View Full Version : FIRST Choice Items
Any idea how it will be announced? Many of us don't use Twitter...
Will they announce it on the AM site?
an email would be appropriate...
R
Don't worry. At least 4 people will repost here with variations
Not ready to give up yet - I got a part page and and clicked add to cart. Now watching the spinning wheel.
Kevin Ray
14-12-2013, 13:15
There needs to be a back-up plan in place for next year so that thousands of people are not glued to their computer for an indeterminate amount of time in hopes of a "fix in the near future". If the system works well on the first shot next year then all is well, but if it goes down again, at least people can get on with their lives. Something along the lines of "If after 12:20 ET you can not log-in, go to the USFIRST.org site to view a message stating that the FIRST choice will re-deploy on the following day at 12:00 noon ET".
ham90mack
14-12-2013, 13:16
You could just visit the profile page directly; no need to log in to Twitter. It should even automatically get new tweets.
https://twitter.com/FRCteams
Just spent the $450 AM PDV (thanks AndyMark!) for those who opted out of the kit chassis at the fully-functional andymark.com. Got the Talons I was looking for.
Quite happy there.
How did you apply the PDV?
We apologise again for the fault in the
subtitles. Those responsible for sacking
the people who have just been sacked,
have been sacked.
+1
ttakashima
14-12-2013, 13:23
I Hope FC doesn't open again today... I don't want to have to get back to the house if for some reason it opens again in an hour. Things to do, places to go, people to buy things from...
Travis Hoffman
14-12-2013, 13:24
RE: AM PDV....
Login to your account as normal.
Create an order and go to the payment screen - the final view you get before you submit your order.
Look for the "Click here to apply a GIFT CERTIFICATE" link on that page - bottom left, below the Submit Order button.
Enter the PDV code in the boxes as 4 characters, then 5 characters, then 4 characters, and apply.
My recollection is that if your order is less than $450, you follow the same procedure, and the balance will still be available to you on subsequent orders.
RE: AM PDV....
Login to your account as normal.
Create an order.
Look for the Apply a GIFT CERTIFICATE link.
Enter the PDV code in the boxes as 4 characters, then 5 characters, then 4 characters, and apply.
My recollection is that if your order is less than $450, you follow the same procedure, and the balance will still be available to you on subsequent orders.
I'll give it a shot. Thanks!
DarrinMunter
14-12-2013, 13:27
For some odd reason I feel the need to sign up for some health care....
Travis is right; just do the PDV. It works.
DarrinMunter
14-12-2013, 13:37
Last year we got the PDV, because we knew what the drive train was going to be. This year AndyMark has a new one, so we decide against the PDV and get the new drive train. Mistake on our part?
Last year we got the PDV, because we knew what the drive train was going to be. This year AndyMark has a new one, so we decide against the PDV and get the new drive train. Mistake on our part?
Let you know in April?
droswell
14-12-2013, 13:47
Just tried to put the PDV in as a gift card, saying it's invalid. Put FRC1 in the first box, 4<team number> in the second box, and the last 4 digits in the last box?
DonRotolo
14-12-2013, 13:53
Just tried to put the PDV in as a gift card, saying it's invalid. Put FRC1 in the first box, 4<team number> in the second box, and the last 4 digits in the last box?
No. Log in to TIMS and get the full 13-character code, then type THAT in.
Clem1640
14-12-2013, 13:54
Just tried to put the PDV in as a gift card, saying it's invalid. Put FRC1 in the first box, 4<team number> in the second box, and the last 4 digits in the last box?
You should get your PDV code from TIMS.
droswell
14-12-2013, 13:58
Weird. Could have sworn I signed up for PDV, but I don't see a 13 digit key. Just a pw for First choice, and a PDV for IFI & inventables...
Bob Steele
14-12-2013, 14:02
FRC Teams @FRCTeams 38s
#FIRSTChoice will now open at 3 PM Eastern tomorrow, Sunday, 12/15/2013. More info to come in the blog.
Christopher149
14-12-2013, 14:03
FRC Teams @FRCTeams 59s
#FIRSTChoice will now open at 3 PM Eastern tomorrow, Sunday, 12/15/2013. More info to come in the blog.
FRC Teams @FRCTeams 17s
We sincerely thank you all for your patience as we work through this issue.
Clem1640
14-12-2013, 14:04
Could you have not?
Like Don, I had a 13-character PDV code (and used it successfully).
DarrinMunter
14-12-2013, 14:04
Looks like FIRST Choice is going to open at 3pm Eastern tomorrow - Sunday 12-15-2013, more to come in the blog. From the twitter feed.
DonRotolo
14-12-2013, 14:07
Great. I am unavailable at 3 pm Sunday. sigh.
DarrinMunter
14-12-2013, 14:10
The main part was that it was still the C-base framing. We have tons of those peices and other gear boxes from years past. The PDV gave us a chance to get other items. With this year since it's something other than a C-base frame, we decided to get the KOP drive train for this year. I should have been more clear.
geomapguy
14-12-2013, 14:25
No, last year there was a new drivetrain as well. Last year was a switch to a belt-drive system as well as changing to a toughbox mini(2012 was chain-driven, CIMple box). So you didn't know what you were getting when it came time to register for the PDV.
I believe when they offered the PDV option last year, they told us that the KOP was belt-driven
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-09-07-12
Great. I am unavailable at 3 pm Sunday. sigh.
Neither am I. This is rather unfair for those who have arranged their schedule to fit the original date and time.
Rather frustrated.
- Mr. Van
Andy Baker
14-12-2013, 14:37
All,
We at AndyMark are sorry that today's FIRST Choice parts ordering release did not go well. No orders for FIRST Choice have been placed.
We have contracted this service with a web hosting company, and we are working with them to get the site ready for tomorrow's (Sunday) 3pm Eastern time release.
We have been in close contact with FIRST today, and they are directing us to re-open tomorrow at 3pm. This will give us a chance to repair and reset the server files, and also gives teams a fair re-start to FIRST Choice.
We had 300 beta testers working hard to load up this site and kick the tires. The web hosting company was seeing a similar amount of traffic when the stoppage happened. Still, we at AndyMark are accountable for this and we will be working through the night to get it right for tomorrow's release.
Sincerely,
Andy Baker
cbale2000
14-12-2013, 14:47
All,
We at AndyMark are sorry that today's FIRST Choice parts ordering release did not go well. No orders for FIRST Choice have been placed.
We have contracted this service with a web hosting company, and we are working with them to get the site ready for tomorrow's (Sunday) 3pm Eastern time release.
We have been in close contact with FIRST today, and they are directing us to re-open tomorrow at 3pm. This will give us a chance to repair and reset the server files, and also gives teams a fair re-start to FIRST Choice.
We had 300 beta testers working hard to load up this site and kick the tires. The web hosting company was seeing a similar amount of traffic when the stoppage happened. Still, we at AndyMark are accountable for this and we will be working through the night to get it right for tomorrow's release.
Sincerely,
Andy Baker
Will this change in the opening time affect the cut off for the 3D printer lottery?
I too cannot make it at 3pm tomorrow, I wish they would just move it to latter in the week to allow time to arrange schedules.
Also, instead of the 1st come/1st served arrangement, why not take "pre-orders" in say October, this allows AM to order the correct amount of parts so they don't get stuck with a bunch of unwanted stuff.
Brandon_L
14-12-2013, 15:02
All,
We at AndyMark are sorry that today's FIRST Choice parts ordering release did not go well. No orders for FIRST Choice have been placed.
We have contracted this service with a web hosting company, and we are working with them to get the site ready for tomorrow's (Sunday) 3pm Eastern time release.
We have been in close contact with FIRST today, and they are directing us to re-open tomorrow at 3pm. This will give us a chance to repair and reset the server files, and also gives teams a fair re-start to FIRST Choice.
We had 300 beta testers working hard to load up this site and kick the tires. The web hosting company was seeing a similar amount of traffic when the stoppage happened. Still, we at AndyMark are accountable for this and we will be working through the night to get it right for tomorrow's release.
Sincerely,
Andy Baker
Thank you, Andy
Joe Ross
14-12-2013, 15:05
Will this change in the opening time affect the cut off for the 3D printer lottery?
Yes: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=123162
Clem1640
14-12-2013, 15:09
Thanks, Andy. Good fortune tomorrow.
Dave Campbell
14-12-2013, 15:24
15 years of FIRST has taught me that one thing that we all need to have - flexibility! Thanks for the work AndyMark. We'll do our best to (not) crash the system tomorrow.
MichaelBick
14-12-2013, 15:29
Also, instead of the 1st come/1st served arrangement, why not take "pre-orders" in say October, this allows AM to order the correct amount of parts so they don't get stuck with a bunch of unwanted stuff.
Because the FIRST choice items are donated, not bought. Therefor they have limited supply
DonRotolo
14-12-2013, 17:38
Well, it turns out I can be around at 3 after all.
Can you imagine the PANIC at AM and FIRST when the server crashed? I truly feel sorry for them, all of them. I have been in their shoes, frantically troubleshooting and working the problem, including Saturdays and Sundays.
The worst part of all this? Some very nice folks now have to work both through the night tonight, and Sunday too. My sincere thanks for that sacrifice. :)
Note - we saw a few people reporting problems with the VEXpro PDV codes.
I started a separate discussion about these, here: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1312559#post1312559
I also want to remind everyone that there is no time limit on the VEXpro PDV code.
If you had a problem: we have time to make sure we make things right for you. We want to get those donated components in your hands.
I'm sorry for any inconvenience!
-John
holygrail
15-12-2013, 15:09
Anyone else still having issues? I tried to add an item to a cart and a message popped up and said that it failed and to re-load the page and try again. Page has been loading for about 5 minutes now with no end in sight.
Joe Ross
15-12-2013, 15:11
FRC Teams @FRCTeams 11m
The #FIRSTChoice site is still under construction and will not be ready for traffic today.
FRC Teams @FRCTeams 10m
We will post the new #FIRSTChoice opening time & date with at least 24 hours notice. We sincerely apologize for this massive inconvenience.
ham90mack
15-12-2013, 15:16
The relevant thread is over here: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123191
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