whitequark changed the topic of #tinyqma to: design of an open hardware DDS-based QMA with a low-voltage dc/rf stage :: http://irclog.whitequark.org/tinyqma
<whitequark>
huh
<whitequark>
I didn't try to get a sample bc I want a reproducible design
<whitequark>
there might be something cheaper for my task
<bofh__>
So do I, but I thought it might be useful to get for getting a prototype running and then possibly change afterwards - there's almost certainly something much cheaper that could be equivalently used, but it might be more difficult to work with / less reliable when getting a unit together. Regardless, even if they somehow send samples (probability: whoknows%) and we don't wind up using them at all even init
<bofh__>
ially, you have a free $271 opamp :P (I asked for 2-3).
<whitequark>
yeah
<whitequark>
I know someone who, as a teen girl, requested 2-3 large (i mean LARGE) power MOSFETs for a coilgun, like twenty bucks each
<whitequark>
she got fifty
<bofh__>
They often give you a cut of a tape reel for ICs which would be typically in multiples of 5.
<bofh__>
That's still impressive, though.
<whitequark>
those were large enough they weren't in a tape
<whitequark>
just, like, boxes
<bofh__>
Beats any of my TI stories.
<bofh__>
whoa
<bofh__>
rofl
<whitequark>
yeah TI does this thing with samples
<whitequark>
also if you complain about your design not working apparently they'll pay for a fedex courier to get to you in RU and deliver your broken board to them in 2-3 days
<whitequark>
for free
<bofh__>
Nice.
<whitequark>
I imagine it pays off extremely well on average, but still, holy shit
<bofh__>
So their free samples policy seems to basically be on anything in their catalogue that isn't 2 gens deprecated, 3-5qty/"order" and I'm not even sure if there's a reordering delay limit, I've had to do 3x in one week once and no complaints. Fedex every time, too.
<bofh__>
I imagine they get back the money via recommendations and use of these in actual industrially manufactured products
<bofh__>
(And I'd easily believe it)
<bofh__>
also I imagine getting fedex to you is to deal with idiot mail employees.
<whitequark>
yeah it's basically like a lottery to them