Nobody ever misses a game that was never created, but people won't buy your game (that you already spent hard earned money on) if you price it higher than what they think is appropriate.
We call people "sir" out of respect, not out of inferiority. It doesn't matter who pays who's paychecks. They don't know what they're walking up to when they approach your car. It could be the last few minutes of their life for all they know. I've seen enough incidents of cops getting shot at windows of cars they pulled over to give them the respect they deserve for the risks they take. Your theory is flawed. You pay your judge's salary too, does that mean you wouldn't refer to them as "your honor"? How about the president? You pay his salary and I don't think you'd be calling him anything different than a title like "sir" or "mr. president". Whether you like them or not, they deserve respect.
would never get my vote. I'm sorry, I agree the religion of a candidate should not influence your vote. But their religious beliefs certainly can and should. Any person who doesn't believe in evolution, and that we are sitting on a planet that is only 6000 years old, doesn't have the proper mental capacity for reason and logic that I want in my next president.
On that matter, neither does a current president who believes, "the jury is still out on evolution."
Nothing particularly bad to say against Hillary, I just think Obama has the kind of younger, fresher perspective we need in the White House.
..and just to note before this gets out of hand, a political pundit (might have been Bill Maher, but don't quote me on that) had a good quote about so-called "Hillary Haters". You know them, they are a select group of people, Democrat & Republican, who just love to bash her and make it publicly known how much they hate her. His quote was something along the lines of "there's nothing about Hillary that warrants hatred from any group. Whether you'd vote for her or not, she hasn't done a single thing to be hated so badly by some people. If you 'hate' Hillary Clinton, there's something wrong with you."
Just thought I'd throw that in there before this gets messy.
certainly not the ones used in Jurassic Park...
I know I don't want to overpay for some expensive door lock that some velociraptor can open when the power goes out...
I agree completely with your observation about the IO. I think our difference of opinion lies in the fact that you are in engineering and I am in cs. Right there shows why you're more concerned with the physical ramifications of the set, while I am more worried about the software and compatability of the set. Makes sense considering our backgrounds. I agree with the lack of IO and motors. Most of the really cool ideas I have about NXT for robots I'd like to make with it (beyond the typical experiments such as the ones I listed in my first post) involve me purchasing a second NXT set for a 6 motor robot. That's the only way I can think of to make some of the more complex ideas I have in mind. Thanks for replying by the way, I appreciate your observations.
You can also program into NXT with Java, which is what I do.
I didn't intend to exclude other kits, I was simply comparing NXT to say, RadioShack sets which are the same price but much harder to get started with if you're a total beginner with no formal background in robotics. I'd rather spend my $250 on it than any other set.
Also with your set, which you say is twice the price, may not appeal to someone just getting started. It may be more of an intermediate set to get when he grows tired of Lego Mindstorms (possible?). I didn't have 500 bucks to spend when I got mine. For anyone reading his post who has the same question, I was providing a (relatively) cheap set for their needs.
I don't know about your 12 yr old brother, or whatever the "slashdot age" might be, but I'm serious about robotics, I'm 22 yrs old, I have a B.S. in CS and a specialization in AI. I am also currently working full time at a major software contractor, and taking my Masters part time with a specialization also in AI. I think I'm included in the Slashdot crowd, and I love the NXT set.
I posted a question related to getting started in robotics on here a month or so back. But it was in the career field.
My advice to you is go spend $250 at Target/Amazon/etc on Lego Mindstorms NXT. Then use your imagination and come up with 20 or so simple robots you can think of to do cool little things. Then, depending on how much free time you have, take one off the list and actually build it with your set. One a month, one a week, whatever. Just start building. You'll learn so much while experimenting with it yourself, that you couldn't ever grasp reading a robotics book. Sure they provide details on the hard stuff. But you just want to get into it. You don't care about degrees of freedom yet, or kinematics (ugh). Certain concepts you grasp better when you are building a robot and you see them in action for yourself. For instance, I got a much better understanding of torque when I built a Lego robot. My robotics class had us use Lego for our projects, which helped solidify the stuff we learned from the book and professor. You're a complete beginner. The set is perfect for what you need. Don't listen to the guys telling you to go to RadioShack or something, buying some set that may seem like more work than it's worth.
You need to get into the fun of it, and the newer Lego set is much better for that. Some may argue it's limited in scale. But find me another set where you have 3 motor servos, an ultrasound sensor, light sensor, touch sensor, microphone, speaker, lcd display, flash storage for programs, easy to use software, usb connection, guaranteed compatibility between sensors and the system, about 500-600 pieces, and a huge support base in case you need help. Lego has that all hands down. And you don't need to waste time, money, or frustration with soldering, or shorting out a sensor because you're not an electrical engineer.
As for projects, here's five common ones that not only will be pretty easy to get started, but will show you some of the basics of robotics. 1. Line follower - uses sensors to drive along while following the path of a painted black line 2. Cliff Explorer - drives around a table, but when it encounters an edge, it won't drive off 3. Light Catcher/Avoider - your choice, avoids or follows a flashlight you drag around the table 4. Speedtrap robot - waits for a car to drive by that's traveling too fast, then pulls out and chases it 5. Dancing robot - waits till it hears music, then dances until the music stops, and repeats when it starts again
Hope all that helps. BTW, those 5 can all be done with the Lego kit in a day or two if you're interested...
Your entire first sentence is a blatant oxymoron. Let me get this straight, you borrowed massive amounts of money, thousands of dollars, to cover "all your costs" [which you state are minimal,] to graduate with money in the bank? First off, if you have minimal expenses for college, you should be taking advantage of that by investing the money you earn, not the money you borrowed [which as a previous poster stated, is illegal]. Second, I understand living is an expense, but get a job like a responsible person and pay your way. Third, if you don't need to touch your money for three or four years, it may be smart to use a minimal cost savings account through someone like ING Direct. They don't have physical banks or tellers, so they save $ and pass it on to you in the form of higher interest rates for your savings. Ex: Average savings account interest yield today.25%, ING's is 4.35%. That's insanely better.
Here's a plan, may or may not work for you but its working for me. I didn't take a single loan out for college. I had one meager merit scholarship, and I worked part time during nites and weekends, and full time over summer and winter breaks. I paid my way through college with the miniscule help of my parents, and I graduated in four years. I now have a substantial salary at a significant software company, and I still live at home. While some of my friends are blowing their new influx of cash on their own new apartment and new car, mocking me for choosing to stay at home for 3 more years, I will be buying a house while they pay rent on something that holds no equity.While other friends are forced to live at home to pay off 30k-40k (sometimes higher)in student loans, I have managed to put 20K in the bank in 12 months, while still living comfortably with plenty of spending money in my pocket each week. Not to mention the fact that I'm not spending a single dime on my Master's degree, which I am getting part time. Now picture just turning 25 years old, with 60k in the bank (to be used as a down payment on a beautiful new home), 3 yrs full-time experience in my field, a fantastic rewarding job at a major company, and a Masters in Computer Science. Not to mention all that was done without a single ounce of debt to my name (or my parents). I think you will see better plans involve NOT borrowing money.
Slashdot Mirror
Nobody ever misses a game that was never created, but people won't buy your game (that you already spent hard earned money on) if you price it higher than what they think is appropriate.
We call people "sir" out of respect, not out of inferiority. It doesn't matter who pays who's paychecks. They don't know what they're walking up to when they approach your car. It could be the last few minutes of their life for all they know. I've seen enough incidents of cops getting shot at windows of cars they pulled over to give them the respect they deserve for the risks they take. Your theory is flawed. You pay your judge's salary too, does that mean you wouldn't refer to them as "your honor"? How about the president? You pay his salary and I don't think you'd be calling him anything different than a title like "sir" or "mr. president". Whether you like them or not, they deserve respect.
The guy at the kwikemart doesn't put his life on the line for MY safety and well-being.
i love the subtle bloodninja reference at the end. nice
Immature irrational people like you make me thank god the electoral college is in place.
On that matter, neither does a current president who believes, "the jury is still out on evolution."
Just thought I'd throw that in there before this gets messy.
certainly not the ones used in Jurassic Park... I know I don't want to overpay for some expensive door lock that some velociraptor can open when the power goes out...
I agree completely with your observation about the IO. I think our difference of opinion lies in the fact that you are in engineering and I am in cs. Right there shows why you're more concerned with the physical ramifications of the set, while I am more worried about the software and compatability of the set. Makes sense considering our backgrounds. I agree with the lack of IO and motors. Most of the really cool ideas I have about NXT for robots I'd like to make with it (beyond the typical experiments such as the ones I listed in my first post) involve me purchasing a second NXT set for a 6 motor robot. That's the only way I can think of to make some of the more complex ideas I have in mind. Thanks for replying by the way, I appreciate your observations.
You can also program into NXT with Java, which is what I do.
I didn't intend to exclude other kits, I was simply comparing NXT to say, RadioShack sets which are the same price but much harder to get started with if you're a total beginner with no formal background in robotics. I'd rather spend my $250 on it than any other set.
Also with your set, which you say is twice the price, may not appeal to someone just getting started. It may be more of an intermediate set to get when he grows tired of Lego Mindstorms (possible?). I didn't have 500 bucks to spend when I got mine. For anyone reading his post who has the same question, I was providing a (relatively) cheap set for their needs.
I don't know about your 12 yr old brother, or whatever the "slashdot age" might be, but I'm serious about robotics, I'm 22 yrs old, I have a B.S. in CS and a specialization in AI. I am also currently working full time at a major software contractor, and taking my Masters part time with a specialization also in AI. I think I'm included in the Slashdot crowd, and I love the NXT set.
I posted a question related to getting started in robotics on here a month or so back. But it was in the career field.
My advice to you is go spend $250 at Target/Amazon/etc on Lego Mindstorms NXT. Then use your imagination and come up with 20 or so simple robots you can think of to do cool little things. Then, depending on how much free time you have, take one off the list and actually build it with your set. One a month, one a week, whatever. Just start building. You'll learn so much while experimenting with it yourself, that you couldn't ever grasp reading a robotics book. Sure they provide details on the hard stuff. But you just want to get into it. You don't care about degrees of freedom yet, or kinematics (ugh). Certain concepts you grasp better when you are building a robot and you see them in action for yourself. For instance, I got a much better understanding of torque when I built a Lego robot. My robotics class had us use Lego for our projects, which helped solidify the stuff we learned from the book and professor. You're a complete beginner. The set is perfect for what you need. Don't listen to the guys telling you to go to RadioShack or something, buying some set that may seem like more work than it's worth.
You need to get into the fun of it, and the newer Lego set is much better for that. Some may argue it's limited in scale. But find me another set where you have 3 motor servos, an ultrasound sensor, light sensor, touch sensor, microphone, speaker, lcd display, flash storage for programs, easy to use software, usb connection, guaranteed compatibility between sensors and the system, about 500-600 pieces, and a huge support base in case you need help. Lego has that all hands down. And you don't need to waste time, money, or frustration with soldering, or shorting out a sensor because you're not an electrical engineer.
As for projects, here's five common ones that not only will be pretty easy to get started, but will show you some of the basics of robotics.
1. Line follower - uses sensors to drive along while following the path of a painted black line
2. Cliff Explorer - drives around a table, but when it encounters an edge, it won't drive off
3. Light Catcher/Avoider - your choice, avoids or follows a flashlight you drag around the table
4. Speedtrap robot - waits for a car to drive by that's traveling too fast, then pulls out and chases it
5. Dancing robot - waits till it hears music, then dances until the music stops, and repeats when it starts again
Hope all that helps. BTW, those 5 can all be done with the Lego kit in a day or two if you're interested...
Your entire first sentence is a blatant oxymoron. Let me get this straight, you borrowed massive amounts of money, thousands of dollars, to cover "all your costs" [which you state are minimal,] to graduate with money in the bank? First off, if you have minimal expenses for college, you should be taking advantage of that by investing the money you earn, not the money you borrowed [which as a previous poster stated, is illegal]. Second, I understand living is an expense, but get a job like a responsible person and pay your way. Third, if you don't need to touch your money for three or four years, it may be smart to use a minimal cost savings account through someone like ING Direct. They don't have physical banks or tellers, so they save $ and pass it on to you in the form of higher interest rates for your savings. Ex: Average savings account interest yield today .25%, ING's is 4.35%. That's insanely better.
Here's a plan, may or may not work for you but its working for me. I didn't take a single loan out for college. I had one meager merit scholarship, and I worked part time during nites and weekends, and full time over summer and winter breaks. I paid my way through college with the miniscule help of my parents, and I graduated in four years. I now have a substantial salary at a significant software company, and I still live at home. While some of my friends are blowing their new influx of cash on their own new apartment and new car, mocking me for choosing to stay at home for 3 more years, I will be buying a house while they pay rent on something that holds no equity.While other friends are forced to live at home to pay off 30k-40k (sometimes higher)in student loans, I have managed to put 20K in the bank in 12 months, while still living comfortably with plenty of spending money in my pocket each week. Not to mention the fact that I'm not spending a single dime on my Master's degree, which I am getting part time. Now picture just turning 25 years old, with 60k in the bank (to be used as a down payment on a beautiful new home), 3 yrs full-time experience in my field, a fantastic rewarding job at a major company, and a Masters in Computer Science. Not to mention all that was done without a single ounce of debt to my name (or my parents). I think you will see better plans involve NOT borrowing money.