# Chairs, Sparks and Devices - Optional Olent Obreption

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2014-04-01
- Episode: 191
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/191-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption/

## Summary

Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the challenges of open-source hardware, the low-power Analog Devices AD7691 ADC, and the new DesignSpark PCB export capabilities. They also touch on the US robot initiative, patent law changes, and historical tech milestones.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption#t=0) Introduction and Workbench Chat
- [2:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption#t=141) Usenet, Google Groups, and Internet Addiction
- [9:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption#t=571) Shout-outs: Junko Yoshida, Freescale, and Amazon Prime
- [16:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption#t=976) Chip of the Week: Analog Devices AD7691 ADC
- [26:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption#t=1572) Touchstone Semi and Maxim Semiconductor
- [30:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption#t=1849) DesignSpark PCB and Open Source CAD Tools
- [40:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption#t=2418) The Future of Large-Scale Open Source Hardware
- [47:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption#t=2844) US Robot Initiative and Patent Law Changes
- [52:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption#t=3177) This Day in Nerd History

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Analog Devices (company)
- AD7691 (chip)
- DesignSpark (tool)
- Google SketchUp (tool)
- Eagle (tool)
- Altium (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- Touchstone Semi (company)
- Maxim (company)
- Freescale (company)
- DigiKey (company)
- Arduino (product)
- Chumby (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Spark Gap - Episode 44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-12-25-the-spark-gap-episode-44) (The Spark Gap)
- [523: Bad Experience With Donuts](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-04-02-523-bad-experience-with-donuts) (Embedded.fm)
- [293: Skateboard Tricks (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-12-23-293-skateboard-tricks-repeat) (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)
- [293: Skateboard Tricks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-06-27-293-skateboard-tricks) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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