128: The American Pi

Embedded.fm · 3 Dec 2015 · 1h 01m

What this episode covers

Simon Monk, author of over 20 electronics books and founder of Monk Makes, discusses his transition from software engineering to full-time technical writing. He details his workflow for writing books like The Maker's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, emphasizing routine, tracking progress via spreadsheets, and building every project to ensure accuracy. Monk also compares the Raspberry Pi and Beagle Bone Black platforms, explaining why the Raspberry Pi has gained dominance in education and hobbyist markets despite the Beagle Bone's initial technical advantages.

Mentioned

Companies
Monk Makes, McGraw Hill, O'Reilly, Seeed Studio, Adafruit
Products
Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Beagle Bone Black, Spark Photon, NodeMCU
Chips
ESP8266, NRF24
Also
Simon Monk

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Spark Gap · 43m

    The Spark Gap - Episode 15

    Speakers Carl and Corey discuss the history and technical evolution of the Raspberry Pi, focusing on the original Model B's hardware flaws and the foundation's educational mission. They analyze specific engineering failures, including the lack of mounting holes, inefficient LDO power regulation, and flaky USB ports, which forced users to rely on powered hubs. The conversation contrasts the early 'minimum viable product' approach with later revisions like the B Plus and Compute Module, while debating the value of open-source hardware versus proprietary control in the single-board computer market.

  • The Electromaker Show · 1h 08m

    Documentation as Code: A chat with Alasdair Allan from Raspberry Pi

    Alasdair Allan, Head of Documentation at Raspberry Pi, explains the 'Documentation as Code' philosophy used for the RP2040 and Pico W, emphasizing narrative and accessibility. He discusses the challenges of documenting custom ASICs, the pricing strategy behind the $4 Pico, and the importance of bridging the gap between expert engineers and generalist makers. Allan also shares personal project ideas, including a Wi-Fi mesh cannon and a personal time zone clock, while critiquing the friction in modern smart home technology.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 42m

    Work on it for 10 years...

    Eliseo White and Chris White of Embedded.fm join Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics to discuss skill improvement, the importance of deliberate practice, and the challenges of learning electronics and programming. They debate the best ways to teach engineering fundamentals, the limitations of prototyping platforms like MicroPython and Arduino, and the transition from hobbyist projects to manufacturable products. The conversation also covers their personal interests, including 3D printing, VR, and solar energy, while highlighting the gap between building a prototype and shipping a reliable product.

  • The Electromaker Show · 27m

    New 2GB Raspberry Pi Benchmarked, E-Ink Typewriters, ARM SBC Laptops, and much more!

    The host reviews several maker projects, including Eamon Magd’s automated Stroop Waffle system using OpenCV and an ESP8266-based One Ring home automation notification device. He highlights the GenBook RK3588 modular ARM laptop and the Zerowriter e-ink typewriter on Crowd Supply, then benchmarks the new $50 Raspberry Pi 5 2GB variant against higher-RAM models. Finally, he covers Adafruit’s move to Industry City in Brooklyn and their new Metro RP2350 board.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 14m

    An Interview with Matt Richardson - Raspberry Risorgimento Regent

    Matt Richardson, the first US employee of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, discusses the platform's evolution, including the release of the Raspberry Pi 2 with its quad-core ARMv7 processor and 1GB RAM. He details the 'Hats' specification for expansion boards, which uses an EEPROM to automate driver configuration, and explains how the foundation balances its $35 educational mission with commercial products like the Compute Module. Richardson also shares insights from his personal projects, such as the 'Awesome Button' and 'Descriptive Camera,' highlighting his approach to integrating existing technology blocks for creative applications.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Embedded.fm. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.