DPRG mailing list archives: [DPRG] Start with?

Sun Oct 29 11:54:11 CST 2006

Hi Mohammed,

Replying to the list this time.

On 10/29/06, Mohammad El-Abid <elabidster at gmail.com> wrote:
> >Do you have access to a full machine shop?
> I'm sure there is one in Austin.
> >Do you have a mechanical background?
> No
> >Do you have an electronics background?
> No
> >Do you have a programmer's background?
> A LOT!
>
> I'm a big programmer so Programming won't be a problem. For the electric I'm
> hoping maybe my dad can help, probably not, so I plan on learning on that I
> can't read the electric things but I have a book on it so if I need to I can
> read that. For mechanical no experience at all.

So, based on your answers, I'd highly recommend that you start with a
kit, and get familiar with writing code for your kit robot. If you've
ever done any embedded programming before, then you'll probably want
to avoid the BASIC Stamp and go with a kit that uses an AVR or PIC
based brain.

If you've only done high level programming, then you might want to
start with the BASIC Stamp.

One of the big differences between the two platforms is that when
you're using an AVR or PIC you need typically need to deal with
interrupt service routines and such, which can be intimidating for the
uninitiated.

Which kit to pick depends alot on what you want to be able to achieve
with your robot.

-- 
Dave Hylands
Vancouver, BC, Canada
http://www.DaveHylands.com/