it. You can still use it if you want to though.

zeckalpha 13y ago
How does this compare to Tessel? http://technical.io/ http://technical.io/ Can you merge your efforts? Good luck!
- gfwilliams 13y ago
  Thanks! As I understand it, Tessel uses a version of node.js (and probably Linux underneath) so it needs around 32mb of RAM (and quite a lot of Flash too). I've worked pretty hard to get Espruino running in 8kb (with space for variables) so that it can run on a single cheap IC (without external RAM). I think they probably serve quite different markets. I figure Tessel are aiming to provide more of an ecosystem? If I'm honest I think they've got a bit of a fight on their hands against Raspberry Pi/Beaglebone with node.js installed, so I'd guess they're going for some kind of added value. On the other hand, Espruino's aiming more where the Arduino is. Low power, where you want to play with LEDs or automate a project you've made, and you want the instant gratification of using an interpreter.
aberkowitz 13y ago
The "-uino" suffix is pretty blatantly associated with the arduino platform. To go out there and claim you're using it for the "hobby electronics association" is pretty disingenuous.
- jpwright 13y ago
  Agreed, and it's worth pointing out that this is what Arduino has to say on the matter: "Note that while we don't attempt to restrict uses of the "duino" suffix, its use causes the Italians on the team to cringe (apparently it sounds terrible); you might want to avoid it. (It's also trademarked by a Hungarian company.)" http://arduino.cc/en/Main/FAQ http://arduino.cc/en/Main/FAQ
tehwebguy 13y ago
While this looks really cool, I also agree that you should lose the -uino

zeckalpha 13y ago

How does this compare to Tessel? http://technical.io/ http://technical.io/ Can you merge your efforts? Good luck!

gfwilliams 13y ago
Thanks! As I understand it, Tessel uses a version of node.js (and probably Linux underneath) so it needs around 32mb of RAM (and quite a lot of Flash too). I've worked pretty hard to get Espruino running in 8kb (with space for variables) so that it can run on a single cheap IC (without external RAM). I think they probably serve quite different markets. I figure Tessel are aiming to provide more of an ecosystem? If I'm honest I think they've got a bit of a fight on their hands against Raspberry Pi/Beaglebone with node.js installed, so I'd guess they're going for some kind of added value. On the other hand, Espruino's aiming more where the Arduino is. Low power, where you want to play with LEDs or automate a project you've made, and you want the instant gratification of using an interpreter.

aberkowitz 13y ago

The "-uino" suffix is pretty blatantly associated with the arduino platform. To go out there and claim you're using it for the "hobby electronics association" is pretty disingenuous.

jpwright 13y ago
Agreed, and it's worth pointing out that this is what Arduino has to say on the matter: "Note that while we don't attempt to restrict uses of the "duino" suffix, its use causes the Italians on the team to cringe (apparently it sounds terrible); you might want to avoid it. (It's also trademarked by a Hungarian company.)" http://arduino.cc/en/Main/FAQ http://arduino.cc/en/Main/FAQ

tehwebguy 13y ago

While this looks really cool, I also agree that you should lose the -uino