May '23 Update

Hi Guys,

Well I finally got here. I've finished a much more comprehensive set of instructions for SSR1, which will go live today and should make this device a lot more accessible to those of you who want to have a go at building one. I've also incorporated SPI feedback into the design.

The first thing I guess I should say this month however is that I'm sorry that I have gone the last two months without getting a Maker tier release out. For three years I managed to get a release out each month, so missing two months is a first for me.

I've been trying to work out what's gone wrong. I have some personal & family stuff going at the moment and I think that may have been affecting me in ways I didn't really appreciate at the time. If I'm honest I sort of feel like I did 4 months worth of work in 2 months, got out SSR1 Alpha1&2, and then paid the price for 2 months. I burned myself out, and a week away on holiday wasn't nearly enough to recover.

I definitely need to have a think about my routine of getting a maker release out each and every month, especially as these designs become more complex. I really like releasing new things to you guys, but the pressure I have been putting myself under to get something out each month has definitely taken its toll on me.

It's also pushed me into neglecting certain things that aren't maker hardware releases that really need my attention.

To name just a few examples: The VaM plugin needs some bug fixes and I'd like to add twist to it. I really want to add WiFi support to the official OSR2/SR6 and SSR1 firmware, as well as spending some time with community developers who are coming out with far superior "unofficial" firmware versions. I want to get TCode v0.4 released, which has a some cool connectivity features. The list goes on.

Anyway, leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

Now for what's going on in May:

For my Maker ($8) tier I am releasing within the next hour SSR1 Alpha 3. This will be a complete pack of STLs and build instructions for SSR1 as it currently stands. Long awaited I know, but it's done now!

My Benefactors ($16 tier) will have seen my latest efforts in the world of cycloidal gearboxes and something about an interesting overseas trip I made recently to visit a business partner. I share progress updates on these and other things in real time in the Benefactors area on the discord server, and I will be getting the newsletter for April out soon. If this interests you and you want to go the extra mile in supporting my work consider becoming one of my Benefactors.

For my Supporter ($2) tier this month I will be livestreaming on Monday 22nd May at 11pm BST (5pm EDT). The plan is to wire up the SSR1 on stream, so that I can create a video guide showing how to do it. Do come and join me, especially if you have any questions you'd like me to answer.

All the best!

Tempest