Original Mindstorms: Where to start?

[EllieMental]

I have several of the original yellow Mindstorms RCX, which I got used from educational Dacta use. I have a heap of technic. I've not done much with the RCX, and am thinking about putting together an original Mindstorms kit from what I have, and starting and learning from there. I want to make it fun and achievable - I'm not looking to do anything impressive just yet.

But I don't know if this is the best route, or which set to start on. Does the software come with the programming for the brick for the basic projects?

Sorry for asking such basic questions, and if there's a resource for the old Mindstorms that I need to go and study, rather than bothering people, just point me that way =)

Tia,

elliemental

[DLuders]

To get all of the parts from the original Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System (RIS), here is the inventory: http://peeron.com/inv/theme/LEGO/MINDSTORMS/Invention_Kit .

Laurensvalk's website offers Building Instructions for Lego Mindstorms RCX 1.0 and 2.0: http://www.laurensvalk.com/rcx .

You could also read the various Lego Mindstorms topics on MindBOARDS (formerly known as NXTasy): http://mindboards.sourceforge.net/ .

[Jetro]

But I don't know if this is the best route, or which set to start on. Does the software come with the programming for the brick for the basic projects?

Yes, the software and most of the instructions were on the CD, as well as instructions for the programs needed for those creations.

Sorry for asking such basic questions, and if there's a resource for the old Mindstorms that I need to go and study, rather than bothering people, just point me that way =)

No bother whatsoever -fire away!

I you don't have the CD or want to go beyond the basic RIS programming language, take a look at NQC (Not Quite C) and the excellent tutorials available on its website

DLuders has already pointed you in the right direction, but you can find scans of the original booklet with some explanations and instructions both at Peeron and at Brickfactory.

[Tobbe Arnesson]

You need an IR-tower so you can communicate with the programmable brick. I recommend the USB one (there's also a serial/RS232 one but that needs a battery and a serial port): http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=x431c01

Next up you'll probably need a few sensors:

Touch: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=879

Light: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=2982c01

Rotation: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=2977c01

Apart from those items some 9V Mini-Motors come in handy: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=71427c01 But if you have a large Technic collection I suppose you already have these.

The RIS-kits don't really contain anything of value except the items above (the rotation sensor is not part if the original kit) to someone with a large collection.

If you are used to programming NQC is a good way to go (Not Quite C), or at least it was some years ago. I have not been in the Mindstorms-loop for a while.

[EllieMental]

Thanks for such indepth replies!

I have been reading them before today, but I log in so infrequently I temporarily forgot my password.

Some nice resources I haven't seen before. I'm squinting at the models on laurensvalk wondering if I can do them by eye ;) (he didn't do instructions for RCX)

I posted this originally as I was thinking about putting something together as a clever xmas present for my housemate (we have a challenge thing, eh, its involved). He's actually currently playing with the Dacta Interface 70909. He's a programmer, and he tends to get caught up in the technical (no pun intended) side of things, rather than getting to the practical part, which tends to be more fun and rewarding (and xmassy). I wonder if he has found his way to NQC yet. Last I saw, he was actually writing something to talk to the Dacta controller itself o.0

So just to clarify, if I bought the 9719 CD for instance

http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=44442&colorID=0&invNew=U

it has the "hand-held" programming environment, the basic routines plus the building instructions on there?

Oh, and was that different to Robolab, as I think I have that from a Spybot set?

Appreciated, about all the bits and pieces I may need. I have only the one slightly quirky Serial IR tower, and lots of the other stuff except weirdly, no rotational sensors. Perhaps they were released later on, that would make sense.

Thanks again,

Edited December 17, 2010 by EllieMental

[Jetro]

Lots of things are getting mixed up here. Let me see if I can untangle some.

NQC will work for the RCX, Scout and Spybots

Robolab is an alternative software you can use to program the RCX, not the SPybots as far as I know (it certainly didn't come with them, but had to be purchased separately, specifically for the RCX) and also the Control Interface, although response times are so slow it is virtually impossible to use.

The CD you bought hold building instructions plus the basic RIS programming environment for the RCX

... hope I didn't miss anything ...

[Tobbe Arnesson]

The rotation sensor was released later/separately: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=2977c01&in=S

One of the big advantages with NXT is that the motors have this built in, AFAIK, my NXT-set is still in transportation or possible at my front door already - that would save the weekend!