Making an 18 pole 16 throw switch

That's actually not true. Just because something falls within a tolerance doesn't make it right (or not wrong at least). Calpis had a nice long rant about this recently and he's right. Just because you have a modders/bodgers attitude, doesn't make you right.

But, you seem to also be trying to pick a fight - when all I have offered is (attempted) constructive criticism. Which I notice you are all too keen to accept on hackaday when people say pretty much exactly what I said - yet here its a problem.

Spend 50 hours making something if you like, I shall keep my advice to myself and all will be well.

I dont pretend to be anywhere near Calpis's level - but I am starting to see his point about modders.

 

Yup my rather unusual at times requests, I'm not very motivated at keeping up communication to maintain modder interest in them.

 

No idea what the topic was you're referring to with Calpis so can't comment on that. I visit this forum fairly often but mostly in this section and for topics of interest. I have a busy and popular forum so spend most of my time there when not modding (can't be everywhere!); Apart from my own forum, I only use here, Racketboy and Digitpress.

"There are real reasons such as degrading picture quality etc doing it like this" was incorrect, which as stated, I have perfectly crisp images in full RGB quality on the screen. That is a fact, and worth mentioning.

Inventors and innovators use methods that are "not the right way", the world would be entirely different if things didn't get innovated by people thinking out of the box and trying alternative methods; we'd still be living in caves if we didn't. Imagine when the caveman made a spear tip with a flint stone instead of sharp point - bet people said "oh, that isn't the right way so shouldn't be on Hack-A-Day", haha.

 

I apologise, re-reading my comment I did appear to be overly harsh. However, you did appear to be taking a bit of a downer on his project:

Post #1: 'thats really not the way to do that.'
Post #2: 'there are better/smaller ways to do it'
Post #3: 'That was a bad idea, you are just going to get pages and pages of comments saying how you should of done it like I said.'

Sorry if you feel I took your comments out of context, but I thought you came across a bit harsh, that's all.

I agree that Bacteria's switch is not the perfect solution, but telling him straight off it's wrong doesn't really promote bettering yourself, no matter whether that was the intention. Maybe I'm too 'softly, softly' on the matter of people not doing things the way I'd do them, but equally, I feel telling someone 'you've done it wrong' when technically they've only 'done it differently, which may cause *these* problems' means they may find it difficult to accept what you've said.

Bacteria: I am curious about something: whilst the switch works well when using the 'switch off-move switch-switch on', I'm concerned it might cause a problem if it gets knocked whilst the system is switched on. Is that a risk, and if so have you taken any measures to prevent the problem (such as, if there's any power running through it, that it shuts off when the switch is moved)? You may want to consider some sort of simple lock mechanism if there's a risk.

 

I too would have gone with another easier and lazier method such as Relays or just use an IDE connector or two to act as the bypass switch. However, I admire bacteria's skill at customizing a project. Once this is all pieced together, imagine the satisfaction of sliding that big select switch across the top.

For the critics, where are your mods so it can be scrutinized.

Here's one of mine. An IDE "Select Switch" of PC PS/2 Keyboard, Atari 2600-Commodore and Playstation.

 

WOW!!! SHIT!!! WHERE DO I EVEN START!!!

Ah. Here:

LONG POST ALERT!

Why don't we leave the guy alone? Alright? Several members have pointed out the flaws in his design in rather harsh ways. (I'm looking at you Bad_Ad84) Sure this may not the the "proper" or "correct" way, but who is the perfect person to give a perfect critique? If it works correctly and good enough for the creator, then let him be. That's not to say we can't give suggestions, but come on! Don't be an asshole about it.

NOTE: All quotes are on chronological order. Don' believe me? Scroll up and compare.

Example of being SOMEWHAT harsh:

Proper way that's NOT HARSH SOUNDING:

There are many more comments that are just as downgrading as this one. further more, after the suggestion in above comment, bacteria replied with this:

So, was this the end of it? NOOOOOOOOOOO...

See for yourself:

Am I the only one who got the impression that bacteria wanted to keep the switch design foolproof and mechanical from the quote above the last one? Apparently so...

Need I go on?

This is the second time I've felt the need to step into a thread that started off with a good point but then went south from there. This has gone from talking about a cool solution to a, how did mooseblaster put it?

Yeah, from that to sounding like a bunch of teenage girls bitching over something completely pointless in the end.

You see why I felt the need to step in? Let's stop arguing over the design flaws and appreciate the time, effort, and amount of design put into this solution. Even if you think it could have been done better. I appreciate it for the '80s retro look when stuff actually did somewhat resemble this contraption. So shut the hell up, read on, and take cues from this for a project of your own or on how you can design it better for the next person.

I am finished.

PARTY ON!!!

 

I'm worried you misunderstood what I meant by that. I meant it is a creative and inventive idea, meaning something positive. I'm forever coming up with lateral solutions to issues.

 

Exactly what I meant. I was referring to how this thread has gone from talking about a "lateral solution to a complex problem" to being a bunch of idiots having a pissing contest. I meant to use it in the way you mentioned. I guess I got the context off a bit...

 

Honestly, I dont give a shit how harsh you think something was - it was nothing to do with you. It wasn't intended as harsh, but seriously - cry me a fucking river.

He said he couldnt program, I then suggest a way (which you have decided to quote as an example of something...) which didnt require programming. It was a perfectly fine response to what he said, it wasnt me trying to push a programming solution after he said thats not what he wanted to do. Just because you dont understand my post - dont make assumptions on what its content was.

Guess what? this isnt your forum - your "stepping in" means jack shit.

Indeed, same here. Obviously my comments seem to have been taken differently to how they were intended (or sounded in my head) - but I did state this was an impressive mod, I am not surprised its on hackaday as its obviously the definition of a "hack"

 

No idea why this thread has gone into hostility, no idea if that is how things normally are here as i'm not on here a great deal although am on from time to time, but I do know we (I) don't allow flaming and trolling on my forum, but hey, that's there and not here so different rules apply (i'm used to things being more friendly and constructive on my forum, which is one of the various reasons it's a popular site). Having members posting like the post above this one (as example) dis-wades people from wanting to stay frankly, but hey, like I said, different forums have different ways to do business...

There are many ways to make things, there is no definitively "right" way, and it would be pretty wrong for someone to say that: for resolving the issue of the switch block, one can use programming via IC chips, logic gates, mechanical relays (which in practice probably need The Hulk to move so many in one movement); switch boxes modified to have enough in tandem, etc. All I did was show another method as alternative, that I developed, designed and made by hand; and as always share my knowledge with others, in this case with a tutorial in the video covering the issues with such a build and why/how I built the unit for others to see.

 

Flaming probably applies here too (but often not enforced), but him posting all his nonsense after I have already explained it wasn't intended like that is just pointless and reigniting the fire.

calling me an asshole, a teenage girl and telling me to shut the hell up? yeah, he's going to get a response.


@bacteria - they make solid state relays, rather than big/heavy mechanical ones. (note to sonicdude - I am not telling him to use them, get off my ass).

 

personally i like it, i honestly couldnt care less what methods he has used as long as they work, personally alot of my modding has been directly copied from sites like mmmonkey with very little in the way of customisation, i doubt i could even attempt something like this

however i would say that if i was attempting something this big i would be very happy for people to make suggestions on what improvements i could make but some of these (e.g. from Bad_Ad84) seem to have been taken (by some people) the wrong way when im sure all he was offering was sound advice, not criticising at all or that's how it read to me, always remember reading on a forum and judging someones attitude is alot harder on a forum than in real life

 

I think thats a case of whats happened =/

It still doesn't read like it to me either (except for my post to sonicdude, but that ones intentional) - but I am the one who wrote it and know how it was intended so... =/

 

I never called Bad_Ad84 any of that. He applied that to himself. I just used his reply as an example to prove my point. The rest of the post applies to anyone who made a harsh reply. Perhaps people have misunderstood the context of situation in which I refer to? Looks like using quotes for examples is the wrong thing to do since the posters' of those quotes seem to get all bent out of shape and think that general comments are pointed to them.

JEEZ...

 

You specifically mention me, quoting me in all but one of your negative (in your opinion) examples - then say its directed at people in general?


What ever.

 

Bacteria: no, it's not normally like this, and sorry for the mess I have caused. It's just a bit of a misunderstanding. Please stick around. Let's get back on topic, eh?

In case you didn't see this question: Whilst the switch works well when using the 'switch off-move switch-switch on', would it cause a problem if it gets knocked whilst the system is switched on?

 

How long have many of you been here for? Bad never means to insult anyone while giving advice, he just gets straight to point and is blunt with it. Not sure why so many of you have butted in saying he was harsh, most of you should know how he gives advice by now.

Many people 'flaming' were not in the conversation beforehand, stop pointing the finger at others and just butt out. This is NOT the community to do that, we're more mature than others.

Just thought I'd try and straighten things out a bit...

 

Hmm, could have sworn I'd replied here before all the drama, but I guess I forgot to! Oh well, at least it'll pull it back on topic....

I've had the need for a similar switch myself. I really want to use a modern switching method, as compact as possible. However, I need to switch power lines, too - with rather high currents. I don't see any way of doing it other than a hell of a lot of relays!

Sure, there's more than one way to skin a cat. It's not really a question of right or wrong, it's what's practical for your given situation. Maybe that's for space, cheapness or even because you want to make something that looks cool or where you can see its parts, 1950s style!

Bacteria - why did you go for that design, then? And BTW, I'm sure you've been around long enough to know how the forum operates, and that it is generally a friendly place. Go post on NG.com (as you have an AES amongst that lot, right?) then come back and tell us that THIS is the unfriendly flaming forum! lol

 

i really like the chunky feel to it, reminds me of going into the D&T labs in school and seeing all the various bits of kit they had for us to mess around with, very retro design which matches the consoles, very interested to see this evolve

 

Flame war!!

Don't do anything while i'm gone. I need popcorn.