Silicon ChipAustralia is still the lucky country - October 2001 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Australia is still the lucky country
  4. Feature: Run Rabbit, Run by Silicon Chip
  5. Project: A Video Microscope From Scrounged Parts by Peter Rosenthal & Ross Tester
  6. Subscriptions
  7. Project: Build Your Own MP3 Jukebox; Pt.2 by Peter Smith
  8. Project: Super-Sensitive Body Detector by Thomas Scarborough
  9. Order Form
  10. Project: An Automotive Thermometer by John Clarke
  11. Project: Programming Adapter For Atmel Microcontrollers by Peter Smith
  12. Feature: Building Your Own PC - One Man's Approach by Stephen Davies
  13. Product Showcase
  14. Weblink
  15. Vintage Radio: Beginner's radios: as they were by Rodney Champness
  16. Book Store
  17. Back Issues
  18. Market Centre
  19. Advertising Index
  20. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the October 2001 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 30 of the 96 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments.

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Items relevant to "Build Your Own MP3 Jukebox; Pt.2":
  • Software for the "Build Your Own MP3 Jukebox" articles (Free)
  • AT90S2313 firmware and source code for the PC IR Interface & LCD Display (Software, Free)
  • IR Remote Receiver & LCD Display PCB pattern (PDF download) [07109011] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Build Your Own MP3 Jukebox; Pt.1 (September 2001)
  • Build Your Own MP3 Jukebox; Pt.1 (September 2001)
  • Build Your Own MP3 Jukebox; Pt.2 (October 2001)
  • Build Your Own MP3 Jukebox; Pt.2 (October 2001)
  • Computer Tips (January 2002)
  • Computer Tips (January 2002)
  • Computer Tips (April 2002)
  • Computer Tips (April 2002)
Items relevant to "Super-Sensitive Body Detector":
  • Super-Sensitive Body Detector PCB pattern (PDF download) [03110011] (Free)
  • Panel artwork for the Super-Sensitive Body Detector (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "An Automotive Thermometer":
  • PIC16F84(A)-04/P programmed for the Automotive Thermometer [TEMP.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • PIC16F84 firmware and source code for the Automotive Thermometer [TEMP.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • Automotive Thermometer PCB patterns (PDF download) [05110011/2] (Free)
  • Panel artwork for the Automotive Thermometer (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Programming Adapter For Atmel Microcontrollers":
  • Programming Adaptor for Atmel Microcontrollers PCB pattern (PDF download) [07110011] (Free)
PUBLISHER’S LETTER www.siliconchip.com.au Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Leo Simpson, B.Bus., FAICD Production Manager Greg Swain, B.Sc.(Hons.) Technical Staff John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.) Peter Smith Ross Tester Rick Walters Reader Services Ann Jenkinson Advertising Enquiries David Polkinghorne Phone (02) 9979 5644 Fax (02) 9979 6503 Regular Contributors Brendan Akhurst Rodney Champness, VK3UG Julian Edgar, Dip.T.(Sec.), B.Ed Jim Rowe, B.A., B.Sc, VK2ZLO Mike Sheriff, B.Sc, VK2YFK Philip Watson, MIREE, VK2ZPW Bob Young SILICON CHIP is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. ACN 003 205 490. ABN 49 003 205 490 All material copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Printing: Hannanprint, Dubbo, NSW. Distribution: Network Distribution Company. Subscription rates: $69.50 per year in Australia. For overseas rates, see the subscription page in this issue. Editorial & advertising offices: Unit 8, 101 Darley St, Mona Vale, NSW 2103. Postal address: PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 9979 5644. Fax (02) 9979 6503. E-mail: silchip<at>siliconchip.com.au ISSN 1030-2662 Australia is still the lucky country Who does not still believe that Australia is the lucky country? Apart from wonderful climate and stable government we have a strong economy. That last factor is all the more favourable considering that much of Asia and most of the western economies appear to be heading into recession. Asia has been particularly hard hit and the USA appears about to go through a year or so of very low growth. And Japan, once the powerhouse of Asia, seems unable or unwilling to sort out the problems in its economy so it won’t contribute much to growth over the next few years either. Which brings us back to Australia. Remember all those com­mentators who said that the Australian dollar was undervalued because we are perceived to be part of the “old economy” rather than the exciting “new” economy? And remember those politicians and commentators who said that Australia had to become the “clever country” and invest more in IT manufacturing and all that? We didn’t, did we? It turns out that most of those high-tech products are now in gross oversupply: computers, mobile phones, DVD players and virtually any other electronic consumer product. And it does not take much thought to realise that this was always going to be the case. It’s a good thing that Australian companies did not take that route otherwise they would be really languishing now. The much-vaunted tech revolution and e-business companies look pretty sick at the moment. Meanwhile, Australia is doing pretty well thank you and it’s not all due to our low-valued dollar. Although, as I wrote back in the December 2000 issue, the longer that the Australian dollar remains undervalued, the better, because it gives our exporting companies a massive advantage. Even in the current slow world economy, the people of other countries still need to eat, buy clothes, etc, so they will con­tinue to buy our primary products exports and a lot of our manu­factured goods and services as well. And while Australian companies have not invested at all in the mainstream consumer IT products and telecommunications, many smaller companies are doing very useful research and development in “niche” products. Also very encouraging is the fact that most of the Australian capital cities have encouraged the development of technology parks which act as a hot-house to push R&D. At some stage all this investment will really pay off for Australia. Yes, we would all like to see some more major Australian technology companies such as CSL, Cochlear, Aristocrat and so on, but lots of smaller technology companies exporting will do just as well thank you. Australia still is the lucky country. Leo Simpson Footnote: all of us at SILICON CHIP express our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the terrorist attacks on the USA, which occurred just as this issue went to press. * Recommended and maximum price only. 2  Silicon Chip www.siliconchip.com.au