What is Jackal?
Jackal is an open-source Java application that lets you program a
HandyCricket miniature robotics controller in a variant of the Logo
programming language. It includes features like:
- Syntax highlighting
- Customizable interfaces (skins)
- Automatic library downloading
- Remote control over the net (iBrick)
- Support for English, Spanish, and Portuguese
You can get a HandyCricket from
Gleason Research. Check out the
HandyCricket homepage as well.
How Do I Use It?
Keep an eye on the status bar at the bottom of the window, it
gives instructions and feedback about what is going on.
Here is a screenshot of the interface, with
the preferences panel opened up (on Mac OSX).
Otherwise, it works the same as the CricketLogo application that you already
use with your HandyCricket. Read the "readme.html" file included for more info.
Developers
As mentioned above, Jackal is open-source software (under the MIT license).
Jackal is written in Java.
You can browse the API. If you are interested
in working on it, download the source from the link below.
The download is so big because it includes all the support files you need to
actually build Jackal, rather than just the source code.
Postcardware
Our sun-starved researchers love receiving communications from the outside world, so we're releasing this software as "postcardware". That means that you can use it for free, but if you like it then we ask that you send us a postcard from where you live! Our address is:
Rahul Bhargava
Institute of the Future
227 Pearl St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
