The document discusses how the Arduino open source hardware platform enables cheap, fast, and approachable rapid prototyping of electronics projects. It describes how Arduino uses an open-source and easy-to-use hardware and software system, with programs written in the free Processing IDE and supported by software libraries to simplify getting started. An example is given of a digital compass prototyping project that can be powered by a battery and made portable by mounting the Arduino board to a prototype board.

1. Arduino Open Source Hardware Makes Rapid Prototyping Cheap, Fast, and Approachable

2. Make Magazine … where I first learned about the Arduino project.

3. Arduino Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software.

4. Processing 1.0 Programs are written in the free, Processing 1.0 IDE.

5. Libraries Software Libraries make getting started really easy.

6. Arduino Digital Compass Prototyping Board USB Powered

7. Here is the same project, now powered by a 9V battery and with the Arduino mounted to the prototype board for portability.