My Maxim sample order for the MAX7219CNG+ IC arrived on Friday.  The Maxim IC sample order program is awesome!  These chips are quite literally factory fresh as they shipped directly from the Maxim factory in China to me, for free!  Again, as I stated a few posts ago, please do not abuse this program.  I buy many Maxim products and will continue to do so, so I don’t feel guilty about the occational sample order.  Oddly enough, the sample order page would not let me request less than 2, so I have an extra one.  Once I get my Arduinome up and running, I think I will gift the 2nd one to someone out there who is sourcing parts for their Arduinome…a sort of pay-it-forward-karma-sample-order-thing…