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In lugnet.org.us.lrgoaa, Jona Jeffords wrote:
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While I do realize that the current definition of robotics (especially in the
automotive capitol of the world) includes many things that are not commonly
thought of as “robots”, I also have to say that automating a train layout
with the RCX doesn’t exactly convince me that the MichLug is “about robotics”
as you put it.
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MichLUG is about the LEGO experience in general, not any specific themes. Every
member brings something different to the table. It’s not just about Space,
Castle, Pirates, BIONICLE, robotics, Sea Monkeys, sculpture, large-scale MOCs,
or any other specific area of interest, but all of those are themes that various
members have added to the collective whole.
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Furthermore, something of this nature, while interesting and impressive in
its own right, doesn’t pique my interest.
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I wasn’t really sure it would, which is why I also suggested setting up a
seperate table where robot competitions can be run. Honestly, I think that
would be a more appropriate format for LRGOAA to run with, since that’s what
would be truly representative of what your organization does. If you guys
automated one of our layouts it would certainly be cool for us, but it wouldn’t
really show people the essence of LRGOAA.
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The fundamental problem is that I have no interest in trains (LEGO or non-
LEGO) and so while it may be a fun thing to attend another group’s meeting,
I fear I would have a tough time justifying the action to myself and my
family.
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Despite the fact that the majority of shows are devoted to the Train/Town combo,
the MOCs displayed at meetings that I’ve attended (starting last May) have not
been at all Train-centric. Not counting my large backlog of BIONICLE-based
MOCs, Space seemed to be represented the most, followed by Castle. I probably
have about as much interest in building Train stuff as you, but I also know that
the Train shows put money in the Club account that allows us to do things that
might be of significantly more interest to me. Noone is required to participate
in any given event (except, arguably, the person who volunteered to be Straw
Boss), so it’s all fine with me. Besides, this wasn’t about getting LRGOAA to
join MichLUG as a junior organization, but about getting the two groups to
interact as equals.
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I can see myself attending a MichLug meeting if I was bringing a robot to
show-off and maybe solicit new participants to our events.
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I don’t think anyone would expect otherwise. We can both show our stuff to the
public, but they rarely, if ever, have anything to show back. Part of the
benefit of meeting each other would be for each group to see what the other
group does.
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Additionally, any benefit that the MichLug would have by adding us to its
roster of sub-groups can easily be achieved by those members who have
robotics interest to start coming to our meetings.
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That’s not necessarily true. Doing so would not immediately increase our
collective resource pool, and while any MichLUG members who chose to do so would
probably learn a lot of new techniques, it wouldn’t be the same as having the
level of knowledge and experience present within LRGOAA added to what we already
have. However, as has already been stated, MichLUG isn’t out to absorb
LRGOAA. We just want to hang out with each other sometime. Maybe some MichLUG
members might want to join LRGOAA, and maybe some LRGOAA members might want to
join MichLUG. Either way, both groups stand to benefit from any cross-group
participation.
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Right. And from what Jason is saying in his post, it sounds like he was/is
looking to fill in some down-time that the MichLug has in the summer months.
This is a good thing for a group organizer to do, to be sure, but don’t be
surprised when other groups are not jumping at the chance.
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It’s a mild risk, to be sure, but not even asking pretty much guarantees that
reaction. :)
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Personally, I would challenge any of the MichLug members who have interest in
(or simply have) Mindstorms to come to our meetings and participate in one of
our challenges.
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Speaking just for myself, my interest at present is purely observational. I’d
love to watch these sorts of events, but in addition to running a website, I’ve
got at least 20 MOCs in various stages of completion as it is (and I seem to
come up with ideas faster than I can implement them), and it’s a 5-hour round
trip for me to get to the Detroit area. Honestly, I’d have a lot more incentive
to attend if it was in conjunction with MichLUG rather than just me carting
myself across the mitten to watch by myself.
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