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12Blocks- v1.2 launched!

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  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-08-06 20:16
    time bombed means it will stop working at a set date.

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  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-08-07 01:25
    Hanno: While I see the relevance of 12 Blocks, I think you need a slogan to make sure everyone knows it is basically a high level spin programmer. smile.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, RamBlade, TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
    · Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80), MoCog (6809)
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-08-07 02:33
    microcontrolled- Glad to see that there are less bugs- editing out bugs is a simple matter of putting the cursor on the right line and pressing the right key.
    Yes, it'll stop working in mid September- I'll have a new version before then.

    Cluso- I'm hoping to attract new users to the Propeller with 12Blocks. I see it as a very powerful but fun combination that will let people do all sorts of stuff. The PC is insanely complex these days, it's hard for a kid to get started doing simple games, play music, control servos. The Propeller and 12Blocks will hopefully change that. All my sample programs will be just 12 blocks long, yet do very sophisticated stuff. I just read the Elektor article on balancing a ball on a beam with a pid driven servo- this typically requires expensive equipment and advanced coding skills. I hope to do this in 12 blocks and using what people already own- a webcam, servo, and ball. Spin is a nice language (and 12Blocks reads/writes spin files), but I'm hoping to take the next step...
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Download a free trial of ViewPort- the premier visual debugger for the Propeller
    Includes full debugger, simulated instruments, fuzzy logic, and OpenCV for computer vision. Now a Parallax Product!
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-08-07 04:21
    Hanno, I totally agree with you. The PC is way too complex for beginners nowadays. Your 12Blocks info is just what is required smile.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, RamBlade, TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
    · Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80), MoCog (6809)
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • Nick MuellerNick Mueller Posts: 815
    edited 2009-08-07 10:32
    > it is basically a high level spin programmer. smile.gif

    So it should be named "Top spin". smile.gif

    Nick

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    Never use force, just go for a bigger hammer!

    The DIY Digital-Readout for mills, lathes etc.:
    YADRO
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-08-07 11:14
    @Hanno: Will a webcam be compatable with 12 blocks or is that for viewport only?
    How much will it cost at it's initial release? It has to be cheap (-$50) because I know I wouldn't buy it if it wasn't. Makeing it that will also encourage younger people to buy it.

    @Nick: That is a GREAT name!! Even better then "12 blocks"!

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    Toys are microcontroled.
    Robots are microcontroled.
    I am microcontroled.



    If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)
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  • JavalinJavalin Posts: 892
    edited 2009-08-07 15:44
    very cool stuff - where do you get the energy!

    James
  • Mike HuseltonMike Huselton Posts: 746
    edited 2009-08-07 16:02
    Hypertech Pharmaceuticals HBJ - Hanno's Brain Juice.

    Good parenting, good genes and good education helps.

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    JMH

    Post Edited (James Michael Huselton) : 8/7/2009 4:11:01 PM GMT
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2009-08-07 16:37
    Hmm...

    SpinUp
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2009-08-07 19:14
    TopSpin is one of my project names ... which I will not fight for since the term is too common to be a trade mark [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    I have already announced my intention to use BigSpinVMM(tm) which is a different story.

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    --Steve


    Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230
  • Nick MuellerNick Mueller Posts: 815
    edited 2009-08-07 19:31
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2009-08-07 19:47
    oobercool [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    --Steve


    Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230
  • Nick MuellerNick Mueller Posts: 815
    edited 2009-08-07 20:14
    > oobercool [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Woot? The fact that I do have a German keyboard or that I'm quite euphoric today. smile.gif

    I got a test scope today over the weekend. A Yokogawa DLM2000. 4 channels analog or 3 channels analog + 8 digital. With protocol-analizer for I2C, SPI, UART. 125MPoints, ...
    Played around today on my MAHO-mill to see wether I could build a converter for the Philips-glass-scales (funny output) to a standard QE-signal (would *certainly* be done with a Prop!). Tomorrow, I'll scope around a bit on my ModBus-modules (Prop too!) and see what it has to say when I intentionally have bugs in the I2C-routines.

    And I got my Sony Magnescales that will replace those Philips-scales.

    Sorry for OT!

    @Hanno:
    Should you like one of my suggestions, feel free to use them! No fees involved!


    Nick

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Never use force, just go for a bigger hammer!

    The DIY Digital-Readout for mills, lathes etc.:
    YADRO
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-08-07 22:26
    Holly, Nick, Steve- Thanks for the great name suggestions! I really like topspin and look forward to what Steve will do with it. I know 12Blocks doesn't reference "spin", but feel it's the right name. I'm really excited about name and psyched that I got the domain name. I'll run a competition for my next project- winner gets a free copy.

    microcontrolled- Yes, 12Blocks will eventually have blocks that do "opencv" vision processing using your webcam. ViewPort has it, so shouldn't be much work, but want to focus on keeping v1 simple and bug free. For example, a block that returns the position of a human face. And a block that returns the position of a colored object.
    Another block will be "PID" block. Parameters include the PID constants, a target value, and the measured value. So, to balance a ball on a beam controlled by a servo you'll need ~3 blocks:

    repeat
    set x to (find red ball)
    servo.go (dopid(P,I,D,target,x))

    I agree with you with pricing, it has to be affordable to students. I'll announce a price when I'm closer to finishing.
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Download a free trial of ViewPort- the premier visual debugger for the Propeller
    Includes full debugger, simulated instruments, fuzzy logic, and OpenCV for computer vision. Now a Parallax Product!
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-08-07 23:21
    Hanno, what happens when it becomes 13 or 14 Blocks ?

    This is really going to open up the education market and the propeller. You are on to a winner here smile.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, RamBlade, TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
    · Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80), MoCog (6809)
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2009-08-07 23:40
    DropToSpin
    DragToSpin
    DropSpin
    DragSpin
    SpinMagic
    AutoSpin
    MagicSpin

    Didn't do a search to see if any were taken.

    But there is always .net, .info
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-08-08 00:06
    Cluso, I'm keeping my samples to exactly 12 blocks- that's enough to do some amazing stuff- but still simple enough that people and most importantly kids can look at it and say- "Hey- that looks easy and fun, let me try". But no, it's not limited to just 12 [noparse]:)[/noparse] The current version already lets you define custom blocks in xml- I'll make this easier soon.
    Thanks hover1 for the spin names- I'm sure others will make the most of them. Spin is not the important thing with "12Blocks". Until they're advanced enough to be ready for it, most of 12Block's users won't even know what spin is. I'm not building a front end to spin, I'm trying to build a fun, block based tool that allows my daughter to make cool things- music, graphics, games, robots... Lego Mindstorm comes closest, but it's too expensive, complex, and limited in functionality. 12Blocks will be cheaper, simpler, more powerful, and most importantly- more fun!
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Download a free trial of ViewPort- the premier visual debugger for the Propeller
    Includes full debugger, simulated instruments, fuzzy logic, and OpenCV for computer vision. Now a Parallax Product!
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2009-08-08 00:33
    SpinBlox
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2009-08-08 00:57
    Great name.

    Geared to the younger crowd.

    Nice to see you back!

    Jim
    HollyMinkowski said...
    SpinBlox
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2009-08-09 01:56
    Thanks for the kind words hover1 smile.gif

    I have been really busy getting a project done on time and could not spare
    a moment to get on the forum here... but now that is finished and I am taking
    2 weeks rest w/pay to recover smile.gif

    This project sounds really cool! I can't wait to see the final result.
    I love to play with program generators.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-08-09 16:48
    It errors when you try to put <pin <0>> into an if....<true> statement. It will say if <true + <pin<0>>> and will not let you take out the "true" so I am guessing it is needed but it still gives errors when you try to run it. It also has trouble putting an if.....then statement into a repeat loop. I hope that this helps you troubleshoot it.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Toys are microcontroled.
    Robots are microcontroled.
    I am microcontroled.



    If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)
    ·
    I have changed my avatar so that I will no longer be confused with others who use genaric avatars.

    Mini-Din/PS2 connectors are for sale! 5 for $1! PM me if you wish to make an order.
    Cheap·shipping unless specified!··········150 left!!··




  • Beanie2kBeanie2k Posts: 83
    edited 2009-08-11 20:23
    Hanno. Excellent project! I am anxious to buy a copy once it is released. I might also mention that this is how the electronic control units (ECU's) used in automotive applications are programmed today. Instead of writing umpteen gazillion lines of assembly or C code the application engineer uses building-block modules which have been purchased from the ECU hardware supplier. These modules have already been tested and verified as super-reliable and bug-free. This not only makes application development a lot easier but the app engineer's testing scope is limited to the architecture (s)he creates and does not extend to the interiors of the modules. This greatly simplifies acceptance testing which is complicated enough!
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-10-13 22:32
    I'm fixing the last couple bugs, and 12Blocks v1.0 should be out within the next 3 days.
    I've written up a 20 page tutorial that illustrate several example programs, going from simple "hello world", to "blinking led's", to controlling servos and calculating fibonacci numbers with functions and arrays. It's here:
    12blocks.com/tutorial.pdf

    Many thanks to everyone that's helped and inspire me- especially to my family, Brian and Chad!
    Chad's starting to use 12Blocks to teach robotics to kids and says: " I really think 12Blocks
    is turning out to be the best graphical programming environment for kids out there."
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Download a free trial of ViewPort- the premier visual debugger for the Propeller
    Includes full debugger, simulated instruments, fuzzy logic, and OpenCV for computer vision. Now a Parallax Product!
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-10-14 01:42
    Hanno - great news... when my grandson gets older (8mths) yeah smile.gif

    You must update your signature with a link !

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBlade,·RamBlade, RetroBlade,·TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
    · Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80) , MoCog (6809)
    · Search the Propeller forums·(uses advanced Google search)
    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-10-14 01:52
    8 months is a bit young, but as long as the kid can read, he/she can program with 12Blocks. Have a look at the tutorial- it's fun!
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Co-author of the official Propeller Guide- available at Amazon
    Developer of ViewPort, the premier visual debugger for the Propeller (read the review here),
    12Blocks, the block-based programming environment
    and PropScope, the multi-function USB oscilloscope/function generator/logic analyzer
  • Mike HuseltonMike Huselton Posts: 746
    edited 2009-10-15 21:35
    Hanno,

    What are you using for a front end user interface? I would like to see the internal architecture, if you don't mind.

    Don't give away the store if you don't want to.

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    JMH
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-10-15 23:08
    Wrote everything myself in .NET
    Already mostly working on Ubuntu and OSX.
    Manual will have some architecture diagrams. Working on a super feature with Chad right now- you guys will be impressed!!!
    Launch is <24 hours away!
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Co-author of the official Propeller Guide- available at Amazon
    Developer of ViewPort, the premier visual debugger for the Propeller (read the review here),
    12Blocks, the block-based programming environment
    and PropScope, the multi-function USB oscilloscope/function generator/logic analyzer
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2009-10-15 23:54
    While I'm on a retro project, was there a 10Blocks or 11Blocks
    and where can one download these nostalgic versions?

    humanoido
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2009-10-16 00:27
    The first incarnation was SPINNER.

    Hanno would have to share the links if he cares to since it's not a released product yet.


    humanoido said...
    While I'm on a retro project, was there a 10Blocks or 11Blocks
    and where can one download these nostalgic versions?

    humanoido
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-10-16 00:40
    I first named this project "Spinner", but people didn't like it [noparse]:([/noparse]
    So, I came up with (number)blocks.
    I went through the domain names from 1..12 and finally succeeded with 12blocks.com!
    It's a good number- you can write all sorts of cool programs in a dozen blocks.
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Co-author of the official Propeller Guide- available at Amazon
    Developer of ViewPort, the premier visual debugger for the Propeller (read the review here),
    12Blocks, the block-based programming environment
    and PropScope, the multi-function USB oscilloscope/function generator/logic analyzer
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