Well, an oversized box with a Newark logo was waiting for me when I got home today.  Inside were my 64 diodes for the Sparkfun button boards and a collection of parts for the Unsped Arduinome Shield.  The keen-eyed Arduinome-head may notice the lack of a MAX7219CNG+ IC in the group.  That’s because I used the great Maxim Samples program.  (I said *used*, not *abused*!)  I use it quite often at work when I want to try an IC in a circuit but I’m either working on something that isn’t funded or a half-baked idea.  I use my work address and contact information, but I have also used my personal information in the past and always received my samples.  I only use the service about 3-4 times a year and never for more than a single line item at a time.  It can save you a lot of money and time, though, since the MAX7219CNG+ was $10.81/ea. at Digikey and not even in stock at Newark.  But Maxim sent me two of them completely free and shipped them within 24 hours of my request.  I use a few of their other products (and pay for them) so my guilt factor is low.  THIS IS NOT A PROGRAM TO BE ABUSED!  If too many people make too many requests, this program will evaporate and that would be sad…