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I got Mindstorms for Dummies sent to me as soon as it was ready from Amazon,
since I'm curious what my competition looks like. :) And I kept quiet for a
while, but I'm glad you wrote something first, Ralph, because I feel the same
way.
I was actually *OFFENDED* to read through Mindstorms for Dummies. Now, unlike
the other thread that spawned from your post, I have no philosophical problem
with "Dummies" books in general, in fact I own a couple of others. But to take
projects that were created by LEGO engineers for the various Constructopedia
books, take your own pictures of them, and *write* your own directions for
robots which already have perfectly fine *color* *pictoral* directions in the
Constructopedia is absolutely absurd. I may be wrong, but besides the
programs, I don't think there is an ounce of original robot material in this
book (I admit I couldn't bear to read it cover to cover).
I was offended because here I was struggling for over a year to get my book and
CD ready, and along come these two guys that slap this together and expect the
LEGO community to respond to it. I actually wrote a page long rant for Amazon
but then never posted it. I think I was too emotional at the time, and people
might perceive it as me slamming one book to boost sales of my own (as they
might perceive this post, but I have to get this off my chest, and warn others
as well).
I don't think that LEGO endorsed this book (In fact I'm pretty positive). But
I know that other publishers for books besides mine have contacted LEGO about
some sort of marketing partnership (I'm not sure which ones). Perhaps this is
one. If so, that is scary. During these discussions I let some people at LEGO
know honestly exactly how I felt about 'mindstorms for dummies'. We'll see
what happens...
and since Ralph did it...
Buy Creative Projects with LEGO Mindstorms http://www.benerwin.com/ :)
In lugnet.robotics.rcx, Ralph Hempel writes:
> I just got my complimentary copy of Mindstorms for Dummies
> and its worth every penny! (They had requested permission to
> put pbForth on the CD)
>
> Now, I may be somewhat biased towards the Extreme Mindstorms
> book that I helped write, but Mindstorms for Dummies really
> does live up to its name.
>
> The book starts out with a description of all the products in
> the Mindstorms line, from the Micro Scout to the Scout to the RCX
> as well as the add-on kits. There is a brief description of the
> types of parts in a Technic kit - beams, pegs, gears, wheels...etc
>
> Then it describes *in words* how to build stuff out of the
> constructopedia for each of the kits. There are a few assembly
> photos, but not much else. No construction hints, no
> discussion on gearing, bracing, LEGO geometry, nothing.
>
> OK, now we're at page 175. Phew, that was hard.
>
> The book then describes the buttons on the Micro Scout and Scout
> and goes over some basics that are probably in the manual. The section
> on RIS programming isn't much better, with some really basic content.
> I just skimmed it, but it looks like they just reworded the
> manual.
>
> At page 267, they get into temperature, light, and rotation sensors,
> but fail to go into much detail. Finally Gordon's Brick Programmer,
> NQC and pbForth are given a page apiece.
>
> The Appendix is largely photos of parts with names like 2x6 perforated
> plate, 3 hole thin beam, and axle tip tee.
>
> Normally, I wouldn't take the time to write this kind of review, but
> I figured it would save all of the compulsive collector types among us
> the $24.99 US they want for this book.
>
> Somewhat disturbing is the note in the author's acknowledgements
> thanking "Switzer Communications, the US contacts for the LEGO
> Group, who provided much needed support for the book." Previous
> books had to put "Unofficial" somewhere on the cover, to indicate
> that LEGO did not officially endorse the effort. I can only assume
> that either the Dummies folks forgot to get permission, or that
> LEGO actually endorsed this....book.
>
> Comments and contrary opinions are welcome....
>
> Cheers,
>
> Ralph Hempel - P.Eng
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Check out pbFORTH for LEGO Mindstorms at:
> <http://www.hempeldesigngroup.com/lego/pbForth>
>
> Buy "Extreme Mindstorms: an Advanced Guide to Lego Mindstorms"
> <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1893115844/hempeldesigngrou>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Reply to: rhempel at bmts dot com
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | RE: Mindstorms for Dummies
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| (...) I felt a bit guilty after I posted my review because it was written with a lot of....well, let's just call it emotion. Rereading my opening phrase I realize there may be opportunity to take it out of context... (...) In case there is any (...) (24 years ago, 6-Feb-01, to lugnet.robotics.rcx, lugnet.books)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Mindstorms for Dummies
|
| I just got my complimentary copy of Mindstorms for Dummies and its worth every penny! (They had requested permission to put pbForth on the CD) Now, I may be somewhat biased towards the Extreme Mindstorms book that I helped write, but Mindstorms for (...) (24 years ago, 22-Jan-01, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
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