for smoothing i often use code like this

Code:

void loop(){
a = inputPin(A0);
average = ( average * 9 + a ) /10     // it requires a few loops for average to get near "a"
// your stuff here...
}

you could use other numbers (as 9 and 10) too here, this construction will always average lag behind a, which is kind of nice; if the data contains a lot of statistical spikes use for example 29 and 30  / if there only a few spikes and you want faster response use 4 and 5
Typical for this construction is that on startup and average still is zero, the function climbs to "a".
I know there are other math constructions, but its small and fast computer code.
instead of *9 one might do *8 or even faster do bitshifts to get *8 (2^3 == thats 3 bitshifts left) and then do only one 'complex' division command.

http://arduino.cc/playground/Interfacing/Ruby   >> serialport gem

i am really wondered what your goal is here, manipulate inside google sketchup to control an arduino object ?

use relais

http://arduino.cc/playground/Interfacing/Python

Python is quite a cool language you can get a lot done with it easily, and there are lots of libraries to use.
VB is bound to microsoft, on the positive however they got a great IDE for programming.

VB / Python well you got to start somewhere, knowing both languages might even be better
i used to code a lot in python a few years ago, but if you want a GUI, buttons etc VB is simpler, i included often pygame or tinker or another one to get graphic into python.. oh well its just as hard to do real 3d graphics in VB..

it sounds like a gobetwino (which i dont know), has problems. Perhaps a memory leak.
such leaks reserve small amounts of memory inside their functions but never release it back to the system, after a short or long while systems become slow or even unstable afer a while. I once had it on mail servers there the leak was so small it took 3 months to crass a mail server.
those are hard bugs to get a grip on, because finding what leaks is not easy.

a work around might be to close and restart the program yourself (or use windows scheduler for that)

you better inform the author / programmer of gobetwino about this, he's able to change the code.

actually this is a real good answer, with this i dive deeper into c#
just as i wanted to understand the language gimmicks

I am writing a program in c#, actually i am just learning c# now.

My current program is able to read dummy data series and display it on a graph, (not bad for 2 days c# )
It looks quite well it will show the last 100 measurements in various ways.
If each measurement is based on multiple reading then those are just other lines in the graph.

but now the bad part.. i'm unable to read serial data events i cannt use static event functions to work (cause i dont know how they would call a normal privat function). or i get other kind of errors, its troublesome in short i got multiple kinds of errors trying realize it. if i remove the staic parts it wont work also.. in short I am able to get the data representation part working. but not the serial read part.
(and yes the serial port connector is dropped on Form1), i find it hard to point where it goes wrong sometimes the code runs but just doesnt give an error, and no serial data is read.

Someone care to help? 
posting here a sample in C# for reading a line   {arduino code uses serial.println(string)}  from a serial event, and display it in a textbox
Such a sample i be able to rewrite into my program.

any thoughts on what kind of Arm chip ? or some wild guessing ??
as i read here something that might be cool (it if is used), a cortex m4 made by amtel.
http://ir.atmel.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=618046

i hope it will not be another clone of arduno uno / deminove / ...

hm he didnt mention plc, i dont know what he uses.
I believe plc's are popular, i never seen one lol.
So creating something like it might be quite cool, and make the arduno adopted by more people
i hope it wont upset people who use plc's. 


Maybe i should convince him to make it, before this he used to work for a big electronic company, he has the knowledge to create it i'm sure.

A friend of me wanted to know if there is a 24 volt version, or 'clone' of arduino
Because 24 volt is often used in the industrial sensors, he works with.

Operating at 24 volt, having 24v analog input, and able to switch (relays?) based upon 24 volt.
For him its important that the board is ready to use, without soldering resistors zenerdiodes etc.

I do not know if something like it exist so i ask it here, or maybe there is board for handeling higher voltages (for pinout and analog read) ?

well, how about this, you create files with a different extension for example like .WEX
in linux and windows or mac, associate a small program with the WEX extension that is able to upload this file to the com port you need.

Maybe it would be nice if the wex file also contained the original typed program
then start the code after a /* CODE START (date)      mark and end it with   CODE END */
That way it could also be associated with the regular editor also (who would just ignore the marked comment that contains the code

Hello,

First of all i think the arduino is a great project, let me be clear on that.

I was wondering dough, about the main core chip, atmega328; it is a pretty old chip from 1996, its is 16 years old now.
Looking at the manufacturer of this chip Amtel, there have been a lot new of chips since.
Meanwhile new micro PC designs resulted in the rasberi-pi; which although cannt do analog read, it has about 20 digital pins.
Besides it has usb, ethernet, sound, video, card reader, it also costs more, but not an alarming level, its pretty close in fact.

I think for a micro controller video isnt that important, but might attract more people who want to program with it.
However ethernet (or wifi), and usb, and a card reader; might be the bare minimum for a nextgen product,
optional is low power consumption, or another option (version) to be able to handle 24 or 30v input output (automotive)

The latest official release is dough the arduino uno.. still using an atmega328 equivalent.
To stay popular, maybe something more is needed.

Is there progress or a general direction goal to a minimal microprocessor slightly more computer like next gen.. a beta board design perhaps?

i'm not exactly sure about what you make, but i read you use several led's.
While you configured only 1 led for output in the setup part.
If you dont configure a port as output, some resistor will kick in, and a led will only glow weak.
So, if you want your led's to shine configure them as output (like you did with that one led)

i personally prefer to set a range lof leds like this

int leds[] = {4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13}
for (int i=0;i<10;i++){pinMode(leds, OUTPUT);} 

so i=0  will be your first led  (and the array determines which array it is)

I was wonderinghas anyone yet replaced his home thermostate with a arduno.
Just only the thermostate and hacked his way in into his heating system .

I was thinking that one could make a thermostate, and use temperature reading
And light and sound, to detect if someone is home, and made his own scheme on how you want the temperatures to rise, during a week.
Perhaps even put the whole program in a attiny 2313 and operate it on a lower voltage (so you could keep the arduino to play with) ?. 

You are probably right, i'm realy not that deep into electronics, i know the basics.
A friend of me however knows a lot about it, he gave the Arduino for a while.
I often help him with programmings problems, he asked me to solve frequency comparison counting problem.
I wanted to have more experience in c++ and maybe build a reprap (not sure if i still want that).
It might be more fun to do something with openVNC and some wheels below my laptop.

I more into programming i know about 10 programming languages, c++ from a long while ago, and i needed to refresh that language.
Its not my favorite language but its fun to create and get input output from something that is not a computer.
Computers are much more advanced, but these days lack I/O controllers, (not counting usb) 
Besides its fun to have something running outside a PC.

hmm, you know what i still dont have a multimeter ..
As I really have no idea what to buy  a Tenma 72-9375 or 72-7735 or  something cheap...?
I might get a better idea of whats happening using a circuit simulator ( http://www.falstad.com ).
Maybe even reverse engineer the resistor value of the LDR    )