Gizmodo: Arduino, the tinkerer's delight that powers everything from embeddable clothing at the MIT Media Lab to DIY robots, requires some basic instruction in order to be used properly. What better way than a comic? Jody Culkin has done just that.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Learn the Arduino Platform By Reading Comic Strip
Gizmodo: Arduino, the tinkerer's delight that powers everything from embeddable clothing at the MIT Media Lab to DIY robots, requires some basic instruction in order to be used properly. What better way than a comic? Jody Culkin has done just that.
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7 comments:
Not only does this strip have Arduino specifics in it, it has a lot of useful introductory information about electricity, electronics, and circuits. All of this is applicable to what we do, particularly with growing demand for intelligent props and scenery that ties in with show control. Because the time and monetary cost of Arduino is so low, it is a really effective means of interfacing multiple devices with each other instead of buying expensive specialized equipment. Some companies, such as Duck's Echo, use Arduino in their devices targeted at technical theater.
Some similarly cheap and versatile electronic control solutions can be found in the show control offerings for haunted attractions.
The idea of using a comic to clarify instructions is a neat idea; but the one that Gizmodo is talking about just confused me. Because of the comic format, it seemed that they devoted more space to a minor point, and less to other areas that might be more useful to the user. I know I am assuming much, but I really do not think that anyone using this device really needs a 6th grade crash course in Ohm's Law presented in comic form.
This is an interesting way to present information on a complex topic, it is a pretty good way of getting information like this across to people who don't have a knack for understanding this type of thing. I know a little bit about Arduino but I even learned a thing or two. As Daniel mentioned these devices can be found in some sorts of show control specifically for haunted houses but i don't know if they would be reliable enough for theatre.
There's a comic book, it's a really a collection of zines that has been circulating for quite some time now on how to use photo emulsion silk screening techniques. DIY technology being spread by DIY yourself means.
Neat to see similiar trend showing up here. A print comic about printing has been, quite apropriately, replaced with a digital comic about electronics.
I knew little to nothing about Anduino, and learned a lot about how it works and what it is from reading this comic. I'm sure if I had the right pieces and the software I'd learn even more by following the step by step simple instructions on the comic. Great to see that technology isn't getting more expensive and elite. Here's an example of DIY technology being spread by DIY means.
Wow, this comic is a really great way to convey informative instructions that instill an understanding of the technology. It doesn't make that work look too hard. I could see this being a project in a high school course. Or it being a project to write something so clear and concise to explain anything. I wish my printer manual was written as clearly. It reminds me of the legos instructions booklets.
i think that one of the biggest hurtles for people when trying to be more DIY is that their not “mechanically inclined” or they don't know a lot about wiring or they have never tried making anything. A comic is the perfect way to get over that and teach people about the basics. Arduino is a great rapid prototyping device and could be one of the most versatile chips/coding systems for your average Joe to use. This comic gets them over the hurtle of starting to learn how to use it and starting to think ok what can I make!
This is a really great idea. Unless I have to I try to avoid the bulk of instructions. Partially because a lot of things that have instructions just need common sense, but also because instructions are often pretty boring. The comic strip format makes instructions fun and accessible. If something is presented to you in the form of a comic strip (and comics are used for entertainment) you might feel less frustrated with the instructions. A comic strip helps to get the boring things out of the way. That being said instructions are very important and we should always read them just in case we do something wrong.
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