The chips database is also going to be updated with the new site. Keil Software has agreed to let me use a copy of their chip database on 8052.com. In fact, they've already sent me an exported version of their database in XML format so all that's really left to do is write the code that will present it to the user and/or let the user search.

Regarding the concern about Keil's list being slowly updated my response would probably be that it's updated far more often than my chip database. As Erik said, it's a huge job just to document all the features of the existing selection of chips and then to keep up with new derivatives on an ongoing basis is no small task either. If we were to open up the chip database to public input (so anyone could submit a new chip with new specs, etc.) then we have the issue that they have to be verified by someone which ends up saving not a whole lot of time than if the person verifying the chip had just entered the data himself.

Nevertheless, if members were interested and so inclined the database could be made "open" so that interested members could help create and maintain an ongoing database. But this depends on those same members to keep the database accurate and not losing interest over time. Or maybe if there was just an up-to-date database to start with it wouldn't be so hard for one person to maintain thereafter. But in the past I asked for volunteers to help with the effort tp do data-entry of available chips and the response was pretty much zero. The database idea died and the obsolete chip list has been online ever since.

If a few members were interested in helping me compile an accurate database of current derivatives then we could try implementing our own database. Otherwise I think using Keil's database is going to be significantly better than what we currently have.

Regards,
Craig Steiner
8052.com Webmaster