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I'm Completely New To Micro-Processors & Wondering If The Boe Bot Education Kit — Parallax Forums

I'm Completely New To Micro-Processors & Wondering If The Boe Bot Education Kit

Im New To MicroIm New To Micro Posts: 42
edited 2010-04-24 22:47 in Robotics
Hi guys/ladies,

I'm Completely New To Micro-Processors & Wondering If The Boe Bot Education Kit Is A Good Starting Point?

For the most part, I'd like to learn how to program in basic stamp, as well as make a cool project, which the Boe Bot looks like it is. However, from it's description, I was unsure if the guide that it comes with will really give a beginner like myself a good intro to how to program, or if it's just a book full of sample code.

I like learning from the ground up, such as:

-to program x = 5 in C++, you code it like: x = 5; // really simple stuff

So hopefully that's enough info for someone to recommend to me if the Boe Bot kit is good for someone COMPLETELY NEW (dummy) to micro-processor [noparse]:)[/noparse]

Thanks

Comments

  • Tony B.Tony B. Posts: 356
    edited 2010-04-24 09:41
    Welcome!
    I’d say it is an awesome way to get started in micros.· I’d buy the BOE-BOT kit and download from the Parallax website, for FREE, “What’s a Microcontroller” http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/edu/28123-WAM-v3.0.pdf and start working through it first and then on to the BOE-BOT. You could even leave the Board of Education off the BOT why you go through “What’s a Microcontroller” and then attach it when you begin working through “Robotics with the BOE-BOT.
    Parallax is a great company and the men and women of this forum are more than willing to help you grow into the wonderful world of micros and robotics.
    Tony
  • Im New To MicroIm New To Micro Posts: 42
    edited 2010-04-24 09:47
    GREAT Tony!

    I have one final question though. I believe I ran across one version that said something about "serial" version, but I do not have a serial connection on my computer, but I do have USB ports. My question is, are there two different versions for the BOE-BOT kit, or when they refer to "serial" they are refering to something else?

    If there are two versions, could you or someone provide a link to the version that will allow me to program the Micro-Processor via USB?

    Thanks
  • Tony B.Tony B. Posts: 356
    edited 2010-04-24 10:01
    There are two versions of the BOE-BOT.· The serial version came out first and used the serial port on a computer for communication and downloading of programs.· With the disappearance of serial ports, especially on laptops, Parallax came out with an USB version.
    Since you don’t have a serial port I would go with the USB version.· Here is the link to the BOE-BOT USB version http://www.parallax.com/Store/Robots/AllRobots/tabid/128/CategoryID/3/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/296/Default.aspx
    Tony
  • Im New To MicroIm New To Micro Posts: 42
    edited 2010-04-24 10:15
    Tony B. said...
    There are two versions of the BOE-BOT. The serial version came out first and used the serial port on a computer for communication and downloading of programs. With the disappearance of serial ports, especially on laptops, Parallax came out with an USB version.

    Since you don’t have a serial port I would go with the USB version. Here is the link to the BOE-BOT USB version http://www.parallax.com/Store/Robots/AllRobots/tabid/128/CategoryID/3/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/296/Default.aspx

    Tony

    Thanks Tony, you have been very very very helpful. Just got done placing my order.

    Thanks again [noparse]:)[/noparse] burger.gif
  • Tony B.Tony B. Posts: 356
    edited 2010-04-24 10:19
    Now comes the hardest part of robotics, waiting for the Parallax box to show up!

    Glad to help.

    Tony
  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2010-04-24 14:16
    Im New To Micro said...
    I'm Completely New To Micro-Processors & Wondering If The Boe Bot Education Kit Is A Good Starting Point?

    Although I had some experience w/NXT's, I too was a total noob when it came down to understanding 'real robot' systems (ha).

    After researching the options, I started w/the Boe-Bot last year - you made an excellent choice, congrats!

    Perusing Robot & Servo magazine and seeing Boe-Bot clones tells you that imitation is the highest form of flattery.

    As someone mentioned, you'll be able to receive some excellent help here, if/when you need it - I certainly have received and continue to receive great help in these Parallax forums.

    Enjoy your journey into the endlessly fascinating, challenging and rewarding world of robotics!
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2010-04-24 22:47
    @Im New To Micro

    You got exactly the right thing! You will not be dissappointed and you will learn a lot! Come here for questions and let us know how it is going.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
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