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airship Inner circle In my day, I have driven 1594 Posts |
Using the word "computer" to refer to a person who computes things is entirely deprecated. It is no longer a useful term. Dictionaries are compiled by slow, old, conservative institutions which often take generations to document changes in language usage. I'm a 56-year-old Baby Boomer, and if I used the word "computer" to refer to "a person who computes" I would be misunderstood. "Oh, Joe's a computer," would be interpreted as "Joe's the name of an electronic machine that performs computing chores." No human being is ever referred to as a "computer" anymore.
"Android" and "Robot" are more difficult. I think it's probable that the majority of the populace hasn't even heard of the former (outside of a few obscure sci-fi movies - and remember that the word "android" appears nowhere in the Star Wars saga, only its diminutive "droid"), whereas you'd have to be pretty brain-dead to not know what a robot is. People are more likely to think of an artificial life form as a "clone" than an "android". (Even though a clone is exactly the same as an identical twin.) It would probably take some time to explain the concept of an artificial being made from scratch out of chemicals, as opposed to one made of metal and plastic. That being said, as an old sci-fi buff myself, I too bristle at the use of the word "droids" to refer to robots. Because I've read a bazillion sci-fi stories, I'm pretty clear on the difference between the two.
'The central secret of conjuring is a manipulation of interest.' - Henry Hay
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
I remember Harlan Ellison did a story where he was trying to match the Damon Runyon style of writing. He had characters refer to a "typewriter" as the person who ran a "typewriting machine."
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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MagiClyde Special user Columbus, Ohio 871 Posts |
The definition of a computer being both human and machine is still in the dictionaries. Don't forget that not all countries are as sophisticated as we Americans. In many, humans still do the math work, hence they are still computers.
Airship says: Quote:
It would probably take some time to explain the concept of an artificial being made from scratch out of chemicals, as opposed to one made of metal and plastic. Not really, just mention Frankenstein and his monster. That really would be an android in the old sense. So would a golem.
Magic! The quicker picker-upper!
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airship Inner circle In my day, I have driven 1594 Posts |
I disagree. In my mind, an android is an artificial life form made from the ground up using chemistry. Throwing in used body parts would be cheating. As would using magic, which is what it takes to build a golem.
'The central secret of conjuring is a manipulation of interest.' - Henry Hay
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TomKMagic Special user I tripped over 620 Posts |
Here's a really cool robot: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/QRIO/
Even though you are short on money, you can still read about robotics as much as you can, then when you get some money, you can buy kits and you will have some knowledge of what to do and how to build and program them. Tom |
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MagiClyde Special user Columbus, Ohio 871 Posts |
Here is a link for several definitions of "android"
http://www.answers.com/topic/android One of those definitions states: Quote:
an·droid (ăn'droid') pronunciation By that definition, Frankenstein's monster does fit the bill, even if a golem may not. Speaking of automatons, one of the robots-for-sale sites had one based on a design from the 1600's of a boy shooting an arrow. You can get it as a kit for $200 or fully assembled for $300. I could think of a couple of magic tricks or effects to go with such a "toy"!
Magic! The quicker picker-upper!
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MagiClyde Special user Columbus, Ohio 871 Posts |
Here is the link to the japanese bow & arrow shooting robot.
http://www.robotstore.com/store/product.......tid=1632 Have fun!
Magic! The quicker picker-upper!
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Andy the cardician Inner circle A street named after my dad 3362 Posts |
Honda also has a cool robot - I think it is named Asimov
Cards never lie
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
AH... different editions of the NewSpeak dictionary.
Hence the obvious need for one Wiki. Are you lined up yet for the new FF movie and taking bets on Galactus? Robot = worker Android = worker one might confuse with a person. (think meat puppet) Sorry, out of drams today.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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MagiClyde Special user Columbus, Ohio 871 Posts |
Andy, the robot is called Asimo, which is very close to Asimov. Can't help but wonder why they stopped short by one letter. Of course, it makes sense to refer to Asimov, the creator of the 3 laws of robotics.
Magic! The quicker picker-upper!
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Mystical Matthew Elite user 468 Posts |
Get a set of Lego Mindstorms (http://mindstorms.lego.com/)
Don't let the Lego name fool you; this is a pretty sophisticated robotics kit. I have my Associates Degree in programming and still find this kit interesting to tinker around with. Anything you learn here will certainly apply to larger projects. You're looking at around $150 for the kit... Well worth it, so I suggest saving up your pennies. Also, it's compatible with anything from the Lego Technic sets. So you have infinite expandability. |
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Magicmike40 New user 96 Posts |
With all the talk about Axtell’s robotic puppets I feel the need to let everyone known about a company I dealt with. Several years ago I bought a robot Tagi from Florida robotics it was the biggest piece of crap, mostly radio shack parts and absolute no service after the sale. For what I paid I could have bought a nice used car. I used the robot at a fair as an added on to my show and after the first day the two-way audio went out. The inter speaker system was to quite and could not be heard. The tracking system or wheels had no adjustments there fore the robot would always turn to the left and not drive straight. Guys keep stay away from Florida Robotics they look good on line and are pleasant to talk with until you have a problem forget no service after the sale.
http://www.floridarobotics.com Magic Mike
Magic Mike
www.MagicWithaTwist.com |
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MagiClyde Special user Columbus, Ohio 871 Posts |
This site looks like it has some very interesting robot kits, including a tea serving robot and a bow shooting arrow robot. Both look like they might even have possibilities in performing magic tricks.
http://www.robotstore.com/
Magic! The quicker picker-upper!
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Our remote control puppet characters & character robots for magicians are coming out next year....check them out here... http://www.axtell.com/remote.html
Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
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Rupert Bair Inner circle ? 2179 Posts |
You said that with out moving your lips! Amazing.
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
That's because the voice was pre-recorded and part of the programming! No lips needed : ) I'll have videos of our new robot characters up next week on that link. Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
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magicman226 Loyal user San Antonio, Texas 234 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-03-15 12:13, Mystical Matthew wrote: Actually, I'm pretty sure I do that next year as a Junior in my high school's computer programming course. |
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MagiClyde Special user Columbus, Ohio 871 Posts |
I remember the Hero 1 robot kit from Heathkit when they were still around as a manufacturer of kit products for the general public. You actually learned quite a few skills in mechanics, electronics and programming from putting it together and making it run.
Magic! The quicker picker-upper!
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
The video of our fully programmed robot Toucan is up on the page now http://www.axtell.com/remote.html
Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
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mvmagic Inner circle Has written 1322 Posts |
Now he is just adorable! Not bein a vent that would be cool for me. I wonder if he'd get along with our robot vacuum...
Sent from my Typewriter
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