Steve Hassenplug has put together a pretty good list of the available languages, and some comparisons between them.

You can find the list here: NXT Programming Software

Today LED’s, tomorrow, the world!!!

Well, maybe servos.

Now, since the Netduino is compatible with many (or should I say… most) Arduino shields and kits… I also bought this kit to go with my Netduino.

 Arduino Compatible Electronic Brick Starter Kit

The shield plugs right into the Netduino, so now I have a large collection of “ready to go” sensors and inputs.

• Arduino/Seeeduino sensor Chassis V1.1
• LCD 16*2 Characters
• Rotary Angle Sensor (Analog)
• Big Button Switch
• Buzzer
• Tilt Switch
• Light Emitting Diode (2 of these)
• Light Sensor
• Temperature Sensor
• 2pin Plugable Terminal Module
• Fully Buckled 3 Wire Cable (5 of these)
• 10pin Colorful Ribbon Cable with 2*5 IDC Connector

Also, Universe doesn’t tolerate dual-screen very well. My 2nd screen displays whatever Windows is doing, but it’s easy to move the mouse outside the Universe window… and then a click causes the game to lose focus, which doesn’t halt the gameplay (for obvious MMO type reasons).

Also, here is a list of all the LEGO Universe postings I’ve done… http://brick-labs.com/tag/lego-universe/

UPDATE: Still can’t get in. Not sure if it’s me, or everyone. I hung while loading a zone, and now can’t get past the “submitting username” screen.

Also, if you want to post something on Twitter, use: #LEGOUniverse

First Impressions:

1) Nice graphics. Reminds me of the other LEGO games (Indiana Jones, Star Wars, etc), but not quite as much detail in the landscape. However, that’s common of some MMOs.

2) Game Play – Decent. Seems to us fairly standard controls (WASD keys, right-click mouse to look around, etc).

3) Content – Hard to say, since I’ve only played a grand total of 1:42 minutes. But for the starting area, it’s nice. You start learning how things work pretty quick.

All in all… I liked it. There are some things that could be done better. Some sort of Quest journal, and quest beacons would be nice. So I can locate whoever I need to talk to. Ability to run around a bit faster… character seemed to move too slow for my tastes.

And a better chat system. You get almost the entire UI for the screen, but the chat box is in the lower right, it’s opaque, and to me, seemed a bit clunky. It was also hard to tell in the chat window what was “System” messages, and what was other players.

Here is a Rabbit from the Zoo Book:

Next up, is another book from Fay Rhodes. Robots Alive! Endangered Species

Here is a frog from the Endangered Species book:

Both books are great. They are all built from LEGO NXT kits, with some extra parts. You can see the Endangered Species parts list (pdf download), and the Zoo Book parts list to see what other pieces you need.

LEGO® Indiana Jones Jungle Cutter

The Good:

The cutting blades have smaller rubber wheels on the underside, so as the tank drives, the blades spin. Simple, yet nice effect.  There is also a lever to push to cause the engine to “blow up”.  The building instructions are decent.  Not overly complex, but still kind of fun to build.

The “Not So Good”:

The bazooka / rocket launcher is a little cheezy.  The rocket doesn’t stay in the holder, so Indy has to tip backwards a little to keep from losing the rocket.

Parts: 

Spiders, Tank Treads (plus the wheels they go on) and some generic soldiers.  And a frog.  Everybody loves frogs, right?  Several trees, and several leaves too.  Several tools.  You can check the Peeron Listing for the Jungle Cutter to see a complete list of parts.

Overall Impression:

I liked the set, as did my son.  But for different reasons.  I wanted some of the parts, he likes Indiana Jones.  :)

Misc:  

If your missing the instructions for this set, you can download the 7626 Jungle Cutter Instructions here (warning, the PDF files are a large download).

You can purchase the 7626 Jungle Cutter set from Amazon or purchase the 7626 Jungle Cutter set from the LEGO SHOP@Home store.

LEGO Indiana Jones Temple Escape

The Good:

Nice little biplane.  The plane could be used in any City or Indiana Jones sets. The building instructions are well done.  Not overly complex, but still kind of fun to build. There are some neat angles in the floor plan, and they use 1×4 Hinge bricks and 3×12 wings to create the angled floor.  Simple, yet effective.

The “Not So Good”:

There are several BURPs in this set. I’m not a big fan of BURPs.

Parts: 

Lots of leaf and plant parts.  A couple of the “baby dinosaurs”, two skeletons a spider and a bat. You can check the Peeron Listing for the Temple Escape to see a complete list of parts. 

Overall Impression:

I liked the set, as did my son.  But for different reasons.  I wanted some of the parts, and learned a trick or two for making angled floors. He likes Indiana Jones.  :)

Misc:  

If your missing the instructions for this set, you can download the 7623 Temple Escape Instructions here (warning, the PDF files are a large download).

You can purchase the 7623 Temple Escape set from Amazon or purchase the 7623 Temple Escape set from the LEGO SHOP@Home store.

Jim Kelly from The NXT Step has a review of the Red, Blue and Green books from Yoshihito Isogawa.  These books are on my wish list.  I definitely would like to get copies of them. 

The books are written in Japanese, but the author uses an icon system to portray what is happening, or what the model is supposed to do.  So they are fairly easy to follow.

You can read the full review here at The NXT Step – Red, Blue and Green Books.  There is an English table of contents for the Red, Blue and Green books as well.

Yes Asia has the books available (with free international shipping) as well.