That is awesome!
It is indeed.
They originally wanted me to promote it for free. I of course turned them down as there wasn't anything in it for me. And considering I don't do paid promotions, I bartered two scopes for my audience instead
They originally wanted me to promote it for free. I of course turned them down as there wasn't anything in it for me. And considering I don't do paid promotions, I bartered two scopes for my audience instead
That's very commendable. It would be even more noble if you said "Sure. Even though there is nothing in it for me my audience will benefit. I'll be glad to participate."
But that is not exactly what is happening. You have set one aside for your Patreon followers and presumably you will benefit from the consequent increase in subscriptions. Not exactly a paid promotion but not going to leave you free from possible criticism due to appearing to have a conflict of interest.
Personally I think you'd be better off doing a paid promotion and just disclosing the fact.
With hindsight I should maybe have asked for cash, and then used that cash to buy a dozen cheaper scopes.
With hindsight I should maybe have asked for cash, and then used that cash to buy a dozen cheaper scopes.
No worries, in my opinion it is just fine as it is now, even though some people (possibly myself) will not be able to enter or win the contest. There'll be other contests addressing other contenders. I think it is amazing to be able to give away a bizarre prize like this at least once in your life.
With hindsight I should maybe have asked for cash, and then used that cash to buy a dozen cheaper scopes.
Like most who have low post counts, we want there to be no minimum - Those who have high post counts want there to be a high minimum.I think the minimum is in the single digits, so you would have to have just made the account to not qualify. It's only to root out automated accounts and people gaming the system, not to cater to the most active forum members.
The only thing I've said so far is you have to be an active member. What that active means, I don't know yet, but the winner will be checked live on air. And yeah, single digit posts likely won't cut the mustard. Nor will a few dozen one liners to get your numbers up.
I have only one question ......
How long does the splash screen stay on for?
Is dave's face locked in with DRM or is it open source so I can have a narcissus experience?
I have only one question ......
How long does the splash screen stay on for?
I have a very long and sorry history of shipping uCurrent's to Germany. Huge number of returns, most get stuck in customs, some for months. It's horrible. Germany has the reputation of one of the worst customs in the world.
Is the giveaway scope provided with any options
Even better, no further expense required by the lucky winner!
Hi
I would certainly vote for the simple answer of "send it to me"
The way many other places do it is a simple post in a thread sort of thing. There must be some sort of program (or at least a script) to pull names out of the list. I think that having people do *something* to enter is better than a totally passive process. The idea is to kick up interest with the contest. Drawing numbers out of a hat and then matching them with member numbers runs the risk of picking people who no longer have accurate info on file.
Bob
I suggest to use hardware using noise genarator
I can help with that
Yes, I am just inventing a little black box which accepts up to 10,000 names in a comma separated list via a serial port. It then randomly selects one using a state of the art entropy collection system from a noise diode. However, as part of my cunning plan I am also going to register the forum name "This is not a genuine FTDI chip".
Yes, I am just inventing a little black box which accepts up to 10,000 names in a comma separated list via a serial port. It then randomly selects one using a state of the art entropy collection system from a noise diode. However, as part of my cunning plan I am also going to register the forum name "This is not a genuine FTDI chip".You could make a fortune selling this box. random.org provides a drawing service and costs $54.95 for 10,000 names (it gets cheaper for more names, 1 million names costs only $1,149.95).
Would be an interesting EEVblog video how to generate good random numbers. It is more complicated than most people expect. There are some tests like the diehard tests to check that it is really random. Interestingly some very simple algorithms, like a counter and then a SHA256 hash function, passes this test. But the disadvantage is that they are predictable, if you know the implementation. On the other hand if you use a hardware noise generator, it is not predictable, but might not be truely random (e.g. some 50/60 Hz hum). I was thinking for some time now to build a good hardware random number generator by combining the non-predictable, but not perfect, output of a random noise generator with a SHA256 hash function, which should result in a non-predictable, perfect random number generator. I could sell it in two years when this patent expires, which uses a Lava lamp to generate random numbers.