[FRC Blog] Encrypted 2015 Game Manual

[Hallry]

Posted on the FRC Blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog), 12/31/14: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-encrypted-2015-game-manual

Encrypted 2015 Game Manual

Blog Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2014 - 09:38

Encrypted 2015 FRC Game Manual

The encrypted 2015 FRC Game Manual is now ready for download here (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/competition-manual-and-related-documents)! The password will be revealed during the Kickoff webcast Saturday, January 3rd. No one is more happy that the manual is done than the FRC Staff, let me tell you. Of course, this means it’s time to get started on 2016. Uff da.

If you want to make sure you will be able to decrypt the manual when that exciting moment comes, please follow the instructions on this page (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/2015decryptiontest).

Kickoff Broadcast

Thanks to our friends at Comcast, you will be able to stream the Kickoff broadcast, in high def – assuming you have the bandwidth - here (http://comcastcorporation.com/frc2015).

Here’s the approximate timeline for Saturday, January 3rd. All times are US Eastern Standard Time. Make sure to convert to your local time so you don’t miss the party!

10:15 AM – Pre-show starts. This gives you time to make sure you can stream the show, set sound levels, etc. Early on, it’s just an animation of the FIRST logo and music, but later, it includes some interesting previews and thank-yous to Sponsors and Suppliers.

10:30 AM – Main portion of the Kickoff video starts, including game reveal!

11:07 AM – Field tour video segments start. These include detailed look at field elements and other items that may be of interest to teams.

11:14 AM – Webcast ends. Work begins.

Frank

[JohnBoucher]

Awesome. Thanks Frank!

[tindleroot]

2015 Game Manual: 3,044 KB
2014 Game Manual: 4,071 KB

I wonder if this means that the game manual is shorter this year? 33% file size reduction seems like a significant loss.

[Andrew Lawrence]

The best work always begins at 11:14. ;)

[Rosiebotboss]

2015 Game Manual: 3,044 KB
2014 Game Manual: 4,071 KB

I wonder if this means that the game manual is shorter this year? 33% file size reduction seems like a significant loss.

.....and the over analysis begins! :D

[cgmv123]

I wonder if this means that the game manual is shorter this year? 33% file size reduction seems like a significant loss.

Or there's less/smaller images or more image compression.

[shhrz]

Or there's less/smaller images or more image compression.

Stop making so much sense :p

[RoundTabler]

If R13 is anything to go by...it could well be 33% shorter. We can at least hope, right? :o

[AustinShalit]

I have a few questions: Does this mean that Kickoff will not be shown on NASA TV? How can we replay Kickoff for showing at a later time (like 6pm PST that evening)?

[orangemoore]

I have a few questions: Does this mean that Kickoff will not be shown on NASA TV? How can we replay Kickoff for showing at a later time (like 6pm PST that evening)?

Usually the videos for kickoff are put up on the youtube channel pretty much right after kickoff ends.

[wilsonmw04]

according to the hint thread, there are 65 pages to the manual this year. This is considerably less than the 111 pages from last year and the 94 pages for 2013.

[Andrew Lawrence]

according to the hint thread, there are 65 pages to the manual this year. This is considerably less than the 111 pages from last year and the 94 pages for 2013.

How would the hint thread know anything for sure about the manual?

[thatnameistaken]

How would the hint thread know anything for sure about the manual?

Someone's phone displayed page 0 of 65 when asking for the key. Said person posted this on the hint thread, it's not really related to the thread itself.

[Electronica1]

according to the hint thread, there are 65 pages to the manual this year. This is considerably less than the 111 pages from last year and the 94 pages for 2013.

Well, R13 seemed a bit shorter than before. Assuming they gave all the rules the same treatment, I can see the manual being a bit shorter than last year.

[Jacob Bendicksen]

Uff da.

"Uff da" is a Norwegian expression used to express disgust or frustration (similar to the Yiddish "oy vey," or the English "ugh").

It's cold in Norway.

Cold water = ice.

Hockey game confirmed.

[pfreivald]

Well, the linked page has a link for the lock-up form, so speculation about doing away with stop build day can now be quashed, at least.

[Electronica1]

I just noticed that there is a team update (http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FRC/Game_and_Season__Info/2015/FIRST-FRC-2015-TeamUpdate-20141219.pdf) listed for the manual already.

[ATannahill]

Interesting. This post never appeared on my RSS reader and it does now show at http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog.

The page that Ryan linked to is still active and accepting comments.

[Hallry]

Interesting. This post never appeared on my RSS reader and it does now show at http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog.

The page that Ryan linked to is still active and accepting comments.

I noticed that as well. Usually it takes a bit for a blog post to appear in the listing after it is posted, but never this long.

This post never appeared on my RSS reader

An RSS reader? Man, I should get on of those... :rolleyes:

[Paul Richardson]

Well, the linked page has a link for the lock-up form, so speculation about doing away with stop build day can now be quashed, at least.

Well, lockup would still need to be a thing for transporting robots to Championships if we did away with stop-build (which I'm in favor of).

[ad1217]

Is there no encrypted programming .zip this year? Seems like that would be important...

[nickmcski]

Is there no encrypted programming .zip this year? Seems like that would be important...
I wonder if they would be giving every team a USB with the files on it, You can never have too many USB sticks

[Jill_ls101]

Is there no encrypted programming .zip this year? Seems like that would be important...

Additionally, no Kit of Parts Checklist or Field Drawings, which are usually available beforehand as well.

If all of these are included in this new, shorter manual, I'll be impressed. (And quite happy.)

[rrossbach]

Is there no encrypted programming .zip this year? Seems like that would be important...

The encrypted .zip for the NI FRC tools was apparently posted recently. It's available from NI's download site here (http://www.ni.com/download/first-robotics-software-2015/5112/en/)

- Ron

[Kevin Selavko]

Interesting. This post never appeared on my RSS reader and it does now show at http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog.

The page that Ryan linked to is still active and accepting comments.

Its on the blog's list now http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog

[cglrcng]

I just noticed that there is a team update (http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FRC/Game_and_Season__Info/2015/FIRST-FRC-2015-TeamUpdate-20141219.pdf) listed for the manual already.

Wrong Manual Sir....That posted update is for the 2015 Admin. Manual that is already posted and never was encrypted. Not for the 2015 Game Maual that is encrypted and PW Protected until reveal of the PW during Kickoff!::rtm::

[orangemoore]

Wrong Manual Sir....That posted update is for the 2015 Admin. Manual that is already posted and never was encrypted. Not for the 2015 Game Maual that is encrypted and PW Protected until reveal of the PW during Kickoff!::rtm::

I think he said what he meant. Technically they are the same manual just two different sections.

[Hallry]

Is there no encrypted programming .zip this year? Seems like that would be important...

Additionally, no Kit of Parts Checklist or Field Drawings, which are usually available beforehand as well.

If all of these are included in this new, shorter manual, I'll be impressed. (And quite happy.)

FYI, these have now been released in the newest FRC Blog post (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=131858).

[martin417]

I have a few questions: Does this mean that Kickoff will not be shown on NASA TV? .....

I don't think this question was answered. I know I can watch it on the web, but I would rather watch it on the big screen TV. Is NASA going to simulcast it?

[notmattlythgoe]

I don't think this question was answered. I know I can watch it on the web, but I would rather watch it on the big screen TV. Is NASA going to simulcast it?

From what I have heard, no. But I have no sources, just hearsay.

[cadandcookies]

I don't think this question was answered. I know I can watch it on the web, but I would rather watch it on the big screen TV. Is NASA going to simulcast it?

It's pretty trivial to hook up a laptop to a TV if you have the right cables.

[AdamStockton]

I don't think this question was answered. I know I can watch it on the web, but I would rather watch it on the big screen TV. Is NASA going to simulcast it?

Although there has been no official response from FIRST, it doesn't look like they will be this year. If you look at the schedule for NASA TV on the NASA website, they have other programs scheduled for the time that the kickoff will be aired tomorrow.

[MikeReilly]

I don't think this question was answered. I know I can watch it on the web, but I would rather watch it on the big screen TV. Is NASA going to simulcast it?

Showing your age Martin. Sure you wouldn't want to listen to it on the radio?

Of course, it's somewhat ironic that it won't be on TV, but it's webcast by a cable tv company...

See you tomorrow!

[alexander.h]

I don't know how many of you have seen this post, but it seems to clear up a few things about the "shorter" game manual (well, it did for me at least ...)

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1419017&postcount=635

So all this excitement over a shorter game manual sums up to using a smaller font and less paragraph spacing ... and just when it was getting good :(

[Kuhnahtt]

Typed in "WaTeRgAmE" for the password and unfortunately it wasn't it. Bummer.

[James1902]

Of course, it's somewhat ironic that it won't be on TV, but it's webcast by a cable tv company...



Less ironic and more a sign of the times if you ask me.

[Ichlieberoboter]

Trying to guess at the password is so useless but I just can't stop!

[Whippet]

Trying to guess at the password is so useless but I just can't stop!

Z3RoH2O4You!

[MasterEric]

For those looking, the actual password is:

R3C3CL3RU$H2015