Alt-BEAM Archive

Message #03711



To: JVernonM@aol.com
From: Steven Bolt sbolt@xs4all.nl
Date: Tue, 25 May 1999 23:16:30 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: BEAM and machine evolution


On Mon, 24 May 1999 JVernonM@aol.com wrote:

> Actually Steven, I think there is another more important
> hindrance to BEAM knowledge expansion. In my opinion BEAM is a
> very tightly wrapped ball of biases. Your suneaters are an
> excellent example. Suneaters solve many of the problems with the
> S.E.'s, but almost no one builds them. You offer kits, but I
> would say you haven't sold many. You are not Mark T. or Dave H.
> so your not really BEAM. Even if you are, you aren't. The knee
> jerk reaction in the BEAM community to different, and even better
> ideas is to pounce with ferocity on the turf invader.

You got that wrong, Jim.

1) I offer no SunEater kits. These projects are intended to be
built using parts found locally, like small recorder motors
found in dump stores.

2) SunEaters have been built by quite a few people, judging by the
mail I get. They are not as popular as the (in)famous fled SE,
mostly for the simple reason that it's less practical to do a
`free form' SunEater. My stuff needs a pcb to look good, and
that's a serious barrier if you've just discovered electronics
as a hobby. And free form can have great charm, as you yourself
have demonstrated, if I remember your Webpages correctly.

3) My first BEAMish project was my clock-motored Photovore, of
which I do sell kits (a couple of hundred so far). The BEAM
community - specifically Mark T, Andrew Miller and Dave Hrynkiw
- reacted with enthousiasm and generosity, offering me among
other things `a look in the kitchen' and difficult to obtain
components. A very friendly and hospitable group of people!

4) No BEAMer - incrowd, old hand or newbie - has so far
"pounced on me with ferocity."

Best,

Steve

----------------------------------------------------------------------
# sbolt@xs4all.nl # Steven Bolt # popular science monthly KIJK #
----------------------------------------------------------------------





------------------------------------------------------------------------

eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/alt-beam
http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications



Home