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back7co | 3 years ago

It started with Arduino for me, which led me to Adafruit, who has gone on to make their own Open Source Hardware and the Circuit Python platform. The scene now is multi-vendor and very healthy, but I'll admit I stopped using Arduino when it was very hard to get a genuine one... which I think is a solved problem by buying direct now.

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suyash|3 years ago

Adafruit has done to Arduino what Arduino did to Wiring. Adafruit is pushing it's own custom python called 'Circuit Python' for it's new hardware so there is no Arduino code examples to go with thier products anymore which is a big disaster.

We should stick to standard Arduino code that should run on all compatible Arduino devices.

bri3d|3 years ago

> We should stick to standard Arduino code that should run on all compatible Arduino devices.

Why should the entire hobbyist hardware space be an Arduino monoculture?

IMO the Arduino proto-language and framework are quite mediocre and it's time to move on. For beginners, embedded hardware has gotten much more powerful and more familiar languages can be employed. For more advanced users and larger projects, using a real RTOS with a real task system unlocks development velocity in a huge way.

I don't really love CircuitPython, but I don't see how this is comparable to the Wiring/Arduino situation, nor do I really see it as a step backwards.

skybrian|3 years ago

Switching to PlatformIO is a nice way to go if you want a more sane version of Arduino package management.

nerfhammer|3 years ago

quasi-python is a lot easier for beginners than quasi-C imo

HeyLaughingBoy|3 years ago

Remember that Arduino is OSHW so clones & alternate implementations are everywhere at far lower cost. You're better off starting with a Black Pill or ESP32 based unit these days anyway. The overall ecosystem and common framework is far more valuable than any individual piece of hardware.

NonNefarious|3 years ago

I have an Uno, but I've moved away from Arduino because an Uno costs as much as a Raspberry Pi. Granted, they serve different purposes, but now there's the Pi Pico for $5.

Nothing against the Arduino folks; they really opened up a great avenue for exploration. But it doesn't seem cost-competitive at the moment.

martin_a|3 years ago

Have a look to Arduino "inspired" other boards, then. The ESP8266 comes to mind which brings onboard WIFI for around $5 or less and is probably a great start into anything IOT-like.