Uploaded November 2019 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Paloma Fautley
2019.northbaypython.org/schedule/presentation/12
Python is an amazing language that reduces the barrier to entry for beginners and is an essential language for most programmers. The language is relatively simple to learn, but with the huge amount of libraries and packages available you can use the same language for an inconceivable number of applications. In contrast, hardware becomes obsolete quickly, making a small mistake can be costly (in time and $$), and is highly specific to each application. Because of this, when I tell Python programmers that they should be building more robots I get dirty looks. People like the idea of building awesome robots, but don’t want to go through the pain of getting started. In my talk I want to share some tips for learning to be fluent in hardware using MicroPython and simple prototyping techniques.
After my talk you should know:
1. What MicroPython is and how you can implement it
2. How to write a simple MicroPython program
3. How to hook up simple sensors and actuators
4. Additional resources to learn more
People always talk about failing fast, but nobody teaches you how to actually do that, or ever gives you many second chances when you do fail. I’m going to do my best to convince you to step into the world of hardware using MicroPython and simple electronics to build something useless and to see what you can learn from that experience.
A Python conference north of the Golden Gate
North Bay Python is a single-track conference with a carefully curated set of talks representing the diverse Python community and their different areas of interest.
If a topic is less to your interest, or you've met some people you really want to sit down and chat with, we'll have plenty of areas away from the main theatre to catch up and chat.
Our goal is to keep prices as low as possible. That means we won't be catering lunch. Instead, you can look forward to extra-long lunch breaks you can use to explore all of the great food options around the venue.
Produced by NDV: youtube.com/channel/UCQ7dFBzZGlBvtU2hCecsBBg?sub_confirmation=1
Sat Nov 2 15:00:00 2019 at Mystic Theatre
Paloma Fautley
2019.northbaypython.org/schedule/presentation/12
Python is an amazing language that reduces the barrier to entry for beginners and is an essential language for most programmers. The language is relatively simple to learn, but with the huge amount of libraries and packages available you can use the same language for an inconceivable number of applications. In contrast, hardware becomes obsolete quickly, making a small mistake can be costly (in time and $$), and is highly specific to each application. Because of this, when I tell Python programmers that they should be building more robots I get dirty looks. People like the idea of building awesome robots, but don’t want to go through the pain of getting started. In my talk I want to share some tips for learning to be fluent in hardware using MicroPython and simple prototyping techniques.
After my talk you should know:
1. What MicroPython is and how you can implement it
2. How to write a simple MicroPython program
3. How to hook up simple sensors and actuators
4. Additional resources to learn more
People always talk about failing fast, but nobody teaches you how to actually do that, or ever gives you many second chances when you do fail. I’m going to do my best to convince you to step into the world of hardware using MicroPython and simple electronics to build something useless and to see what you can learn from that experience.
A Python conference north of the Golden Gate
North Bay Python is a single-track conference with a carefully curated set of talks representing the diverse Python community and their different areas of interest.
If a topic is less to your interest, or you've met some people you really want to sit down and chat with, we'll have plenty of areas away from the main theatre to catch up and chat.
Our goal is to keep prices as low as possible. That means we won't be catering lunch. Instead, you can look forward to extra-long lunch breaks you can use to explore all of the great food options around the venue.
Produced by NDV: youtube.com/channel/UCQ7dFBzZGlBvtU2hCecsBBg?sub_confirmation=1
Sat Nov 2 15:00:00 2019 at Mystic Theatre
