Mini Maker Faire Toronto 2011

I'd like Strich Labs to make it to the Toronto Mini Maker Faire this year (2011). This project is to plan this, as it's going to be an epic undertaking.

Project Overview

• MultiSerial Shield
  • Complete prototyping
  • Complete driver library
  • Complete driver documentation
  • Complete hardware documentation
  • Order production PCB run
  • Order parts for production run
  • Assemble shields
  • Package shields
  • ...profit?
• VGA Shield
  • Complete prototyping
  • Complete driver library
  • Complete driver documentation
  • Complete hardware documentation
  • Order production PCB run
  • Order parts for production run
  • Assemble shields
  • Package shields
  • ...profit?

To Do List

• Complete rev. 4 MultiSerial Shield testing and send rev. 5 off to MyRo PCB
  • Double check all silkscreen against actual pin use on a real board
  • Check visibility of info on bottom, change from copper to silkscreen if required
  • Target completion date - 2011-03-18 - Completed 2011-03-18
• Complete rev. 1 VGA Shield testing and send rev. 2 off to LaenPCB
  • Target completion date - 2011-03-21 - Completed 2011-03-20
• Order packaging
  • Static-dissipative foam
  • Static-dissipative bags
  • Completed 2011-03-22
• Buy a commercial EAGLE license
• Complete a shippable version of the driver library for the MultiSerial Shield
  • Code/documentation done as of 2011-03-24, just needs final testing
  • Make sure interrupt support is in/working
  • Test all functions against actual hardware and make sure they behave as expected using latest Arduino IDE
  • Target completion date - 2011-03-27
• Sort out a table (likely sharing a bit of the lab's table)
  • Target completion date - 2011-04-01
• Complete a shippable version of the driver library for the VGA Shield
  • Target completion date - 2011-04-02
• Get website into a reasonably-polished form, including cart
  • Target completion date - 2011-04-17
• Receive VGA Shield rev. 2 prototype boards
  • Target completion date - 2011-04-18
• Complete build/test of rev. 2 prototype and send off CAM files for final revision to MyRO
  • Target completion date - 2011-04-22
• Complete demo code to show off the VGA Shield (and possibly to market the MultiSerial Shield)
  • Target completion date - 2011-04-24
• Order parts for X MultiSerial Shields and Y VGA Shields
  • Target completion date - depends on VGA Shield rev. 1 testing
• Build X MultiSerial Shields and Y VGA Shields to sell
  • Target completion date - 2011-05-01

Ideas

• To collect contact info for future marketing, could hook a keyboard up to the Arduino that has the VGA Shield demo on it
• If possible, payment via PayPal would be handy so it's not just cash

Needed @ Faire

Products

• MultiSerial Shield
• VGA Shield
  • VGA monitor to demo shield

Debugging/On-Site Troubleshooting/Fixing

• Laptop
• USB cables

Sales Stuff

• Receipt book
• Cash-holding device

Marketing

• Aluminum business cards
• Way to collect contact info for future marketing/newsletter/etc.