Today at 3 p.m. MST (thats 5 p.m. EST) join us for a live ask-me-anything with our CEO/Founder/Queso Grande Nathan Seidle and our Chief Business Development Officer Marcus Schappi (of Microview and Little Bird Electronics fame).
Nate and Marcus will be talking all-things SparkFun and taking your questions! Feel free to submit them in the comments section below or on the YouTube chat function. Here's your video (live in a bit over an hour):
Hope you'll join us - and don't forget to bring your questions!
To Marcus, when you joined the company, what did you think of Sparkfun's policies/way of running the company? Did your views change over time, and if so, how?
Thanks!
I have a general question about products that require soldering. Is there any way possible that visually impaired customers like myself can buy products from SparkFun with pins already soldered on? I would not mind paying a little extra. Thanks!
A few IoT-related Q's:
1) "Always-on" LED's burn precious joules... The pro's and pro mini's still have them. (I'm listening to the last question now... the pro and pro mini are way better for low power than the Uno, but the LED still blows the power budget!) Yes, I can de-solder the LED or its series resistor, but I think the pro series would be better off without the always-on LED. I don't mind the IO-controlled LED (so the blink sketch can still work).
2) Any prospects for additional cellular modems besides the sm5100? GPRS GSM meets the needs of almost every IoT project requiring cellular communication, but the 2G network's days may be limited, at least in the US. I'd like to see a 3G cellular modem that is serial-controlled (not USB or PCI express), low power, and not too pricey :-)
Thanks!
Recently the first manufactured part was built in space. What are your thoughts on this and the future that this has the potential of leading us to?
How many unique customers have purchased from Sparkfun?
Greetings from your friends in Greece! It would be very interesting to hear about the story behind Marcus' transition from Geek Ammo to SparkFun. Seems like a great "behind the scenes" story
To Nate: Yes and it's 1am here, but you know how much I like you guys. Keep on rocking
You guys sell lots of little items. What's the best way to submit new ideas for newly designed products, items for you to carry available only from China(larger/more variety 7-segment displays), etc?
Also, I'd REALLY be interested in seeing your 'Come learn' events hit the road and come to our neck of the woods. (Upstate NY) Any thoughts about that?
To Nathan, I've competed 4 times in the AVC and am excited for next year. Are you planning on creating and sponsoring other robitics competitions?
Love your site, and all the cool stuff you guys do. Just a battery of question for you to choose from :)
what's new and exciting in the next year? Any big build competitions? What do you think of a kind of Spark Gathering? would you do things that might help local STEM and robotics teams as a sponsor? What do you think about the "Security of things"? how much do you think, as makers, about the security aspects of your builds? would love to hear your thoughts on Edison blocks, When can we haz?
What's Sparkfun's greatest success story?
How do you go about deciding on going with Off the Shelf solution to doing a Custom PCB/Code/Build? And what have you looked back and said we should have not built our Own.
Nate, you have always amazed me with your unique way of building your company and distinct leadership style. I'm always impressed by the little things, and the big things you do. Who is your most inspirational CEO or mentor? Did they have any impact on this?
Also, any favorite entrepreneur books?