Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #02773
To: beam@corp.sgi.com
From: Bob Shannon bshannon@tiac.net
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 19:08:58 -0700
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: Contest!!!!
Steven Bolt wrote:
>
> On Wed, 28 Apr 1999, Bob Shannon wrote:
>
> [ `arena' ]
>
> > Several people have already begun working on an Arena based robot
> > evolution program, and it seems rather unfair for the BEAM list to first
> > reject the discussion of this 'new approach' but then adopt the
> > terminology.
> >
> > As a matter of mutual respect, please find another name.
>
> So you own the word `arena'? I guess I shouldn't be surprised,
> since my publisher managed to trademark `Yes'.
Not at all Steven. I hold no trademark at all, I'm simply asking out
of respect that scince this new form of competitive robotic evolution is
distinct from the BEAM list, that it be allowed its unique identity.
Some people are rather put-off by some of the more commercial aspects of
the BEAM world. In response to this, Arena-bot comptition and
distribution
will adopt a very different approach and philosophy.
After all, these are what clearly seperates Arena-bot evolution from the
BEAM approach. So there will be no trademark or patent issues to limit
publication or other entraperurial ventures by its advocates.
The basic concept will be much more along the lines of the 'Share-ware'
model.
Please understand that I'm not trying to say 'it's my ball, and I'm
going home'
or anything like that. But starting something like this is going to
take a major commitment from a number of people, and establishing a
clear and unique identity.
Please respect that simple fact.
> `Arena' sounds a little too Roman anyway, so I'll be using
> `Playground' from now on. And since I intend to actually build a
> Playground and ball-gathering `bot - don't anyone *dare* use
> "Playground" for anything else ;)
Can Arena-bots enter?
> > But if more exotic batteries are used, sending them off for charging
> > becomes risky.
>
> A rechargeable `bot would obviously have to bring its `food' along.
> Proxies can't be expected to have the right charger for any robot.
That was my concern. Auto-switching 120v 60 hz to 230v 50 hz power
supplies
are much more expensive than the common wall-wart devices.
May I suggest that all charging be done from a pre-set standard DC
voltage, say
12 volts or something?
> > Shipping alone could easily cost more than the prizes!
>
> I've shipped quite a few electronic devices over the Pond, and so
> far all have arrived in good condition. The cost is now about $12.
> Participants should also pay the cost of having the `bots returned,
> so the minimum entrance fee would perhaps be $30.
I think that would be a barrier for some people on the list.
As it is, people enter over the web. I personally beleive this is a
much
better approach to drawing more people into the event.
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