Subject:
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Re: RIS version 1.5 coming this fall
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Fri, 2 Jul 1999 19:03:29 GMT
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Viewed:
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1038 times
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Technically, RIS is the "entire" set, meaning the RCX, the software, and
all 700+ lego pieces (plus manual, box, etc.). I doubt that there are
version 1.5 lego pieces about to be released, so clearly they could
release version 1.5 of RIS without updating every element contained within
it.
Updating the software is reasonably simple from a logistics standpoint.
They don't have to worry too much about stale inventory because they can
always make version 1.5 software available for download (or perhaps for a
nominal shipping fee if you bought Mindstorms after a certain date, etc).
They can also keep existing customers happy by offering upgrades (download
or new CD). Both are quite inexpensive to implement.
Updating the hardware (RCX) is another matter. As soon as they introduce
an RCX 1.5, the existing inventory becomes very hard to move. Upgrades
would be pricey (either for the consumer or absorbed by TLG). Either way
they are creating a big problem for themselves. If upgraded hardware were
necessary from a competitive standpoint, then you do it (computer
companies are doing it all the time), but I personally don't think TLG has
any competition in the RCX space right now. Their next products appear to
be creating a lower tier (Scout, etc), not trying to evolve higher.
Internally, the RCX may have already gone through several updates. This
is pretty common as designs are refined and cost-reduced. These types of
updates are typically unannounced and not even evident from the outside of
the product.
We won't know for certain until TLG actually releases 1.5, but personally
I'd expect it to be a software update, not hardware.
Of course I'd still like to see version 1.5 gears :)
Dave
In article <3BD3C821D073D11187C50060973D05629FA78B@sirnt1.siemens.ie>,
"Barbour, David" <David.Barbour@siemens.ie> wrote:
> RIS = Robotics Invention System i.e.: both!!
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Luis Villa [SMTP:liv@duke.edu]
> > Sent: 01 July 1999 04:54
> > To: Brian H. Nielsen
> > Cc: lego-robotics@crynwr.com
> > Subject: Re: RIS version 1.5 coming this fall
> >
> > Since it has been so long since I've looked at anything other than the
> > bot, is RIS the software, the hardware, or both?
> > -Luis
> >
> > On Thu, 1 Jul 1999, Brian H. Nielsen wrote:
> >
> > > Date: Thu, 1 Jul 1999 03:47:29 GMT
> > > From: Brian H. Nielsen <70401.2635@compuserve.com>
> > > To: lego-robotics@crynwr.com
> > > Subject: RIS version 1.5 coming this fall
> > >
> > > I saw a comment on the LEGOMINDSTORMS site that RIS version 1.5 would • be
> > > released this fall. Is there any other information on it anywhere?
> > >
> > > (The comment is in the Announcements forum in a message titled • "Stormrunner
> > > & the Proximity Sensor". The forum is in a member only area so I can't • put a
> > > link to it, and I'm not sure if it would be allowed for me to paste the
> > > message here.)
> > >
> > > Brian
> > > --
> > > Did you check the web site first?: http://www.crynwr.com/lego-robotics
> > >
> > >
> >
> > #######################################################################
> >
> > Profanity is the one language that all programmers understand.
> > -Anonymous
> >
> > #######################################################################
> > --
> > Did you check the web site first?: http://www.crynwr.com/lego-robotics
> --
> Did you check the web site first?: http://www.crynwr.com/lego-robotics
--
reply to: dbaum at enteract dot com
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: RIS version 1.5 coming this fall
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| (...) You know, I think I'm starting to get nervous about this 1.5 business. Let's say they do happen to ship a 1.0->1.5 software compatability upgrade. The first question that comes to my mind is: Is the upgrade reversible or irreversible? Any why (...) (25 years ago, 29-Jul-99, to lugnet.robotics)
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