Joe GrandInterview
Computer engineer, hardware hacker
Adapted from Joe Grand's interview on Uses This, published 24 August 2017. The kit is drawn from their answers and each reason is an excerpt, lightly edited. Shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full interview ↗
Is this you? Claim this kit →Hardware
My main machine is a 15" MacBook Pro.
My primary analysis tool is the Agilent DSO7054A digital storage oscilloscope.
For listening in on and decoding communications between components or subsystems within a product, I use a Saleae Logic Pro 8 logic analyzer.
For extracting data from and programming data into microcontrollers and memory devices, I rely on my Xeltek SuperPro 501S universal device programmer.
Communication
Colloquy for IRC keeps me sane and in touch with many of my friends.
Productivity
I'm the most efficient when I focus on one task at a time, so I use Things to keep my to-do lists in order and to help plan my day.
Coding & Development
Design
For schematic capture and circuit board layout, I use Altium Designer.
I designed my first professional circuit board with Protel EasyTrax for DOS in 1996 and have followed the progression of the tool since then.