Programming LEGO sets

Almost every time my girlfriend’s nephew and I build something with LEGO, which usually means I build it and give him advice, I find myself holding back a tear as I remember 
 all the wonderful adventures I had with LEGO as a kid.
 You could sit me down anywhere, hand me some LEGO, and I’d keep myself busy.

These days you might call them entire systems. I was genuinely surprised to learn that the LEGO robotics systems RIS (Robotics Invention System 2.0™) 
 can be connected to a PC. Once you’ve installed the software, you can program the monsters you’ve built.

RIS even comes with its own 
 graphical programming language, RCX Code. 
 Robotics Invention System 2.0™ — A quick guide was written by Robert Seifert, who published it on
 his own site devoted to LEGO sets.
 The price is a shame, about $200, and distribution in the Czech Republic might be a problem. Still, it’s awfully tempting.