OT: Language for the ages

[Scott Stevens]

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 16:51:22 +0100
Jules Richardson <julesrichardsonuk at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

> woodelf wrote:
> > Jules Richardson wrote:
> > 
> >>
> >> Yeah, Logo's more technicolour retarded, with a big flashing light on 
> >> top :-)
> > 
> > 
> > Now what about LEGO ... I  Know they have something computer controled
> > with the stupid high-priced building blocks?
> 
> Yeah... I remember seeing some Lego again a couple of years ago and it 
> was kinda depressing - it seemed to be nearly all custom pieces specific 
> to the model bought. Back when I was a kid all the bits were generic - 
> so there was a lot more scope for ignoring what Lego wanted you to build 
> and doing your own thing!
> 

You can still buy big tubs of generic Lego bricks.  There are even two or three sizes of big tubs to choose from in major stores.  The 'theme kit' Legos is just where they appear to be making their bigger markup at present.


> I must admit that some of the robotic stuff looks pretty cool - but it 
> still doesn't compare to the old days of bodging on motors and stuff 
> scavenged from various devices :)
> 

I am convinced that someone needs to start a 'hobby' industry based on making robots from salvaged parts.  All the electomechanical bits you need to make some really cool robotics can be salvaged from a bunch of old diskette drives.  I have been accumulating a big pile of Macintosh 'super drives' for just such projects in the future.

Speaking of which, has anybody ever cobbled up a non-Apple interface to run said SuperDrives?  It would seem feasible and like a worthwhile thing to have.