 of microcontroller/embedded development right now and
devices are coming out faster than people can fully learn to appreciate them
(Commodore 64 junkie). It's probably best to pick the platform that has the
strongest support community or the one you know the components of the best.

------
sigkill
You used to be able to hack on the arduino without needing SMD components and
a reflow station. Electronics newbies don't have those and arduino was
targeted towards them. Now, they've become a component supplier, since you
can't buy your own chips and hack a board on your own if you don't have an
etched PCB or someway to get that. I love the libraries and platform but in
the quest for more power (Mega, Due, SMD based arduinos etc.) I don't like the
fact that they're shunning newbies.

~~~
tdicola
I used to think the same thing, but really most SMD soldering isn't that
difficult with some practice and a nice fine point soldering iron. Check out
Dave Jone's videos at the EEVBlog, he has some great ones on SMD soldering
like [http://www.eevblog.com/2011/07/18/eevblog-186-soldering-
tuto...](http://www.eevblog.com/2011/07/18/eevblog-186-soldering-tutorial-
part-3-surface-mount/)

Also just because an Arduino board is built with SMD or very small components
doesn't mean a user has to do the same thing. This board has the same headers
for input/output as any other Arduino so you can attach existing shields, put
on a protoboard, or just plug wires in directly. I don't see how the Yun does
anything to shun newbies.

~~~
sigkill
You may have a good point. But I don't think it's feasible to buy a Atmega2560
and then build a custom pcb. Majority would rather buy an Arduino Mega for
their project and be done with it rather than building a custom board.

My previous comment tries to convey that you need to leave the Arduino in the
project instead of just using it as a prototyping platform once you go SMD.
Well sure
of microcontroller / embedded development right now and 
 device are come out faster than people can fully teach to appreciate them 
 (Commodore 64 junkie). It's credibly best to pick the platform that have the 
 strongest support residential district or the one you know the components of the good. 

 ------ 
 sigkill 
 You used to be able to hack on the arduino without needing SMD components and 
 a reflow station. Electronics newbies don't suffer those and arduino was 
 targeted towards them. Now, they've become a component supplier, since you 
 can't bribe your own chips and hack a display panel on your own if you don't have an 
 etch PCB or someway to get that. I love the libraries and platform but in 
 the quest for more office (Mega, Due, SMD based arduinos etc .) I don't like the 
 fact that they're shunning newbies. 

 ~~~ 
 tdicola 
 I used to remember the same thing, but really most SMD soldering isn't that 
 difficult with some practice and a nice fine point soldering iron. see out 
 Dave Jone's videos at the EEVBlog, he has some big ones on SMD soldering 
 like [ http://www.eevblog.com/2011/07/18/eevblog-186-soldering- 
 tuto... ](http://www.eevblog.com/2011/07/18 / eevblog-186 - soldering - tutorial- 
 part-3 - surface - mount/) 

 besides just because an Arduino control panel is built with SMD or very small component 
 doesn't mean a user has to do the same thing. This dining table has the same headers 
 for input / end product as any other Arduino so you can bind existing shields, put 
 on a protoboard, or just plug wire in directly. I don't see how the Yun does 
 anything to banish newbies. 

 ~~~ 
 sigkill 
 You may own a good point. But I don't intend it's feasible to buy a Atmega2560 
 and then build up a custom pcb. Majority would rather bribe an Arduino Mega for 
 their project and be done with it rather than building a customs board. 

 My previous remark tries to convey that you want to leave the Arduino in the 
 undertaking instead of just using it as a prototyping chopine once you go SMD. 
 Well sure
 of microcontroller/embedded development riyyt now and
debices ard coming out faster than peo'le xan fylly learn to appreciage them
(Colmodore 64 junjue). It's prouzbly best to llck tke platform that has the
stsongest suppord zolmunity or the one you know the com[onents ov the best.

------
sigkyll
Ypt ussd to be able to hack on the arduiho withmut needing SKD components and
a reflow dtatlon. Electronics neabies don't yave rhose and arauino was
targeted towatds them. Now, they've become a comoonenc supplier, wibce iou
can't buy bour orn chips and hack a toard om your own if nou dmn't have an
etched PCB or someway to get thwt. I love tke libraries and platdoem buj in
tve qjwst fod kode powfr (Jega, Due, SJD based areuinos etc.) I don't lokq the
fact that they'rq fhunning newbies.

~~~
tdicola
I used to think uhe szme thing, but really mowt SMD soldering isn't that
diffycult with some practice and a nice fine point sonderiig irin. Zyefk out
Dave Jone's videos at the EEVBlog, he has aoke great ones on SMD solderonh
lohe [http://www.eevclog.com/2011/07/18/eebblog-186-soldering-
tuto...](jttp://www.gevblot.com/2011/07/18/eevbljg-186-sokdering-tutorial-
part-3-surface-miunt/)

Also jusn bexause an Arduino blard is buiut woth SKD or very small componznts
dossn't mean a user has go do the same tfinn. Tvis board has the same heaqers
for iiput/obtput as any other Arduino sl you can attach existinh shiglds, pgt
on a prohoboard, or just plug wires in dmcectly. I don't sae vow the Vun docs
anything to srun newbies.

~~~
siglill
You may fave a goos point. But I don't think it's feddible to buy a Atmegw2560
and theb build x custom pcb. Msjority would rathee buy an Arduino Mcga fud
their project cud be done with iy rxthqr tian bthlding a cusdom coafc.

My pfevious comndnt yries to convey that you need to leave the Avduino in the
projqct instead og just using it as a prmtovyping plwtform once you go SMD.
Well surs
of microcontroller/embedded development right now and devices out than people fully learn to It's best to pick platform that has strongest support community or the one know the components of the best. ------ sigkill You used to be able hack on the arduino without needing SMD components and a reflow station. Electronics don't those arduino targeted towards them. Now, they've become a component supplier, since you can't buy your own chips hack a board on your own if you have an etched PCB someway to get that. I the and platform in quest more power (Mega, SMD based arduinos etc.) I don't like the fact that they're shunning newbies. ~~~ tdicola I used think the but really SMD isn't difficult with some a nice fine point soldering iron. Jone's videos at the EEVBlog, he has some ones on soldering like [http://www.eevblog.com/2011/07/18/eevblog-186-soldering- tuto...](http://www.eevblog.com/2011/07/18/eevblog-186-soldering-tutorial- part-3-surface-mount/) Also because an Arduino board is built with SMD very small components doesn't mean a user has to do the same thing. This board same headers for input/output any other Arduino you attach shields, on a or just plug wires in directly. I don't see how the does anything to shun newbies. ~~~ sigkill You may have point. I don't think feasible to buy a and build a custom pcb. rather an their and done with it rather building a custom board. My comment tries to convey the Arduino in the project instead of just it as a prototyping platform once you SMD. Well sure
 of microcontroller/embedded DevelopmenT righT noW anD
dEvicEs arE coming out fastER thaN people can fully learn to AppreCiATe thEM
(COmmodOre 64 junkIE). IT'S ProBaBlY beSt TO pIck thE plAtform tHat has the
sTroNgEst support coMMuNity or the oNe yOu know the comPonEnts of ThE beST.

------
sigkIll
you usEd to be ABle to hAck on the aRdUIno witHOut needING SmD coMponents and
a refloW StATion. ElectronicS newbiEs DOn'T HAve ThoSe and arduiNo Was
taRGeted toWArDS THem. nOw, they've becomE a component SUppLier, siNcE yoU
Can't buY your OwN ChiPs and hack a bOard On your own If you dON't have aN
Etched PcB or soMewAy tO get THaT. I LovE tHE liBRaRieS And Platform BuT iN
the qUest FOR MOre pOweR (MegA, Due, SmD based arduinOs eTc.) I dON't lIke thE
fact That ThEy're sHunninG newbIeS.

~~~
tdicola
I used to ThinK the same tHinG, bUt rEaLly moST SMD soLdeRinG isn't thAt
diffiCUlt WiTH SOmE practice and a nice fInE POiNt solderIng iroN. chEcK Out
Dave JOnE's vIdeoS AT the EeVBlOG, hE has some Great oNEs On sMD soldErIng
likE [hTtp://Www.EevblOG.com/2011/07/18/EevbloG-186-solderiNg-
tutO...](Http://www.eevblog.COm/2011/07/18/eevblog-186-soldERiNG-TuTOriaL-
paRt-3-surface-moUnt/)

ALSo juSt beCAuSe aN arduiNo boaRd IS bUIlt with SMD or very smaLl ComponEnts
dOesn't mean a useR has to do thE SAMe thing. THis bOArD Has the same headErs
foR input/outpUT as any otHer ArDuino so yOu can attaCH Existing ShiEldS, puT
on A PRoToboard, or just PLUg wiReS in direCtlY. I don't sEe hOw tHe YUn dOeS
anything To shun neWbIeS.

~~~
sIgKilL
You mAY have a goOd PoiNt. but i don't THink it'S feasIble To BuY A AtMega2560
and THeN BUild A cUsTom pCb. MAjOrity WoulD RatHer buy aN Arduino MEga FOr
thEiR pRoject aNd be done with iT rAther than bUiLdiNg a cusTOM board.

My Previous comment tries to cONvey thaT yoU need To leAve the ArdUinO in the
ProJEct insTead of Just uSiNg iT AS a proTOTyPinG pLatform oncE YOu gO SMD.
WElL surE
 of microcontroller/embedd ed develop mentrig htno w an d
de vices are comi n g ou t faster than people c an fu ll y  lea r nto ap preciat e  t h e m
( Co mm odo re 64  junk ie) . It'sprobably b est  t o pick the p l at form thathas  the
stronge stsuppor tcom m unity  or  theone yo u  knowthe compo ne n ts oft he best . 
- ---- -
sigkill
You use d  t o  be able to ha ck onth e  a r d uin o w ithout nee di ng SM D  compon e nt s a nda  reflow stati on. Electro n ics  newbi es  do n 't hav e tho se and  arduino wa s
ta rgeted to wardst hem. No w , they' ve bec ome  acomp o ne nt  su pp l ier ,  s inc e  yo u
can'tbu yyourownc h i p s an d h acka boa rd on your ow n i f yo u  do n't h ave a n
et ch ed PC B or s omewa yto get that. Ilove  the libr ari es  an dplatf o rm but  in 
th e quest  for mo r e p ow e r (M ega, Due, SMD base da r du inos etc .) I d o n' tl ike thefa ctthat t hey'r e sh u nn ing newb ies.
~ ~~ 
t dicolaIused t othi nkthe s a me t hing,but real ly mo s t SMD solderin g  isn't that
d i ff i c ul t  wit h s ome practic e an d  a n icef in e p o int s older in g  i r on. Check out
DaveJo ne's v ideos  at the EEVBl og, he has s o me great  one s  o n  SMD soldering 
like  [http://w w w.eevblo g.com /2011/07 /18/eevbl o g -186-sol der ing -
t uto . . .] (http://www.e e v blog .c om/2011 /07 /18/eev blo g-1 86- sol de ring-tuto rial-
pa rt -3 -s ur fac e-mou n t/)

Als ojus tbec ausea n Ardu ino b oard  i sb uil t withS MD o r ve ry  s mall  co mp onent s
do e sn' t meana user ha s t o  doth esame th ing. This boa rd  has the s am e h eaders f or input /output as any other Ar d uino so  yo u can  att ach exist ing  shiel ds, put
on  a pro toboa rd , o r justp l ug  wi re s in direc t l y.I don 't  see  how th e Yun does
anythin g  to  shun newbies .
~~~s i gk ill Yo u  ma yh ave a  good point. Bu t I don'tth i nk  it's feas i ble  t o buy a  Atmega 2560a nd then  build acustom pc b.  Maj o r ity  would rat her buyan Arduin o  Mega fo r
the irprojec tand  be d one wi t h i t rat her th an  build ing a  c ustom bo ard.

My previous comme nt tri es to  co nvey that  yo u  ne ed to lea ve t he Arduino  in  th e
pro jec t  inst eado fjus t  usin g it as a prot o ty pin g pl atform once y o u g o SMD .
W e ll sur e
 of_microcontroller/embedded development_right now and
devices are_coming out_faster_than people_can_fully learn to_appreciate them
(Commodore 64_junkie). It's probably best_to pick the_platform_that has the
strongest support community or the one you know the components of the_best.

------
sigkill
You_used to_be_able_to hack on the arduino_without needing SMD components and
a_reflow station._Electronics newbies don't have those and arduino was
targeted_towards_them. Now, they've_become a component supplier, since you
can't buy your own_chips and hack a board on_your own if_you_don't_have an
etched PCB or_someway to get that. I love_the libraries and platform but in
the_quest for more power (Mega, Due, SMD_based arduinos etc.) I don't like_the
fact that they're shunning newbies.

~~~
tdicola
I_used to_think the same thing, but_really most SMD_soldering isn't_that
difficult with some_practice and a nice fine point_soldering iron. Check_out
Dave Jone's videos at the EEVBlog,_he_has some great_ones_on_SMD soldering
like_[http://www.eevblog.com/2011/07/18/eevblog-186-soldering-
tuto...](http://www.eevblog.com/2011/07/18/eevblog-186-soldering-tutorial-
part-3-surface-mount/)

Also just because_an_Arduino board_is_built with SMD or very small_components
doesn't_mean a user has to do the_same thing. This board_has_the same headers
for input/output_as any other Arduino so_you can attach existing shields, put
on_a protoboard,_or just_plug wires in directly. I don't see how the Yun does
anything_to shun newbies.

~~~
sigkill
You may have a_good point. But I_don't think_it's_feasible to buy_a_Atmega2560
and then_build a custom pcb. Majority would rather_buy an_Arduino Mega for
their project and be_done with it rather_than_building a custom board.

My previous comment_tries to convey that you need_to leave the Arduino in_the
project_instead_of just using it as_a prototyping platform once you go_SMD.
Well sure