# 505: Potato in a Number Field

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2025-07-10
- Length: 1h 18m
- Episode: 505
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-07-10-505-potato-in-a-number-field
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/505

## Summary

Peter Griffin, a data analytics consultant and embedded enthusiast, discusses his work with the Jumperless Breadboard, a software-configurable prototyping tool, and his unconventional GUIs built in Excel and Google Colab. He details the technical challenges of using Microsoft's Data Streamer plugin for serial communication, specifically its failure to assert the DTR line, and shares insights on advanced Excel features like Power Query and pivot tables for hardware-in-the-loop testing. The conversation also covers his 'puppy communication buttons' project and the complexities of training dogs to use them.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-07-10-505-potato-in-a-number-field#t=6) Introduction and Teardown Recap
- [3:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-07-10-505-potato-in-a-number-field#t=204) Jumperless Breadboard and Workshop
- [6:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-07-10-505-potato-in-a-number-field#t=404) Building GUIs in Excel and Colab
- [12:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-07-10-505-potato-in-a-number-field#t=747) Excel Data Streamer and Serial Issues
- [24:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-07-10-505-potato-in-a-number-field#t=1473) Excel Power Query and Pivot Tables
- [1:01:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-07-10-505-potato-in-a-number-field#t=3705) Puppy Communication Buttons

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Jumperless Breadboard (product)
- Microsoft Data Streamer (tool)
- TinyUSB (tool)
- Google Colab (tool)
- Excel (tool)
- Raspberry Pi (chip)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Jumperless V5 Creator Interview! Arduino Alvik Giveaway, Raspberry Pi VSCode Extension, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-09-25-jumperless-v5-creator-interview-arduino-alvik-giveaway-raspberry-pi-vscode-exten) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Pedantic or Andrantic](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-01-03-pedantic-or-andrantic) (The Amp Hour)
- [#440.2 - Interviews with Greg Davill and Michael Ossmann](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-05-01-440-2-interviews-with-greg-davill-and-michael-ossmann) (The Amp Hour)
- [Can AI Design IoT Hardware? | Flux's Matthias Wagner | Internet of Things Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2026-04-14-can-ai-design-iot-hardware-fluxs-matthias-wagner-internet-of-things-podcast) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Talking Turkeys](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2021-11-23-talking-turkeys) (Oxide and Friends)

## Citing this page

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