All, at the risk of getting flamed, I'd like to put my 2 cents worth
into the conversation (debate).
All I want to say is who really cares if you can get a more powerful
processor, with more features or more powerful features.
You're missing the whole point of the offer.  As I interpret the offer,
a pcb with a PIC (higher end 8 bit), a rather large capacity Flash
memory, an LCD, as well as a few other components that taken as a whole
offers a reasonably powerful platform that could host a wide range of
functional systems.
These are being given away to interested parties to see if they can find
a way of reprogramming them in as easy a manner as possible.
In addition, the takers are urged to create application that are useful
as a teaching tool to illustrate the coding process in general, but for
microcontrollers in particular.
If these objectives can be realized, more boards can be made available
to allow more people to learn.  The bottom line here is an inexpensive
platform is being made available, that along with the expertise in the
microcontroller field, and a little effort on the part of the piclist
members and lurkers, can pass on their acquired knowledge to a host of
potential future engineets and programmers.
Waht a way to give back to the community.
And, not to be forgotten is the supplier of these boards which is the
recycling company and its owner.  In exchange for his generosity, all he
is hoping for is that anyone that has recycleable material=20
And for James Newton for facilitating the deal.

So, if you're interested, great.  Get a couple of boards and see what
you can do.  If you're not interested, don't bother yourself. But don't
critize those who do want to give it a go.

After all, it's an offer to create a teaching tool.  Not to create the
latest greatest system of the future.


Regards,




Jim

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