Do Microchip send out PAPER copies of datasheets still? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: glossywhite
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 01:15:26 pm
content: HelloDo Microchip send out PAPER copies of datasheets still? I don't want to spend ££ on ink and paper, printing out thousands of pages, if a multi-£Bn corporation can do it for me.

author: apex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 01:48:34 pm
content: Well, even if you're able to print out datasheets of 500 pages or so, I would still read them as pdf.It's much more comfortable to be able to scroll, zoom or search in the document!The better alternative is a second screen.apex

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 02:05:09 pm
content: It isn't so much the cost of printing out stuff, it is the sheer time it takes, extra space it takes up and hassle of having 1000 separate sheets of unbound paper floating round. Even on a reasonably fast laser that is nearly 3 hours and a stack of paper 10cm deep (most printers can't do duplex, and most people cannot get thin paper) as opposed to something that would be perhaps 3cm from a commercial process.There are companies who will print "your" book at not much more than cost. This is intended to be for things like amateur fiction writers, but they also accept out-of-copyright media too. It would be ideal if they could link up with people like Microchip, TI, Analog etc to produce print on demand data and app notes.

author: migsantiago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 02:41:55 pm
content: Quote from: glossywhite on January 16, 2011, 01:15:26 pmI'm interested in the same thing. Can we request or buy printed datasheets from them? I don't like reading PDFs.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 03:05:56 pm
content: Do what everyone else does - print them at work

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 03:12:19 pm
content: Don't use a rip-off inkjet. Buy a laser printer which is cheap to run and print it double sided.Why do you need to print your datasheets off? It seems like a waste of ink and paper to me. The only parts which really need printing are things like the pinouts which can help debugging.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 03:45:56 pm
content: Get an additional monitor.

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 03:55:24 pm
content: I have a big HP4000 laser (I'm self employed, no stealing stuff off the employer) which is robust, cheap and fast. But no matter how cheap it is to run, 1000 pages is a lot of paper, toner, and a 10cm high stack of unbound paper. I'm pretty sure any employer would frown upon that sort of resource abuse.Maybe it is just my dinosaur brain, but I just can't read a monitor like I can a book. You can't make quick and easy notes, leave it open as a fast reference or just flick through it in bored moments.

author: glossywhite
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 04:24:05 pm
content: I feel a lot of you are not "getting it". I don'twantto have a computer in front of meallthe time; I know this is what life has devolved into nowadays, but I can't stand it. Computers are an endless distraction and a time drain, and beyond this, sometimes I just want to take data sheets out on the go, and scribble on them when a thought passes through my mind. If I am developing some project or other, do Ireallywant to lug a computer about everywhere?really?Ugh.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 04:32:09 pm
content: Quote from: glossywhite on January 16, 2011, 04:24:05 pmI think we get it, you are stuck in the '80th, and you are to cheap to print the few pages one needs on paper these days. So bring your datasheets on a USB stick to a print shop and get them printed.

author: glossywhite
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 04:35:12 pm
content: Quote from: BoredAtWork on January 16, 2011, 04:32:09 pmWow, helpful comment. I'm "stuck in the 80th" (concerto?) and I'm "too cheap"? Way to win people over. Not. Why would I go to a print shop? LOL

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 04:48:13 pm
content: To actually answer the question, my understanding is that Microchip doesn't print individual paper datasheets any more. They distribute whole libraries on CD roms. I have seen a few printed books of datasheets for specific processor families but I'd guess that either you have to pay for them, or pay to attend one of their training sessions.On the one hand, I completely agree with you. I like having the printed copy to notate, and possibly read while away from the bench or office.On the other hand, part of bailing out my shop included dumping easily 300 pounds of printed paper into the recycling bin, and dropping off a couple hundred databooks to a used book store (they paid me $0.25 each).Any more I only print out the pages that I really need at the bench... application schematics, pin descriptions, timing diagrams, etc.

author: glossywhite
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 04:57:14 pm
content: Quote from: JohnS_AZ on January 16, 2011, 04:48:13 pmAhhh, JUST what I need - CDs. Maybe...

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 05:33:18 pm
content: This is one of the reasons I'm interested in E-ink readers. The ability to quickly and easily search for keywords is crucial, but so is getting away from computer workstations and awkward laptops. I've seen some notebooks that haven't hit mainstream (ie: dev kits, customs, etc.) that look like they'll perform these functions nicely, with an E-ink screen, running linux and a decent gestures interpreter. They are a ways off from my wallet, however!

author: glossywhite
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 05:50:23 pm
content: I just wondered... does anyone happen to have thelatestMicrochip technical library CD-ROMs, and are they able to upload them somehow? Is 2006 the most up-to-date issue of these?Thank you

author: apex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 07:09:25 pm
content: Now that you're using a computer to read your datasheets, why would you want a CD?Just google the part name and filetype:pdf and site:microchip.com .This works for me on almost all parts.Example:PIC16F84 site:microchip.com filetype:pdfleads tohttp://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/devicedoc/35007b.pdfWhat else would you want?apex

author: glossywhite
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 07:12:27 pm
content: Quote from: apex on January 16, 2011, 07:09:25 pmWhat I asked for?...Was it mestatingmy requirements, or are youtellingme what I want? I do not *always* have net connectivity... is that not entirely obvious by now, after a two page thread? Maybe I'm somewhere without 'net, but with a printer. Honestly, do people not think?!

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 07:33:30 pm
content: Quote from: Zad on January 16, 2011, 02:05:09 pmThat's simple to workaround: print odd page numbers then turn the paper over and print the even pages.

author: apex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 07:34:52 pm
content: Sorry.I see it from my perspective, that if I work with a microcontroller, I have internet connection.If you don't, well, OK.But before you spend money on something,just ask yourself:Is there a jelly-bean part I use all the time or maybe a range of them?When I use a new part, do I have internet connection?PDFs can be downloaded.I have a folder where I put them on my computer too.Just an idea for you.apex

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 07:41:30 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on January 16, 2011, 07:33:30 pmI am always scared of doing this. I get the orientation correct only slightly more often than random probability dictates. Pretty sure my brain has an aneurism every time I attempt it.

author: glossywhite
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 07:43:30 pm
content: Quote from: apex on January 16, 2011, 07:34:52 pmOkay, and thank you

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 08:03:34 pm
content: Quote from: tyblu on January 16, 2011, 07:41:30 pmIt's different with every printer model, once you've figured out which way it is with your printer, make a note of it and stick it to the printer.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2011, 08:25:24 pm
content: I used to try and do this and it always led to disaster, to be honest getting the files externally printed if it really is that cheap is a good idea. otherwise read it off the screen, i often print a few pages like registers and pinouts although now I have two monitors I don't have to. i usually write code on one screen with the page about registers etc on the other and same when I draw the schematic, but that's not easy when your on the go and if your trying to familiarise yourself with a part that has a 500 page datasheet nothing beats being able to carry it around

author: CafeLogic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2011, 08:42:24 am
content: Where are you? Here in the US, I use Staples. You upload the PDF to their website, they print and bind it for you, then you go pick it up at the local store. Last thing I printed was 155 pages. It cost $12.30 coil bound with a front and back vinyl cover.

author: migsantiago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2011, 01:32:05 pm
content: Quote from: apex on January 16, 2011, 07:09:25 pmWhat a bad answer. Read the full thread, or even the first post!!!

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2011, 04:01:06 pm
content: Quote from: CafeLogic on January 17, 2011, 08:42:24 amThanks for reminding me about Staples, I had totally forgotten about them. After the third attempt at getting service from my understaffed local Staples print centre, I totally forgot about investigating online. Cheers!

author: Time
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2011, 04:41:30 pm
content: Quote from: glossywhite on January 16, 2011, 04:35:12 pmIn the US you can goto print/copy shops and have them print and bind documents for you. If you want a hard copy of a datasheet and don't have a print on hand its pretty much your only option. Plus it comes out nicely boundI have had out of print books digitized, printed, and bound before for a reasonable price. Even than the cost of digitizing was much greater than the print and bind.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2011, 06:33:28 pm
content: Quote from: migsantiago on January 17, 2011, 01:32:05 pmi also got confused, the first post indicate the OP wants the printed copy, and later want the CD copy, which only can be viewed from computer, or else diy printing anyway, which the OP try to avoid in the 1st place.btw, why everybody try to avoid inkjet? works for me. except ruined printhead within like just a year, but imo the cheap ink covered the cost already. laser does get screwed up too (dirty drum etc), and the laser inks still multiples time more than cheap dye. o well, maybe its just me with my fast fading dye ink. if i want A5 sized doc (which i usually did) , there is booklet option, if i want A4 size, just print odd 1st, even pages later, skill of "margining the setup" is required though, otherwise... stapling problem.