Newsgroups: comp.robotics
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From: rstevew@armory.com (Richard Steven Walz)
Subject: Re: science project on robotics
Cc: bgidzak@minet.gov.mb.ca
Organization: The Armory
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 1994 14:02:04 GMT
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References: <3ce17m$a16@canopus.cc.umanitoba.ca>
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In article <3ce17m$a16@canopus.cc.umanitoba.ca>,
Bill Gidzak <bgidzak@minet.gov.mb.ca> wrote:
>My son is looking for a highschool type of project for his local science
>fair. What he is interested is in trying to create a working appendage of
>some type that can be controlled by a computer.
>
>Vlad (son's name) is very comfortable in programing in QBASIC, some C++
>and enjoys building electronics.  What he started to look for is information
>that helps explain the proper connections to the computer via serial ports
>and the proper terminology to access the serial port through comp. language.
>Where he has hit a problem is accessing the address port to start something
>moving.
>
>Bill Gidzak/Vlad Gidzak
>bgidzak@minet.gov.mb.ca
------------------------------------
Unless you're Mac freaks, in which case you're half screwed WRT this, you
SHOULD be using the parallel port for all that. It's MUCH easier to program
from any language, especially QB 4.5 or C++. Obtain the Parallel Port FAQ
file from my ftp site, the net addr:

                   ftp.armory.com /pub/user/rstevew
filenames:         ibmlpt.faq     and    tomlpt.faq
Note: The file tomlpt.faq is especially good for your son's needs!

The rule is: Use RS-232C for things that are already RS-232C, because
programming it over and over is a royal pain in the ass! And a lot like
re-inventing a square wheel!!!

-Steve Walz   rstevew@armory.com
P.S., You REALLY need to limit your right margin to the 70th column, as you
fuck up the read and postability of your article for everyone on the net.
Do NOT trust other fancy editors, or people will usually just hit 'n'!
I fixed it this time so *I* could read/post to it, but I won't again!
Use vi or emacs and set the margin correctly, or forget using the net!
Don't use microsoft editors or such, as they don't terminate lines properly
for the net, which uses JUST one linefeed after each line, and before the 
80th column!!
-Steve

