[vcf-midatlantic] My HOPE project - update

[Dan Roganti]

On Sun, Jun 26, 2016 at 6:14 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <
vcf-midatlantic at lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:

> Here's an update on my project for our HOPE exhibit next month.
>
> Ben G. loaned us his mid-1980s Lego robotics/Logo kit. I'm saving the Logo
> part (paired with an Apple II) for World Maker Faire in September. I am
> using the bare robot components (motors, light sensors) with the IBM PC
> card for HOPE.
>
> I started experimenting with this at our repair workshop a couple of
> weekends ago. Jon C. loaned me a Compaq (386, I think) lunchbox-style
> computer, since I'm stuck home while recovering from leg surgery. I set up
> a big table in my living room because I can't sit comfortably at my
> workbench.
>
> What I'm building, tailored for the HOPE audience, is a Lego game called
> that I'm calling "Smush the 'Softie". The premise: Microsoft employees are
> invading HOPE to install Windows 10 on your computer! Thus you must run
> them over with a New York City taxi cab before then enter the hotel. :)
>
> A cab (Lego car) is in a garage. You press a key in the software to aim
> the driveway side-to-side. Then press another key to release the car.
>
> The car travels down a track. There are two Microsoft employees crossing
> the road. The employees (Lego figures, of course) have holes in the ground
> behind them. If you hit one, then s/he falls into the hole, which blocks
> the light sensor, which increases the score by 1. One employee is closer
> and one is farther away. Hitting the second employee gives you two points.
>
> You get five cars. If you reach eight points then you win. The score will
> be displayed on a binary counter of Lego lights. If you lose the lights
> will all flash, a beeper will go crazy, and the compurer screen changes to
> resemble a Windows 10 logo.
>
> The game isn't finished but I am making good progress. Programmed in
> simple BASIC, just as it was meant to be 30 years ago. I am not using any
> non-Lego parts (but I did take two non-valuable pieces from my childhood
> huge box of Legos and drill holes in them because I needed a part that
> doesn't exist!)
>
> The game won't be hard. Its point is to demonstrate what could be done
> back then.
>
> Thinking ahead to Maker Faire: I'm going to make a robot arm that you use
> to pick up a ping-pong ball, drop it into a hole, and out pops a
> (previously hidden) Wiffle ball. I will tell children it's a ping-pong ball
> enlarging machine. :)
>
> Jeff B., how goes your own mad science experimenting with the C-64
> robotics kit?
>


​that game sounds too violent

Dan
[as long as you count in binary]​