Newbie needs help
Archiver
Posts: 46,084
Hope you don't mind a real "newbie" question.
I'm a fairly seasoned VB programmer and have started to get
interested in being able to program remote devices. I don't have
anything useful in mind, I just want to make motors go and lights
blink, perhaps as a way of motivating my kids to learn VB.
I stumbled across a site called WarnerElectronics.com which is pretty
close to what I want to do. They offer a board that includes a Basic
Stamp but also some other stuff and general advice about how to
interface between VB and step motors. Unfortunately, that site
doesn't seem to be functioning. Do you know anything about it?
I've looked at some of BasicStamp kits but am not completely sure
what meets my needs. I'm not so interested in building robots as
simply controlling things from my PC through the serial port. So I
will need to be able to send instructions directly to the Basic Stamp
from VB and have it control some other things like motors. I also
need help with how to buy and hook up the motors since my electronic
skills are pretty weak.
Can you suggest a general strategy. Perhaps buy a kit and a book.
Thanks for your help,
I'm a fairly seasoned VB programmer and have started to get
interested in being able to program remote devices. I don't have
anything useful in mind, I just want to make motors go and lights
blink, perhaps as a way of motivating my kids to learn VB.
I stumbled across a site called WarnerElectronics.com which is pretty
close to what I want to do. They offer a board that includes a Basic
Stamp but also some other stuff and general advice about how to
interface between VB and step motors. Unfortunately, that site
doesn't seem to be functioning. Do you know anything about it?
I've looked at some of BasicStamp kits but am not completely sure
what meets my needs. I'm not so interested in building robots as
simply controlling things from my PC through the serial port. So I
will need to be able to send instructions directly to the Basic Stamp
from VB and have it control some other things like motors. I also
need help with how to buy and hook up the motors since my electronic
skills are pretty weak.
Can you suggest a general strategy. Perhaps buy a kit and a book.
Thanks for your help,
Comments
PC? Why not simply write the code into the basic stamp and control your
lights motors etc that way?
If that will do, go to <A HREF="www.parallaxinc.com">www.parallaxinc.com</A> and
purchase the BS2, carrier
board and manual. (I believe they sell it as a kit with all the things needed
to get started)
The stamp will run "stand alone" and turn on lights, run motors etc (with
some hardware interface) when it accepts inputs from a switch of some type.
The programming is much easier than VB, something a dummy like me can do
which brings me to a question I have for you.
I am a beginner VB programmer. I have written several VB programs for school
classes and other simple projects (y = mx + b calculator, childrens math
tutor program etc).
The next thing I want to do with VB is send commands out the serial port to
control external hardware, and read external inputs. The electronics end of
it is "easy" for me. What I don't know is what type of commands to send out
and what pins the signal will come in/out on.
Can you recommend a book that will get me started in this area? (VB I/O
commands to the serial port)
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
send commands because I love to work in VB and consider it much more
useful and elegant than programming the Basic Stamp. I want to do
complicated things like have the robot rememeber the layout of the
room and recognize objects, etc. To do that I need a full
programming language.
Sorry I can't help on the book. I've never done it but from what I
read it is pretty easy to send stuff to the serial port using VB6 or
later (perhaps VB5?) by just utilizing a built-in control. But I
don't know exactly what pins are utilized. I found this site
www.picobay.com that talks to this issue but I haven't gotten
anywhere with it yet.
--- In basicstamps@y..., smartdim@a... wrote:
> Is there a reason you need to send the commands to the Basic Stamp
from the
> PC? Why not simply write the code into the basic stamp and control
your
> lights motors etc that way?
>
> If that will do, go to <A
HREF="www.parallaxinc.com">www.parallaxinc.com</A> and purchase the
BS2, carrier
> board and manual. (I believe they sell it as a kit with all the
things needed
> to get started)
>
> The stamp will run "stand alone" and turn on lights, run motors etc
(with
> some hardware interface) when it accepts inputs from a switch of
some type.
>
> The programming is much easier than VB, something a dummy like me
can do
> which brings me to a question I have for you.
>
> I am a beginner VB programmer. I have written several VB programs
for school
> classes and other simple projects (y = mx + b calculator, childrens
math
> tutor program etc).
> The next thing I want to do with VB is send commands out the serial
port to
> control external hardware, and read external inputs. The
electronics end of
> it is "easy" for me. What I don't know is what type of commands to
send out
> and what pins the signal will come in/out on.
> Can you recommend a book that will get me started in this area? (VB
I/O
> commands to the serial port)
>
>
> [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
he has some examples with vb.
may be of help to you.
regards
victor
Original Message
From: "marioguttman" <mario.guttman@w...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2002 9:25 PM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie needs help
> You and I are at opposite ends of the universe. I want to use VB to
> send commands because I love to work in VB and consider it much more
> useful and elegant than programming the Basic Stamp. I want to do
> complicated things like have the robot rememeber the layout of the
> room and recognize objects, etc. To do that I need a full
> programming language.
>
> Sorry I can't help on the book. I've never done it but from what I
> read it is pretty easy to send stuff to the serial port using VB6 or
> later (perhaps VB5?) by just utilizing a built-in control. But I
> don't know exactly what pins are utilized. I found this site
> www.picobay.com that talks to this issue but I haven't gotten
> anywhere with it yet.
>
> --- In basicstamps@y..., smartdim@a... wrote:
> > Is there a reason you need to send the commands to the Basic Stamp
> from the
> > PC? Why not simply write the code into the basic stamp and control
> your
> > lights motors etc that way?
> >
> > If that will do, go to <A
> HREF="www.parallaxinc.com">www.parallaxinc.com</A> and purchase the
> BS2, carrier
> > board and manual. (I believe they sell it as a kit with all the
> things needed
> > to get started)
> >
> > The stamp will run "stand alone" and turn on lights, run motors etc
> (with
> > some hardware interface) when it accepts inputs from a switch of
> some type.
> >
> > The programming is much easier than VB, something a dummy like me
> can do
> > which brings me to a question I have for you.
> >
> > I am a beginner VB programmer. I have written several VB programs
> for school
> > classes and other simple projects (y = mx + b calculator, childrens
> math
> > tutor program etc).
> > The next thing I want to do with VB is send commands out the serial
> port to
> > control external hardware, and read external inputs. The
> electronics end of
> > it is "easy" for me. What I don't know is what type of commands to
> send out
> > and what pins the signal will come in/out on.
> > Can you recommend a book that will get me started in this area? (VB
> I/O
> > commands to the serial port)
> >
> >
> > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
wanting to reach past the PC box.
I went the route of ordering the StampWorks kit and I am not at all sorry I
spent the money on it.
Within 3 weeks I was able to:
blink leds in pleasing patterns
output data to 7 segment displays
output data to the LCD display
turn a servo back and forth
run a stepper motor
send and recieve data/commands to the Stamp via VB.
and more
If you know VB you can do the Stamp language very easily - it is just loops
and branching like anything else and the Stamp Manual spells out the
commands very straightforward and in alphabetical order. The lessons
progress you thru the language as well as the circuits - adding one or two
new commands each time until you have a pretty good idea of when to use what
command depending on the circuit your looking at on your board.
Also, it is not at all hard to interface the Stamp with VB. 2 wires, a
msComm32.ocx component in VB, and the Serin and Serout commands in PBasic.
VB5 is as good as VB6 for this.
I am still left short on knowledge of basic electronics/circuits but I know
way more than I did a short while ago and reading this list everyday helps.
You might also look into this book:
Title: Controlling the World With Your PC
Author: Paul Bergsman
Isbn: 1878707159
I have one on order - supposed to be here this week. It promises to tell
you how to flash leds, control
steppers, servos, etc. straight from your Parallel Port on your PC.
This seems pretty cool too but of course then the projects will be dependent
on being hooked to a PC to function. Also, I am a little shy to hook my own
circuits up to the printer port on my PC - I'd rather blow a pin or two off
of a 50$ stamp than a 200$ pc mainboard. Of course there is the 5$ pc in
the garage too - that is more expendable yet. I'm sure there are many
arguments to be made for either using the PC as the Controller or having a
seperate Controller that can interface with the PC as necessary.
In short, i have found the Stampworks route pleasing. I think if you are
serious about wanting to master most of the main pieces rapidly the other
kits might leave you hanging - having to order more parts as you progress
thru the lessons.
On the other hand, if you are trying to impress your kids and get them more
interested in the PC and Electronics, you might consider getting a BOE-Bot
because it would caputure their attention more and then since it has a Board
of Education on it, you could begin to progress through the stamps-in-class
curriculm (which you would have to order the parts for the different
lessons.)
My 8 year old, however, has taken some interest in the NX-1000 board that
comes with the Stampworks. I supplement this interest by dragging home old
electronic equipment (alarm clocks, answering machines, old printers, and
such) from thrift stores. We take the stuff apart and then wire circuits
and write code to make one or two of the scavenged parts (leds, 7dig
displays, small dc motors, speakers, etc) go. We have also developed a sick
interest in listening to old answering machine tapes - but that is beside
the point.
good luck with whatever route you take.
mkl
Original Message
From: "marioguttman" <mario.guttman@w...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2002 6:45 PM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie needs help
> Hope you don't mind a real "newbie" question.
>
> I'm a fairly seasoned VB programmer and have started to get
> interested in being able to program remote devices. I don't have
> anything useful in mind, I just want to make motors go and lights
> blink, perhaps as a way of motivating my kids to learn VB.
>
> I stumbled across a site called WarnerElectronics.com which is pretty
> close to what I want to do. They offer a board that includes a Basic
> Stamp but also some other stuff and general advice about how to
> interface between VB and step motors. Unfortunately, that site
> doesn't seem to be functioning. Do you know anything about it?
>
> I've looked at some of BasicStamp kits but am not completely sure
> what meets my needs. I'm not so interested in building robots as
> simply controlling things from my PC through the serial port. So I
> will need to be able to send instructions directly to the Basic Stamp
> from VB and have it control some other things like motors. I also
> need help with how to buy and hook up the motors since my electronic
> skills are pretty weak.
>
> Can you suggest a general strategy. Perhaps buy a kit and a book.
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
I usually use I/O boards from National or computerboards or lately
just use I/O that comes free on stepper indexers.
If you are not trying to build standalone projects you would be
better served to use the PC to control everything. The parallel port
is a very common port to hack, It's quite easy to control just about
anything from it and there are lots of places to get that info ( just
search for "parallel port I/O" on Google ) You can also add multiple
Parallel ports if you want, up to four so I/O is not limited at
all...
Besides, Stamp basic is, well <ahem> limited, to be nice...
Stamps are great for standalone projects that don't need much
computing power and arn't too cost sensitive.
--- In basicstamps@y..., "marioguttman" <mario.guttman@w...> wrote:
> Hope you don't mind a real "newbie" question.
>
> I'm a fairly seasoned VB programmer and have started to get
> interested in being able to program remote devices. I don't have
> anything useful in mind, I just want to make motors go and lights
> blink, perhaps as a way of motivating my kids to learn VB.
>
> I stumbled across a site called WarnerElectronics.com which is
pretty
> close to what I want to do. They offer a board that includes a
Basic
> Stamp but also some other stuff and general advice about how to
> interface between VB and step motors. Unfortunately, that site
> doesn't seem to be functioning. Do you know anything about it?
>
> I've looked at some of BasicStamp kits but am not completely sure
> what meets my needs. I'm not so interested in building robots as
> simply controlling things from my PC through the serial port. So I
> will need to be able to send instructions directly to the Basic
Stamp
> from VB and have it control some other things like motors. I also
> need help with how to buy and hook up the motors since my
electronic
> skills are pretty weak.
>
> Can you suggest a general strategy. Perhaps buy a kit and a book.
>
> Thanks for your help,
Reading this forum, it seems that most are either well versed on the hardware
side or the software side. Kinds funny!
I am a hardware guy and feel pretty comfortable with the software thing.
Like anything else, if you put time into it and have half a brain, you will
soon become "good" at it.
The stamp starter kit is excellent, as you mentioned. It gives pretty clear
examples of the electronics end with good explanations. As far as blowing up
your $200 mother board, you can output from your parallel port to these neat
things called opto-isolators. The input of the opto-isolator will go to your
parallel port output and you will put a resistor (about 470 ohms) in series
with each pin. When you send out a "high" logic level, the opto device emits
IR energy received by a phototransistor that it turn translates the high to a
low (inverted signal) and is electrically isolated from the PC. There is a
little more to the hook up but it is very easy. Might want to try google and
search on "opto-isolators." The concept is very straight forward....
Thanks for the information on outputing to the PC port!
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
good examples on use of VB with serial ports, along with all the
necessary hardware information. But since serial ports are
disappearing, at least on notebooks, you might also want to check out
the article: Don L Powrie, "Bit-bang USB - perhaps the easiest USB
interface yet!" in the Dec 2002 Nuts & Volts.
Dennis
Original Message
From: smartdim@a... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=BpaL45KTnSiURlyGbo6CUTKONBHsWPxSIjunTjOdk9NpYOKwpWMX__XgAmwwFJT9eJG10tc2gD_ZfoE]smartdim@a...[/url
Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2002 6:14 PM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie needs help
<deleted>
The programming is much easier than VB, something a dummy like me can do
which brings me to a question I have for you.
I am a beginner VB programmer. I have written several VB programs for
school
classes and other simple projects (y = mx + b calculator, childrens math
tutor program etc).
The next thing I want to do with VB is send commands out the serial port
to
control external hardware, and read external inputs. The electronics
end of
it is "easy" for me. What I don't know is what type of commands to send
out
and what pins the signal will come in/out on.
Can you recommend a book that will get me started in this area? (VB I/O
commands to the serial port)
<deleted>
was off last week at Autodesk University. Asking around I got a lot
of interest in this subject and am planning a class for next year
called "AutoCAD VBA Robotics Programming for the Criminally Insane"
M
--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Matt Lorenz <mklorenz@c...> wrote:
> I have entered the stamp world the same way - a seasoned computer
programmer
> wanting to reach past the PC box.
>
> I went the route of ordering the StampWorks kit and I am not at all
sorry I
> spent the money on it.
>
> Within 3 weeks I was able to:
> blink leds in pleasing patterns
> output data to 7 segment displays
> output data to the LCD display
> turn a servo back and forth
> run a stepper motor
> send and recieve data/commands to the Stamp via VB.
> and more
>
> If you know VB you can do the Stamp language very easily - it is
just loops
> and branching like anything else and the Stamp Manual spells out the
> commands very straightforward and in alphabetical order. The
lessons
> progress you thru the language as well as the circuits - adding one
or two
> new commands each time until you have a pretty good idea of when to
use what
> command depending on the circuit your looking at on your board.
>
> Also, it is not at all hard to interface the Stamp with VB. 2
wires, a
> msComm32.ocx component in VB, and the Serin and Serout commands in
PBasic.
> VB5 is as good as VB6 for this.
>
> I am still left short on knowledge of basic electronics/circuits
but I know
> way more than I did a short while ago and reading this list
everyday helps.
>
> You might also look into this book:
> Title: Controlling the World With Your PC
>
> Author: Paul Bergsman
>
> Isbn: 1878707159
>
>
>
> I have one on order - supposed to be here this week. It promises
to tell
> you how to flash leds, control
> steppers, servos, etc. straight from your Parallel Port on your PC.
>
> This seems pretty cool too but of course then the projects will be
dependent
> on being hooked to a PC to function. Also, I am a little shy to
hook my own
> circuits up to the printer port on my PC - I'd rather blow a pin or
two off
> of a 50$ stamp than a 200$ pc mainboard. Of course there is the 5$
pc in
> the garage too - that is more expendable yet. I'm sure there are
many
> arguments to be made for either using the PC as the Controller or
having a
> seperate Controller that can interface with the PC as necessary.
>
> In short, i have found the Stampworks route pleasing. I think if
you are
> serious about wanting to master most of the main pieces rapidly the
other
> kits might leave you hanging - having to order more parts as you
progress
> thru the lessons.
>
> On the other hand, if you are trying to impress your kids and get
them more
> interested in the PC and Electronics, you might consider getting a
BOE-Bot
> because it would caputure their attention more and then since it
has a Board
> of Education on it, you could begin to progress through the stamps-
in-class
> curriculm (which you would have to order the parts for the different
> lessons.)
>
> My 8 year old, however, has taken some interest in the NX-1000
board that
> comes with the Stampworks. I supplement this interest by dragging
home old
> electronic equipment (alarm clocks, answering machines, old
printers, and
> such) from thrift stores. We take the stuff apart and then wire
circuits
> and write code to make one or two of the scavenged parts (leds, 7dig
> displays, small dc motors, speakers, etc) go. We have also
developed a sick
> interest in listening to old answering machine tapes - but that is
beside
> the point.
>
> good luck with whatever route you take.
>
> mkl
>
>
>
Original Message
> From: "marioguttman" <mario.guttman@w...>
> To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2002 6:45 PM
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie needs help
>
>
> > Hope you don't mind a real "newbie" question.
> >
> > I'm a fairly seasoned VB programmer and have started to get
> > interested in being able to program remote devices. I don't have
> > anything useful in mind, I just want to make motors go and lights
> > blink, perhaps as a way of motivating my kids to learn VB.
> >
> > I stumbled across a site called WarnerElectronics.com which is
pretty
> > close to what I want to do. They offer a board that includes a
Basic
> > Stamp but also some other stuff and general advice about how to
> > interface between VB and step motors. Unfortunately, that site
> > doesn't seem to be functioning. Do you know anything about it?
> >
> > I've looked at some of BasicStamp kits but am not completely sure
> > what meets my needs. I'm not so interested in building robots as
> > simply controlling things from my PC through the serial port. So
I
> > will need to be able to send instructions directly to the Basic
Stamp
> > from VB and have it control some other things like motors. I also
> > need help with how to buy and hook up the motors since my
electronic
> > skills are pretty weak.
> >
> > Can you suggest a general strategy. Perhaps buy a kit and a book.
> >
> > Thanks for your help,
> >
> >
> >
> > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
Subject and
> Body of the message will be ignored.
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >