Will the Due be a dud?

but I do believe one can copyright an idea, just by writing it down

No that just copyrights the writing, not the idea it contained.

See this:-
http://www.lawdit.co.uk/reading_room/room/view_article.asp?name=../articles/8123-JC-Can-Copyright-Protect-My-Idea.htm
Quoting from it:-

Can Copyright Protect my Idea? .......
The simple answer is no, an idea in itself cannot be protected. The Chambers 21st Century Dictionary defines an idea "a thought, image, notion or concept formed by the mind" so by its very definition an idea is a totally intangible thing. In order for there to be any protection of an idea, it must first make the idea exist in some tangible way. In the case of copyright law, it is the work that realises the idea that is protected (i.e. a document), and it is the act of recording that work that fixes copyright in the item itself.

the Due is way over due (oh a new Arduino joke!)

Like :slight_smile:

Yes it does sound like that, although they said they had prototypes at the September Maker Fair although I didn't see it. I offered to help with the development and they said I could, wrote my name down and everything. Expressed surprise I had ARM experience, but I had one of the first ARM computers in 1987. And used that and it's successor the RISC PC until 2002.

Needless to say I heard nothing.

It could be many things, chip shortages or difficulties with the cross compiler / environment are my guess.

My guess would be the same, difficulty getting the IDE working with the different architecture types.

What does 'bother' me (not really, but I can't think of a better word) is that they are not releasing ANY information.
There is no shame in problems, most people here are developpers themselves and know you can run into problems when using totally different hardware than you are used to.
If they have issues, discussing it with the community might offer the solution, since there are a lot of people here that know the IDE inside and out, know the hardware, memorized the datasheet of the new cpu already (ok maybe that's exegurated, but you know...) so it might offer that one solution they are looking for.

It could be many things, chip shortages or difficulties with the cross compiler / environment are my guess.

I suspect it's that second thing you mentioned. I suspect trying to integrate the 32 bit tool chain into the existing IDE that also has to continue supporting the 8 bits chips is driving them buggy. It would probably be less effort if they were just to develop a totally independent and separate IDE/toolchain to support the Due.

Lefty

It is a big step from UNO to Due and solid new software -always- takes many times longer than anyone including the programmers wants to believe. Buggy software only takes 10%-25% as long, as long as it or something very similar has been done before.

Just due to the step up, I think give them lots more time. I also think that the smart route on the IDE is that it should not be a one size fits all package.

Just came across a bigger picture of it :-

From:-

You can tell a few things from that pic, assuming there are no components underneath (I doubt they would do that) then hardware wise it's really just a Mega with a new processor.

But the software opportunities should be extensive.

Re the IDE, I seem to recall that debugging was going to be included (and you can see what looks to be a JTAG header on the board), I doubt that would be retro fitted to the existing IDE and frankly programs written for this will need a much better IDE. I'm thinking they will go the same route as Atmel's AS5.


Rob

what's that thing next to the word erase? Its right where it says jtagse1
and from the looks of it, id say it'd use the same ide, why hold the same layout if you need different software? And they may have 5v out since also why keep the shape fitted to an mega if its not compatible with mega shields?

All
If this thing supports debugging I'll have to buy one. Pure for development purposes.
Once debugged it can run on an arduino uno.
I guess that makes already a pretty big market
Best regards
Jantje

Looks like JTAGSEL to me.

If so it's used to select the JTAG boundary scan mode, this would be used to test the board but have no purpose for users I think.

why hold the same layout if you need different software?

What's the connection between the physical layout and the IDE?

And they may have 5v

That will only be possible if there are level converters on the back of the board, possible but unlikely given Arduino's aim to be low price. As retrolefty mentioned before the new IOREF signal can be used for new shields but not old ones.

if its not compatible with mega shields?

With the same pinout there may be problems with people plugging in 5v shields. Due she may go poof.


Rob

I really hope they give up some info soon, just something atleast to think about without all this guessing

I wonder how much of the delay is over compatibility issues?

GoForSmoke
ROFL
But I prefer them to take some time and avoid a 1.0 repeat.
Best regards
Jantje

Jantje:
But I prefer them to take some time and avoid a 1.0 repeat.

This!

With the same pinout there may be problems with people plugging in 5v shields. Due she may go poof.

Will it? Most shields I have seen take their power from the arduino, only if the new board outputs 5V on the same pin will this be a problem.

Will the due continue to have the special "pin spacing"?
I hope not
Best regards
Jantje

Jantje:
Will the due continue to have the special "pin spacing"?
I hope not
Best regards
Jantje

Of couse it will, it's part of the shield standard now and one can't put that toothpaste back into the tube.

one could make a compatibility shield

Most shields I have seen take their power from the arduino,

True, even those that have their own power probably only use it for a motor or servo or some such. So I guess it's pretty safe, just probably won't work.

Maybe we will need a list of those that do, due-compatible-shieldlist.org. Feel like a new challenge Jonathon?


Rob

Almost 3 months later, and Due isn't there... nor is any info from the "core team". Time to conclude it was definitely vaporware ?

Anyone interested in REAL 32-bit solutions for speed and pins ? MPIDE supports both Arduinos and Chipkits. Maple and Wiring decided to merge, but lack volunteers. Which of both alternatives looks more interesting to you all ?

The word on twitter is "real soon now", actually "After Easter" there's supposed to be an announcement.

Which of both alternatives looks more interesting to you all ?

Neither for the moment, personally I'm happy to wait and see what Arduino bring out.

Maple and Wiring decided to merge, but lack volunteers.

One of the strengths of Arduino, so far there has been a lot of people "volunteering" by writing code and libraries. I hope that continues with the Due and although it may appeal to a smaller range of people I think that will be the case. After all a programs written in "Arduino" should run on all official platforms.

Hopefully we will know before long.


Rob