Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!uunet!gatech!concert!decwrl!adobe!epperson
From: epperson@adobe.com (Mark Epperson)
Subject: Re: Is a new newsgroup appropriate?
Message-ID: <1993Jan30.012217.7576@adobe.com>
Sender: usenet@adobe.com (USENET NEWS)
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated
References: <1993Jan28.201716.8503@adobe.com> <59277@dime.cs.umass.edu> <1kc1b3INNocv@golem.wcc.govt.nz>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1993 01:22:17 GMT
Lines: 44

NOTE: flame on.

In article <1kc1b3INNocv@golem.wcc.govt.nz> provo_b@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz writes:
>In article <59277@dime.cs.umass.edu>, connolly@piglet.cs.umass.edu (Christopher Ian Connolly) writes:
>>(Mark Epperson) replies:
>>>...... I am not interested 
>>>in "learning" how to debug a microcontroller, I am interested in building
>>>a robot.  That said, I appreciated the info on the other (less expensive)
>>>controller.
>>
>>There does seem to be a persistent tension associated with this topic.
>>Maybe the solution here is to create a "comp.robotics.hardware"
>>newsgroup.  There appears to be enough interest, and I have to admit
>>that I, for one, try to skip over the hardware-related articles and
>>concentrate on the "softer" stuff, or more general issues pertinent to
>>robotics.
>
>I disagree!  Robotics is a multidisciplinary subject involving hardware and
>software.  The hardware is probably the most critical part, because any amount
>of software engineering *will not* fix all hardware problems and faults.  I
>would not trust a robotic design in critical use areas UNLESS the design team
>had experienced engineers (electronic and mechanical) with a sound
>understanding of the physical principals involved, together with competant
>(non hacker) software engineers.
>
>If you are interested in robotics you either have tpo be part of a well
>structured TEAM, or be prepared and willing to debug mechanical bits,
>electronic circuits as well as the software modules.  In other words get 
>your hands dirty :-).
>
>I have noticed a tendancy for some who can only handle keyboards (insular
>software types) to avoid anything that requires real work and mechanical/
>electrical/electronic fiddling.  This is not a good thing.
>

Where did you come from?  If there are your feelings, you have a LOT to learn
about doing projects.  Yes, being one member of a much larger is ONE WAY to
build something as complex as a robot.  Another is to leverage off of 
other peoples work (i.e. buy a microcontroller instead of making it). Please
get off your high horse, I do not like being talked down to.

- Mark Epperson

NOTE: flame off.
