Jetro

I had a long talk with someone on the MINDSTORMS team the other day. The immediate upshot is that, as a result of the pushback that LEGO has received the lifespan of the apps has been extended to October. You will not see this date properly reflected in you Windows app, because no changes have been made to the app yet. However, LEGO engineers are actively working on a solution to make downloading the additional content available again. If/when I receive an update to this I will let you all know.

Where's the "like" button when you need it!? Thanks!! I downloaded and unpacked the content as indicated. I then started up my MINDSTORMS RI app. It did not recognise the content and shows there is no additional content available. Simply placing the content in this folder doesn't appear to work. Am I doing something wrong?

I wrote to Customer Service again: so far I got nothing but empty promises of "we're working to resolve this as soon as possible", but in the meantime I still don't have access to the additional content in the app that is technically still available for Windows and no solution has been offered. It's been well over 2 months since I first wrote to them and the result is zero. What about the additional files though?

That would be brilliant! I wanted to look into that and then discovered I could not download the additional content. That's what started this thread in the first place.

Great!! Let us know if you can make this available somewhere

I called LEGO Customer Service - I really wanted to vent, but as usual the people who man their phones are really nice and it isn't their fault LEGO is being a **** about this. Anyway, still no downloadable content and still no insight into what will happen after June 1.

Thanks. Let me know how you fare!

It's been over 2 weeks and the app is still not allowing me to download the content. I sent a follow-up to LEGO, and their reply was: I hope "as soon as possible" is before they pull the app from the store. Still no word about making the app available through some other channel to ensure future access Have any of you heard back from LEGO?

Thanks for all the input! I was thinking about this. I've seen some sagging in a few models but isn't always the springs that are at fault. Ooh I want to try that. Looks interesting! Wait, what? I missed that. What set? And why 4.5L ?

When you display a large(ish) Technic (car) model on a shelf for a long period of time, do you take any precautions to protect the suspension? If you do, what and why? Have you had any negative experience or are you just being extremely cautious?

Thank you for the direct link! Looking forward to having some time this weekend to try it out. I've used BrickxCC with Spybotics - I had a GBC module based on a Spybotics pBrick that I programmed that way

@Toastie I need to dig out my USB to Serial adapter. I have used BrickCC extensively, but it has been a while. So cool to hear about DOSBos-X. I'm curious to see if that will also allow me to run the Cybermaster Software of the Spybotics CD. I'd love to see those again. My Dacta control lab serial interface is gathering dust in a box - need to figure out how to use that again. I'll be scouring the forum for information

Agreed! Don't forget to.email LEGO about this. Let's see if an avalanche of related requests / demands creates an effect.

Yay! When I get some time I may need to ask you for some guidance: I have moved to a new Windows 11 laptop. I'd love to get my RCXs and Scouts back up and running and I also have a Dacta Control Center waiting to be used again!!

Do I sense a hint of frustration? You are not wrong though. One of the things that got the MCP off the ground and running for as long as it did was the old adage of "Captain" Canvin: it's better to apologise than to ask permission. The thing is, the old RCX software is still available (although it requires a degree in the arcane arts to get it to run) and so is the NXT and EV3 software. This newfangled RI business though doesn't even come with an installer, let alone a clear way to archive any of the files you need to import from who knows what server. LEGO just pulls the plug and looks the other way - or at least that's what thing look like ATM. I don't have big hopes, but the very least we can do is create a ruckus, make some noise, let them know we are disappointed with how they are handling things and demand a solution. Will we get one? Well never know if we don't try! So how many of you have already sent an email to customer service?

There are lots of interesting projects on ReBrickable, like for example this rocket (candy) launcher: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-91412/JKBrickworks/rocket-launcher/#details The project is very complete, but it depends on the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor software being available: the .lms file with the program will not open correctly in the Spike app (another one of those interesting decisions LEGO made regarding their robotics platforms: competing platforms with the same form factor, but incompatible programming environments )

Hi Alexandre. Unfortunately those instructions are only for the basic models. The advanced models that use these Hero models as a basis are not available in PDF (e.g. Charlie Drum Solo or Drum Master). And the community models that are included in the app are also not available in this format.

I think that would be amazing! It means future proofing the 51515 set almost as-is. It's a shame LEGO has (so far) only "lent" us their software and is now threatening to take it away, but even if it stays available, the environment may not work in ... Windows 12 or whatever is next. Having a Pybricks alternative means the set is still "complete" and Pybricks is amazing!

I got a reply from LEGO to my first question in this subject: why is the content not downloadable since the app is still active till June 1. I got the following reply: As of today downloading the additional content and community builds is still impossible.

My MINDSTORMS RI app displays the following notice: I have had some unfortunate experiences with LEGO pulling app and literally removing them from my Android device, but since this is on the laptop I suspect it will stay there. Nevertheless I really don't get why LEGO is not making provisions (as it did with the NXT and EV3 apps to ensure it can still be downloaded. The unfortunate side effect of having this app in the Microsoft Store is that the isn't a single .exe that you can save somewhere for future reference. Add to that that much of the value of the app is in the additional downloads which even now don't work anymore!?! I've been in touch with LEGO Customer Service, and they have assured me this download glitch will be fixed, but that is a very short term solution and the app is still going away. Ideally I'd like to have an option to download an installer with all the additional content included. I accept that that will be an app with no support or warranty - that's fine, but at least we still have access to something. Moving to the Spike app is not really an option as the programs made in the RI app are not compatible with the Spike app Since LEGO only appears to listen when fans make a LOT of noise, maybe you can take a moment to let them know how you feel about this. The direct email for Customer Service is: hello@support.lego.com Some things you can tell / ask them: - does this mean the app will disappear from my computer? (it won't ) - I cannot use my existing programs with the Spike app because they are not compatible. - if I use the Spike app how can I use the custom blocks that are necessary for the models in the set? - Will you make sure the app stays available through some other channel than the Microsoft Store? - Will you make sure the additional downloadable content will be included in the app after June 1 - will you provide guidance to recreate the custom blocks that are necessary for the models in the app to work? - any other worries and misgivings you have Please take a moment to make some noise. Thanks!!

See my article on the HispaBrick Magazine blog about that. About halfway through I discuss this option: https://www.hispabrickmagazine.com/blog-en/blog-en.php?id=7546

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. We redesigned the website. Links to the blog and magazine sections are now on the left (if you're using a computer) or at the top (on mobile view). If you're seeing the site in Spanish and want English, on a computer you'll see a yellow button to change the language right under the blog and magazine buttons. On mobile view the button is at the bottom of the page. I hope that helps. If you have any further questions or suggestions, please let me know.

I'm sorry to inform you that @GianCann passed away today, as a result of complications after contracting Covid-19 https://www.facebook.com/groups/PoweredUp/permalink/2498381407129982/

yes, and the motors are called Technic motors, but so are the Spike motors. It's a confusing world, and sometimes the best way to make sure everyone understands is using the wrong names ;D

"Angular" means the output shaft is at an angle to the motor block. Linear means the output shaft is in line with the motor block. The Control+ motors are "linear" but their rotation angle can be precisely controlled. The same is true for the Boost motor.