# Processors, CEOs & Soldering irons - Plentiful Perfunctory Programs

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2012-11-20
- Length: 1h 13m
- Episode: 122
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-20-processors-ceos-soldering-irons-plentiful-perfunctory-programs
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-122-plentiful-perfunctory-programs/

## Summary

Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the discontinuation of the Heico FX888 analog soldering iron and Texas Instruments' decision to axe its OMAP processor division, warning engineers to migrate away from TI's OMAP chips. They critique Agilent's new 4000 series oscilloscope for its pointless tablet integration and lament Autodesk's removal of STL export from its 123D CAD software. The conversation also covers the rise of web-based ECAD tools like Upverter and Circuits.io, debating their practical utility versus traditional desktop software.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-20-processors-ceos-soldering-irons-plentiful-perfunctory-programs#t=0) Introduction: Mars, Facebook, and Priorities
- [6:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-20-processors-ceos-soldering-irons-plentiful-perfunctory-programs#t=384) TI Cuts OMAP Division and Job Losses
- [15:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-20-processors-ceos-soldering-irons-plentiful-perfunctory-programs#t=940) Discontinuation of the Heico FX888 Soldering Iron
- [20:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-20-processors-ceos-soldering-irons-plentiful-perfunctory-programs#t=1228) Intel CEO Change and Market Position
- [23:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-20-processors-ceos-soldering-irons-plentiful-perfunctory-programs#t=1386) Critique of Agilent 4000 Series Tablet Scope
- [40:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-20-processors-ceos-soldering-irons-plentiful-perfunctory-programs#t=2459) Web-Based ECAD Tools: Upverter and Circuits.io
- [57:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-20-processors-ceos-soldering-irons-plentiful-perfunctory-programs#t=3450) Autodesk 123D CAD Software Rant
- [1:03:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-20-processors-ceos-soldering-irons-plentiful-perfunctory-programs#t=3827) Career Advice and DigiKey Part Number Trivia

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Texas Instruments (company)
- OMAP (chip)
- Heico (company)
- FX888 (product)
- Agilent (company)
- 4000 series (product)
- Upverter (tool)
- Circuits.io (tool)
- Autodesk 123D (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- Altium (tool)
- DigiKey (company)
- BeagleBone (product)
- Sitara (chip)
- MIPS (chip)
- ARM (chip)
- Intel (company)
- Club Jameco (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [31: If You See a Dongle Run Away](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-19-31-if-you-see-a-dongle-run-away) (Embedded.fm)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-01-07-the-spark-gap-episode-24) (The Spark Gap)
- [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)
- [422: It's Not a Bug, It's a Feature](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-07-28-422-its-not-a-bug-its-a-feature) (Embedded.fm)
- [435: Sad Lack of Gnomes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-25-435-sad-lack-of-gnomes) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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