Windows 7

Currenty in the process of downloading Windows 7 RC.
I've avoided Vista totally, even though I did get a legit copy to upgrade my laptop. Still got XP on both systems.

Will proberbly put windows 7 on the laptop after a full backup and image.
XP still does everything I want.
It works , and its rock stable (Most of the time).
Watch this space for more reports.

PIC Programming

Had another interesting session with my pic board.
Started to get to grips with the way the AD converter works. Used an input from the LDR
(Had to be programmed to reverse the value too) to show on the LCD Display and also to turn on a set of 1 to 4 relays, and show the number of the relay on the LCD.

Oh yes, it also shows the AD value in binary on 8 leds
The darker it gets the more relays go on. ( This means the value on the display gets lower, though the actual output from the AD gets bigger.)

Anyway it works as I wanted it too, in as much as I'm a bit limited to 16 icons with the light version of flowcode.
( I need 17 to put up another message on the display. No way round it untill I get the full version.)

Port A = LDR A-D on Bit 0
Port B = LCD Display
Port C = 8 Bit LED E-Block
Port D = 4 Relay E-Block

Now if I could just get my head round interupts. Roll on Flowcode 4 :)

The PIC is a 16F877A using the crystal clock on the development board.

CD's V

It's about time I did an update on the CD's I've bought over the last month or so.

Listen - Christy Moore
Hill Of Theives - Cara Dillon
Cropredy Live 2008 - Fairport Convention
Home Before Dark - Neil Diamond
Live At The Texas Stadium - Alan Jackson, George Strait & Jimmy Buffett
Best Of The Best - Bellamy Brothers

Details to follow

Hubble

On this day in 1990 the Hubble space telescope was launched ;)

Brigg Fiddle Fest 2009

The tickets have arrived for this years fiddle festival. :) :)

(Its really a folk festival- except all the performers/groups have to feature a fiddle for a main part of the performance.)

They get some amazing performers on at this festival, even more so considering the venue only holds about 300 people.

There also a nice pub next door to the venue, does good food and real ales

Previous years have had Fairport Convention, Danu, Kathrine Tickell, Session A9,
Eliza Carthy & The Ratcatchers, Nancy Kerr & James Fagin.

This year is Uiscedwr, Lunasa & Solas to name but three.
Not seen any of this years acts live, though Uiscedwr has Karen Tweed as part of the line up, whom I have seen play with Kathrine Tickell.

For those who's geography is not up to scratch Brigg is a small market town in North Lincolnshire, near Scunthorpe.

(Scunthorpe is home to the incredible guitar legend Martin Simpson, as well as Iain - Southern Comfort - Matthews)

Fiddle Festival Home Page

F1

The diffuser 3 are innocent !

Easter Weather

So far the easter weather has not net us down. As usual its been wet, though not too cold round here anyway.
Still, its been a good excuse to stop in the pub ;)