I just tried it and it’s so much harder to understand than just playing around with transistors on a breadboard.
Like, I can easily make a nand gate with a couple NPNs and a PNP. But I couldn’t figure out what they wanted me to do with those relays, so I didn’t get past the first task.
Sure, building your own breadboard computer is much better than playing with some website… However transistors and relays are kind of similar in function, they both gate whether current flows.
If you are already familiar with transistors, then I agree those are a simpler introduction, however most regular people don’t know anything about a transistor, and they seem a little bit magical.
A relay however can be grasped by most people just by looking at it in operation. Magnet attracts… Electromagnets only attracts when powered… wire doesn’t conduct when not connected… Wire does conduct when connected… Electromagnet can pull or push wire to either connect or disconnect…
If you want the solution for the first task (building a nand gate with relays), you can see my solution here:
I went through all the units. They were interesting, and I definitely learned a bunch. I probably won’t remember it all right away, but I at least have a better idea of the overall picture. It’ll be reinforced as I continue my breadboard project, but also supports my theoretical understanding of that project. So I’d say it was worth it.
Imagine my surprise when I got to the end and realized there are multiple paths that branch off from there into new units 😱
I tried it but the game is kind of confusing cause it uses relays instead of transistors. I think it’s more frustrating and would only discourage potential learners.
A better way to get a solid grasp on low-level hardware logic is to just build an eight-bit breadboard computer. Here’s a tutorial: https://eater.net/8bit
I’m working on it now. I’ve only done the first module so far and I’ve already learned so much.
https://www.nandgame.com/
Learn how a computer works by building your own from scratch.
I just tried it and it’s so much harder to understand than just playing around with transistors on a breadboard.
Like, I can easily make a nand gate with a couple NPNs and a PNP. But I couldn’t figure out what they wanted me to do with those relays, so I didn’t get past the first task.
Sure, building your own breadboard computer is much better than playing with some website… However transistors and relays are kind of similar in function, they both gate whether current flows.
If you are already familiar with transistors, then I agree those are a simpler introduction, however most regular people don’t know anything about a transistor, and they seem a little bit magical.
A relay however can be grasped by most people just by looking at it in operation. Magnet attracts… Electromagnets only attracts when powered… wire doesn’t conduct when not connected… Wire does conduct when connected… Electromagnet can pull or push wire to either connect or disconnect…
If you want the solution for the first task (building a nand gate with relays), you can see my solution here:
spoiler
Okay, without reading the spoiler:
Does the inductor lead function like the switch on the transistor?
And the two relays: default (on) and default (off): is default (on) like the PNP transistor and default (off) like the NPN?
I think with those two bits of information, I can figure it out. But last night I didn’t have the patience to figure it out by trial and error.
You got it 😉
I went through all the units. They were interesting, and I definitely learned a bunch. I probably won’t remember it all right away, but I at least have a better idea of the overall picture. It’ll be reinforced as I continue my breadboard project, but also supports my theoretical understanding of that project. So I’d say it was worth it.
Imagine my surprise when I got to the end and realized there are multiple paths that branch off from there into new units 😱
It seems the learning shall continue…
Good luck with all the learning 😉 sounds like a fun journey!
Saving this for later! As someone who knows more about software than hardware, this sounds interesting!
I tried it but the game is kind of confusing cause it uses relays instead of transistors. I think it’s more frustrating and would only discourage potential learners.
A better way to get a solid grasp on low-level hardware logic is to just build an eight-bit breadboard computer. Here’s a tutorial: https://eater.net/8bit
I’m working on it now. I’ve only done the first module so far and I’ve already learned so much.
That is only the very first level. Afterwards it switches to gates.
Good to know. I think once I learn how the relays compare to transistors, I can probably figure out the first level.
Considerably more user friendly than Escape from Robotropolis was for me.