Attn: Mech Designers, Beta Testers Needed!

[JVN]

All,
Many of you have used, or know of the motor/gearing design spreadsheet (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/papers.php?s=&action=single&paperid=252)which I released shortly after kickoff in 2004. Since that point, I have been slowly (painfully slow) revamping this sheet to make it easier to use, while providing more functionality.

I have been pushing on this even harder in the past few months, trying to get a version ready for release at Kickoff 2006. As Christmas rapidly approaches, I am nearing the point of completion.

I've tested this sheet fairly extensively. I've used it (as it has evolved) to run countless gearing and design calculations for 229, for friends, and even a few for IFI. However, I frequently make mistakes; as a precaution against one slipping by me, I'm looking for some beta testers to run through my spreadsheet, and make sure there are no serious errors.

I need:

People to review the User Interface, and suggest potential improvements.
People to run numbers in the spreadsheet, and make sure they make sense.
People to suggest additional functions & capabilities for the spreadsheet that are missing.
Experienced designers to go indepth, and check the actual formulas themselves, to see where I may be off-base.
If you feel you have time to do one or more of the above, please post in this thread, and send me an email (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sendmessage.php?do=mailmember&u=46) or AIM (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/member.php?u=46#). Once I have your interest, I will let you know when/where you can get a beta-copy of the sheet for review.

I know how busy everyone is and I appreciate whatever time I can get. Hopefully together we can ensure this sheet is an incredible resources for FIRST teams in 2006 and beyond.

Thanks in advance,
John

[Karthik]

John,

Count me in. I'm always willing to play around in Excel.

[Tristan Lall]

E-mail sent...I'm in too, if you'd like.

[Hieb]

I used your old sheets extensively with my students last year and would be glad to take a look at what you have now.

Dan Hiebert
Team 1437

[Madison]

I'd like to take a look at it, too, John. Let me know if you need another pair of eyes.

[Billfred]

I'm up for giving it the once-over in OpenOffice, for all of us open-source/too-cheap-or-broke-for-Excel folks out there.

[Bill_Hancoc]

I dont know if i can run numbers or any of that but im pretty good at idiot proofing and want to learn more about excel so i would be intrested

[Conor Ryan]

I've used it quite extensively in the past 5 months testing out ideas that i've had and figuring out optimal configurations. I have a few suggestions for it and I can help with the interfacing of it, so I guess I could help out with items 1,2, and 3.

Also I support Billfred in an offical openoffice (http://www.openoffice.org/) version of the document, just to make sure there isn't any problems for those non-conformists and the cheap.

[Ryan Foley]

I'd certainly love to help out. Note sure if I can really help much with the in depth stuff, but I'd love to look at the user interface/ available functions.

[Mike Betts]

John,

I'd be happy to help (email sent).

Mike

[Paul Copioli]

John,

You know I want to look at it, so send me what you need to send me.

Paul

[Stu Bloom]

Hey John,

I can't promise any specific amount of time, but I'd be glad to take a look. email on the way ...

[Richard Wallace]

I'm in. Email sent.

[Arefin Bari]

This is a spreadsheet that I have used for all my designs. I am definitely in. Email sent. :)

[Mike o.]

Im in here. Can't wait!! :D

[lbarger]

I would like to help. Email sent.

[JVN]

First off, let me say I'm thrilled by the number of people volunteering to help out. That is great. The more sets of eyes take a peek at this, the happier I'll be when it comes time for final release.

I worked on it all yesterday, and I was hoping to do a beta release last night, but unfortunately during final testing, I found a serious problem with the robot model. (It is accelerating too fast, and not providing a realistic result). So I'm going to try to take a peek at that, and see if I can't come up with the problem.

Expect something from me before Wednesday morning.
(Translation, I'm going to pull a late night tonight, and tomorrow. If I don't solve it, I will send it out anyways, and hope someone else can find the issue.)

Take Care,
John

[Lisa Perez]

I'd like to help. Like Billfred, I'll be happy look it over in OpenOffice.

[JVN]

All,

I just sent an email to all those who showed interest in the beta test.
If you didn't receive this email, either something messed up, or I don't have you information. If this is the case, please send me a PM.

Thanks,
JV