Swayne just replied to me privately with their version number.  Thanks
Swayne!

 

But I think there is a misunderstanding.  It could still be me, I'll admit,
but it could be helpful if this reply is publics so I am back "on-list".

 

Swayne is talking about the Bluetooth programming blocks on the advance
menu.  I agree that functionality is present in both versions.  But that is
not what I am talking about.  If you have never used the commercial version
then you don't know what you are missing.  On the menu there is a "remote
control" option that allows you to connect the robot via Bluetooth wireless.
From there you can download software, check battery voltage, and remotely
control the bot.  As in you push the up arrow and the bot moves forward.
Right arrow, it turns right. etc.  Neat trick but not all that useful.
Remotely download program files and remotely reading sensor values, etc.,
THAT is very useful and worth buying.  To be clear, this has *nothing* to do
with the NXT programming language.

 

As I said, if you have always had the educational versions and have never
used this feature, then you don't know what I am talking about and that is a
real shame.  Hence my advice to not by the educational version.

 

I hope someone proves be wrong and tells me how to find this secret
fuctionality on the educational version.  I would be happy to find it.

 

Paul

 

 

From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul Conlin
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 7:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] EXT :Re: [VADCFLL-L] LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Books ?

 

Hmmmm.  That is great news.  Please tell us how to find this feature on the
educational version.  We use it daily on the commercial version of the
software.  The menus are slightly different when we compare the two packages
side-by-side.

 

We have what we think to be the latest educational software.  We actually
have a site license.  I'm not in front of one of the computers now to find
the exact version number.  I know you said version 2.0 but can you post the
exact version number the software displays, including any updates, where
this Bluetooth wireless feature works.

 

It would be appreciated.  Thanks.

 

Paul

 

 

 

From: Swayne, Dominic - swaynedd [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 7:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] EXT :Re: [VADCFLL-L] LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Books ?

 

The bluetooth works just fine on the educational version.  They are
identical in this regard - at least on version 2.0 of the software

 

From: Paul Conlin <[log in to unmask]>
Organization: Blaze Broadband
Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:10:24 -0400
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] EXT :Re: [VADCFLL-L] LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Books ?

 

No one has mentioned the Bluetooth wireless link that is missing from the
educational versions!  Unless someone can explain how to find this feature
in the educational versions of the software, I would highly recommend buying
only the retail version.  While wireless is not permitted during competition
it is a very valuable feature while teaching and during the program
development phase.  Not only can programs be very quickly downloaded without
plugging in the bot, this bi-directional wireless link can also be used to
read motor positions and sensor values from a live robot.  For example, you
can move the arm and read exact number of degrees of rotation.  Then plug
that value into your code and you are done.  No more time wasting
iterations.  This can work for wheel rotations too.  You can also read
sensor values to determine what the robot is sensing, in real time!

 

I feel Lego's decision to delete this wireless feature from the educational
version was a big mistake.

 

Paul

 

 

From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Aucoin, Bill (ES)
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 1:57 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] EXT :Re: [VADCFLL-L] LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Books ?

 

Wendy,

 

Nice summary. Attached is part of a presentation that I put together. This
particular slide helps summarize the same information in a matrix for easier
comparison. 

As you mention, the biggest differences in the kits are:

.        Color sensor vs. Light Sensor

.        Batteries

.        Included?

.        Rechargeable?

.        Software license

.        None

.        Single Seat

.        "FLL Team License"

 

Also, this blog, from Northern California, discusses the differences:
http://www.norcalfll.org/elgg/pg/blog/jillw/read/3609/which-lego-mindstorms-
nxt-kit-to-buy

 

Thanks,

Bill

 

From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of W bretton
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 9:37 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: EXT :Re: [VADCFLL-L] LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Books ?

 

Below is information I sent to some friends a while back.  The product
number for the Resource set changed & prices went up, so the differences
listed below may not be exact,   but generally speaking  FLL Robot set =
Retail kit (8547) + Resource Set (9695) with a few differences...

____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________

 

The "FLL Robot Set" consists of:  

LEGOR  MINDSTORMSR Education NXT Base Set Product ID: W979797 

 
<http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/product/lego_mindstorms_education_nxt_base_
set/2095>
http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/product/lego_mindstorms_education_nxt_base_s
et/2095

LEGOR  MINDSTORMSR Education Resource Set   Product ID: W979695

 
<http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/product/lego_mindstorms_education_resource_
set/2214>
http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/product/lego_mindstorms_education_resource_s
et/2214

LEGOR  MINDSTORMSR Education NXT Software  

 
<http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/product/lego_mindstorms_education_nxt_softw
are_2_1/2240>
http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/product/lego_mindstorms_education_nxt_softwa
re_2_1/2240

(Purchasing thru FLL provides the FLL Team license )

 

 

The retail kit (8547), which you find on the web for $250-$270, is
essentially the NXT Base Set above with just a few differences as follows:

Retail kit does not come with the rechargeable battery.

Retail kit has color sensor.  The Education set has just plain light
sensors.

Retail kit comes with the software, but not the license for loading it on
many computers as you would need in a school setting. 

I think the retail kit did not have the sound sensor either???   I could be
wrong.

I think the retail kit has fewer tire choices. 

The retail kit does not have the red and blue plastic balls either (minor
difference)

 

The retail set (8547)   +   the Education Resource Set above (9648) (~$80)
is a close equivalent to the "FLL robot set" with differences listed above.

 

Hope this helps.

 

-Wendy Bretton

 

 

 

 

From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rajesh Shah
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 8:04 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Books ?

 

I had another rookie team question. We bought the NXT kit from Amazon this
summer.

 

What is difference between this Kit and NXT kit supplied by FLL.  Do we need
to buy more parts ?

 

On Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 7:05 AM, Rajesh Shah <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

 

We are not competing in this years competition.   As you said, we are mostly
getting ready for next year.

 

Yes,we do plan to visit this years event.

 

Appreciate your inputs.

 

 

Rajesh

 

On Sun, Oct 23, 2011 at 10:11 PM, B Bergenstock <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

Do you mean that you just started your team and are registered for a local
tournament?  Because competition is just 2 to 3 weeks away, and that's a
pretty tall order. But good luck to you and your team. 
        If it were me and I had just started, I would not enter into this
year's competition, but hold an after school program starting in January
every other week, teaching them programming and then enter next fall's
tournament.  Definitely go to this year's event, even as a spectator,
because being at the competition teaches you a lot. 
     As for books to teach lego to your team,. I highly recommend Educate
NXT 
http://www.educatenxt.com/
It's the best value for your money and time.  Carnegie Mellon also has an
excellent series called Robotic Engineering.  They started a free online
class equivalent but I can't seem to find that link right now;  Maybe
someone else has that link.  
Regards, 
Brandy
.  

On Sun, Oct 23, 2011 at 9:48 PM, Rajesh Shah <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

We are new FLL team recently registered with parents as coach and mentor. We
are all new to LEGO Mindstroms NXT Constructions and Programming.


I was a thinking a good book will be a nice way to get a jump start for our
team.
I see a bunch of books available in Amazon.  Any suggestion ?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?
ie=UTF8&keywords=LEGO%20MINDSTORMS%20NXT&tag=nxtprogramsco-
20&index=books&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325#/ref=nb_sb_noss?
url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-
keywords=LEGO+MINDSTORMS+NXT&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ALEGO+MINDST
ORMS+NXT


Thanks for your help.

Rajesh Shah

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