What license are the footprints provided under? I couldn't see this on the main page?
Show HN: InstaPart – Build circuit boards faster with instant parts
81–90 of 110 posts
Re: Show HN: InstaPart – Build circuit boards faster with instant parts
#82What license are the footprints provided under? I couldn't see this on the main page?
ok found it:
"Individual CAD symbols and footprints on SnapEDA are licensed with a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA) with the Design Exception 1.0. This license allows designers to use CAD files downloaded from SnapEDA for commercial and personal use free of charge, and make derivative works. If CAD files, or derivatives thereof, are shared publicly, attribution must be given to the source (SnapEDA and the original author, as applicable), as outlined by the requirements of the license.
Use of the SnapEDA website is governed by the Web Site Terms and Conditions of Use.
In short, you cannot use the SnapEDA website for the purpose of sharing the content on the Internet or within an EDA tool, but otherwise you are free to use the files for designs."
That's too restrictive for something I'm paying for. Particularly at 29USD a footprint.
I'd love it if there was an open option here. Particularly if it integrated with Kicad well and I could automatically upload my footprints.
Re: Show HN: InstaPart – Build circuit boards faster with instant parts
#83Dear HN Community, I wanted to introduce our startup SnapEDA to the HN community. We recently completed Y Combinator, and have been quiet about the platform while we've been improving it. With that said, we’d love to get feedback from the HN community! Our goal is to build a canonical library for making circuit boards: one trusted, centralized place to get digital models. These digital models include PCB footprints,…
> and verified using proprietary patent-pending verification technology Is "proprietary patent-pending technology" really necessary? It's the kind of phrasing seen on uninteresting product trying to pretend they're interesting (ex: "Our Proprietary Patent-Pending Technology Makes Our Product So Great This Single Mom Can't Even Talk About It. Discover Now For $99.99")
Especially since "Patent Pending" is basically code for "Screw the marketplace of ideas, pay us."
Re: Show HN: InstaPart – Build circuit boards faster with instant parts
#84Earlier quoted context omitted.
That doesn't answer the dark pattern concern at all and you're just dodging the issue. When people hear trial they think "free time to make my decision" not "10 days for $300" which is what this will be for anyone who forgets to cancel (hint: any EE on a deadline but I guess you know that). This is just predatory.
Thanks for the feedback. It might make sense to remove the free trial then because the main feature in it is just parts requests which people can now test with this new InstaPart feature.
At $DAYJOB we run a SaaS with a free trial, and immediately start billing for the following month after the trial expires.
However, we don't ask for credit card details until the first payment, so, there's no risk that a user would be charged accidentally. It also reduces onboarding friction as a credit card isn't required for signup. If a user doesn't want to continue after the trial, we advise them to disregard the invoice.
Re: Show HN: InstaPart – Build circuit boards faster with instant parts
#85Earlier quoted context omitted.
I hope this is constructive, but that chat invitation on every freaking page drove me off the site. By time I'd logged in and searched for two parts, the incessant chirping and popups of Clippy were too much.
Very constructive, thanks. We recently installed the app (Intercom) and it has really helped provide a channel for feedback which we have then used to prioritize improvements. I'll talk to my team about reducing the number of pages the automated pop up shows up on though.
You're targeting engineers and advanced hobbyists. Don't distract us. If we need help, we'll find the right icon to click on, don't worry.
Re: Show HN: InstaPart – Build circuit boards faster with instant parts
#86Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Why? Making schematic symbols and PCB footprints is not time consuming Whaaaaaat? o_O
The pre-canned libraries will never have the typical customization needed for PCB. The paste mask aperatures need sizing depending on what stencil thickness you use. Need vias under the QFN belly pad for RF or heat sinking purposes. Do those need tenting on the back side? They also may need to avoid the paste aperatures? How about solder mask relief? Copper defined pads or mask defined pads? Are the part centroids on…
So, first you say this stuff isn't time-consuming, then you post a list of very well-thought-out reasons why it is. Which is it?
Anyone doing PCB professionally will make their own symbols and footprints.
Used anything from Analog Devices lately? They provide symbols and footprints via Ultra Librarian ( http://www.analog.com/en/design-center/packaging-quality-sym... ). It works fine. This is just a vendor-independent alternative, and a welcome one.
That being said: yes, "Trust but verify" are words to live by in this business.
Re: Show HN: InstaPart – Build circuit boards faster with instant parts
#87I mostly use Fritzing. Will it be supported at some point?
Re: Show HN: InstaPart – Build circuit boards faster with instant parts
#88Earlier quoted context omitted.
I hope this is constructive, but that chat invitation on every freaking page drove me off the site. By time I'd logged in and searched for two parts, the incessant chirping and popups of Clippy were too much.
Very constructive, thanks. We recently installed the app (Intercom) and it has really helped provide a channel for feedback which we have then used to prioritize improvements. I'll talk to my team about reducing the number of pages the automated pop up shows up on though.
One of the ways I've seen it done, and done it at previous companies is to not present it to every user on page view. Pop it up for only 10%, even if you have a button/link/menu to bring it up for everyone. That way you can solicit feedback while still gaining a lot of the benefits of having live interaction. It'll also still give you some insight to where the chat is most useful, but it'll take longer to gather useful data on what pages it gets used the most.
Re: Show HN: InstaPart – Build circuit boards faster with instant parts
#89Earlier quoted context omitted.
That doesn't answer the dark pattern concern at all and you're just dodging the issue. When people hear trial they think "free time to make my decision" not "10 days for $300" which is what this will be for anyone who forgets to cancel (hint: any EE on a deadline but I guess you know that). This is just predatory.
Thanks for the feedback. It might make sense to remove the free trial then because the main feature in it is just parts requests which people can now test with this new InstaPart feature.
I would suggest you to continue with this.
There is another reason that is done - evaluation is done by engineers and purchase decisions needs finance. What you want to do is move the process upfront where the approvals are in place by the time the trial ends.
This is why this is pretty standard practice - keep sending reminders every week and also the day before you are going to charge.
I (an engineer) have gotten subscriptions for things that would never have gone through if I had to go through and file a report on why this should be bought.
Also, not making a credit card mandatory for sign up will get you non-serious customers. You will need to have infrastructure costs to support a large number of these.
Re: Show HN: InstaPart – Build circuit boards faster with instant parts
#90Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thanks for the feedback. It might make sense to remove the free trial then because the main feature in it is just parts requests which people can now test with this new InstaPart feature.
If you have other killer features in the trial then just provide discounts for parts (say $19 during the trial) and remove the dark pattern instead of removing trials all together. I actually do need this service now and $29 per part is a drop in the bucket, especially since a lot of parts I need have nonstandard footprints. I can check and correct a footprint against a datasheet much faster than I can draw it so the…
It's no dark pattern. Stop this nonsense.