Whiteboard Deal
Just bought some nice big 2'x3' whiteboards from Lowe's to use for a "reMARK-able" line follower track for Maker Faire. They're $7, marked down from $10. Thicker than most at 0.193", nice & stiff. Could make a standalone table by adding two ribs, some legs, and an extruded edge guard. Good for robot clubs, scouts, schools, etc.
Alternatively, you could also use them as whiteboards.![:) :)](https://forums.parallax.com/resources/emoji/smile.png)
Matt Gilliland made several gorgeous big display/play tables for the 2012 Parallax Robot expo, this material would be perfect for the 2018 event. Are we still on track for that, Ken? When izzit? Got hats?
Alternatively, you could also use them as whiteboards.
![:) :)](https://forums.parallax.com/resources/emoji/smile.png)
Matt Gilliland made several gorgeous big display/play tables for the 2012 Parallax Robot expo, this material would be perfect for the 2018 event. Are we still on track for that, Ken? When izzit? Got hats?
![:) :)](https://forums.parallax.com/resources/emoji/smile.png)
Comments
-Phil
To destruction, with flamethrowers, of course.
2018 event. What kind of activities / fellowship / sharing would you enjoy at such a gathering?
Ken Gracey
Anything and everything! Your 2012 event was spectacular and set the bar high, even with torrents of rain that first day. Even a smaller 2-day event would be great. If you're seriously open to suggestion, start a new thread asking that question to the forumistas. What would take to get Whit & Mike & Martin & Keith & John & Tommy & Rich & Andy & Jon & Gordon & Buck & Phil & Rayman & DrPop & Duane & Publison & Carol & Jeff & localroger & xanadu & heater & Amanda & Jim (and everyone else who's smarter than me, I left out so many) to come to Rocklin. Pick a date with enough advance notice to let people plan their Parallax pilgrimage.
I'll make it there, even if it takes me 3 days of recharging every 75 miles in my Leaf.
Ken Gracey
Last time I drove down there (in June?), I came back via Red Bluff. It was HOT!!! I mean freaking SCORCHING! When I got home, the foot well in front of the passenger seat was piled to the seat top with empty water bottles! (No chance I'll ever get the 240D's A/C fixed. It's toast.)
-Phil
I also think a Robot Talent/Variety Show would be cool. Non-competitive, just let people demonstrate their bots on a stage. Schedule robots all weekend long. Spectators can watch Live as much as they want, but ultimately Parallax would edit a heckuva video together and host it on Parallax.com.
Flamethrowers optional.
You still have that thing? You're living large, Phil. I don't know many people who own a Mercedes Benz!
Ken Gracey
You guys all need a Leaf or other EV, just for a local runabout. They are dirt cheap, and they are so cool to drive for electro geeks like us. Every mile is more interesting than in any ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car. You still need an ICE car for long trips, but an EV is a great second car. And yes, you can blast the A/C and heat if you want to reduce your range!
Friends have encouraged me to ditch it in favor of a Subaru SUV. And, being an old diesel, it's polluting as all get-out [edit: cleaned up language]. But this is my third Mercedes diesel and the best one yet. As I have explained to friends and acquaintances alike, I'm doing the environment a favor by driving it. If someone else owned it, they'd take much better care of it; and it would last long enough to foul the air for decades to come. In my carefree possession, its days are surely numbered.
Yet, it shows no signs of imminent demise ...
-Phil
If you want, leave the Leaf happily charging down here in SoCal and I'll drive you up in the Rover. We'll burn some serious fuel for this event!
I'd be all in for a Parallax adventure. Please just give us enough warning so Kim can keep the schedule clear of patients those days and we'll be set.
Next up: What to bring, and what would it do. I've been musing about a "first bot" design who follows the themes behind the BOE Bot design and indeed uses a board, and programming, but wears an aluminum frame to hold the servos and a certain type of wheel. And of course the board. There, that's the category name right there.
Perhaps that would make a great Winter project......
Okay Ken the ball's in your court. I can't imagine why it looks like a gaggle of the ones used for that dangerous game of dodge ball.
EDIT: Thank you for thinking of this 500 year old man, erco.