Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!uunet!wupost!micro-heart-of-gold.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!fredm
From: fredm@media.mit.edu (Fred G Martin)
Subject: wasting time with the Mini Board
Message-ID: <1992Dec3.191447.22591@news.media.mit.edu>
Sender: news@news.media.mit.edu (USENET News System)
Organization: MIT Media Laboratory
References: <723381743.F00002@ocitor.fidonet>
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1992 19:14:47 GMT
Lines: 41

In article <723381743.F00002@ocitor.fidonet>
Don.Golding@f2206.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Don Golding) writes: 

>You know, you have to consider how much your time is worth when 
>deciding to go with the Miniboard.  I will give a 6811 based board 
>with a mic to digitize sound, a speaker, dual PWM independent motor 
>control, a high level robot language, on board lead acid battery 
>charger, interactive rs232 interface,  for only $195.  Buy a 
>Miniboard and spend the next year getting to my level.  I have spent 
>at least a thousand hours developing my board.  If you go the 
>Miniboard route, go luck.
> * Origin: The Interocitor*AI/Robotics*214-258-1832 (1:124/2206)

This is really uncalled for.  You're already on the fringe of net
etiquette to plug your own commercial product (which probably is a
really cool thing, no doubt), and there's certainly no need to trash
some else's work (i.e., mine) that's being distributed on a free
basis.

I think the Mini Board and your board are two different beasts, which
will appeal to people with different applications.  A lot of Mini
Board users have small, specialized applications in mind.

Other Mini Board users may be interested in having a full-fledged
robot, but they may prefer to design and build it themselves,
incrementally and for the learning experience involved, rather than
purchasing someone else's design.  Or they might prefer the solution
you offer.  Both choices are equally valid depending on the individual
and his or her own needs and desires!

Your criticism seems to be based solely on an intention to increase
your likelyhood of commercial success.  This is odd given that the
market for your product will largely be hobbyist and educational.  You
shouldn't be insulting the same people you intend to serve.


	- Fred Martin

-- 
Fred Martin | fredm@media.mit.edu | (617) 253-7143 | 20 Ames St. Rm. E15-301
Epistemology and Learning Group, MIT Media Lab     | Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
