Subject:
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Re: An Idea for new Mindstorm
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Fri, 24 Jun 2005 22:36:28 GMT
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Viewed:
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1263 times
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In lugnet.robotics, Brian Davis wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, Alexander Horoshilov wrote:
>
> > "The idea" is to made Mindstorms attractive for those
> > who do not like programming.
>
> Since this keeps being phrased in terms of good markets, etc... how much of a
> market is there to tap here (i.e.- how many potential sales have been lost due
> to "RIS programming being to complicated"?). Having watched a group of
> 8-year-olds with no programming experience build and program a line-follower, I
> just don't see this is a major issue.
> I don't like programming in RIS code, and I'm not overly fond of Robolab
> (given that I have NQC) - but both work *fabulously* well at making programming
> "so easy a child could do it". And yet so extensible (Robolab), it will keep a
> well-educated adult satisfied for a long time.
>
> > Ready-to-use programs must not replace custom
> > programming.
>
> I think it might be good to remind everyone that the RCX *has* "ready to use"
> programs on it. For some reason, most people never seem to use them. There are
> also (so I'm told) examples code on the RIS-CD, and each expansion set came with
> more code examples. So I'd say the idea is not completely novel; it appears LEGO
> tried it, after a fashion, with the expansion sets.
>
> > Why people with large LEGO collection buy new sets?
>
> You forgot "obsession" <grin>.
>
> If you like robots, but don't like programming, then there are a lot of toys
> on the market ("Robosapian", the horrible dancing robot, springs to mind).
> Mindstorms fills a niche that is otherwise uncontested (IMHO).
Brian, you've made very good points. I have neither: numbers for market share,
nor real experience of techning kids to RCX programming.
Actually, I do not even sure that this idea is so good. I hope it is, but it may
be wrong for one or another reason.
I just want to clarify what is the concept.
- Idea is not examples itself.
- Idea is not to sell LEGO-branded software.
- Idea is not to make kits cheaper, although it seems to be a good addition
Basic idea (which I think is new) is to make RCX do not require computer and
allow to load that examples in very simple and quick way. And sell complete
"solutions": program (on easy to use media), parts and instructions.
I still argue that these steps will result to lower requirements for the skills
and therefore will be more popular. All already existing features must be kept.
If someone is familar with programming it still can use these kits and create
all his programs. But "LEGO robotics" (let's say that) will be available for the
people who do not like computers/programming (for some reason) as well. Market
is larger, of course.
BTW, #3804 is marked fo 12+ age. I'd like to see it for 8+, at the level of
medium-sized Technic sets.
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: An Idea for new Mindstorm
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| (...) Since this keeps being phrased in terms of good markets, etc... how much of a market is there to tap here (i.e.- how many potential sales have been lost due to "RIS programming being to complicated"?). Having watched a group of 8-year-olds (...) (19 years ago, 24-Jun-05, to lugnet.robotics)
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