linux labview eval version for lego mindstorms nxt

[futureschool]

Hi,

I'm a high school teacher in Tamil Nadu, India. Our school recently purchased 4 lego mindstorm NXT kits. We were happy to find that the new software was powered by labview, because it runs on linux. Our school runs on an Edubuntu LTSP network. So we were sad when we discovered the installation disk only supported MacOS and Windows.

I looked at the labview site for NXT and saw that we could get a student evaluation copy for use with NXT - so I filled out the forms, but when the link to the FTP site was given, it only provided a Windows and MacOS copy.

Can we obtain a student copy of labview for Linux for use with our NXT kits?

Thank you, Jason Stewart.

[Britoa]

Even if there is a student version of LabVIEW for linux, the NXT kit isn't tested under linux, and probably wont work (as of the last time I looked at it, it didn't work, I would love to get it working though)

The NXT software does not run on linux at all, it is built off a slightly modified labview, but is not available as VIs or anything like that.

LabVIEW has an NXT Toolkit (which is what I was talking about above), which requires labview to use.

That's all the info I have,
good luck

[ClintM]

Hello Jason,

Currently National Instruments does not offer a student evaluation version of LabVIEW for Linux.  You might try contacting NI Sales about purchasing LabVIEW for Linux or contacting LEGO Technical Support to see if Mindstorms NXT® to see if they have any options for Linux users.

Regards,

Clint M
National Instruments

[futureschool]

hi clint,

I've installed OS X on my powermac laptop again, and so I am able to run LabView under OS X as well. I made a request for a student eval license back in July 23rd, and again Aug 23... But so far no response. I'd really like to show my students how to do this - is it possible to get a student license?

Thanks, jas.

[Britoa]

Try calling your NI area rep.  They should be able to help you pretty quickly.

[ClintM]

Hello Jason,

I'm sorry I didn't make this more clear in my previous post, but the LabVIEW Student Edition for use with LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT is only available for Windows.  This will provide you with the LabVIEW 7.1 Student Edition and then you can download the LabVIEW Toolkit for LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT.  This will give you the ability to create custom NXT blocks in LabVIEW.

Another option would be to purchase the latest LabVIEW Student Edition and then download the LabVIEW Toolkit for NXT.  However, this edition is also only available for Windows.  The customers that are downloading the LabVIEW Toolkit for LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT on a Mac OS have purchased the full version of LabVIEW for Mac.

Your best option would be to contact the NI India Sales Office at support.india@ni.com or 91 80-4119 0000.  They would be able to help you best with this.

Regards,

Clint M

[futureschool]

hi clint,

thanks for your clarification.

I have now been granted an ibm thinkpad, which I am going to install linux and XP side by side so that I can run labview and mindstorms together with my other work. I'm hoping this will mean that I can now request a student eval copy and expect my email to be answered - no email I've sent to NI has ever been answered. The forums have been most helpful.

Should I still contact  the indian office, or should I make the request via the main website?

Cheers, jas.

[futureschool]

Hey clint,

on the request page for the student eval edition it asks for the 'target operating system' - and it lists two: MacOS and Windows... If it is not available for MacOS, perhaps it would be less confusing if that option was removed...

Cheers, jas.

[Britoa]

If you call them, they will answer much quicker.

[ClintM]

Hi Jason,

I would still suggest contacting our office in India.

Regards,

Clint M