Re: [avr-chat] Avrdude and JTAG / Dragon...

[Graham Davies]

Vincent Trouilliez wrote:
> [The ICE-cube is] meant precisely to be ... handled
> by... well by hand constantly, I fear the fragile/exposed SMT
> components on the tiny boards, will sooner or later get hit/damaged.
> Also, I fear ESD shocks because with my big fat fingers will get all
> over the components, which can't be good.

I think if this was a problem it would have surfaced (a pun?) by now.  The 
only component that is likely to take a hit (the inductor that filters the 
power supply) is, in fact, secured with epoxy.  The underside has an 
insulating coating to avoid shorts with the target.  All around the edge, 
where you grip it, is ground plane.  To my knowledge, nobody has ever zapped 
an ICE-Cube.

But, I'm not trying to persuade you, just inform you.  You absolutely must 
go with what looks best to you.

> - it's got a serial interface ...

Absolutely right here.  I would urge anyone working with embedded systems 
not to buy a PC without a serial port.  And, don't tell me this is hard to 
do.  Just don't get your PC at Wal-Mart.

Graham.