COMPLETED (Until next year) - Electronics/Microcontrollers/Computers Meetup?

[Chris Savage]

So, in the interest of making it easier for newbies, maybe a real Arduino (Nano) would be a better choice. My Tiny-88 board is still on order, and I will check it out when it arrives, but...

Ironically, there's an Arduino library for those ultrasonic sensors. 

[granz]

Ironically, there's an Arduino library for those ultrasonic sensors. 

Not the least bit surprised. One of the big advantages to the Arduino world is the amazingly huge library. There are libraries for almost anything (maybe even for a Boeing 747.  )

That is one of the big reasons for my considering Arduino for the give-aways. I still think that the PicoMite is the best for beginners, but there is more software, and support, available for the Arduino.

[granz]

Raffle tickets on order.
https://www.amazon.com/LIKED-Raffle-Tickets-Raffles-Carnival/dp/B0D2CVHW1D

Two hundred tickets for only $1.99 + tax, total.

I will be surprised if we get 100 people (plus completely overwhelmed.) So, what I was thinking was give each person two tickets when they arrive, one is for the biggie prize (whatever we decide that is,) and the other ticket goes into a box in front of the "lesser" prize that they would like to win - each of the other prizes would be displayed on a table with a ticket box in front of it. Am I making myself clear on this?

[granz]

Over on ZappBot's forum, Zappman had this to say:

I am trying to think of something you could giveaway that a child could use, I believe that you will find some children present at the meetup.

Also, when you are promoting the Meetup, you might want to suggest that attendees bring a laptop computer.

Excellent points. I have an old back-pack in which I keep several Dollar Tree toys (I call it my "Grandpa Bag".) This is for giving out when there are kids who get bored (like at a restaurant when the grown-ups want to talk after dinner.) These toys often keep the kids amused (and quiet) for several minutes so the adults can keep talking. Something like that may be good for the younger children.

Also, bringing a laptop/notebook/tablet is a great idea. I'm envisioning that most of us will have a table to show off our projects, and a computer would be important for that.

[granz]

This trying to find give-away gifts is getting a bit discouraging, this feature creep keeps dragging the price up.

Can anyone think of a very simple dev kit, which would have just enough to pique a beginner's curiosity (without being too complex,) but only cost a couple dollars? Currently, I am looking at between $5-$10 each, and cannot afford very many of those. If I can come up with something for ~$2, then I could bring about 50 of those for give-aways.

[JKnightandKARR]

the only thing I know of is stuff the basic components... other then that, idk  short of I got a few diff electronics books on pdf.

[zappman]

This trying to find give-away gifts is getting a bit discouraging, this feature creep keeps dragging the price up.

Can anyone think of a very simple dev kit, which would have just enough to pique a beginner's curiosity (without being too complex,) but only cost a couple dollars? Currently, I am looking at between $5-$10 each, and cannot afford very many of those. If I can come up with something for ~$2, then I could bring about 50 of those for give-aways.

https://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.the-new-header_fy23_pc_search_bar.keydown__Enter&tab=all&SearchText=Christmas+Ornament++soldering+kit

[granz]

https://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.the-new-header_fy23_pc_search_bar.keydown__Enter&tab=all&SearchText=Christmas+Ornament++soldering+kit

That may be a good idea. I forget, are you going to the meetup? If you are, would you mind running a soldering seminar/class?

[zappman]

Sorry, it is too far for me to drive there and back, so I can't attend.

[Chris Savage]

Whatever you end up with, I probably have enough of these sensors to add one to each package. I feel like I should send you one so you can get some example code ready? I will try to get an exact count on these in the next couple of days.

So I counted up the ultrasonic sensors today and I have 21 of them ready to send you. 20 for the giveaways with the controllers, and one for you to make some example code, if you want.

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[Chris Savage]

If I can come up with something for ~$2, then I could bring about 50 of those for give-aways.

Just my opinion, but I don't see us getting anywhere near 50 people. We'll be lucky to get the expected 20 people. We don't even have 20 members here on Savage///Chats. Hopefully, doing this thing, documenting it and word of mouth, in the future it will get bigger and be a bigger thing. See my previous message regarding the 20 sensors I am sending to you. I don't have 50, so before I send them, let me know if you're doing 50.

[MicroNut]

I don't think giveaways would be a problem. We had a men's dinner one time and the speaker had a giveaway and no one complained so your fine Granz. The issue is when you ask for money to win money like a 50/50 or raffle. So we tend to steer clear of that since it is questionable.

[granz]

https://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.the-new-header_fy23_pc_search_bar.keydown__Enter&tab=all&SearchText=Christmas+Ornament++soldering+kit

ZappMan, your post reminded me of a flashlight project that I saw many years ago (https://www.instructables.com/Instructables-Robot-Paper-LED-Flashlight/.) I posted about making several of these for a club that I had started at our local library (see my comment, third comment down.) Several years ago, I had three of my granddaughters make these flashlights - it was a great success. A hundred of these could be made for very cheap. That might be a better way to go.

[granz]

Just my opinion, but I don't see us getting anywhere near 50 people. We'll be lucky to get the expected 20 people. We don't even have 20 members here on Savage///Chats. Hopefully, doing this thing, documenting it and word of mouth, in the future it will get bigger and be a bigger thing. See my previous message regarding the 20 sensors I am sending to you. I don't have 50, so before I send them, let me know if you're doing 50.

You may be right, but I want to be prepared in case the fliers, and other advertising, bring in more than we expect. My idea for the flashlight - see my reply to ZappMan, above - should take care of the "everyone gets a prize" items. I still have several items, like the dev kits that I have been mentioning, that I will be bringing for additional give-aways, or for sale.

It may be best if you keep those sensors at your table and figure out your own give away scheme (contest, just hand out, etc.)

[granz]

I don't think giveaways would be a problem. We had a men's dinner one time and the speaker had a giveaway and no one complained so your fine Granz. The issue is when you ask for money to win money like a 50/50 or raffle. So we tend to steer clear of that since it is questionable.

That's pretty much what I figured. I fully support your Church's prohibition against gambling, so no troubles.

My purpose for the "everyone gets one" items is that I want everyone who attends to be encouraged to get into the "Maker" ecosystem. The more people who get into engineering (even on a small scale) the better off our country (world?) will be. For that, I'm willing to pump a bit of money into it. Also, I'm at the point in my career, like the doctors in the Hippocratic Oath:

to teach them this art, if they want to learn it, without fee or indenture; to impart precept, oral instruction, and all other instruction to my own sons, the sons of my teacher, and to indentured pupils who have taken the Healer's oath

Where I feel the need to pass on my trade to my own sons, the sons of my teacher, and to indentured pupils.

See my tagline.