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Steve Baker wrote:
> Dean Husby wrote:
>
> > For the Agenda VR3d (Developer/Tech version) it's only $179 USD. That's an incredible
> > price for what you get. Even If I had to create one of them little serial IR devices
> > that someone mentioned being able to do, that would make me happy. But if I could use
> > NQC with the built in IR ports even if it was only a couple of inches would make me
> > VERY happy.
>
> I actually own one of these devices - and I agree that it's *just* the very thing
> for Lego robotics.
>
> Some caveats:
>
> * Whilst it has a 'Commercial IR' port and an 'iRDA' port - the CIR is output-only.
> It's generally believed that the input iRDA port can be set up to listen to
> RCX protocol - I have no actual proof of that.
>
> * The device is still in development - but as an "OpenSource" project, you can
> buy prototype "developer" units for $179 - so long as you are aware that all
> the software is in beta - and everything (including the hardware) could change
> before release as a consumer product.
>
> I think it would be wise to wait until the IR device drivers are completed before
> rushing out and buying one of these machines - but I'm *SURE* that it's the right
> solution for Lego robotics.
>
> Now, if only we could pursuade them to mold some Lego-style stud receptacles
> onto the underside!
>
> > I've been reading all I can on the Agenda but so far all I can find out is that it
> > has a serial port and a Keyboard/app slot. I haven't seen if it has any other slots
> > like a compact flash port or something like the springboard type slots.
>
> No - the only ports are:
That's a shame. Being this late in the game I would expect to see USB support and an
expansion slot of some kind.
> * A single physical connector which contains an RS-232 serial port (which runs at
> pretty high rates) and some pins which are for AgendaComputing's own use - presumably
> for the external keyboard - which is not available yet.
The keyboard is said to be IR linked.
> The serial port runs at low voltages - there is a little circuit in one end of the
> cable that boosts the voltage to where a PC can work with it...which is probably
> powered from the PC itself.
Ah so I'm assuming it's not enough power to power a IR tower if need be? They claim you can
use it with a modem or phone.
>
> * The various iR ports.
>
> In addition, there are six buttons - along with a seventh button on the 'docking station'
> which you could presumable wire up to an external switch - the 160x240 monochrome LCD
> display has a touch-sensitive overlay. There are a couple of other switches that are
> accessible - one that detects when the battery compartment door is removed (so it can
> go into low-power mode while you change the batteries) - another that detects when the
> stylus is in it's docking bay so the machine can be turned on just by pulling out the
> stylus. There is a recessed reset button and a power switch (which actually just puts
> the machine into low-power mode - there is no real way to turn it off.
>
> The developer machines have 16Mb flash memory and 8Mb RAM - Linux seems to be consuming
> about half of flash memory...and that's going to be replaced with ROM in the consumer
> units whenever they start shipping.
The consumer models will have 2 or 4 megs of Flash ram. I'm assuming that this is the space
for user programs and data. Am I to understand that the developer version gives you about
8megs (at this time) free? That does seem like a very good deal. Bang for the buck type
thing.
>
> Since it runs Linux, there are a dozen ways to communicate with it from your PC. The
> best is to run PPP - which means you can telnet into the machine, use FTP or rsync or
> NFS - anything you can think of to talk to it. Someone even hacked an HTTP deamon onto
> it so you can use it as a web server!
I noticed it doesn't come with a web browser yet. I'll bet opera or something would be ported
to it.
> *ALL* of the software is available in source code.
I'd like to see this continue for this device. I understand that some people need to get paid
for hard work but I really like the linux 'way of life'.
Dean
--
Coin-Op's For Sale!: http://www.akasa.bc.ca/tfm/coin-op.html
Dean's Lego Workshop: http://www.akasa.bc.ca/tfm/lego_wr.html
Vancouver Lego Club: http://www.akasa.bc.ca/vlc
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Searching for alternatives
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| (...) Oops! I must have mistook the 'wireless' word and imagined the IR part... It connects to the BUS port on the bottom. Rather interesting really. Seems it's a 1.3~ mhz serial bus. Dean -- Coin-Op's For Sale!: (URL) Lego Workshop: (URL) Lego (...) (24 years ago, 4-Feb-01, to lugnet.robotics, lugnet.robotics.palm)
| | | Re: Searching for alternatives
|
| What if we could get the tower circuitry made smaller (as in the classroom transmitter thread). It might be put as a 1/4" thick thing that clamps to the bottom of the device (also have lego studs on it?). Mr. Baker, could you tell us if there's any (...) (24 years ago, 4-Feb-01, to lugnet.robotics)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Searching for alternatives
|
| (...) I actually own one of these devices - and I agree that it's *just* the very thing for Lego robotics. Some caveats: * Whilst it has a 'Commercial IR' port and an 'iRDA' port - the CIR is output-only. It's generally believed that the input iRDA (...) (24 years ago, 4-Feb-01, to lugnet.robotics)
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