[CART360] arduino

[Vincent Leclerc]

For those of you who didn't know already, the studio portion of this
class will deal heavily with embedded electronics. Fear not, I'll
assume most of you have no clue how to use a resistor. This means that
we are starting from the very beginning... ..V=RI type stuff... The
plan is to get done with all the basic technical material in the first
few weeks so we can start putting sensors in marshmallows before the
semester ends.

Although you'll learn electronics design and embedded programming,
this is NOT a class about making robots or controllers for video
games. The class will focus a lot on the materiality of things and
there will be a lot emphasis put on exploring the use of elements
other than plastic and photons in computing systems.

The platform you'll be learning how to steer electrons with is called
Arduino. It's "an open-source electronics prototyping platform based
on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for
artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating
interactive objects or environments." [http://arduino.cc]

If you are serious about taking this class, you must purchase an
Arduino ASAP. Below is a list of good suppliers I have dealt with in
the past:

- http://www.robotshop.ca/home/suppliers/arduino-en/arduino-usb-microcontroller-board.html
(based somewhere close to Montreal - I just checked their stock and
they only have 14 left)

- http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=50
(based in Manhattan, be careful with customs duties and broker fees...)

- http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=666
(in Colorado, same warning for customs...)

Vincent