Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!sgiblab!uhog.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!fredm
From: fredm@media.mit.edu (Fred G Martin)
Subject: Re: Miniboard orders from Greg Ratcliffe
Message-ID: <1994Feb20.012441.11955@news.media.mit.edu>
Sender: news@news.media.mit.edu (USENET News System)
Organization: MIT Media Laboratory
References: <french.761354476@cgl.ucsf.edu> <1994Feb19.161320.11780@jupiter.sun.csd.unb.ca>
Date: Sun, 20 Feb 1994 01:24:41 GMT
Lines: 79

In article <1994Feb19.161320.11780@jupiter.sun.csd.unb.ca>
a6vc@jupiter.sun.csd.unb.ca (PELLETIER) writes: 

>	What's wrong with getting another party manufacturing those boards?
>Does this Greg fellow have a special arrangement with MIT?  Personally
>I thought that the artwork etc was rendered public... but maybe I was
>mistaking.

The artwork -is- freely licensable.  Anyone can manufacture and sell
boards and make as much or little profit as they like.  (Note: the
artwork is not public domain.  It must retain the MIT copyright.)

Thus, G. Ratcliff has no special arrangement with MIT, whatsoever.

>	What would be required for another party to be envolved in the
>fabrication of those boards?

"Just do it."

But seriously, the only stumbling block is that the artwork files on
cherupakha.media.mit.edu are in the proprietary format of Douglas
Electronics' Professional Layout PCB CAD program.  (I'm pretty sure
the Gerber files are missing the aperture information, so they're not
useful.)  

For between $50 and $100, Douglas Electronics will take the PCB files
and produce manufacturing films that can be used by any commercial PCB
fab house.  Anyone who wishes to may download the Mini Board PCB file,
send it to Douglas (address and phone number is on-line), get artwork
files, and print up as many boards as they wish.

>I find the miniboards fascinating and well thought out.  Too bad
>this person is spoiling the enjoyment for the rest of the people.  I
>considered ordering one to try out but now I have second thoughts!

Thank you.  And yes, I too am becoming very concerned about the
situation with Greg Ratcliff.  Over the last year or so, I have
provided a pointer to him under the assumption that he was providing a
valuable and reliable service to the community.  Certainly his prices
are low enough that it's clear he's not making much profit, but I
think most of us would rather pay a bit more for a service that did
not have the problems people are reporting with Greg.

About a month or two ago, comp.robotics readers will remember a
similar spate of people complaining of non-delivered boards.  At that
time I sent e-mail directly to Greg, asking him to please look into
this matter.  He responded to me, the individuals who voiced their
complaints at that time, and the net.  It seemed that the problems
were addressed; this is why I am particularly disturbed to learn that
there are additional individuals who have are backordered with him for
so long.

I would like to make special note that most or all of the people who
have voiced problems with Greg seem to have (1) thorough documentation
of their correspondence/attempts to reach him; and (2) have been
courteous in their interactions with him.  For this reason again I am
concerned; it is clear to me that the people who are waiting for
boards have tried to be understanding that Greg's operation is not a
regular business, but have had their patience stretched beyond any
measure of reasonableness (who can imagine waiting 6 to 8 months or
longer for delivery)?

>	I would like to know how to get permission to fabricate those
>and if this is possible, another source could be found for the boards
>that is if enough potential boards are requested.

At this point I would encourage anyone who wishes to provide an
alternative to Greg's service to consider doing so.  I think even
parts kits plus PCBs would be far preferable to an erratic supply of
stuffed boards.

Yours,
Fred Martin

----
Fred Martin | fredm@media.mit.edu | (617) 253-5108 | 20 Ames St. Rm. E15-320
Epistemology and Learning Group, MIT Media Lab     | Cambridge, MA 02139 USA


