1. Barebones PIC Programming on Mac + pickit2

    If you’ve never done any microcontroller programming, start with an arduino.cc. It’s the best way of getting started with embedded hardware programming.

    If for whatever reason you’re determined to use PICs (cost, availability of free samples, you already had a bunch of them, etc.), you should get a pickit3 and use the netbeans-derived MPLAB X to develop, program and debug your devices.

    But if like me you’re in the weird position of having a bunch of PICs, a Chinese knockoff pickit2 and a strong dislike of Java, here’s how to set up a *minimal* C development environment on a Mac.

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  2. What are internet of things devices called?

    Each computer hardware form factor has gone through several names before one started to obviously dominate. Palmtop, PDA, handheld computer, smartphone, notebook, laptop, clamshell, netbook, portable computer, tablet, slate, touchpad computer, “phablet”.

    What should the new class of devices being created under the “internet of things” banner be referred to as?

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  3. Data Export

    In which I document the experience of exporting data from several services, commenting on the UI, UX, terminology and utility/tangibility/formatting of the data produced.

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