Graphical Programming Interface for the Boe-Bot
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Posts: 46,084
Dear Stamper,
We're lowering the age threshold required to program our Boe-Bots, and
making it easier for anybody to get started without learning PBASIC. To do
this, we're creating a graphical user interface (GUI) with drag-and-drop
programming. This creates a task list for simple output-only movement, but
also allows the use of sensors. The GUI will download data to the Stamp's
EEPROM and the bot will run without using the Stamp editor.
This software will be free and we are seeking your comments. It's not
downloading code yet, but you'll get the basic idea. We'd like your input.
Send your comments to stampsinclass@p....
Download it from:
http://www.stampsinclass.com/html_files/downloads_software.htm
GUI Bot Software Goals
==================
1) To make the BOE Bot controllable without requiring programming language
knowledge. Target audience is 4th/5th/6th graders (8 to 10 yr olds) and any
user who does not with to "program" the BOE Bot.
2) Easy to understand "Actions To Do" list concept; shows actions the bot
will take and the order it will perform them.
3) Easy to use, attractive interface that is heavy on intuitive graphic
icons.
4) Supports Drag-and-drop operation (dragging Actions to the to-do list).
5) Supports beginner and advanced modes. Beginner mode uses default
routines to handle sensors and bot's reactions to them. Advanced mode
allows user to define bot's reaction to sensors for each and every step.
Operation
==================
1) Choose either Beginner or Advanced with GUI Bot software starts up.
2) A list of available actions appears on the left side of the window.
Simply move your mouse over each action to see more detail about its
purpose.
3) Click and drag an action to the "Actions to be Performed:" list.
4) You may rearrange actions in the list by click and dragging them up or
down.
5) Connect your BOE Bot and press Go to download the actions.
Notes
==================
1) This is a work in progress. There are many known issues with the
software and certain features that have not been completely designed.
2) Certain features are intended to be made more obvious to the user. For
example, when adding the "Goto" action to the list, the next step to take
is to select the row that you wish that action to "Go to". This required
extra step is currently only indicated when HyperHelp is turned on.
We'd like your feedback at stampsinclass@p....
Sincerely,
Ken Gracey, Parallax
NEW! The Nuts and Volts of BASIC Stamps -
76 applications in 980 pages for just $49 right here:
http://www.parallaxinc.com/html_files/products/BS_Books/N&V.asp
Our educational site is http://www.stampsinclass.com
We're lowering the age threshold required to program our Boe-Bots, and
making it easier for anybody to get started without learning PBASIC. To do
this, we're creating a graphical user interface (GUI) with drag-and-drop
programming. This creates a task list for simple output-only movement, but
also allows the use of sensors. The GUI will download data to the Stamp's
EEPROM and the bot will run without using the Stamp editor.
This software will be free and we are seeking your comments. It's not
downloading code yet, but you'll get the basic idea. We'd like your input.
Send your comments to stampsinclass@p....
Download it from:
http://www.stampsinclass.com/html_files/downloads_software.htm
GUI Bot Software Goals
==================
1) To make the BOE Bot controllable without requiring programming language
knowledge. Target audience is 4th/5th/6th graders (8 to 10 yr olds) and any
user who does not with to "program" the BOE Bot.
2) Easy to understand "Actions To Do" list concept; shows actions the bot
will take and the order it will perform them.
3) Easy to use, attractive interface that is heavy on intuitive graphic
icons.
4) Supports Drag-and-drop operation (dragging Actions to the to-do list).
5) Supports beginner and advanced modes. Beginner mode uses default
routines to handle sensors and bot's reactions to them. Advanced mode
allows user to define bot's reaction to sensors for each and every step.
Operation
==================
1) Choose either Beginner or Advanced with GUI Bot software starts up.
2) A list of available actions appears on the left side of the window.
Simply move your mouse over each action to see more detail about its
purpose.
3) Click and drag an action to the "Actions to be Performed:" list.
4) You may rearrange actions in the list by click and dragging them up or
down.
5) Connect your BOE Bot and press Go to download the actions.
Notes
==================
1) This is a work in progress. There are many known issues with the
software and certain features that have not been completely designed.
2) Certain features are intended to be made more obvious to the user. For
example, when adding the "Goto" action to the list, the next step to take
is to select the row that you wish that action to "Go to". This required
extra step is currently only indicated when HyperHelp is turned on.
We'd like your feedback at stampsinclass@p....
Sincerely,
Ken Gracey, Parallax
NEW! The Nuts and Volts of BASIC Stamps -
76 applications in 980 pages for just $49 right here:
http://www.parallaxinc.com/html_files/products/BS_Books/N&V.asp
Our educational site is http://www.stampsinclass.com
Comments
Minor but important change to the previous message. The software IS
downloading code to the BASIC Stamp. If you've got a Boe-Bot built up as
shown in the Robotics text, the software WILL work even with sensors.
Sincerely,
Ken Gracey, Parallax
NEW! The Nuts and Volts of BASIC Stamps -
76 applications in 980 pages for just $49 right here:
http://www.parallaxinc.com/html_files/products/BS_Books/N&V.asp
Our educational site is http://www.stampsinclass.com
>
Original Message
> From: Ken Gracey [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=4f7QrUlRsvOGpHLfcio6C51rlXDzo4w32DSOi-G9O-MERY8RCGEPvhMFsrUO30BP-akVrcyHXBK2Cun5YAlZ]kgracey@p...[/url
> Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 8:42 AM
> To: basicstamps@egroups.com; stampsinclass@egroups.com
> Subject: Graphical Programming Interface for the Boe-Bot
>
>
> Dear Stamper,
>
> We're lowering the age threshold required to program our
> Boe-Bots, and making it easier for anybody to get started without
> learning PBASIC. To do this, we're creating a graphical user
> interface (GUI) with drag-and-drop programming. This creates a
> task list for simple output-only movement, but also allows the
> use of sensors. The GUI will download data to the Stamp's EEPROM
> and the bot will run without using the Stamp editor.
>
> This software will be free and we are seeking your comments. It's
> not downloading code yet, but you'll get the basic idea. We'd
> like your input.
>
> Send your comments to stampsinclass@p....
>
> Download it from:
>
> http://www.stampsinclass.com/html_files/downloads_software.htm
>
> GUI Bot Software Goals
> ==================
> 1) To make the BOE Bot controllable without requiring
> programming language knowledge. Target audience is 4th/5th/6th
> graders (8 to 10 yr olds) and any user who does not with to
> "program" the BOE Bot.
> 2) Easy to understand "Actions To Do" list concept; shows
> actions the bot
> will take and the order it will perform them.
> 3) Easy to use, attractive interface that is heavy on intuitive
> graphic icons.
> 4) Supports Drag-and-drop operation (dragging Actions to the to-do list).
> 5) Supports beginner and advanced modes. Beginner mode uses default
> routines to handle sensors and bot's reactions to them. Advanced mode
> allows user to define bot's reaction to sensors for each and every step.
>
> Operation
> ==================
> 1) Choose either Beginner or Advanced with GUI Bot software starts up.
> 2) A list of available actions appears on the left side of the
> window. Simply move your mouse over each action to see more
> detail about its purpose.
> 3) Click and drag an action to the "Actions to be Performed:" list.
> 4) You may rearrange actions in the list by click and dragging
> them up or down.
> 5) Connect your BOE Bot and press Go to download the actions.
>
> Notes
> ==================
> 1) This is a work in progress. There are many known issues with the
> software and certain features that have not been completely designed.
> 2) Certain features are intended to be made more obvious to the
> user. For
> example, when adding the "Goto" action to the list, the next step to take
> is to select the row that you wish that action to "Go to". This required
> extra step is currently only indicated when HyperHelp is turned on.
>
> We'd like your feedback at stampsinclass@p....
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Ken Gracey, Parallax
>
> NEW! The Nuts and Volts of BASIC Stamps -
> 76 applications in 980 pages for just $49 right here:
> http://www.parallaxinc.com/html_files/products/BS_Books/N&V.asp
> Our educational site is http://www.stampsinclass.com
>