# 254: Murdering Thousands of Gnomes

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2018-08-03
- Length: 1h 02m
- Episode: 254
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-03-254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes

## Summary

Gabriel Jacobo, an electronics engineer and remote worker based in Argentina, discusses his contributions to the open-source SDL library and his home automation setup using MQTT. He explains the complexities of embedded graphics, including frame buffer management, double buffering to prevent tearing, and the trade-offs between bitmap and vector fonts. Jacobo also details his use of ESP8266 NodeMCUs and Home Assistant for IoT devices, while offering advice on working remotely and the challenges of hardware logistics.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-03-254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [3:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-03-254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes#t=229) Embedded Graphics and Frame Buffers
- [8:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-03-254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes#t=516) SDL and Cross-Platform Development
- [18:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-03-254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes#t=1081) Game Controller Mappings and Open Source
- [22:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-03-254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes#t=1354) GPU Drivers and Microcontroller Graphics
- [25:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-03-254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes#t=1527) Fonts and Common Graphics Mistakes
- [31:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-03-254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes#t=1913) MQTT and Home Automation Architecture
- [38:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-03-254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes#t=2333) Remote Work and Hardware Logistics
- [52:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-03-254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes#t=3166) Display Technologies: OLED, LCD, and E-Ink

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- SDL (tool)
- Home Assistant (tool)
- Mosquitto (tool)
- ESP8266 (chip)
- NodeMCU (product)
- FreeType (tool)
- STB TrueType (tool)
- PlatformIO (tool)
- Arduino Framework (tool)
- Raspberry Pi (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Endless Y2K](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-10-23-the-endless-y2k) (The Amp Hour)
- [Stick 'Em On Whales](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-28-stick-em-on-whales) (The Amp Hour)
- [Ep011: Weird Keyboards, Salvaging LCD Screens, and Mike Interviews Ivan of Espressif in Shanghai](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-03-22-ep011-weird-keyboards-salvaging-lcd-screens-and-mike-interviews-ivan-of-espressi) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [It Works With Option Number 5](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-19-it-works-with-option-number-5) (The Amp Hour)
- [Why isn't this working?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-02-14-why-isnt-this-working) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-03-254-murdering-thousands-of-gnomes. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.