Netduino - .NET Micro Framework, open source, electronics platform, free (software), code walk though, cool…

Make: - New in the Maker Shed: Netduino, a .NET-powered open source electronics platform

“Just in! The Netduino is an open source electronics platform using the .NET Micro Framework. The board features a 32-bit microcontroller and a rich development environment, making it a perfect solution for engineers and hobbyists alike. Here's everything you need to know to get up and running with this amazing little micro controller.

To use Netduino, you'll need to be running Windows XP or later and the free Visual Studio Express 2010 (or the full version).

The Netduino team is hard at work on a fully open source development, compiler, and deployment tool based on MonoDevelop and Mono.

You can download everything you need from the Netduino site. Here are the links you'll need:

1. Microsoft Visual C# Express 2010: http://www.microsoft.com/express/downloads/
2. Microsoft .NET Micro Framework v4.1 SDK: http://www.netduino.com/downloads/MicroFrameworkSDK.msi
3. Netduino SDK v4.1: http://www.netduino.com/downloads/netduinosdk_32bit.exe (for 32-bit Windows) http://www.netduino.com/downloads/netduinosdk_64bit.exe (for 64-bit Windows)

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As a mostly software guy, I find coding hardware stuff fascinating. From the thought of coding apps for my Zune/XBox 360, to robots (i.e. the RDS), to this, I just think it too cool writing stuff that interacts with the “real world.”

This article makes it seem pretty darn easy. Now all I need to do is to convince my DFO (Domestic Financial Officer… i.e. my wife ;) that I need this “for professional purposes.” LOL (Heck the base hardware is only $35! I think I can slip that in…)