[Robotgroup] Robotic Accomplishments (was: New Subscriber! :)

[Leslie Filip]

Hi Mike,

On Sep 8, 2007, at 9:13 AM, Def Egge wrote:

> At 23:26  2007-09-07, Les Filip wrote:
> Vern,
>
> These are all wonderful projects. There is no question about that
> at
> all. However, you are missing the point.
>
> The problem I have is that many (not all) of these were built in
> isolation or near-isolation, not by the group as a whole. It is my
> opinion that this is the equivalent of a bunch of individuals doing
> their own thing and then taking it to show-and-tell.
>
> OK, Les.  First you object to The Robot Group, Inc.'s use of the term
> 'robot' in its name.  Then you protest the use of the term 'group' in
> the name.

I object to the robot part, not the group part. I am pointing out  
that whatever robots are getting built, it is not by the group, but  
by a few individuals. IF the purpose of the group was solely to build  
robots, and lots of individuals were doing that, I would have less of  
a problem with the name. As it stands, the primary focus of the group  
is not robotics, and what projects are being done is primarily the  
result of individual or near-individual efforts.

>
> I have to place the burden of proof upon you.  Can you demonstrate
> that the Dallas Personal Robotics Group, the Seattle Robotics
> Society, the Twin Cities Robotics Group, the Chicago Area Robotics
> Group, and other - non-academic, non-entrepreneurial - groups are
> primarily focused on group projects in favor of individual projects?

You win that one hands down. Maybe it is asking too much to have a  
group of people who work on nothing but robotics. The answer to that  
question remains to be seen.

>
> If so, the follow-up exercise is to initiate a preliminary
> investigation into how this is accomplished.  Does there exist some
> generous deep-pocketed benefactor who provides financing and space?

There is in fact an investigation going on regarding how to set up  
such a program.

Someone with deep pockets? No. Space? Yes. Tools? Yes, but more will  
be needed.

>
> I know that
> people work together and help each other, but how much of this
> knowledge is really getting spread around like it should? Observing
> the design and building process is how people learn. It also helps
> greatly to have active mentors who are interested in walking a
> newby
> through the newby's ideas and provide assistance without taking
> over
> their project.
>
> Les
>
> How do you propose that the lessons learned from projects developed
> in "isolation or near-isolation, not by the group as a whole" be
> "spread around like it should"?

I'll let you know. I am still ironing out the basics while I attend  
to my regular job.

>
> I presume that the statement about mentoring is intended as a
> constructive criticism (if so, I agree).

Mentoring is essential.

> You are not hinting that
> anyone's project was taken over by their mentor(s) are you?

Yes, I am. However, I will not betray the trust that was placed in me  
by one or more individuals who are in no position to defend  
themselves. This is one of several reasons I have been in such a bad  
mood lately.

Respectfully,
Les

>
>
> -- 
>
> All the best....
>
> Mike
>
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