I want to publicly thank Cindy Trotto and those at Microchip
for all of the effort expended in getting a copy of the Technical
Library CD into my (our) hands!
After reporting that my CD had not yet arrived, Cindy had the CD
sent via Federal Express to me. She even called me at work yesterday
to make sure that I had received it. This is, in my opinion, much more
than I had hoped for! After all, I would have been just as happy if the
CD arrived eventually via US Postal Service.
Instead of a form letter stating that my request has been forwarded,
I wish they would have just mailed the CD. MY belief is that
most distributors don't want to bother with you unless you have a large
order ready for them. Forget it if you are only a hobbyist interested
in ordering small quantities.
I am very satisfied with Microchip. They are really concerned that
we get the information we need. I feel confident that they are working
hard to improve their support infrastructure. Their "Distributors"....
well, I'll leave that to each of you with your personal experiences
to decide...
Thank You again Cindy!
Dan Larson
*******************************
* Dan Larson *
* Software Engineer *
* Micro Control Company *
* email: spam_OUTdlarsonTakeThisOuTcitilink.com *
*******************************
Instead of a form letter stating that my request has been forwarded,
I wish they would have just mailed the CD. MY belief is that
most distributors don't want to bother with you unless you have a large
order ready for them. Forget it if you are only a hobbyist interested
in ordering small quantities.
This is perhaps true, but not necessarilly. For example, Analog Devices
still has a fond place in my heart for the time they sent be a freebie
A-D converter for my college senior design project. (and of course I've
NEVER had an opportunity to specify an A-D converter SINCE then...)
It would be nice if you could be honest, and have your request tossed on
a "low priority" pile instead of the "have a salescritter follow this up
immediately" pile, and still get your CD or Sample or whatever. What is
really annoying is when the company spends more sending you useless stuff
(line cards, form letters, marketing fliers, etc) than the part/doc you
wanted in the first place would have cost. (Really - A CD costs less than
$1, and should mail for less than $1 too. They should hand them out like
hotcakes (and they HAVE, at trade shows. It really hurts when a company
spend $4 to mail a massive catalog that probably cost that much to print
as well, when what I wanted was a sample and datasheet for a $2 part.
And the number of salesmen that bug me thinking that somehow a software
engineer has some "in" with which crystal oscillators purchasing buys
(after I've told them "not") is pretty amazing, as well. Likewise, some
get excited and want to set up MEETINGS just cause I filled out some bingo
card... Sigh.)
It sounds like there was some sort of blockage in Microchips flow of CDs,
and it sounds like they're fixing it. That's excellant.
> I want to publicly thank Cindy Trotto and those at Microchip
> for all of the effort expended in getting a copy of the Technical
> Library CD into my (our) hands!
<SNIP>
> Thank You again Cindy!
Now if only we can get Cindy to replace Steve.... <stir, stir...>
--
Friendly Regards
Tjaart van der Walt .....tjaartKILLspam@spam@wasp.co.za
_____________________________________________________________
| WASP International http://www.wasp.co.za/~tjaart/index.html |
| R&D Engineer : GSM peripheral services development |
| Vehicle tracking | Telemetry systems | GSM data transfer |
| Voice : +27-(0)11-622-8686 | Fax : +27-(0)11-622-8973 |
| WGS-84 : 26¡10.52'S 28¡06.19'E |
|_____________________________________________________________|
> Instead of a form letter stating that my request has been forwarded,
> I wish they would have just mailed the CD. MY belief is that
> most distributors don't want to bother with you unless you have a large
> order ready for them. Forget it if you are only a hobbyist interested
> in ordering small quantities.
>
> This is perhaps true, but not necessarilly. For example, Analog Devices
> still has a fond place in my heart for the time they sent be a freebie
> A-D converter for my college senior design project. (and of course I've
> NEVER had an opportunity to specify an A-D converter SINCE then...)
How right you are! In my second year at varsity, we went to a trade show.After
taking a catalogue from a pile at one stand, I overheard the MD telling
one of his sidekicks that "These f***** students are like f***** vultures"
Well, my buying power has increased somewhat, but I don't need to tell you
that that particular company can go to hell for all I care. I won't buy one
resistor from them.
> And the number of salesmen that bug me thinking that somehow a software
> engineer has some "in" with which crystal oscillators purchasing buys
> (after I've told them "not") is pretty amazing, as well. Likewise, some
> get excited and want to set up MEETINGS just cause I filled out some bingo
> card... Sigh.)
We've deviced a solution for salespersons. We don't see them
withoutappointments, and we don't make appointments either. Hehehe. It gets
them
every time. Meeting, Schmeeting...
--
Friendly Regards
Tjaart van der Walt tjaartKILLspamwasp.co.za
_____________________________________________________________
| WASP International http://www.wasp.co.za/~tjaart/index.html |
| R&D Engineer : GSM peripheral services development |
| Vehicle tracking | Telemetry systems | GSM data transfer |
| Voice : +27-(0)11-622-8686 | Fax : +27-(0)11-622-8973 |
| WGS-84 : 26¡10.52'S 28¡06.19'E |
|_____________________________________________________________|
> How right you are! In my second year at varsity, we went to a trade show.After
> taking a catalogue from a pile at one stand, I overheard the MD telling
> one of his sidekicks that "These f***** students are like f***** vultures"
> Well, my buying power has increased somewhat, but I don't need to tell you
> that that particular company can go to hell for all I care. I won't buy one
> resistor from them.
I dunno.. I'm farely new to pic, but so far I am impressed with them. I
set up an appointment with the hauppage, long island branch. I arrived
there after 6pm on a friday night (due to traffic.) The salesperson
actually waited for me! When i arrived, he was very friendly. I
explained that I was a student working of a pic project (completely true.)
He was very understanding, gave our group about 5 cds, 5 sample 16x73s,
tons of databooks (5.. 1 for each of us), and even his own personal emprom
programmer! Additionally, he offered to lend me his own personal book on
pics (not a databook., but a real book book) <I refused as I knew that I
would not be in long island for some time to return it>... But
nevertheless, I plan to send a letter to pic micro telling them how
incredible my salesperson was.
William Chops Westfield wrote:
>
> Instead of a form letter stating that my request has been forwarded,
> I wish they would have just mailed the CD. MY belief is that
> most distributors don't want to bother with you unless you have a large
> order ready for them. Forget it if you are only a hobbyist interested
> in ordering small quantities.
>
> This is perhaps true, but not necessarilly. For example, Analog Devices
> still has a fond place in my heart for the time they sent be a freebie
> A-D converter for my college senior design project. (and of course I've
> NEVER had an opportunity to specify an A-D converter SINCE then...)
>
> It would be nice if you could be honest, and have your request tossed on
> a "low priority" pile instead of the "have a salescritter follow this up
> immediately" pile, and still get your CD or Sample or whatever. What is
> really annoying is when the company spends more sending you useless stuff
> (line cards, form letters, marketing fliers, etc) than the part/doc you
> wanted in the first place would have cost.
My favorite was Motorola, I was working on a 6809 board and asked for
the spec sheets. They sent me the spec sheets, "Programming the 6809" by
Zak Labiak, and the Assist09 manual (source etal). Too bad I'm having
such
difficult time getting their parts. I'm still just a hobbiest. And
getting
ordering parts in 1'zies is still the bane of my hobby. (Schooled as an
EET but I work in the Data/Voice network field).
As for Sales people, I'm aware of a particular Hi-Tech company which has
a sales force which ... (Oh yea that really doesn't belong here does
it).
>My favorite was Motorola, I was working on a 6809 board and asked for
>the spec sheets. They sent me the spec sheets, "Programming the 6809" by
>Zak Labiak, and the Assist09 manual (source etal). Too bad I'm having
>such
>difficult time getting their parts. I'm still just a hobbiest. And
>getting
>ordering parts in 1'zies is still the bane of my hobby. (Schooled as an
>EET but I work in the Data/Voice network field).
I used to get 6809s and the chips like the Address Multiplexor, designed for
use in a 6809 system from A company called cricklewood electroincs in
London, UK.
Jon Baker wrote:
>
> >My favorite was Motorola, I was working on a 6809 board and asked for
> >the spec sheets. They sent me the spec sheets, "Programming the 6809" by
> >Zak Labiak, and the Assist09 manual (source etal). Too bad I'm having
> >such
> >difficult time getting their parts. I'm still just a hobbiest. And
> >getting
> >ordering parts in 1'zies is still the bane of my hobby. (Schooled as an
> >EET but I work in the Data/Voice network field).
>
> I used to get 6809s and the chips like the Address Multiplexor, designed for
> use in a 6809 system from A company called cricklewood electroincs in
> London, UK.
Ooops, I wasn't specific enough, the chips I was referencing were the
68HC11
chips, the EE chips in particular. They get gobbled up by the Auto
inductry
and production lags weeks behind.
citilink.com *
