# 167: All Aliens Are Shiny

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2016-09-07
- Length: 1h 01m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-07-167-all-aliens-are-shiny
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/167-all-aliens-are-shiny

## Summary

Hosts Christopher and Elecia discuss Bayes' Rule using an alien sighting analogy to explain conditional probability, then provide an introduction to bit-banging SPI and other protocols using GPIOs. They address listener questions on moving from maker prototypes to consumer products, starting unit testing in embedded C++, and driving VGA displays with microcontrollers. The episode concludes with housekeeping, including a contest and links to Z80 computer kits and TED talks on octocopters.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-07-167-all-aliens-are-shiny#t=7) Introduction and Contest
- [4:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-07-167-all-aliens-are-shiny#t=240) Bayes' Rule and Aliens
- [21:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-07-167-all-aliens-are-shiny#t=1313) From Maker to Consumer Products
- [27:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-07-167-all-aliens-are-shiny#t=1625) Bit-Banging SPI and Protocols
- [37:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-07-167-all-aliens-are-shiny#t=2245) Unit Testing in Embedded C++
- [45:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-07-167-all-aliens-are-shiny#t=2755) Driving VGA with Microcontrollers
- [49:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-07-167-all-aliens-are-shiny#t=2940) Housekeeping and Z80 Kits

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- STM32F4 discovery board (product)
- Arduino (product)
- WS2812 (chip)
- VX Works (other)
- National Instruments (company)
- CPPUnit (tool)
- IAR (tool)
- Z80 (chip)
- Squarespace (company)

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- [Why isn't this working?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-02-14-why-isnt-this-working) (The Amp Hour)
- [031 - The Title Isn't DibbleDabble](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-12-27-031-the-title-isnt-dibbledabble) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [Apple II controlled Synthesizer, Rust on Everything, New Pi Bootloader](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-02-10-apple-ii-controlled-synthesizer-rust-on-everything-new-pi-bootloader) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Ep067: Winking Out of IoT, Seas of LEDs, Stuffing PCBs, and Vectrex is Awesome](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-05-15-ep067-winking-out-of-iot-seas-of-leds-stuffing-pcbs-and-vectrex-is-awesome) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 150: Blackberry Runs Out of Juice, NODE has your pinouts, Rats learn DOOM, and 2021 is Done](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-01-07-ep-150-blackberry-runs-out-of-juice-node-has-your-pinouts-rats-learn-doom-and-20) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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