# Documentation as Code: A chat with Alasdair Allan from Raspberry Pi

- Show: [The Electromaker Show](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show)
- Published: 2022-07-21
- Length: 1h 08m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-07-21-documentation-as-code-a-chat-with-alasdair-allan-from-raspberry-pi
- Listen: https://electromaker.libsyn.com/documentation-as-code-a-chat-with-alasdair-allan-from-raspberry-pi

## Summary

Alasdair Allan, Head of Documentation at Raspberry Pi, explains the 'Documentation as Code' philosophy used for the RP2040 and Pico W, emphasizing narrative and accessibility. He discusses the challenges of documenting custom ASICs, the pricing strategy behind the $4 Pico, and the importance of bridging the gap between expert engineers and generalist makers. Allan also shares personal project ideas, including a Wi-Fi mesh cannon and a personal time zone clock, while critiquing the friction in modern smart home technology.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-07-21-documentation-as-code-a-chat-with-alasdair-allan-from-raspberry-pi#t=0) Introduction and Alasdair Allan's Background
- [7:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-07-21-documentation-as-code-a-chat-with-alasdair-allan-from-raspberry-pi#t=453) The Philosophy of Narrative in Documentation
- [40:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-07-21-documentation-as-code-a-chat-with-alasdair-allan-from-raspberry-pi#t=2444) Documentation as Code and the RP2040 Launch
- [21:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-07-21-documentation-as-code-a-chat-with-alasdair-allan-from-raspberry-pi#t=1265) Pico W Launch and Pricing Strategy
- [55:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-07-21-documentation-as-code-a-chat-with-alasdair-allan-from-raspberry-pi#t=3356) Personal Projects: Wi-Fi Mesh Cannon and Time Zone Clock
- [1:01:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-07-21-documentation-as-code-a-chat-with-alasdair-allan-from-raspberry-pi#t=3703) Friction in Smart Home Technology and Creativity

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Raspberry Pi (company)
- RP2040 (chip)
- Pico W (product)
- Arduino (product)
- ESP8266 (chip)
- Infineon (company)
- Sense HAT (product)
- Build HAT (product)
- Abacasynth (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Embedded Hardware with the Raspberry Pi Team](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-02-08-embedded-hardware-with-the-raspberry-pi-team) (The Amp Hour)
- [Grumpy Collaboration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-10-25-grumpy-collaboration) (The Amp Hour)
- [Documentation Is A Waste Of Time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-04-documentation-is-a-waste-of-time) (The Amp Hour)
- [The RP1 and beyond with the Raspberry Pi Hardware team](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-10-23-the-rp1-and-beyond-with-the-raspberry-pi-hardware-team) (The Amp Hour)
- [128: The American Pi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-03-128-the-american-pi) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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