RE: MIA, Ask an Expert: RCX readings

["Erik Nauman" <ENauman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm not sure what your question is but I'm happy to see someone posting about robotics! I introduce students to sensors without dealing with the ranges of values as output, but in their simpler true or false state. They can get some good practice with basic programming concepts at this level and exciting results with the RCX. But this is only introductory. I think you're right about how MW EX handles data output, with the message turtles that have to be set up to repeatedly check for messages from the RCX and then pass the data to a text box. That's a limitation of MW, probably due to the separation between onscreen and RCX procedures into their respective panels. I can't imagine kids setting this up by themselves, even following directions, because it's not at all intuitive. You might try looking at the freeware RoboBlocks, developed at MIT, which integrates data collection from the RCX much better.
 
By the way, what is YBL?

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	from: slinduska@xxxxxxxxx
	date: Fri Feb  3 14:42:23 2006
	
	Determing Sensor data.
	
	In YBL, you were able to connect a sensor and 'see' its
	values in the View mode on the brick.
	
	EX firmware is not as flexible and requires those data to
	be displayed in a text box. Also, this ties up the brick
	and the computer while the YBL strategy allowed them to be
	used separately.
	
	I am unable to get a consistent, reliable flow of readings.
	I use the RCX message turtle and the loop [sm sensor1 wait
	10] / sm reflect1 provided by support.
	
	Determining value ranges for a procedure has become very
	complex and ties up both devices. The  big question deals
	with making this more simple for young people so they can
	efficiently use sensors in their robots.
	
	
	
	
	
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