MOTM

I am shocked-SHOCKED! that kits are being phased out in favor of SMT and Xilinx do-
hickeys. First, Macs are running Windoze and now this. Can't you see my world is falling 
apart?

Seriously though, this was bound to happen, considering the dual hassles of parts bagging 
and now, RoHS. Paul's kit instructions were the best I've seen since the days of Heathkit, 
with added bits of wry humor, something missing in most tech documents. But I have 
enough Blacet-to MOTM conversions and Scott Juskik projects to finish so as to keep my 
solder jones in check. For now.

(I just finished reading "Analog Days", by Trevor Pinch, and learned that certain Moog 
modules were originally available as kits for a time. Hmm.)

The "AudioEngine" card concept has far reaching implications. A multi-voice Miniwave-
type VCO would rule! Well, while perusing the module s**t list, it occured to me that all 
these discontinued module functions could/will be recreated in software on a FPGA chip, 
behind a MOTM panel. I wonder if we won't see a "MOTM experimenter's board for people 
who BYOP (Bring You Own Panel/Programming)". DIY will live on...

Finally, I savor the irony of seeing MOTM go FracRac while Blacet, Tony K. and Cynthia 
offer MOTM format options. Paul S. and the MOTMers have forced the market to pay 
attention to the Large Panel, not a small achievement, given the cliquish nature of synth 
fans. Paul, you keep doing what you're doing.

MOTM-it's not just a job, it's an adventure.
Chuck