OVER 2 YOU 240 (19/07/05)

SLOT CAR SOLUTIONS

Does anyone know of a way to use a computer to drive Scalextric cars so that a child can race the computer, giving Dad a rest?

Kevin Cottrell, via email

There is already a product called the Scalextric Challenger, which allows a specially adapted computerised car to learn and automatically drive around a Scalextric track without the need for a PC. Experienced drivers find the automatic car a little slow but this should make it ideal for a beginner. Details at: www.slotforum.com/reviews/Challenger/ or www.scalextric.com.

Many slot car clubs around the country have PC experts who would be able to help with a self-built system. To find a local club consult the British Slot Car Racing Association at www.bscra.fsnet.co.uk/. Many clubs have junior sections to provide human competition too!

Rob Lees (Four Lane Blacktop Slot Racing Club, Swindon), via email

The simplest way is not to use a computer at all. Use strips of Sellotape to cover up patches on one of the electrical contact rails on the track. Experimentation is needed to work out how much to cover up to get to the right speed for each corner, but with fine-tuning you can get a perfect lap. Even simpler is to play the excellent Scalextric simulator at: http://rally.jowood.com/rally.html. Check out the lift-off over steer on the mini!

Kevin Inskip, via email

With this site: www.tv4.se/lattjo/kojan/bilbanan.asp. You won't even need the Scalextric set!

Bill Pearson, Nantwich

LAWN LOGIC

My lawn is fairly large and an irregular shape. When mowing I find I am covering the same ground several times in a number of areas in order complete the cut. Can anyone suggest a program that could work out the most efficient route around the lawn?

Roy Collins, via email

Why bother? You can dispense with the PC altogether with a robotic lawnmower that does all the calculations for you, while you sit back in the deckchair and watch. There are more details on ‘Robomower’ at: www.homebotics.com/

Fred Strange, via email

Your correspondent obviously needs an AutoMower. It is a self-powered robot lawnmower made by Electrolux. No, it’s not a joke, it really exists, though I can’t vouch for its effectiveness (probably not very good, or the batteries don’t last very long) but the web site (www.automower.co.uk/), claims it can handle slight inclines and it is quite smart and won’t shave the cat!

Ann Boyce, via email

I had similar thoughts to Ron Collins while mowing my lawn but decided there are too many variables; e.g.; turning circle of machine; location and frequency of emptying grass box; for it to be a useful proposition.

Based on my experience of farm tractor driving, I think that the best way is to mow round and round, starting at the outside edge. With my machine I prefer to have the uncut lawn on my left, so at each corner I turn left and leave a hook shaped corner. Eventually a side will get so short that it is better to pull out at one corner and set in again at the next.

Depending on how long it takes to fill the box, I will divide the remaining uncut lawn into 2 or 3 sections and work round each section. The problem is that one does not want to be at the wrong end with a full box.

John Beaumont, via email

Your correspondent doesn't need a computer program, just a little (female) common sense.

Start by mowing the perimeter of the lawn and spiral in to the centre only mowing uncut grass. This works on my irregular lawn littered with trees, pond, island beds and trampoline.

Heather Pimble, via email

Although it probably can’t help you with your specific lawn layout you can hone your grass cutting skills with a computer game called Lawnmower. This challenges you to cut scores of different lawns with a petrol-driven mower, requiring you to negotiate a variety of terrains and obstacles whilst managing your fuel supply. Sad but true. You can download the game from:

www.terminalstudio.com/lawnmower.shtml

Michael Richards, via email

I am not sure this is really a job for a PC and there must surely be better things to do with your time, like mowing the grass, but there’s some helpful advice on the web, showing how to determine the efficiency of various mowing patterns at: http://home.howstuffworks.com/question350.htm

Peter Green, via email

CAN YOU HELP?

I'm preparing some exercises and tests in Excel for students. Can anyone suggest a way of preventing students from copying and passing the exercises and answers to each other?

M. R., via email

I am organising a bowls tournament for 16 teams of players with learning difficulties. This requires a computerised league system that can be adjusted at stages then continue to complete a final result. Can anyone help?

Les Barden, via email