What kind of NXT book would YOU like to see?
There's a lot of NXT-related books out there already and more are to be expected.
Some of them are targeted particularly at NXT beginners (like The Mayan Adventure, the Zoo! book or the NXT Orange Book), some to more advanced users (as The Da Vinci Inventions Book or Extreme NXT), some are collections of NXT robots of different complexity and how to build and program them (The Idea Book, Creating Cool MINDSTORMS Robots and the Inventor's Guide, for instance), and finally some are dedicated to a particular aspect of the NXT universe (e.g. the NXT-G Programming Guide, NXT Power Programming or Maximum Lego NXT) - feel free to correct me if I'm wrong with these classifications.
Yet, if you could wish for a NXT book written particularly for you - how would that very book look like? What topics should it deal with? Which kind of robots (if any) would you like to see in there? How should it be organized?
Comments
LEGOmom
- robot ideas
- arm/attachment ideas
- how to work as a team, strategies for dividing work
- tips for mentors on training kids
- how to select missions (points vs complexity)
Another book idea: NXT for home security or automation. Projects you can use at home like NXT with camera for monitoring. NXT with a broom for cleaning. NXT to interact with pets or feed them.
Kelly wrote a workbook for FLL teams. http://www.cafepress.com/thenxtstep.173374563
LEGOmom
I believe something we DON'T need is a book that introduces the NXT, explains the history, describes the sensors, or explains the NXT-G language. These topics have been done and done again very well with the books already available.
I would like to see more robots that use the sensors that did not comes with the basic NXT kit. "Extreme NXT" started on this topic by how to make some fantastic sensors on your own. So, how about some more robots with the great sensors (and great-looking) HiTechnic products? This has only been briefly touched on by the fine "Power Programming" and "Maximum" books and is a largely untouched area.
Thanks again!
Mike
Katie R.
New Hampshire
http://www.legoeducation.com/store/detail.aspx?KeyWords=kelly&by=20&ID=1525&c=0&t=0&l=0
--Todd
Hobby Robots.
Building Robots with Lego Mindstorms:
http://www.marioferrari.org/lego_mindstorm.html
since it has solid engineering advice, not just "follow the instructions". I think the authors have an NXT edition of the book out, but I haven't seen it.