LariSan

I don't know of any easy way to do it, but I would think that you would have to pretty much re-design the board to change the frequency. 
 
This is a really good app note on moving from frequency to frequency on the same antenna. This brings back a bit of nightmare flashbacks to my e-mag courses, but if you're into RF (or think you want to be) this may help : http://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra161b/swra161b.pdf 
Where I found the above App Note

Hiya,
 
Atm, I am a EE student and attempting to learn how to use msp430 instead of using an Arduino for low-powered applications. I just started looking into msp430 a month or so ago. I have read some helpful stuff from the thread "Best information for those new to the MSP430?" and looked at some blogs. I am in your care.

Oh, well in that case, I plan on doing my own blog, and have a few videos of my own up in my own youtube channel. I plan on doing a whole series, on basic msp430 launchpad programming using GCC based toolchain tools.
 
The 8 or so I have up right now are about how to setup code::blocks with the energia tool chain.  I am not happy with all of them, but they're done and up there . . .

LariSan,
 
You've done some youtube videos right ? You could make a short video of the book titles, and provide a link to the list on youtube, TI or you, and/or both Could have a blog page that is regularly updated. Point both links to one another to get more traffic, and makes posts via facebook, twitter, etc. Just like standard SEO stuff, but perhaps with no intention of generating ad income ? Could even do some ad generation maybe, but I think to TI this small amount would be trivial.
 
Is this what you're asking ?
 
EDIT:
 
Also for what it is worth, you could do an additional post on the TI wiki, but from personal experiences, I've found the wiki to be lacking in that there is so much information there, it can be very hard to find what you need/want, even if you know what you're looking for, and that it exists. This for me also applies to TI's product pages. So much information, that generally things are hard to find.
 
Truthfully, I think TI could use a dedicated web admin that knows how to organize information very well . . . Sorry if that is hurting anyone's feelings, but there is no way a customer should have to wade through more than 1-2 pages to find what they need. As it stands, sometimes you have to click through 5+ pages to find exactly what you're after. That is unacceptable.

Just a couple thoughts off the top of my head-
 
Common parts I may google to find the datasheet or I may use Mouser.com's search engine--they're a valuable resource!
 
I went through a lot of confusion getting started with the MSP430 in part b/c I was doing it on an odd platform--MacOS X--but eventually found a blog with enough information to get me started (http://osx-launchpad.blogspot.com/)  Still, a good compilation of tips & tricks would be nice, although this site alone has a wealth of info via its search feature.
 
It took me a little while until I realized the MSP430 x2xx Family User's Guide was the main "bible" for learning the chip's rusty innards.  In addition the product page for each chip is a good resource for taking a quick look at all documents available--including the ERRATA sheet which can be very important!  I think it's a good idea to make that link very visible and well known to beginners (e.g. ti.com/product/msp430g2553 )

So, the past year and a half I've been really focusing on getting more learning materials out for people to learn microcontrollers. We have an entire page of textbooks : http://ti.com/textbooks 
and of course the free Teaching ROM's and our CNX.org channels and well as more coming down the pipeline. 
 
e.g. Dan Harres from BitStream Technology made this MSP430 Robots book (came out end of March). 
 
Issue is that I'm not sure where/how to publicize the information-- and I'm not sure it's getting out. 
Also, I really want to collect reviews on the material so we can improve the next editions-- or just hear what people thought about the book or exercises. 
 
I loved Matt (@CashDollar on Twitter)'s post on reviewing both the Davies Book and the Barrett and Pack Book. http://www.43oh.com/2012/08/book-review-microcontroller-programming-and-interfacing-texas-instruments-msp430-cashdollar-automation/
 
but outside of a few posts here and there in the General and Off Topic Forums -- I haven't found a place where people could post material and others could comment on it. 
 
 
So my question:
Where would you generally go to find new information to learn something?
Do you guys know of anything that maybe I should take a look at/ places I should go to?
 
 
 

BTW, feedback on the first protoplates that I got made from some of the teachers I sent it to. 
 
- It's nice to have a hole in the plate, so if someone wants to hang the board up on peg-board or in a lab "check out" session. For now binder clips work. (wish I had a picture to show). 
 
-another request for a "bento box" style , which sometime I'll sit down and think through it. 
 
- be able to use other LaunchPads with it (which I really like @@Fred 's solution) 
 
 
 
 
Untitled by laraswanland, on Flickr 10 of these ready to go for a intro to LaunchPad workshop. 

Feel free to use that logo where you want Larisan, just send me pictures

The protoplates are now in the post to @@DanAndDusty, @@Tribes and @@bluehash.
 
I can't take the credit for the logo. @@JWoodrell created it. You'll find the PSD for it in the 43oh PCB logo thread here.

Hi all,
 
43'oh forum is awesome! I like being here.. I like people who are interested at stuff similar to mine.. 
 
I am suggesting that we may wanna follow each other at other platforms such as twitter, google+ etc.
 
I am beginning:
 
My twitter account is @sirrix and i would be glad to get in touch.
Edit: My Youtube Channel is PiterXdT
 
Thanks,
Sirri

New Award : Laser Cutter.
 
@@Fred gets the award for cutting protoplate boards for the Community. 
 
@ILAMtitan and @@LariSan get BoosterPack awards for the protoplate development.

Mine is from Jonathan Coulton's song "Code Monkey", since that's my job.  I added the TWiT Army helmet.  I think I'm starting to look like my avatar.

 

Nice board. I like both of those solutions but find I use the few female-male jumpers I have or make one by joining a female-female and male-male jumper.

Well it took me a while and a bit of experimenting, but here's the final result in clear and black acrylic. I shuffled the Launchpad logo around so it wouldn't be covered by the corner pieces and added the 43oh.com logo by @@JWoodrell. The quality on the raster engraving is a little inconsistent on the narrower 43oh.com logo but it's the best I can manage at the moment on my cheap laser. Photographing the black one was tricky as it's very glossy. It was like photographing a mirror.
 
 
 
The corner pieces glue on very nicely with superglue so I think it'll be easiest if people stick the corners on themselves. That gives the option of using for the Stellaris (or the Fraunchpad will fit but there's no guide engraved for this). I've not got a C2000 so don't know if that will fit. It also means you can go left or right handed without blocking the USB port.
 

I'll send them off to @@bluehash on Monday. If anyone in Europe want's one then shout and I can mail it directly from the UK.
 

I had a few of these "protoplates" made-- I fell in love with the one from AdaFruit for the BeagleBone and really wanted one for the LaunchPad and had some made. 
(I have to thank Bart, if he's on here, for really making my first Ponoko trial-run so smooth). 
 
 
    So here is where you can order the sheet.
It's 14 total plates on the Plastic- Acrylic- Clear- 3mm- P3 sized sheet, which comes out to be about 3.50 for each plate- total about 46.50 (Bart had free shipping since he's a regular user at Ponoko). 
 

  I'm sure there is a more efficient way to arrange these to get more on the same sheet (there was a lot of extra plastic that wasn't used). This was a trail run for me. 
 
It comes in a large sheet, where you only need to pull off your plate
  I left the backing on the plate--     Added the breadboard:    
these breadboards from Mouser (I get them in packs of 10 so it comes out to be about 4.95 a piece)
  The hardest part was to figure out how to connect the LaunchPad to the sheet.  Even though it's nice that the rubber feet were already included... it turned out to be inconvenient. 
The BeagleBone and the Arduinos have screws that allow you to use standoffs.  In this case after trying: hot glue, epoxy, these scrapbooking "zots" (super strong adhesive tapes in dot shape) and double stick tape and found out that all of them don't adhere to the rubber well.  What's worked is Crazy Glue.      Put it on the LaunchPad, set it down and let it dry...    then I peeled off the backing.        I'll get to test these in a workshop soon, but so far I like them, but plan on changing a few things.  I have about three extra that I wouldn't mind sending to anyone who wanted to see it.    It's hard to know which direction is up... I have two sleds and one is right handed and the other is left handed... I guess if I just removed the logo all together I could have it be either right or left handed      This is what I think my next one will look like, but I'm completely open for any suggestions!     Hope that's helpful, I've included the files to make the edits in my dropbox (it's in illustrator and the forum doesn't like the format for some reason). https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6tho7jrplryvyhl/PJAJ22XqpQ
Final- LaunchPad Proto-Sled v1.0- Bart.zip

I had a few of these "protoplates" made-- I fell in love with the one from AdaFruit for the BeagleBone and really wanted one for the LaunchPad and had some made. 
(I have to thank Bart, if he's on here, for really making my first Ponoko trial-run so smooth). 
 
 
    So here is where you can order the sheet.
It's 14 total plates on the Plastic- Acrylic- Clear- 3mm- P3 sized sheet, which comes out to be about 3.50 for each plate- total about 46.50 (Bart had free shipping since he's a regular user at Ponoko). 
 

  I'm sure there is a more efficient way to arrange these to get more on the same sheet (there was a lot of extra plastic that wasn't used). This was a trail run for me. 
 
It comes in a large sheet, where you only need to pull off your plate
  I left the backing on the plate--     Added the breadboard:    
these breadboards from Mouser (I get them in packs of 10 so it comes out to be about 4.95 a piece)
  The hardest part was to figure out how to connect the LaunchPad to the sheet.  Even though it's nice that the rubber feet were already included... it turned out to be inconvenient. 
The BeagleBone and the Arduinos have screws that allow you to use standoffs.  In this case after trying: hot glue, epoxy, these scrapbooking "zots" (super strong adhesive tapes in dot shape) and double stick tape and found out that all of them don't adhere to the rubber well.  What's worked is Crazy Glue.      Put it on the LaunchPad, set it down and let it dry...    then I peeled off the backing.        I'll get to test these in a workshop soon, but so far I like them, but plan on changing a few things.  I have about three extra that I wouldn't mind sending to anyone who wanted to see it.    It's hard to know which direction is up... I have two sleds and one is right handed and the other is left handed... I guess if I just removed the logo all together I could have it be either right or left handed      This is what I think my next one will look like, but I'm completely open for any suggestions!     Hope that's helpful, I've included the files to make the edits in my dropbox (it's in illustrator and the forum doesn't like the format for some reason). https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6tho7jrplryvyhl/PJAJ22XqpQ
Final- LaunchPad Proto-Sled v1.0- Bart.zip

Fred, the design files that Larissa hosted are all in vector formats.  let me know if there is a better file format for you regarding those and I can get it to you.
For the corners, four L shaped pieces should be sufficient to hold it in place in two dimensions.  I don't know why I didn't think of that in the first place...

You want to know what I think is a good idea ? Asus some time ago ( few years ago ) opened up a "creative design" page in cooperation with a few of their "affiliate's"  ( Anandtech being on of them ). Where the let every day users come up with ideas, and post them on their pages. Other users were then allowed to vote on these ideas . . . I am sure you can see where I am going.
 
Anyhow point being, if TI wants to be successful, they should listen to their user base more. Take polls, come up with concept ideas, then ask for opinions, and/or potential improvements.
 
Not that I think TI is unsuccessful but there is always room for improvement right ? Past that, what *is* TI without their "user base" right ?

ILAMtitan - Thanks. The vectors are just a few squares, so it was just as easy to measure and redo. I was going to attempt to trace and vector cut the rocket but don't think I'd do a great job. I know there's a raster engraving plug-in for Mach3 so it's probably a good time to play with that.
 
The 4 corner pieces should work. I just need to ensure the USB connector isn't obscured. Maybe 3 L shaped pieces and one straight.

 
Or one end piece.

 
3mm was only just enough for the corner pieces so I used 5mm for that instead. The engraved text is actually better that it looks as that's a phone photo taken in poor light. I've not tried the raster engraving yet,

I recently got a laser, so if you're not already commited to the Ponoko route I'd be happy to cut a few plates and send them to Bluehash for the store. I've got a lot out of this site so would appreciate the chance to give something back.
 
On the plus side: They'll be completely free. I can quickly try out different designs, colours or ideas.
On the minus side: My maximum cutting area is A4 (297 x 210mm) so might have to adjust the size to fit. I can vector engrave but I'm using Mach3 and I've not sorted out raster engraving yet

Not sure if this counts, but I've played with a few ideas myself (since I have to pack up and go to trade shows a lot). 
 
the first-- I like to use photo-holders (like the kind you can get at scrapbook stores):
[/url]
 
This one is from container store
 
 

Showing them in my backpack. 
 
 
I've also tried storing them in acrylic containers like this, but I found that it doesn't travel well (thin acrylic shatters)
 
[/url]   Also, this is what I have in my office to store the boosterpacks.  I used these office containers for paper with little clear trays.  [/url]

Not sure if this counts, but I've played with a few ideas myself (since I have to pack up and go to trade shows a lot). 
 
the first-- I like to use photo-holders (like the kind you can get at scrapbook stores):
[/url]
 
This one is from container store
 
 

Showing them in my backpack. 
 
 
I've also tried storing them in acrylic containers like this, but I found that it doesn't travel well (thin acrylic shatters)
 
[/url]   Also, this is what I have in my office to store the boosterpacks.  I used these office containers for paper with little clear trays.  [/url]

@@ILAMtitan Welcome to 43oh! If you are a TI'er and would like a badge next to your avatar, just quote this message.
@@LariSan
 
 
If you want, we can do a group buy once all are happy with the features, which will include the breadboards.

Bart checking in here.  I think this is my first 43oh post despite being a member for some time.
 
The original design was put together on a whim after talking to Lari one day about some training.  There's no particular reason it was made in a portrait orientation, and landscape will probably work even better.

I published the design on Ponoko this morning for you guys, but it looks like Lari already took care of that.  So if you want on of the V1 designs, you can order it straight from them: http://www.ponoko.com/design-your-own/products/launchpad-proto-plate-9765
Ponoko doesn't use STL files, but rather EPS. They do all the conversions to STL inhouse, using color data from the EPS file to set etching and the like.
 
The original plan to mount the Launchpad down was to use some double stick foam dots like these: http://www.amazon.com/Mounting-Double-Sided-Diameter-Package/dp/B0046NNHIO
Ideally they would just replace the rubber feet.  No idea how well that would work; they might have to be stacked to get the right thickness.  Another option for V2, depending on how much Lari want's to spend, is to use some fancier corner mount board standoffs: http://www.richco-inc.com/products/circuit-board-hardware/97-circuit-board-hardware-catalog.html?PartNum=&country=RICHCOUSA&grpcode=A1850
This would also require some rubber feet on the sled since there are screws on the other side.
 
Adding feet to the sled would also give a little more clearance for the wire wrap headers on the C2000 and Stellaris launchpads.  I think we can easily add some cutouts to allow those to pass through unmodified so that the Launchpads can be reused.  This would let the design be compliant across the whole Launchpad family, which is kinda the idea of them in the first place.
 
If you guys have any other ideas, please let us know.

I had a few of these "protoplates" made-- I fell in love with the one from AdaFruit for the BeagleBone and really wanted one for the LaunchPad and had some made. 
(I have to thank Bart, if he's on here, for really making my first Ponoko trial-run so smooth). 
 
 
    So here is where you can order the sheet.
It's 14 total plates on the Plastic- Acrylic- Clear- 3mm- P3 sized sheet, which comes out to be about 3.50 for each plate- total about 46.50 (Bart had free shipping since he's a regular user at Ponoko). 
 

  I'm sure there is a more efficient way to arrange these to get more on the same sheet (there was a lot of extra plastic that wasn't used). This was a trail run for me. 
 
It comes in a large sheet, where you only need to pull off your plate
  I left the backing on the plate--     Added the breadboard:    
these breadboards from Mouser (I get them in packs of 10 so it comes out to be about 4.95 a piece)
  The hardest part was to figure out how to connect the LaunchPad to the sheet.  Even though it's nice that the rubber feet were already included... it turned out to be inconvenient. 
The BeagleBone and the Arduinos have screws that allow you to use standoffs.  In this case after trying: hot glue, epoxy, these scrapbooking "zots" (super strong adhesive tapes in dot shape) and double stick tape and found out that all of them don't adhere to the rubber well.  What's worked is Crazy Glue.      Put it on the LaunchPad, set it down and let it dry...    then I peeled off the backing.        I'll get to test these in a workshop soon, but so far I like them, but plan on changing a few things.  I have about three extra that I wouldn't mind sending to anyone who wanted to see it.    It's hard to know which direction is up... I have two sleds and one is right handed and the other is left handed... I guess if I just removed the logo all together I could have it be either right or left handed      This is what I think my next one will look like, but I'm completely open for any suggestions!     Hope that's helpful, I've included the files to make the edits in my dropbox (it's in illustrator and the forum doesn't like the format for some reason). https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6tho7jrplryvyhl/PJAJ22XqpQ
Final- LaunchPad Proto-Sled v1.0- Bart.zip