EEVblog, National Semiconductor, Texas Instruments - The Chinese Clairvoyancy

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Whoa! Some big news this week!

• Chris has a new rig in the mail. Should help future Amp Hour podcasts.
• Dave officially has left his day-job at Altium (never before spoken directly on air before!).
• The company is moving to China, as stated in their official press release.
• In other news, Texas Instruments has bought National Semiconductor!
• Likely due to some of National's past history and decision making.
• Some companies keep their computers off the internet, similar to the Iran computers that STILL got a virus (here's a TED talk about that hacking mentioned on here before)
• April Fool's Jokes!
  • Dave pulled a fast one over on everyone about the 555 timer.
  • Brian Fuller of EEtimes/EElife about Obama replacing his cabinet

    In a stunning policy move, President Barack Obama reshuffled his entire cabinet today, replacing the existing members entirely with engineers from industry and academia.

    “This move to change the makeup of my cabinet is long overdue,” Obama said. “For too long Washington has been dominated by insiders who have no notion of things like Planck’s Constant or Moore’s Law, who wouldn’t know an IC chip from a potato chip, who can’t distinguish electronics design from fashion design. This is change we can believe in.”

    “Our country’s economy, indeed its future, rests in the hands of engineers, the very professionals who invent the future. It’s time for that to be reflected in the highest circles of power,” Obama said, noting that countries such as China and Egypt have heavy engineering representation among their political cabinets.

    And then I woke up and it was April 1st!

    • Chris is not sure why this tricked him so well...
  • Sparkfun talks about their soldering iron kit (which requires another soldering iron)
• Dave apologizes to Jeri for a mis-speak during last week's episode
• No more design contests for Chris, Dave or Jeri this year, but listener Gary has a great idea for a 12F629 based contest. If people are interested, tell Microchip their customers are interested in competing!