Designing a complex circuit

[scriptkiddy]

My name is James Wilson and I am a student at Hawarden High school. I
am currently studying systems and control and am writing to you in
request of aid. My task is to design and make a contestant station for
a board game. I have carried out a questionnaire, which has suggested
that board games and quizzes would benefit from this product.
I would like the product to support 2 to 3 separate teams each with
there own panel and a button to press to indicate to the questioner
they think they know the answer. I am unsure of many factors and this
is where I politely request assistance. I would be very grateful if
you could find the time to supply me with any information on the
following;

I. The features my contestant station should include (output).

II. Whether a questioner will require a panel, what might it include?

III. How many teams should the product support?

IV. Is styling important? Which styles are most successful? Is gender
important?

V. Should my product be battery or mains powered? Is this important?

Thanks again for any help provided!

 

[Michael A. Covington]

My name is James Wilson and I am a student at Hawarden High school.

Pardon me... just a bit of friendly advice...

You sound like a sensible person. But "scriptkiddy" denotes somebody who
commits minor acts of computer vandalism by running scripts written by
others. Why would you want to label yourself thus?

 

[scriptkiddy]

yes i understand the term lol! well i dont really consider myself as
one as i do not run such script and i understand it well, its merely a
nickname to gain attention and therefore a more likely chance of
reply! LOL! Thanks for your input, what this really is, im a gcse
student and its part of the sylabus to seek pro advice (to get a*) so
i thought i might get something here not really caring what it was
LOL!

 

[Michael A. Covington]

yes i understand the term lol! well i dont really consider myself as
one as i do not run such script and i understand it well, its merely a
nickname to gain attention and therefore a more likely chance of
reply! LOL! Thanks for your input, what this really is, im a gcse
student and its part of the sylabus to seek pro advice (to get a*) so
i thought i might get something here not really caring what it was
LOL!

Second point: "LOL" does not mean "end of sentence."

 

[scriptkiddy]

you evidently have alot of time on your hands! well i found it
appropriate to place the expression LOL in those positions, it just
happened that my style of writting is to make a point which i find A)
moderetly amusing B)Ironic C)suprising, and then add LOL to the end of
it. i use it like a 'sentance suffix' if you get me. So since you do
seem to have so much time, why dont you do me a favour involving the
reason i first posted my initial message. I (as explained prior to
this message) am a gcse student and to achieve high marks i must prove
i have saught proffessional advice. I would be greatful if you
e-mailed me a realistic message in reply to my first message (ignoring
my nickname) maybe then you will sleep better at night knowing you are
using your time more constructivly. (but feel free to still post here,
it isnt like im pushed for time. Shown by the amount of pointless chat
in this message <<<<<LOL!>>>>) J

 

[Michael A. Covington]

Perhaps I overreacted, but you may notice that nobody else here calls
himself a "script kiddy" or other type of vandal, and nobody else here uses
"LOL" as a sentence separator. Script kiddies are a *real* problem for me.
Several of them try to crash my FTP site *every day*. I spend maybe 100
hours per year dealing with script kiddies when I could be doing productive
work. And since I'm a state employee, that's not just a waste of my time,
it's a waste of the taxpayers' money.

To understand my reaction, imagine what it would be like if you were asking
help from retail merchants and called yourself "shoplifter." Same thing.

Now as to the original problem... I've lost your original posting. Is this
the classic "game show timer" circuit where you need to know which person
pressed the button first, or am I misremembering? And do you have any
preferences as to technology (e.g., relays, low-level digital ICs,
microcontroller, or PC)? Are microcontroller programming facilities
available to you? If so, what kinds? And have you considered doing it all
in software, using an old laptop computer as the controller/timer?

 

[William P.N. Smith]

i thought i might get something here not really caring what it was

So you're all set now, yes?

 

[Watson A.Name \Watt Sun - the Dark Remover\]

Perhaps I overreacted, but you may notice that nobody else here calls
himself a "script kiddy" or other type of vandal, and nobody else here uses
"LOL" as a sentence separator. Script kiddies are a *real* problem for me.
Several of them try to crash my FTP site *every day*. I spend maybe 100
hours per year dealing with script kiddies when I could be doing productive
work. And since I'm a state employee, that's not just a waste of my time,
it's a waste of the taxpayers' money.

To understand my reaction, imagine what it would be like if you were asking
help from retail merchants and called yourself "shoplifter." Same thing.

That's gotta be the best comparison that I've ever seen. Excellent, or
more to the point, dastardly. I mean, who in their right mind wants to
be known as a shoplifter? Right?

Zackly!!

[snip]

 

[Michael]

Perhaps I overreacted, but you may notice that nobody else here calls
himself a "script kiddy" or other type of vandal, and nobody else here uses
"LOL" as a sentence separator. Script kiddies are a *real* problem for me.
Several of them try to crash my FTP site *every day*. I spend maybe 100
hours per year dealing with script kiddies when I could be doing productive
work. And since I'm a state employee, that's not just a waste of my time,
it's a waste of the taxpayers' money.

To understand my reaction, imagine what it would be like if you were asking
help from retail merchants and called yourself "shoplifter." Same thing.

Now as to the original problem... I've lost your original posting. Is this
the classic "game show timer" circuit where you need to know which person
pressed the button first, or am I misremembering? And do you have any
preferences as to technology (e.g., relays, low-level digital ICs,
microcontroller, or PC)? Are microcontroller programming facilities
available to you? If so, what kinds? And have you considered doing it all
in software, using an old laptop computer as the controller/timer?

Such patience you have, Michael. I think you would do well as a
teacher. ;-)
Hopefully scriptkiddy twit will recieve the same consideration for high
marks as he gives to his own grammar, spelling and punctuation.

 

[scriptkiddy]

i explained my reasons for my name, plus i post in other newsgroups,
some of which are shal we say, em, internet security related. in these
places you will get a more patient and detailed reply for a name as
such. Anyway lighten up! It ant like you havent ever committed a
computer crime! <message to micheal> thanks for the critisism on the
spelling and grammer, i agree, you have a point it is poor. (but i am
just a kid in my defense) my english teacher agrees! But that didnt
stop me from getting an A* in my mocks!

<here was my original post>
My name is James Wilson and I am a student at Hawarden High school. I
am currently studying systems and control and am writing to you in
request of aid. My task is to design and make a contestant station for
a board game. I have carried out a questionnaire, which has suggested
that board games and quizzes would benefit from this product.
I would like the product to support 2 to 3 separate teams each with
there own panel and a button to press to indicate to the questioner
they think they know the answer. I am unsure of many factors and this
is where I politely request assistance. I would be very grateful if
you could find the time to supply me with any information on the
following;

I. The features my contestant station should include (output).

II. Whether a questioner will require a panel, what might it include?

III. How many teams should the product support?

IV. Is styling important? Which styles are most successful? Is gender
important?

V. Should my product be battery or mains powered? Is this important?

Thanks again for any help provided!

<anyway could you e-mail me a reply to this posing as a electronics
expert so i can document it in my coursework> I have to say you do
have a good perspective! I didnt see the link between 'kiddies' n
increasd taxes! been a an eye opening chat! J

 

[Michael A. Covington]

i explained my reasons for my name, plus i post in other newsgroups,
some of which are shal we say, em, internet security related. in these
places you will get a more patient and detailed reply for a name as
such. Anyway lighten up! It ant like you havent ever committed a
computer crime!

What computer crime are you accusing whom of?

 

[scriptkiddy]

What computer crime are you accusing whom of?

i am not specifically accusing anyone, im simply suggesting that we
are most likely all guilty of computer crime in one form or another.
you might have cracked some trial software to get the full edition,
and ur saying you have no copied software? Even minor crimes like
burning music etc, it happens alot!

 

[Michael A. Covington]

i am not specifically accusing anyone, im simply suggesting that we
are most likely all guilty of computer crime in one form or another.
you might have cracked some trial software to get the full edition,
and ur saying you have no copied software? Even minor crimes like
burning music etc, it happens alot!

Many of us may have inadvertently violated the terms of copyrights or
licenses, but it would be in a situation where the legal requirements were
confusing and there was no malice involved. That is a long way from what
"script kiddies" do -- deliberately trying to break into other people's
computers.

If you want to continue this conversation, please stop using the name
"scriptkiddy."

 

[Franc Zabkar]

you evidently have alot of time on your hands! well i found it
appropriate to place the expression LOL in those positions, it just
happened that my style of writting is to make a point ...

Point (1) Nobody likes scriptkiddies.
Point (2) Learn about punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
Point (3) Discover your spell checker.
Point (4) Do your own homework, or at least make an attempt.


- Franc Zabkar

 

[Jan-Erik Söderholm]

I think you should ask someone to check your equipment.
Sometimes the your shift key works, sometimes not.
You did ment "I" when you (probably because of an erratic
shift key) wrote "i", right ?

Jan-Erik.

 

[script-learner]

"of an erratic shift key" Highly amusing. Im in fits of laughter. I
have changed my user name am i accepted into your 'community' now? SK

 

[Michael A. Covington]

"of an erratic shift key" Highly amusing. Im in fits of laughter. I
have changed my user name am i accepted into your 'community' now? SK

Yes. Now can you run the electronic project by us again?

 

[script-learner]

Ok. My very first post read as follows;
I
am currently studying systems and control and am writing to you in
request of aid. My task is to design and make a contestant station for
a board game. I have carried out a questionnaire, which has suggested
that board games and quizzes would benefit from this product.
I would like the product to support 2 to 3 separate teams each with
there own panel and a button to press to indicate to the questioner
they think they know the answer. I am unsure of many factors and this
is where I politely request assistance. I would be very grateful if
you could find the time to supply me with any information on the
following;

I. The features my contestant station should include (output).

II. Whether a questioner will require a panel, what might it include?

III. How many teams should the product support?

IV. Is styling important? Which styles are most successful? Is gender
important?

V. Should my product be battery or mains powered? Is this important?

Thanks again for any help provided! <<

As you can probably imagine, I mentaly have the answers to the
majority of the questions/topics posed. The exam board sylabus
requires proof that 'candidates' have saught professional advice in
order to award high marks. (GCSE) Therefore I politely request an
e-mail off any of you who have the time, containing the answers to the
questions. This e-mail should be from the point of view of a helpful
electronics expert (Thats not to say you lot ar'n't) SK

 

[John Miller]

As you can probably imagine, I mentaly have the answers to the
majority of the questions/topics posed. The exam board sylabus
requires proof that 'candidates' have saught professional advice in
order to award high marks. (GCSE) Therefore I politely request an
e-mail off any of you who have the time, containing the answers to the
questions. This e-mail should be from the point of view of a helpful
electronics expert (Thats not to say you lot ar'n't) SK

Providing the exam board with a single well-crafted Google URL should
satisfy that requirement nicely, without need for e-mails.

--
John Miller
Email address: domain, n4vu.com; username, jsm

Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret.
-Benjamin Disraeli, "Coningsby"

 

[Michael A. Covington]

OK, now we're getting somewhere.

Is this the traditional "game show buzzer" where as soon as one button is
pressed, a buzzer sounds, a light lights up indicating which button was
pressed, and the other buttons are turned off until reset? That is, a
gadget for showing which button was pressed first?

If you Google "game show buzzer" you'll see a wide variety of solutions.
It's basically a logic problem and can be implemented with relays, or SCRs,
or logic gates, or a microprocessor.