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SparkFun Free Day!

Posted: 13 Jan 2011, 04:05
by nxtreme
Now, I try not to post non-NXT stuff as much as possible; this is special. Not sure if you've heard of SparkFun electronics but they're pretty cool. Anyways, last year they had what is called "Free Day". Pretty much, fill up your shopping cart a week before hand, log in while making sure you have cookies enabled so that you stay logged in and then try to get through checkout. If your one of the first 1,000 to get an order in, you get $100 of it for free! However, there's a twist. 169,132 other people trying to do the same thing at the same time. Pretty much a DoS attack, self inflicted. So, it's happening again!

If you'd like to try, check out this page. It's a bit different this year, you have to answer some questions and a few of the rules are different. But, if you'd like to give it, a try just create an account and get up in time to do some clicking :). For those of you who have school or work, I'm sorry :(. For those that are home schooled or are self employed, well, your lucky. For those that are giving it a try, good luck. If anyone wins anything lets us know!

Again, sorry if this is too OT. It's a good chance to pick up a couple I2C sensors to connect to your NXT though! A few recommendations: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7.

Re: SparkFun Free Day!

Posted: 13 Jan 2011, 16:16
by haydenstudios
Well then, I guess that I'm lucky! Because it just so happens that I'm homeschooled! AND I am in rather a habbit of getting up early! But I still think that I prefer to use LEGO MINDSTORMS, not that I won't check this site out though! Hmmm... when I clicked on that link, there was an error, but it turned out that it wasn't your fault because I tried going to the website directly, but there was still an error. Apperently the website is having some technical difficulties.

Re: SparkFun Free Day!

Posted: 13 Jan 2011, 17:06
by nxtreme
The SparkFun servers are getting POUNDED! This is even worse than last year! Last year I was able to get my order in by ten SparkFun time. Not now! Having problems with not staying logged in and getting redirected to my account page. We are also chewing up lots of Freenode IRC bandwidth. Up to about 1,300 people logged onto Freenode #sparkfun. Last year it was about double that. Good luck to those who are trying! Oh, only about a fifth of the money has gone, you still have a chance!

Re: SparkFun Free Day!

Posted: 13 Jan 2011, 17:35
by mattallen37
I also kept getting signed off. Oh well, at least I helped crash the servers as they wanted :mrgreen: (even though I wasn't able to get anything :().

Re: SparkFun Free Day!

Posted: 13 Jan 2011, 17:48
by nxtreme
Ánimo, ánimo! I just got to the first question page. Answered it but it's too slow and won't accept my answer. Well, will continue trying. If you haven't yet, join the IRC channel.

Re: SparkFun Free Day!

Posted: 13 Jan 2011, 18:09
by nxtreme
Well, it's over. Got the first question wrong and didn't get a chance to answer any more :(. Oh well, it was fun trying!

Re: SparkFun Free Day!

Posted: 14 Jan 2011, 02:10
by gloomyandy
So what was the question?

Re: SparkFun Free Day!

Posted: 14 Jan 2011, 20:18
by nxtreme
It was something about chip packaging. I forget exactly (should of taken a screenshot...) but I was supposed to pick one of the available options to define "SIL". AFAIK it stands for "Single-In-Line". I'm not sure what I picked but either way, I got it wrong :). Could also be because I had to resend the answer several times before it would get through. Oh well, it was worth it just to be in the IRC chat room and since I was one of the lucky ones last year, I'm not too disappointed :).

Re: SparkFun Free Day!

Posted: 14 Jan 2011, 22:12
by jojoguy14
Darn! I USED to be homeschooled :(. WAA!! Good luck to everyione else :cry:

jojoguy10

Re: SparkFun Free Day!

Posted: 14 Jan 2011, 22:19
by nxtreme
Sorry, it already passed :). It happened on Jan. 13th.