Just as a heads up for anyone considering buying the kit regardless of the $100 off, it's actually cheaper to buy the parts in that kit individually, and it's really easy to do that because they link all the individual product pages. Not to mention if there's any parts you want to buy more of, you can get volume discounts on that. I don't remember exactly how much less, but I believe it was ~$10 or so in total.
Why in the world would one choose this as the date format, if not 'forced' to do so by faithful reproduction of an external title? It seems that even on SparkFun's site they would use 2010.01.07.
I actually agree, it's very confusing. I'm European and I would write 07.01.2010.
On topic: I, too, am Arduino shopping. First I though about getting a Spartan FPGA development board, but I honestly don't think I'll have the time to learn enough to make useful things with it.
It's a really cool action by SparkFun and I hope it will be a success for them.
Down vote at will, it's still incomprehensible as a date on first reading. And I spent most of my life in the US where this is the supposed 'preferred form.'
I'm like a kid in a candystore on their site. So far the only thing I really want is the Arduino starter kit http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_i...
Everything else are parts, supplies, and replacement tools. I haven't done hardware development since college, so I'm hoping my surgeon-like skills at wielding a solder pencil hasn't been diminished by banging on keyboards.
Well, this campaign certainly worked for me. I have filled my cart with over $150 worth of electronics, and I'm already excited enough about it that I will buy it whether I get the discount or not.
Added to that, this is the first time I've actually bought anything from sparkfun, and browsing around the store, I realize that it's a lot better than my previously preferred seller (although being on the 'wrong' side of the Atlantic is a drawback).
Interesting point. I wonder what CF's total peak load/capability is? There were almost certainly upwards of 3000 people (and I think that is a conservative guess) clicking "checkout" within moments of each other.
You made it all the way to the final order page? After two hours I was able to get a few items in my cart and have -almost- managed to create an account.
It would be cool to know how many of us tried this and what the result was. Timing out for me at the moment. Will post again once I have a final outcome.
Looks like SFE is going to have a fun customer experience situation on their hands - how they deal with the collapse of their website will go a long way towards burnishing (or burning) their "friendly neighbourhood electronics supplier" brand.
This reminds me of trying to buy playoff tickets online - an exercise in frustration that probably just ends up pissing off most of your customers. Although the PR might end up being worth it.
Seems they are going to have a hard time giving away $100,000. They have given away $2,952 in 26 minutes. At that rate they will have given away $13k by the end of their 2 hour limit.
Interesting from a game theory perspective: If everyone had cooperated to select 1000 people to get it, the total winnings would be higher.
Edit: And if it wasn't obvious, the "slow" rate is caused by extremely slow servers.
74 comments
[ 4.4 ms ] story [ 130 ms ] threadBus Pirate http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_i...
3 Axis accelerometer with SPI interface, http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_i...
Digital Temp Sensor, http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_i... http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_i...
Pressure sensor, http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_i...
XBee adapter board and Xbee module, http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_i...
Why in the world would one choose this as the date format, if not 'forced' to do so by faithful reproduction of an external title? It seems that even on SparkFun's site they would use 2010.01.07.
On topic: I, too, am Arduino shopping. First I though about getting a Spartan FPGA development board, but I honestly don't think I'll have the time to learn enough to make useful things with it.
It's a really cool action by SparkFun and I hope it will be a success for them.
Now, whenever I have to write a date by hand I make it impossible to misread. Like so:
01/Jan/2010
Arduino Ethernet Shield $45.95
Arduino ProtoShield Kit $16.95
GPS Shield $16.95
Joystick Shield $4.95
microSD Shield $14.95
total: $99.75
(I realise I dont have a GPS unit for that shield or the joystick parts - but they will be in a bin somewhere at work :))
Added to that, this is the first time I've actually bought anything from sparkfun, and browsing around the store, I realize that it's a lot better than my previously preferred seller (although being on the 'wrong' side of the Atlantic is a drawback).
Hang in there sparkfun guys. Its going to be a wild, wild day!
Interesting point. I wonder what CF's total peak load/capability is? There were almost certainly upwards of 3000 people (and I think that is a conservative guess) clicking "checkout" within moments of each other.
edit: In case you want to create an account in parallel while you're waiting, see https://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/create_account.php
I dropped in earlier today (about 9am GMT) and it was a little slow - but I managed to make an account and fill a basket..
Now it wont load though... bah (considering going through a US proxy to see if that improves things).
I'm tired, and I want to go back to sleep. Must. Get. Free. Stuff.
[snip] < pissedagain> NEVER ORDER FROM SPARKFU*K !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [/snip]
PS. Edited a bit..
Methinks they probably should have invested in way more caching in preparation for this day...
Interesting from a game theory perspective: If everyone had cooperated to select 1000 people to get it, the total winnings would be higher.
Edit: And if it wasn't obvious, the "slow" rate is caused by extremely slow servers.