A cautionary tale, or why I've gone mad
Martin_H
Posts: 4,051
A little over six years ago I bought a Scribbler robot. It started slowly, but soon I realized that I could modify this robot and improve it. About three years ago I decided that wasn't enough and I began building a robot. This one would solve all the problems with Scribbler and be extensible enough that I wouldn't need to build another. How wrong I was, and how foolish my hubris!
I noticed that wheels didn't work well on carpet which limited me to the kitchen floor. Tracks were the answer, then I would finally have the solution to my robot needs. No tracks weren't it either, what I needed was something faster and more agile, DC motors would fix things once and for all.
But these robots couldn't manipulate their environment. No I needed a robot arm. But the BS2 couldn't control enough servos. I needed to learn a new microcontroller which could. The Propeller chip beckoned and I built an arm and learned kinematics. At this point you would think that I would stop, but I realized that my earlier robots used BS2's and that I needed Propeller chip versions of those robots.
Soon a Penguin needed a home, then I bought a BOE-Bot to round out my collection. After all, they were educational and I could involve my son. Yet still I didn't hit rock bottom. No that came when I began buying parts just in case I needed them.
Tl;dr Earlier this week I bought parts to build another robot that I have no conceivable use of.
I noticed that wheels didn't work well on carpet which limited me to the kitchen floor. Tracks were the answer, then I would finally have the solution to my robot needs. No tracks weren't it either, what I needed was something faster and more agile, DC motors would fix things once and for all.
But these robots couldn't manipulate their environment. No I needed a robot arm. But the BS2 couldn't control enough servos. I needed to learn a new microcontroller which could. The Propeller chip beckoned and I built an arm and learned kinematics. At this point you would think that I would stop, but I realized that my earlier robots used BS2's and that I needed Propeller chip versions of those robots.
Soon a Penguin needed a home, then I bought a BOE-Bot to round out my collection. After all, they were educational and I could involve my son. Yet still I didn't hit rock bottom. No that came when I began buying parts just in case I needed them.
Tl;dr Earlier this week I bought parts to build another robot that I have no conceivable use of.
Comments
Whenever I think I have too many robots, I usually buy another robot to feel better.
I don't see any problems with your tale.....gotta run, Jeff just put some things I don't have up on Proprller Powered...
And this was after I realized that I had to replace my Propeller and a transistor both of which worked the last time I used it.
At least I'm not alone.
@ElectricAye, I used to have a T-shirt with the words "Have a Heiny!".
Sounds like you are suffering from what is now called "feature creep". As far as I know in the computing world the first recorded case was Charles Babbage.
I have no idea if there is any remedy for this but at least you are in good company:)
Undoubtedly the Prop 2 will continue my downward spiral. However, I wish my problems were as simple as just the BS2 and Propeller.
No I foolishly compounded them. It started innocently enough, it was a call for help on the forum. Someone bought a Parallax sensor, but they used another brand of microcontroller. How hard could it be, how could I not help? I noticed how cheaply I could purchase one of these too. Soon I began spending late nights porting Parallax sensor sample code to this other brand of MCU. Sure I'd tell myself I was sharpening my PBasic chops, but I was really doing this for kicks. I was sure I could stop at any time.
Soon I started trying wirelessly programming microcontrollers with Wixels. Worse, I succeeded and my habit worsened.
Doesn't sound like you have all nineteen robots yet though you are apparently are on your way. But you will still need:
One P2bot to rule them all, one P2bot to find them, one P2bot to bring them all and in the ether bind them.....
What should the S3 do/have??
S3 has rocket launchers, self-awareness, a fuel cell and direct access to Skylink's network.
The only thing it doesn't have... an "off" switch.
A few months ago I spent $250.00 on parts in the Parallax Classifieds because I thought I could use them. Shortly after I broke my wrist and the parts are still sitting on my work bench. I actually have a monthly budget for parts, whether I need them or not!!!
I am now anxiuosly awaiting the arrival of the Savage Circuits box. I need more stuff and need to unload stuff!!!!