====== Projects ======
===== To be considered for the book, a project must: =====
  * Be based on an AVR microcontroller.
  * Use readily available, inexpensive parts.
  * Be safe.
  * Be well documented.
  * Form a logical progression of complexity and work well with other projects in the book.

===== Components of a project: =====
  * Source code (really well commented and cleaned up by the author)
  * Schematic (in some human readable format - this may end up being a bit of work)
  * Bill of Materials (Part numbers and vendors)
  * Really good Photos (of the project in use, not just sitting on a workbench!)
  * Author's description of how it works
  * Motivation/inspiration - why the author did it.  why is it cool?

===== How a project gets into the book (preliminary): =====
  * Mitch and Jeff solicit projects from authors
  * Author proposes project
  * Mitch and Jeff decided if the project is appropriate for the book, notify author.
  * If acceptable, author sends all design info to Jeff
  * Jeff independently builds project to confirm that it works, take any necessary photos
  * Jeff reviews documentation and works with author to get necessary details.
  * Jeff sends documentation to Mitch and demos project if necessary.
  * Mitch rewrites documentation for the book

===== Acceptance E-mail =====
This version includes Mitch's edits and some cleanup.   --- //[[jeff@mightyohm.com|Jeff Keyzer]] 2009/05/15 08:45//
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Dear <contributor>,

For the past several weeks, Mitch and I have been busy reviewing and selecting projects for our upcoming book about AVR microcontrollers.  With so many great projects out there, it was hard to select just a few for the book.  In the end, we selected the projects that we thought were both the easiest for a beginner to build as well as the most intriguing, ensuring that people reading the book will want to learn how to make them!

This e-mail is to congratulate you and let you know that we have selected one of your projects for the book, the <name project here>. 

The good news is that now we all get to start the real work!

Now that your project has been selected for the book, we need you to provide us with the following things as soon as possible:
* Really well documented source code (really well!).

Now would be a good time to go back through your code and make sure that your comments are in order.  This code will be read by lots of people who are new to microcontrollers, so try to be as clear and concise as possible.  Make sure your comments help the reader understand what you are trying to do in your code, and not just repeat the instructions.  Please note that in some cases we may need to edit your code as we write the book in order to maintain both clarity and a consistent voice.  If this will be an issue, please let us know now.  We will show you the changes that we make for your approval.

* Schematics

Project schematics, preferably in Eagle format.  Schematics need to be easily understandable and include component values.

* PCB Layout

If your project has a PCB, we need the layout files, preferably in Eagle format.

*  Bill of Materials

This should be a complete list of parts needed for the project, including part numbers and suggested vendors (and the vendor’s part numbers).  If any of the parts are unusual, help out our readers by giving multiple sources, or even better, consider using a more common substitute.

* High quality photos of your project

We would like to get both closeup photos of your project as well as photos of it in use (action photos with your hands are really nice!).  Photos should be at least 1800x1200 or 2 megapixel resolution.  We need 300 dpi for the printers so more resolution will allow us to print your photos larger and in higher quality.  More pixels are better!

* A detailed description of how the project works

This should include the answers to: Why is this cool?  What inspired or led you to do this?  How does it work, in terms that a beginner would understand?

That's all for now.   We're working on a template for the contributor pages as well and will send it out soon.  (This is the page for you near the beginning of the book that will include your photo, if you want one, your bio, a paragraph about your work, and where readers can find your kits.)

If you have any questions, you can contact me at jeff@mightyohm.com or +1(650)380-4971, preferably during the hours of 10AM-10PM PST.

Please confirm with me that you are still interested in being a contributor to the book.

Mitch and I both want to thank you for being a part of our book.  We think this will be an engaging and timely book and an amazing experience for everyone involved.  Thank you for helping us make this book great!

Regards,
Jeff Keyzer
jeff@mightyohm.com



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