Does it support pre-programmed microcontrollers? Pre-programmed with code I supply, that is.

Yes, not yet via the web interface. Please email [email protected] . Thanks.

Strange decision to go with dropbox-only, instead of letting users just upload a zip file.

Thanks for the feedback! Dropbox makes it convenient to create a revision of your project at any point during the design (and you can create as many revisions as you'd like). This helps with revision control, but more importantly it allows you to keep tabs on manufacturing costs during development.

Dropbox is also fast and loose with the security of your files. They're super easy to use but not really meant for anything secret.

> They're super easy to use but not really meant for anything secret.

If you read their privacy policy, neither are CircuitHub's services, but given their target audience, it's probably a good choice.

To clarify, CircuitHub will not disclose private designs to anyone outside of CircuitHub and our manufacturing partners. We take this very seriously! If you have any concerns about the confidentiality of your design, feel free to contact us at support at circuithub.com.

Sorry if my comment sounded rude. I'm actually a big fan of what you guys are doing! I went through more pains than I care to describe in an HN post making PCBs at home or trying to piggyback on companies I was working with for my side-projects. I'd be a much smarter man now if something like CH had existed fifteen years ago when I first spent weeks gathering the materials with which I eventually ruined my parents' kitchen table trying to make a PCB at home instead of, say, tending to my equally important studies. And if I ever find time for the gazillion open-source hardware ideas I have, CH will definitely be my first stop!

As for the privacy policy though, first it says that the following is part of the information CircuitHub collects:

> Files. We collect and store the information you upload, download, or access with the CircuitHub Service (“Files”). If you add a file to CircuitHub that has been previously uploaded by you or another user, we may associate all or a portion of the previous file with your account rather than storing a duplicate.

And then, for example, it says this:

> Business Transfers. If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, but we will notify you (for example, via email and/or a prominent notice on our website) of any change in control or use of your Personal Information or Files, or if either become subject to a different Privacy Policy. We will also notify you of choices you may have regarding the information.

I'm not a lawyer (my diploma says EE which is why I'm not writing this from Belize or something :-) ) but this sounds like anyone who buys CH can end up with access to designs and the user may or may not have a choice about it (i.e. the "choices he may have regarding the information" don't necessarily include "remove it").

You can get away with having users open accounts and install software (like dropbox) to use your service if they know it's good - but for potential customers who don't already know your product, I'd want to make it easy to see how good/useful/cost effective your service is.

Alternative upload options is something we definitely intend to address. For now you could check out some example projects on https://circuithub.com/explore

Are there alternatives for people who do not want not use Dropbox?

Not at the moment, but we are considering a few alternatives.

Why don't you just allow an HTTP endpoint ? People on dropbox can just create a URL to their design.

I think it's so that it can later return files to you without you having to go back in to the site and download. I think. Is that right Andy?

That's good. I hate waiting for a service to return my file after I upload it to them.

When you're new at dealing with PCB houses, you may need to incorporate their suggestions and make some changes to conform to their design rules. It's the kind of thing nobody gets right the first time. It's not uncommon to swap your CAD files back and forth a few times. Treating Dropbox like a shared drive is one way to do that, although it's not what the service is really meant for.

We use Dropbox to make it easy to upload minor changes to your design. Layervault explain this use case very well,

http://layervault.tumblr.com/post/66790684642/announcing-dro...

we need to do a better job of explaining why Dropbox is worthwhile.

so let me get this straight, scalable means that I can produce my own line of mp3 players? Article talks about OEM experience limited to Apple and big players until today, is this really true?

We are currently producing thousands of units for customers, but have yet to reach Apple scale.