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.net-micro-framework.net-gadgeteer

.NET gadgeteer something worth learning?

Is this something worth learning, just as a side thing, or is this something that may not be widely used or around much due to other things like andruino?

EDIT: I am asking this question to those individuals who have used gadgeteer. Not to see if they liked it but to see if they are still using it in the same capacity when they first started or have they gone to other things, either personally or due to company reasons. So if someone was using gadgeteer 3 years ago, are they still using it to the same degree they used it back then. I gave, in the comments, the example of FrontPage. Even though, back then, FrontPage could still be used it was already widely known that not many newer development was using FrontPage. That is what I was looking for and not opinions on whether people liked gadgeteer or not. I am looking for if this could possibly be something that is already, slowly or whatever, being phased out in terms of usage.

Solution

  • I've asked myself the same question while working on some recent personal projects with the .NET Micro Framework and the related hardware. Lots of risk for opinion as stated, so I will share some observations I've made.

    • The Dot Net Micro Framework has seen the following recent releases.
    • Codeplex has quite a few Micro Framework code libraries: 9 have been updated in 2014, 4 since June
    • I've been ordering development boards from GHI (I'm not advertising so no Link, just providing the name so my statement can be proven.) It seems like when I look at their Catalog at least one board is sold out with more on order and the out of stock board is different every time.
    • I would also suggest that hobby level and professional consumers are very different. The above company has products in both categories. Professionals don't usually advertise their technology choices. They are more about Time to Market and Reliability.

    Edit I just found this link. It reaffirms Microsofts commitment to the MicroFramework http://ms-iot.github.io/content/WelcomeAndFAQ.htm It's about 2/3rds of the way down. Basically they are making it part of their Internet Of Things initiative. April 2014 Build Conference 9:19 and 14:50 (mm:ss).

    Opinion The way I look at it, does it solve your problem? I might not plan large scale product plans without talking to a vendor about volume and EOL plans, for personal use it's been great. End Opinion