Dale,
Yes, get Patrick’s book.
I’m using 10.04 rather then the latest and greatest because that’s what the turtlebots are set up with. I’ve got a turtlebot to use for a while, to help learn ROS (and Linux, for that matter).
I’ve read through the beginner tutorials, and done a few. I’ve got ROS on my 'bot mini-ITX, and I’m learning the ros_arduino_bridge, pan_tilt_node, and then to modify to drive my 'bot.
Alan KM6VV
I got it last night. I also ordered a BotBoarduino and SSC-32.
Ahhh, OK. I have ROS groovy (latest) installed on my laptop. Which ROS distro are you using? You’re lucky to hava an already supported platform to use with ROS. I’ll have to put W.A.L.T.E.R. in a two wheel configuration - I think I already have most of the parts for that now.
If we can cut that code back to just what is required to communicate with an Arduino, we should be able to put that right onto a BotBoarduino pretty easily and continue from there. 
8-Dale
Well, it depends on what tasks you want ROS to do. It has a navigation stack, so that might be a goal. With a platform drive node, like ros_arduino_bridge, you can drive a specific (Pololu) motor driver and encoder board (shield). Should be fine for WALTER. Not big enough for my HexaTraxx Moose (6WD Robomagellan 'bot).
I’m running either Diamond or Electric, as that’s what the turtlebot and neato XV 11 use. By the way, both Willow garage (ROS) and Neato are in this area.
I’ll have to write new drivers as the 6WD 'bot needs a bigger motor driver, RoboClaw 15A. So not so simple. I also have camera, LiDAR, and IR sensors to interface. (And encoders for the motors).
A mini-ITX board, two servo motors, and a 24V battery, plus probably an additional battery for the computer. An IMU and GPS will provide navigation with inputs.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7839&hilit=6WD
Alan KM6VV
I’ll have to write interface code for my SaberTooth 2x5 motor controller. I eventually want to move to the RoboClaw, but can’t afford it right now. I may have already overspent a bit this month. Navigation and object avoidance are definitely two things I want to work with. Amini-t some point I may have to get a mini-ATX or mini-ITX board to replace my BeagleBoard-xM, which would certainly make using ROS much easier.
I need to know specifically, so I can look into installing that here also. I’m on groovy (the latest) right now.
8-Dale
I am into the SRV and MSG stuff of ROS now, and moving on. I found a minimal image of Ubuntu 11.10 (Oneric) for my BeagleBoard-xM, and am going to see if I can get ROS (electric and groovy) installed on it.
8-Dale
Beagles and PIs could be a good ROS candidate for smaller 'bots.
Still a LOT to learn to be able to actually USE ROS on a 'bot of your own creation.
To bad there’s not yet very many job opportunities for ROS programmers. Linux opportunities are increasing, 'tho. And I’m hearing a lot for embedded Linux and its drivers.
Alan KM6VV
Yes, I am definitely a ROS newbie right now, but I think time spent learning how to use it will be well spent.
I think I can really get into programming robots using ROS. It’s complex enough that I think I will be able to work with it quite well and come up to speed on the basics pretty quick. However, it does not look like I am going to get ROS running on my BeagleBoard-xM anytime soon. 
8-Dale
You can get a mini-ITX for about $100, and there is also a micro-ITX.
Hasn’t someone already gotten ROS up on a BeagleBoard? Or maybe it was Raspberry PI. I know there are folks in my club doing it.
Alan KM6VV
I know. I am looking at that possibility now. I pretty much have to use what I have now.
I read in many places were somebody has done it, but little info on HOW they did it. 
I am going to try building ROS groovy from sources on my BeagleBoard-xM and see if that will work. Yes, I know it will take a long time to build.
8-Dale
I got a 32gb SD for my BeagleBoard, and have that installed and booting now. Hopefully, I will have enough room to get the ROS sources setup and built now.
8-Dale
I got my BotBoarduino and SSC-32 today. 
However, can’t get ROS installed on my BeagleBoard-xM. I can’t afford to go x86 for WALTER, so am out of ROS for now.
8-Dale
Can’t you just download the binary?
Somehow I missed your last three replies.
Alan KM6VV
No, unfortunately. There are no binaries for ARM right now, and I don’t know if/when they will be available.
I think I will go play with my shiny new BotBoarduino and SSC-32 now. I’ll see how much code I can cram into 32kb, and maybe try some Subsumption again.
8-Dale
I know this post is almost a month old but I just finished building ROS Groovy on the BeagleBoard-xM and I put all of my instructions on my blog.
sysadminfixes.wordpress.com/2013 … aglebuntu/
If this works (or doesn’t) for you, please let me know! It took a LONG time to build, but it does work properly for me. The only downside is that you can’t do the turtle tutorial because this build is using the “robot” package instead of the “desktop” package (some packages are missing in the “desktop” package of ROS on ARM atm).
I am doing this now. I will let you know how it goes. I’m running Ubuntu 13.04 on my BB-xM, which runs at 1 GHz now with a v3.9.11 kernel.
Edit: It didn’t build, and got an error near the end.
8-Dale
