Subject:
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Re: Mindstorms for Dummies
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics.rcx
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Date:
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Tue, 23 Jan 2001 00:21:04 GMT
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Viewed:
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1646 times
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Thanks for the info. I'm just getting into Mindstorms, and was thinking
about buying it. I think not with the review you gave.
Mike Broam
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 is in Reply To:
 | | Mindstorms for Dummies
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| 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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