This update went out via email on August 30, 2026

Simple Machines Books will start shipping again next month! 🎉

TL;DR: I don't want to make any promises, but I think we'll be able to ship all the outstanding Simple Machines pre-orders in September, and get back to normal operation.

First, Some of my Favorite Recent Reviews:

The Boring Part

I imagine a day where my emails don't talk about inventory and manufacturing issues and books sitting on a boat. That day is not today, but I'll try to keep it to one paragraph. The sad part is that following up on inventory is the biggest part of my job right now.

I'm expecting a small batch of Simple Machines Made Simple to arrive next week. (Fingers crossed; the last time I said that, the books got stuck in customs for an extra two weeks!) I think that'll be enough that we can finish fulfilling all the outstanding orders. There's also a second order of books with the manufacturer. The only issue is that the estimate for when those will be finished keeps slipping. Originally, the deadline was last week. But they had only finished 10% and said the rest would be done this week. And then this morning, they told me that they've finished the next 10%. I'm hoping it's that 80/20 thing where the last 80% of the books will be finished with only 20% more work, and next week they'll all be ready to go on a boat.

CE for Babies Redesign

Believe it or not, Computer Engineering for Babies and Big Babies are still getting changes. I went to place another order of books a couple months ago, and we had a really hard time finding the TI microcontroller chips that I've been using for the last 3 years. I guess overall stock of the chip is really low. The guys that make the circuit boards suggested that I should swap the chip to something more readily available. So I've been trying to look at alternatives that I can do a redesign around, even if it'll just be a backup design. But I've been putting off that homework assignment because it feels so daunting, so if you happen to know your way around a PY32F002A, or know of a good MSP430G series substitute, let me know!

Lastly, I'm looking at finding a new fulfillment center in the UK. I've been using a company, "Huboo," but have become disenchanted with them lately, and am looking for another operation, preferably a small, more flexible company. So if you happen to have a cousin in the business, again, let me know!

Thanks so much for reading!

Cheers!

Chase