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Comment by jgrahamc | Hacker News Reader

Unfortunate that they used a name ending in 'uino' since this is in no way an Arduino and not compatible with Arduino in terms of code or pin out. So no existing code or examples will work with it and none of the exiting Arduino shields.

Also, I think their code examples are disingenuous: their Arduino code could be greatly simplified. (e.g. why does the JavaScript code not include any port initialization but the Arduino code does; why have two digitalWrites in the Arduino code, but one in the JavaScript)?

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Hi, I'm the guy behind it... Just wanted to stand up for it a bit - the -uino postfix is really because of the hobby electronics association. I wanted to do something a bit different by adding the prototype area, and I found the Arduino form factor was too big for any sensible hand-held projects. The board is still small enough that it can sit on a simple adaptor PCB for Arduino shields though. I'll try and put one online when the campaign ends.

Also port initialisation is automatic so pinMode is not required - it's a huge potential gotcha for learners, and it seemed wise to remove the need for it. You can still use it if you want to though.

The "-uino" suffix is pretty blatantly associated with the arduino platform. To go out there and claim you're using it for the "hobby electronics association" is pretty disingenuous.

Agreed, and it's worth pointing out that this is what Arduino has to say on the matter:

"Note that while we don't attempt to restrict uses of the "duino" suffix, its use causes the Italians on the team to cringe (apparently it sounds terrible); you might want to avoid it. (It's also trademarked by a Hungarian company.)"

http://arduino.cc/en/Main/FAQ

How does this compare to Tessel? http://technical.io/ Can you merge your efforts?

Good luck!

Thanks! As I understand it, Tessel uses a version of node.js (and probably Linux underneath) so it needs around 32mb of RAM (and quite a lot of Flash too).

I've worked pretty hard to get Espruino running in 8kb (with space for variables) so that it can run on a single cheap IC (without external RAM).

I think they probably serve quite different markets. I figure Tessel are aiming to provide more of an ecosystem? If I'm honest I think they've got a bit of a fight on their hands against Raspberry Pi/Beaglebone with node.js installed, so I'd guess they're going for some kind of added value.

On the other hand, Espruino's aiming more where the Arduino is. Low power, where you want to play with LEDs or automate a project you've made, and you want the instant gratification of using an interpreter.

While this looks really cool, I also agree that you should lose the -uino

Seems like the project started on Olimexino board, which has the Arduino layout, and that's where the name probably comes from. Why they didn't keep the layout is beyond me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP2Wo2_RVgo

https://www.olimex.com/Products/Duino/STM32/OLIMEXINO-STM32/

> Unfortunate that they used a name ending in 'uino' since this is in no way an Arduino and not compatible with Arduino in terms of code or pin out.

I agree with you about the name.

This pinout, however, is very different from the Arduino because this thing has a lot more pins than the Arduino has. And the pinout of the normal Arduino is really annoying, because there's a non-standard half-pin width gap between two of the headers on the Arduino.

But prefabricated Arduino shields are really popular and supporting them would be a really good idea.

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