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Subject: 
Re: Cybermaster???
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.general, lugnet.technic
Date: 
Fri, 12 Nov 1999 23:23:05 GMT
Viewed: 
712 times
  
<gulp>

On Fri, 12 Nov 1999, Rachel Kingston (<FL3wnM.43t@lugnet.com>) wrote at
22:47:46

> 
> If the Mindstorms has no instructions, would a 10 year old find it totally
> overwhelming, especially one who had not had a lot of Technic experience?

I've no experience of 10 year olds, but I would imagine some practice
beforehand might be helpful.
> 
> When you say there are no instructions, are there no starter tips or ideas?

Yes, there are tips, hints, and even pictures.
> 
> What is wrong with the software (ie extreme creatures, robosports etc)? Is it
> worth the money, ie does it give you capabilities otherwise unattainable?

Can't comment on this one.
> 
> Sorry for all the questions, Mindstorms sounds brilliant, I want one, but I'm
> just trying to establish appropriateness for a 10 yr old new Lego user.

The boxes all say 12 years & upwards, so I guess you'll have to judge
your son's technical ability. But see below.
> 
> If there is more than one kid in the same family (and very keen adults) is it
> necessary to buy more than one, this is probably a dumb question, but I 'spose
> you need different computers for each?

No, you don't need a different computer for each one. just make sure
that only the one you want to program is within range of the IR tower.
> and if this is so, then how do you
> program two robots to intereract, ie. child 1's robot, fighting it out with
> child 2's Is this attainable in any way? Or does each child have to take it in
> turns (so constant fighting for computer time?)

Always likely to be a problem :-)  As stated above, once a program has
been downloaded into the RCX, the unit is completely autonomous.
> 
> I have printed out everything I could find on this from Lego's site, but still
> found it all a bit obscure? It sounded brilliant, but vague.
> Is it overkill to buy this for a 10 yr old with virtually no Technic
> experience? Is it important to have a lot of exerience with the more
> challenging Technic sets, or is it attainable to learn Technic principles in
> conjunction with the RIS. Is the Technic that comes with the mindstorms enough
> to start with or are there Technic must haves that we should get at the same
> time? (All out Technic is restricted to very early Technic ie.all the first
> releases)

Yes. :-)

Can I suggest you get the Mindstorms for the grown-up, and see how the
children react to it?

There are some very impressive Technic sets available which would
complement the Mindstorms sets, and act as a primer.

> Wow, I've outdone myself,  far too many questions........sorry!

You may want to point some questions at the .robotics groups, to which I
don't yet subscribe, so I can't be more specific.
> 
> Thanks for your help :-)

I ain't no expert :-)
--
Tony Priestman



Message has 1 Reply:
  Re: Cybermaster???
 
Tony Priestman wrote in message <4oHxBjBZFKL4EwFt@yo....co.uk>... (...) it (...) Well, I admit I don't own any of the RIS expansion sets, but from what I've heard, people seem to be happier spending their cash on regular technic sets for (...) (27 years ago, 13-Nov-99, to lugnet.general, lugnet.technic)

Message is in Reply To:
  Re: Cybermaster???
 
(...) Thanks Tony and Arjen :-) If the Mindstorms has no instructions, would a 10 year old find it totally overwhelming, especially one who had not had a lot of Technic experience? When you say there are no instructions, are there no starter tips or (...) (27 years ago, 12-Nov-99, to lugnet.general, lugnet.technic)

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