Launchpad msp430, mspgcc4 and Ubuntu

So after waiting a few months my Launchads finally showed up.

Great value, seems like they are worth the wait. A bit limited code wise, only 2KB of flash and 128B of RAM.

I'm hoping to be able to squeeze 1-wire bus code to read a DS1820 as well as some LCD driver code in there to do a small cheap temperature controller.

The default tools look windows only, but there are a number of guides around for how to put together a Linux based toolchain for the MSP430. Unfortunately they all rely on building the toolchain from sources.

The best one looks to be the one at HAD:

http://hackaday.com/2010/08/11/how-to-launchpad-programming-with-linux/

But there is a major shortcut. Someone has packaged mspgcc4 for Ubuntu.

https://launchpad.net/~adamhorden/+archive/msp430

It is slightly old, but works fine on 10.04

echo "deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/adamhorden/msp430/ubuntu karmic main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/msp430.list
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install msp430-gcc msp430-gdb msp430-binutils msp430-libc 

I still had to download and compile mspdubug but that was quick and easy.

The LED blink example in the HAD article worked first go.

Breckenridge & coastal fog amber ales

Not our favourite style, so low scores.

Coastal Fog
M: 2.5/5
K: 2/5

Breckenridge:
M: 2/5
K: 2.5/5

The CF was a little smoother for my taste but Kelly liked the
Breckinridge better.

Cisco brewers Nantucket: bailey's blond ale

This beer came in a mystery mix. A real surprise packet for us both
since we don't generally like blond beers - but we love this one.

Blond is usually synonymous with bland - not this beer.

Honey notes on the front and a nice crisp bitter finish. Finishes a
bit like a good pilsner.

Wish we could brew a beer like this.

M: 5/5
K: 5/5

Drink it ya bum.

Bridge Port ESB

Sweet and a good apricot/earthy taste.

M: 4/5
K: 4/5

Coastal Fog IPA

Not super hoppy. A little sweet.

M: 3/5
K: 3/5

Would buy again.

The Abyss

Tonight our grill went up on flames and wouldn't turn off. I had to
pull out the fire before the gas canister exploded. Dinner was ruined.
The only thing for it is the abyss.

A great big beer.

The sweet molasses notes balanced well with the bitterness and
roastiness.

M: 5/5
K: 5/5

Lion stout

And old fave for me, a new one for Kelly.

M: 5/5
K: 4/5 a little too sweet

Left hand: 400 pound monkey

An IPA, some apricot notes. A funky smell almost like an infection.