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5 <title> About MLAB </title>
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7 <meta name="description" content="About MLAB Project">
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207 miho 11 <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="../Web/PIC/MLAB.ico">
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71 miho 47  
48 <!-- ============== TEXT ============== -->
49 <div class="Text">
3164 kaklik 50  
51 <h1> About MLAB </h1>
52 <p>
53 <a href="PIC/about_bastl.jpg"><img width=480 height=360 src="PIC/about_bastl_small.jpg"
54 alt="Sample picture"></a>
55 </p>
56  
57 <h2>Purpose </h2>
58 <p>
59 Basic reason for existence of MLAB is the need for opened robust and
60 somehow universal kit (as a box of universal bricks) for both electronic
61 hobbyists and professionals. MLAB is focused on general electronics and
62 microcontroller technology. It can be used for tuition as well.
63 </p>
64  
65 <h2>Features</h2>
66 <p>
67 In opposite to another more known projects such as Arduino the MLAB is not a development platform
68 focused to only one architecture of microprocessors but uses many types of chips from much
69 manufactures. In addition the MLAB provide much better design reliability which is achieved by using
70 the base board usually made from aluminium or single sided PCB material. The board is not only
71 mechanical support but it is a good ground conductor as well.
72 </p>
73 <p>
74 The base is furnished by holes for fastening of individual MLAB modules.
75 The holes are places on a grid every 10.16mm (0.4inch). Dimension of a
76 module can be any integer number of grid and screws are usually places
77 to all four corners.
78 </p>
79 <p>
80 <a href="PIC/about_montage.jpg"><img width=480 height=360 src="PIC/about_montage_small.jpg"
81 alt="Assembling of modules on the base"></a>
82 </p>
83 <p>
84 Electrical connections are made by stranded wires with female connectors
85 on both sides. On modules there are prepared jumper connectors in common
86 raster 2.54mm (that is 1/10 inch). Wires can be easily obtained from old
87 printer cable. There are a lot of wires of different colors, almost free.
88 </p>
89 <p>
90 <a href="PIC/about_wires.jpg"><img width=480 height=360 src="PIC/about_wires_small.jpg"
91 alt="Picture of wires"></a>
92 </p>
93 <p>
94 For power supplies it is used the same jumper connectors. Usually this
95 way:
96 </p>
97 <ul>
98 <li>
99 For +5V 3-pin jumpers are used. Both side pins are grounds and middle
100 pin is power. This type of connector is used for stabilized +5V or for
101 small voltage from batteries.
102 </li>
103 <li>
104 For power above +5V (typically +12V or +16V for programmer or for
105 power electronics it is used 4-pin jumper connectors. Both side pins
106 are ground and two middle pins are power. It is supposed that
107 experimenter knows that he deals with “hi voltage” that can be
108 dangerous for some devices.
109 </li>
110 </ul>
111  
112 <h1> About web </h1>
113 <h2> Why this web was created </h2>
71 miho 114 <p>
3164 kaklik 115 The web was created because we believe that we have something to publish.
116 The main reason was the MLAB project. It is some sort of construction kit
3222 kaklik 117 or electronic "lego". MLAB modules proved usable so well that we wish to share
3164 kaklik 118 it with the others.
119 <p>
120 <h2> What can you find here </h2>
121 <p>
122 Everything about MLAB (documentation, design files etc.) and a lot of other
123 things. Some articles about electronics. Everything is original written by our
124 authors.
71 miho 125 </p>
3164 kaklik 126 <h2> Language </h2>
71 miho 127 <p>
3164 kaklik 128 The web is primary in Czech language but some information is translated
129 into English. When the text is not in English it is presented in Czech.
130 Schematics, tables, source files and other design data are considered
131 to be international enough to be valuable even without translated text.
71 miho 132 </p>
133 <p>
3164 kaklik 134 The translation may not be done well. If you can see errors let us know, please.
71 miho 135 </p>
3164 kaklik 136 <h2> Who are the authors </h2>
71 miho 137 <p>
3164 kaklik 138 Several keen electronics and hobbyists. Our hobby is our job as well.
3222 kaklik 139 The web and MLAB project are non-commercial and they are created in
3164 kaklik 140 authors free time.
71 miho 141 </p>
3164 kaklik 142 <h2> Something does not work? </h2>
143 <p>
144 Let us know and we will try to mend or improve it (if the result is worth
145 the effort).
146 </p>
147 <h2> How does it work inside? </h2>
148 <p>
149 The base component is SubVersion system (source code version system, similar
150 to CVS or SourSafe). Every piece of information is in SubVersion database and
151 web content is automatically generated. SubVersion is primarily intended for
152 the authors. Users do not need to install SubVersion client. The content of SVN
153 is accessible via WebSVN Web interface (read only).
154 </p>
155 <p>
156 Web server is Apache 2 running on Linux.
157 </p>
158 <p>
159 Web pages are based on HTML4 and CSS2. They are not optimised for
160 any particular browser and we hope that we avoided successfully all important
161 bugs of widely used browsers.
162 </p>
1990 kaklik 163  
3164 kaklik 164 <h1> About authors </h1>
165 <p>
166 In the beginning of the project MLAB was developed by few <a href="../Web/AboutAuthors.en.html">authors</a>. But now MLAB is continually improved by much more wide community. Some of main contributors is listed on project wiki page.
167 </p>
1990 kaklik 168  
3164 kaklik 169 <h1> Copyrights </h1>
1990 kaklik 170  
3164 kaklik 171 <h2> Extend </h2>
172 <p>
173 The whole content of this web is copyrighted material and remains as is
174 even if it is stored or spread by any means (web, computer, operational memory).
175 </p>
176  
177 <h2> Warranties </h2>
178 <p>
179 The authors gives the project as is without any warranty. They particularly do not
180 guarantee the accuracy, completeness and suitability for any purpose.
181 Thinking is required.
182 </p>
183  
184 <h2> What is allowed </h2>
185 <p>
3222 kaklik 186 It is possible to use the project for non-commercial purposes and for personal
3164 kaklik 187 studying. Commercial organizations may use it for their own internal needs
188 but as a part of training of their customers or partners.
189 </p>
190 <p>
191 Original and derived project may be published provided that they contain
192 link to MLAB web <a href="http://www.mlab.cz"> http://www.mlab.cz</a>
193 and that the information about original authors is preserved.
194 </p>
195  
196 <h2> What is not allowed </h2>
197 <p>
198 To use project for commercial purpose, especially for profit.
199 It is not allowed to manufacture the MLAB devices or modules and sell them
200 and to publish MLAB documentation by print or publish it with another
201 commercial documentation.
202 </p>
203 <p>
204 It is not allowed to modify the project and deploy it as commercial project.
205 </p>
206  
207 <h2> Exceptions </h2>
208 <p>
209 It is possible to use MLAB against the rules above with agreement of the authors
210 only. If you are not sure consult with authors.
211 </p>
212  
213 <h1> Community communication channels </h1>
214  
215 <h2> IRC channel </h2>
216 <p>
217 The most fastest communication channel is IRC on our server mlab.cz #mlab
218 </p>
219  
220 <h2> Mailing list </h2>
221 <p>
3222 kaklik 222 E-mail conference is powered by <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/mlab-users">google groups</a>. This is the most reliable communication method useful for general questions addressed to mlab community. This method of communication is useful especially for questions and problems who can be needed probably even other users.
3164 kaklik 223 </p>
224  
225 <h2> Facebook </h2>
226 <p>
227 We have a facebook page too <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MLAB/203283666377414">Facebooku</a> it is used mainly for propagation or highlighting some of main events in development.
228 </p>
229  
230 <h1> Project partners </h1>
231  
232 The MLAB project is such widespread at now that it can not be maintained by small group of contributors. As it needs much sources to stay actual and state-of-art at today technology abilities. The whole project is supported by others groups and institutions.
233  
3691 kaklik 234 <ul>
235 <li> <a href="http://www.ust.cz"> Universal Scientific Technologies s.r.o.</a> </li>
236 <li> <a href="http://www.robozor.cz"> Robotický klub Robozor</a> </li>
237 <li> <a href="http://www.i.cz"> s.ICZ a.s. </a> </li>
238 </ul>
239  
71 miho 240 </div>
241  
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