Ram - Are you really writing a new IDE, or using the Arduino-IDE as a base?
A new IDE seems like a lot of work when there are lots, and lots already available. What will it provide that the existing IDE's, like Arduino-IDE don't?
Yes!!! the IDE is at the final stage now.. just testing on other machines to see if the installation/building goes smoothly.
Nachtwind I didn't respond to you as the IDE was not ready and you were waiting for that : -). One other person emailed me was that you as well? If so, I did reply, sometimes these email with pricing detail get stuck in email filters. Please send a private message on here as well if possible.
About the IDE, I thought about using other IDE such as eclipse, netbeans, etc. But those are too complex. Soon you'll see Xduino IDE which will be much more simpler than eclipse. Also, I did check with other programmers about making eclipse plug-in to make things more simple such as project templates, adding hardware options, etc etc. and what I have been told confirmed what I had in mind which was that a lot of things in eclipse are not well documented yet. So I did write that option off. I could manually compile in eclipse but setting it up takes about 5-6 steps making it not so suitable for a lot of users.
I plan to release the IDE for windows platform this week. The Linux platform should follow shortly unless there are some hidden wall that I cannot think of yet. I must thank you for your feedbacks as well as other feedbacks. Keep them coming so I can keep improving.... Yay!
I have just finished diving in a swamp to finish up the initial release of XDUINO-IDE integrated with uploader tool, and now it's complete but currently available for private people to test.
LPC2368 looks interesting, let's see if it get more interesting I might consider writing codes for it. Currently the XDUINO supports STM32F10x family. Also, I currently don't have the board with that mcu, so first I'll have to get a hold of one to make consideration.
Several ARM mcus are going to be released in the next 2-3 months so let's see who'll be the most interesting.
You guys might gain a more popularity if you were a bit more "open". Lots of little secrets, and I don't particularly like having to give you my full address, cell phone number, age, etc just to check out the IDE.
mbed.org have announced a new board using an NXP LPC1768.
Sadly it has an RRP of $99, with a pre-order discount price reduced to $60.
They also said the PCB CAD isn't available
Well, screw mbed then :). They either have a different target audience, or don't understand their audience. Arduino was successful with hobbyists because it's cheap & open. If you forgo either one of those then you're making a mistake... if you ditch both you're screwed, unless you have a big corporate backing.
Edit: they said the schematic will be available, so no big deal there. Still, the price is too high.
I strongly agree. Both the hardware and software need to be open. IMHO, part of the genius of the Arduino team is getting such a healthy balance.
The Arduino community is very important, it does amazing things, and I believe openness is a key part of what makes the platform so attractive to all these talented folks. I don't feel mbed has quite got there yet.
The mbed.org domain is registered to ARM, and some of the folks behind mbed are ARM employees.
I work with schools who are very cost sensitive, so mbed is expensive for them. We could get 4 Freeduino's or almost 4 ET-SMT32F's (60 ยข more) for the RRP for one of the new mbed boards.
I have mixed feelings about the mbed platform. It has some lovely features.
The schools I work with keep their machines consistent, and 'locked-down'. So the mbed web-based tool-chain removes the hassle of installing an IDE, and keeping it up to date.
Mbed goes a bit further because it doesn't need any drivers installed on the machine. The interface to mbed looks like an ordinary flash drive.
So, a reasonable processor advance over ATmega (e.g. ARM, PIC32/MIPS, ...) with a breadboard friendly or Arduino compatible pin-interface would provide an mbed equivalent hardware platform.
Implementing a standard modem or flash drive would remove the need to install a driver. This is achievable using e.g. a Cortex-M3, or an ATtiny.
A web-based tool-chain would help schools and might encourage pupils by making their code available everywhere. These are software obstacles that will likely get fixed for Arduino if mbed's approach takes off.
So the Leaflabs Maple looks like a great start; it's just $10-$15 too expensive. That'll likely get fixed in a few months anyway.
After you read my thread above then read the following parital email I sent
to the "one man Xudino design member" RAM. It seems that he has been
MIA (missing in action) for several months because there has been no updates to the IDE and functions/commands.
Xduino IDE/Firmware/Hardware/Software Problems Summary:
Version: 1.0
Date: 10/29/09
By XduinoAndy
Switching from the Arduino to the Xduino, most new users would expect the "same
or better" IDE and development software or they will be very disappointed.
Not having the ability to create an user library, for example, would really
disappoint new users from purchasing the Xduino. It is very important that the following
issues are fixed as soon as possible or other users will spread a bad review of the
Xduino. You might want to hold off in creating a user forum until these problems and all of
the other user "Feedback" are resolved.
You don't want to say "I will fix it later in the next release" when Xduino is a new product.
On the postive side, the Xduino has a lot going for it.
It is low cost, "open software" and is Arduino compatible. The compiler error messages
are much more informative than the compiler error messages on the Arduino.
The Xduino has features that the Arduino never had like 5 comm ports, RTC, low power
operation??? and a high speed M3 32 bit core CPU.
#5. "Saving as" whole project button to another project folder for incremental backups. <--- simple fix
Workaround: Manually do backups using file explorer. ---> Issues 5,7 & 11 are all together.
Yes the Xduino 'stamp' is the ETT one from Futurlec.
The stamp is cheap, but no carrier board, so you have to make one yourself. I did this, its easy.
BUT, if it works on the stamp it should work with the DevBoard, which is the same chip, except 128kb flash instead of 512kb, plus plugs for the ports, sd card built in, lcd port, and other goodies. The dev board is only $39.90, STM32F103 Development Board
To bad the fellow wants so much control....
PS> the other MAJOR downside to this for folks way outside the Asia Rim is transport from order placement to delivery in the USA can be 4-6 WEEKS. Furturlec is notoriously slow. I've never had a problem, but you sure do need to plan far ahead.