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From: altenbur@plains.NoDak.edu (Karl Altenburg)
Subject: Thinking of a MiniBoard?
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Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1993 03:21:15 GMT
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This is a post for those people who are thinking of getting and assembling
a MiniBoard.  I have been working with  the MiniBoard since June of 1992 and
have five of them (four of which I assembled) controlling small robots.  

The documentation and support that Fred Martin provides is excellent.  The
assembly instructions for the MiniBoard he provides are exacting and easy to
follow.  

I ordered and received my printed circuit boards from Gregory Ratcliff.  He
has been very timely and professional as a supplier.  The boards I received
from him are of a very high quality and I was able to assembly the MiniBoards
using them without any problems.

As far as experience needed for assembly, the MiniBoards I have were only
the fourth soldering project I've done and I have only a limited, working 
knowledge of electronics.  The MiniBoards were assembled in about six to 
eight hours and all worked on the first try (i.e. no desoldering
/resoldering.)  


If you are uncomfortable with assembling the boards, some suppliers, including
Gregory Ratcliff, offer assembly services.

Why am I posting this?  I hope to alleviate some of the possible fears 
surrounding the sending of money to strangers.  I also hope to reduce the
doubts about being able to get a MiniBoard functioning (it has been 
relatively a hassle free experience for me.)  In a addition I feel that the
MiniBoard, and other products like it (such as the Stiquito), offer an 
inexpensive (and fun) means to involve and expose more people to robotics.


-- 
Karl R Altenburg				altenbur@plains.NoDak.edu
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND  58105

All things are artificial, for nature is the art of God.  SIR THOMAS BROWNE
