Re: Reccomended Computer Interface Systems

["Daniel L. MacIsaac" <Dan.MacIsaac@Nau.Edu>]

....something to consider is curriculum materials prevalence.  While one 
could argue the Science Workshop package is technically superior for
various reasons, the Vernier device has more labs/expts/manuals
written for it (like Workshop Physics from dickinson college and
Real Time Physics from tufts and Oregon).  These curricula are also
very high quality and their development partially drove MBL sensor 
development.

I am runnig into similar problems looking at CASIO CBLs which are nice 
and readly obtainable by myself.  They are arguably technically superior
but everything is already written for the TI CBLs.  As long as CASIO
supports me and makes it worth my while to consider them as an alternative I
will, but without price breaks and support I would instantaneously switch
to TI.

Dan M


Dan MacIsaac, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Northern AZ Univ
danmac@nau.edu  http://www.phy.nau.edu/~danmac/homepage.html

>         The program interface is constant for EVERY sensor. Once the user 
> has learned the basics of interfacing with Science Workshop a wide 
> variety of sensors are available.  The construction is rugged (I used 
> them for 3 years in a traveling mode serving 34 area high schools twice 
> a month). Analog sensors made by vernier can be used in the Pasco 
> interfaces without modification to the plugs (Pasco DIN-7 analog sensors 
> must be modified to DIN-5 connectors to be used on Vernier)  
>         I think that the main sell for the vernier system is quality to 
> dollar ratio. It does (or can do) everything the Pasco interface does. A 
> plus is that Vernier provides personable support with people who 
> *actually* answer the phone and help you.  I purchased Vernier when on a 
> tighter budget as an instructor in another institution.  
>         Both these systems are flexible and easy to use. I have 
> settled, in my present situation, on using the Pasco interface. Most of
> my classroom set probes are Vernier probes. We also use vernier's 
> Graphical Analysis (unlimited site license for $40?!) for data reports 
> (exporting raw data from Science Workshop is quite easy).
>
> Tim
>
>  
>  
> ======================================================================
>  
> Timothy C. Burgess, Ph.D. 
> Chair of the Science Department 
> UMS-Wright Preparatory School 
> 65 North Mobile Street 
> Mobile, Alabama  36607                         Home: (334)-432-3024 
>  
> E-mail: tburgess@jaguar1.usouthal.edu 
> ======================================================================
>
>
> On Fri, 6 Mar 1998, George Marrash wrote:
>
> > A couple of days ago I posted a message that said that PASCO did training for free
> > I was incorrect in this statement. I hope that my error did not affect anyone on
> > the list
> >
> > regards
> > george marrash
> >
> > George Marrash
> > McCallie School