[pxt-jacdac] List of configurable roles too long and partly unclear

[fabianhugo]

Description

After adding the Jacdac extension in makecode and clicking 'Modules' you can define roles which then add the needed blocks. In a mobile device usecase where WebUSB is not available, this is a way to still be able to use the Jacdac modules. Unfortunately, the list of possible roles, which pops up when adding a role is very long and not always clear, which makes it difficult and frustrating for inexperienced users. If I'd e.g. want to add a Kittenbot RGB ring, I'd have to choose between: LED, LED single, LED strip.

Proposal

• Reducing the list in length, e.g. to only the currently commercially available modules (Kittenbot, ..) (Forward Education uses seperate extension I assume)
• Use names that are more distinct and printed on comercially available modules like 'RGB Ring' or '8 LEDs RGB Ring' instead of LED

[MKleinSB]

@fabianhugo Transitional what about creating an extension (like Kittenbot Set1) where one Block of each modul is used one time so that the simulators can start?

[pelikhan]

Launching proactively all KittenBot modules is not a good idea. It will bloat the simulator view and the compiled code.

[fabianhugo]

Thanks for your answers. Ah, I think there might be a misunderstanding, my idea was to strip down / tidy up the list, so that users can find their way to the modules that they have in their hands. Without prelaunching certain modules. But I think, having a seperate jacdac-extension that e.g. only contains the kittenbot mdules (without launching them directly) might be a way.