Open Source ATtiny3226 Arduino Calculator – Hardware, Case & Code Build -- Episode 678

I think we’re talking past each other a bit here, so let me try to clarify calmly.

First, I understand that this is your first PCB-level project and that it can feel overwhelming. That part is completely fair—moving from breadboards to schematics and full builds is a real step up, and it’s normal to run into gaps while learning.

At the same time, I need to correct a few points factually. The components you mentioned (diodes, resistors, etc.) are not missing—they are present in the schematics, visible in the images, and referenced in the video and files. So the statement that they were “never mentioned” isn’t accurate.

This project also isn’t structured as a step-by-step tutorial, and that’s intentional. It requires looking across multiple sources (schematics, files, video) and putting the pieces together. That process—figuring out implied parts and decisions—is exactly the skill you’re in the process of learning.

When I mentioned “blindly following” or “paying attention,” it wasn’t meant as a personal attack or to say you will never learn. It was meant to describe the difference between following instructions line-by-line and actively working through the material. I can see how that wording came across more harshly than intended.

From my perspective, the frustration started when the project was described as missing information, even though the information is there. That’s why I pushed back—because that claim doesn’t reflect the actual content provided.

I’m not questioning that you’re putting in effort. But in this kind of project, part of the responsibility is to fully review the provided materials before concluding that something is missing. That step seems to have been incomplete here, which led to the misunderstanding.

If you go back through the schematics and files carefully, you should be able to identify all required components and make it work. And if something is still unclear after that, asking specific questions will get you much further than assuming gaps in the design.

I hope that clears up both the intent and the technical side.

I can only speak to this interaction and it is not kind. You are the one who mentioned cheating so I addressed it. As far as beginners go, figuring out the implied pieces is something I am learning to do now. Instead of understanding that, you say I just didn't "pay attention". Also you accused me of "blindly following" and went so far as to say I will never learn, the most cruel of all. I am doing my best to truly understand, especially with this being the first project on a PCB. You did have kindness to share this in the first place but so much of your reply has been truly nasty.

hold your horses. as with all on the web I assume the best intentions and beginner level.
So first I go out of my way to provide you with an extensive answer to your unsubstantiated claim of missing information, out of kindness.

Second  this statement is not implying you are cheating but a clear distinction of the type of project content I provide and a Tutorial(which none of my public projects are):

By building upon this project and what it provides you are not cheating but utilizing open source. It is already one of the easier to recreate open source projects on the web and has quite substantial information In the video/blog and Files, you just need to actually pay attention.

I provided extensive reasoning on why my content is structured the way it is. For your benefit in a learning journey on electronics.
You evidently did not watch the video and did not download the files and examine them:

All the information is in the video and the files which are both provided for free.

I have shown more than enough kindness and reasoning in the actual project.

I appreciate input especially valid critique from anyone and i have been on record for the last 10 years to be very kind with beginners.
But I will not let unsubstantiated claims stand uncommented.

here are the Files again linked for convenience: Episode 678 Resources
same as above in the Blog text.
look through them in detail and you will find all information needed to build the calculator. and I hope you can make use of the Knowledge in it in your electronics journey.

Its hard to convey "kind language" over text.
Taking the time, to give you the information you asked for  should be more than enough indication of my best intentions.

That is a lot for you to assume it is cheating. The assignment was to talk about any subject. Actually making something is not required, but I made logic gate calculators on breadboards and am showing a different level abstraction with this calculator. I gave full credit and this is an intro to engineering as a discipline course not a technical class. I was giving input as a beginner. I hope you will treat people of different levels with more kindness, as we all started somewhere 

All the parts are in the Files you can download, the parts list on the page is just exemplary of the main components-> parts that don´t matter in their exact values are usually omited otherwise the blog would be miles of resistors mainly, and errors can happen.
you see the diodes in all the images and i mentioned them at multiple points in the video especially since the layout got quite clean.the video and documentation does mention everything you need to build a similar project but you have to put in the work yourself.
These are not step by step tutorials as you correctly observed. they serve as inspiration and starting point for your own projects, and especially in a learning context you will gain the skills to make your own parts decissions - and things like the power switch are just salvaged from whatever I had laying around and you can do the same.
If you look at the schematics you see all the parts and can quickly deduct what parts you need.
Blindly following a step by step tutorial would nopt help you one bit in your electronics journey and in terms of a school project it would cross the line in the direction of cheating.
you can make it work, just put in the work - and you will benefit from it long term.

Thank you for making this, but it has been so stressful to actually make this! I am making this for a school project. First off it says we need 16 keys, we need 20. Also the capacitors, diodes and resistors were never mentioned. Also what type of switch for on and off. I am so sad that I won't have a finished product even though I followed as closely as possible

yep the soft power functions and backlight toggle I initialyl plant werent so dumb after all.

As you indicate, it sounds like it might be useful to have the backlight automatically shut off and have the power button turn it back on.

i did the video around April this year and used it sporadically, it still is functional but the backlight/screen gets a bit dim now. So the battery life was not to bad but could be a lot better with some tweaks in code and not keeping the backlight on at all times.

Cool project. About how long should this operate on a typical set of batteries?