View Full Version : 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
Kingsmen
22-10-2007, 07:37
We are a team based in Northern Indiana and we were wondering if we wanted to go to the Toronto Regional, would we need passports? and Would it be hard to get Passports for the whole team?
passports would be reccomended. abut getting them in the US? im not sure, but Canada it's pretty easy
Some good info on the following link.
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59099&highlight=passports
If you contact Karen Rosenthal she can give you info about shipping your robot to make it cheaper and safer. Info for Karen is at:
http://www.firstroboticscanada.org/site/contact
Hope to see your team in Toronto 2008.
lukevanoort
22-10-2007, 19:08
Passports are pretty easy to get, but you MUST allow for extra time to get them, as delays are not a rare occurrence. The main problem with a team getting them is price; for my Canadian passport it was about $100CAD, the US one was a little cheaper, but not by much. Although it is a good idea to possess a passport, it would probably be more realistic to have the team go the photo ID route.
The rules about US citizens going to canada seemed to be written so that the rules could be changed quickly with little notice. I believe (don't quote me on this) that they would only give 60 days of notice if they changed the rules.
Anyway, Aces High is making sure that we don't run into any problems and all team member going to GTR must have a passport. We don't want to have any problems at the boarder.
dtengineering
23-10-2007, 02:37
First of all, let me vouch for the high quality of GTR... it is a great regional. Not that I've seen a bad regional yet, but GTR is outstanding, especially in "super regional" years. In fact over the past four years we've flown across the continent four times to be part of the show, and this year will likely be our fifth. If you happen to have a chance to make it to Niagara Falls, too, well then so much the better.
Second of all, thank you for the reminder about passports, as the rules for entering the USA are getting stricter all the time. While Americans are generally welcome to come up to Canada without a passport (and always have been) it is ironically getting home that is an issue.
Fortunately school groups have been deemed to be "low risk". I quote:
"Will children be required to present passports under the rule? (http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/land_travel/whti_ls_faq.ctt/whti_ls_faq.pdf)
As announced by the departments on Feb. 22, 2007, U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 16 and children age 18 and under traveling in designated school or youth groups could carry birth certificates. U.S. children could also present Consular Reports...."
The plan to get passports for all team members is a good idea, but judging from the above it should not be mandatory. Some other things you want to consider when competing internationally are:
1) Medical Insurance
2) Parental consent, particularly in the case of children of divorced parents... consent from both parents is typically required to cross an international border. (Although no one has checked on that the last three years for us.)
3) Non USA/Canadian citizens... may need to get VISA clearances early. We have had a situation where one student did not get his VISA cleared up in time and had to stay home, and another where he was listed on his mother's VISA... she had to travel with him. (She had a great time, by the way.)
4) You'll think I'm joking... but ask if anyone has a criminal record. I asked as joke once, and am glad I did. One of our members, unknown to anyone on the team, had done something stupid a year or two earlier and could have been very embarassed if they had checked him out at the border. Crossing a border with a criminal record... even for minor crimes committed as a youth is not something to be taken lightly.
5) Watch for the "roaming" fees on your cell phones...
Hope to see you in Toronto in the spring,
Jason
Graham Donaldson
24-10-2007, 23:09
Team 1676 is making their first trip up to the Great White North (which happens to be my home country & country of citizenship) for GTR!*
*(or at least we're supposed to be- we still have to register)*
So, who's going? Who do we get to meet?
you get to meet us!!! 1565!! w0000 toronto regional is the best!!!!
you get to meet me!!! and the rest of team 1565
GAAAAA....he beat me to it.....
Team 188 - The Force from the North - Blizzard
Pat Fairbank
25-10-2007, 14:40
Team 1503 from Niagara Falls will be there, of course. Should be fun; too bad it's not a Super Regional this year.
Graham Donaldson
25-10-2007, 18:12
Team 1503 from Niagara Falls will be there, of course. Should be fun; too bad it's not a Super Regional this year.
I assume by Super Regional you mean 2-fielder? I thought it was always that way. Did they change the venue from years past?
Tristan Lall
25-10-2007, 18:29
I assume by Super Regional you mean 2-fielder? I thought it was always that way. Did they change the venue from years past?The venue is, as ever, the Hershey Centre (a hockey arena). However, the size of the event varies from year to year, and the number of fields also varies accordingly. If there's sufficient demand for places (likely >60), FIRST and the regional committee might commit to the second field.
I'm currently in the process of raising funds to send myself up to volunteer... and also in the process of convincing my mom to let me fly alone :rolleyes:
I'd love to go to GTR.
Graham Donaldson
30-10-2007, 16:42
It's confirmed! Team 1676 is coming to GTR (provided we pay, of course). The trip was approved by our superintendent sometime in the past few days, and we should be listed as registered for the competition, so we'll be there!
Elgin Clock
31-10-2007, 16:21
Anyway, Aces High is making sure that we don't run into any problems and all team member going to GTR must have a passport. We don't want to have any problems at the boarder.
2008 will be 176's second year straight going to GTR if I remember correctly?
I'm curious what led to GTR being one of your choices for a regional with your team being from CT (as my team is), and picking an out of country regional choice as your "travel regional". Usually we do a "travel regional" but stick with one a few hours/or states away.
PM me, or post here if you're cool with sharing why you chose GTR.
Thanks.
AcesPease
31-10-2007, 16:39
2008 will be 176's second year straight going to GTR if I remember correctly?
I'm curious what led to GTR being one of your choices for a regional with your team being from CT (as my team is), and picking an out of country regional choice as your "travel regional". Usually we do a "travel regional" but stick with one a few hours/or states away.
PM me, or post here if you're cool with sharing why you chose GTR.
Thanks.
Last year we were looking for a second regional that wasn't consecutive with the CT regional and was reasonably close. The closest were full (and are again this year). Toronto was brought up because we had heard about it at the BAE one year and had kept the idea on the back burner. Two reasons we would like to go back are that we would like to check out the City and Niagara and we had a great time at a really well run event. Our pit guys were already making plans to return before alliances were picked last year. The bus ride was very smooth and not tiring like we feared. If you can, check it out :)
Graham Donaldson
02-01-2008, 21:59
Hey, a question from me to all teams out there who have attended Toronto previously. When I visited Mississauga over winter break to check out the layout of the city for when we come up as a team (I was up visiting family & friends), I stopped by the Playdium as well. The representative at the hotel said he knew that a lot of teams went there, and when we talked to a manager at the Playdium, he said that the place was mobbed on Friday night, and that they had special pricing available for FIRST teams.
So, after that background, here are my questions:
1. Does your team go to the Playdium?
2. Is it well received by team members (do they enjoy it)?
3. How long do you recommend staying there?
4. For your time recommendation, how much can you expect to spend per person?
Thanks for your help, guys.
1. Does your team go to the Playdium?
2. Is it well received by team members (do they enjoy it)?
3. How long do you recommend staying there?
4. For your time recommendation, how much can you expect to spend per person?
1. We've gone in the past, but not ever year.
2. Most enjoy it, although some are tired after a day of competition and practice and would prefer to go rest at the hotel.
3. 2-3 hours.
4. I think we've typically gotten the $20 all inclusive play card, but purchased at a group rate.
Travis Hoffman
02-01-2008, 22:21
So, after that background, here are my questions:
1. Does your team go to the Playdium?
2. Is it well received by team members (do they enjoy it)?
3. How long do you recommend staying there?
4. For your time recommendation, how much can you expect to spend per person?
Thanks for your help, guys.
When attending the Canadian/Greater Toronto Regional, 48 traditionally went to the Playdium Thursday evening from 2002-2007. Not only did this avoid the big crowds on Friday (I don't believe the regional arranged for team group rates in the early years - we just picked Thursday on our own and stuck with it), the fact it's the evening of a practice day helps keep it from interfering with the "chi" of the actual competition days and the scouting/strategy activities which typically occur on Friday nights at the hotel.
Most team members did enjoy it, although some of the video games, most notably the linked Grand Prix racing system (each person has his/her own car and display, competes against the rest of the field), have not been upgraded since we've been going there and are therefore old hat to returning team members. The first time is the most fun time, however. I have many great memories (and pictures) of the Playdium from back in the day. You guys should enjoy it.
I believe we stayed for around 2 hours. That coincided with the time limit of the all-inclusive cards, I think.
Like 1114, we also purchased the all inclusive card at a group rate. Play as many games as you want for a fixed amount of time. The clock starts as soon as you swipe your card in the first game machine. As long as you don't spend too much idle time in between games, you will feel like you got your money's worth.
FYI, we always had time to stop in Niagara Falls, ON, for about 3-4 hours on the Wednesday before the competition. I highly recommend investigating such a side trip if you can fit it into your schedule. Makes for a great team picture photo op, and there are a lot of things for kids/mentors to do, see, and eat while you're there. If you need any further details, feel free to PM or email me.
so I'm going to dig up this old thread and ask who all is coming to toronto and anyone got big plans at toronto for that weekend?? Has your team come up with anything special for the toronto regional this year??
1337Nerd
24-02-2008, 23:48
Team 1006 will be there. If you wanna come say "hi" I'm our team's videographer so I'll have the camera with me everywhere...and I'll also be the only person on our team with a fedora.:P
Vince lau
25-02-2008, 09:17
Last year we were looking for a second regional that wasn't consecutive with the CT regional and was reasonably close. The closest were full (and are again this year). Toronto was brought up because we had heard about it at the BAE one year and had kept the idea on the back burner. Two reasons we would like to go back are that we would like to check out the City and Niagara and we had a great time at a really well run event. Our pit guys were already making plans to return before alliances were picked last year. The bus ride was very smooth and not tiring like we feared. If you can, check it out :)
glad you guys had fun last year, and look forward to seeing you back at GTR. what day are you guys heading up?
Team 1006 will be there. If you wanna come say "hi" I'm our team's videographer so I'll have the camera with me everywhere...and I'll also be the only person on our team with a fedora.:P
Oh my God you copy cat! I was the guy last year with the fedora at the GTR and Waterloo!!! lol. :P its ok though, we can be fedora buddies!
See you in GTR
AcesPease
25-02-2008, 11:24
glad you guys had fun last year, and look forward to seeing you back at GTR. what day are you guys heading up?
Heading up Wednesday and leaving Sunday morning. Just now finalizing evening plans. See you then!
scirobotics
25-02-2008, 12:28
yeah you wanna gat those early because it can take quite awile.
scirobotics
25-02-2008, 12:30
Team 1006 will be there. If you wanna come say "hi" I'm our team's videographer so I'll have the camera with me everywhere...and I'll also be the only person on our team with a fedora.:P
a fedorah hmm? well that is easy... btw that banner thing you haveve totally blew my mind
1337Nerd
25-02-2008, 13:18
Oh my God you copy cat! I was the guy last year with the fedora at the GTR and Waterloo!!! lol. :P its ok though, we can be fedora buddies!
See you in GTR
Awesome! I'll be at Waterloo too. See you there.
1337Nerd
25-02-2008, 22:38
a fedorah hmm? well that is easy... btw that banner thing you haveve totally blew my mind
The penguin?
a fedorah hmm? well that is easy... btw that banner thing you haveve totally blew my mind
we should totally start a fedora club for the canadian regionals lmao
whos with me!?!?!
1337Nerd
26-02-2008, 07:57
Definately. Fedora's ftw!
Found out mine is technically a "Alpine Fedora" cause its from Germany and had a feather. Who knew??
1337Nerd
26-02-2008, 23:34
Anyone on the advance team for their team? I'm on the 1006 one.
Gutgarts
07-03-2008, 08:21
anybody know if there is going to be a social there?
Vince lau
07-03-2008, 09:10
According to the GTR agenda http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedfiles/community/frc/events/2008/2008_ON_Agenda.pdf
there is no social
some teams make their own socials by going to dinner with other teams or going to playdium (big arcade type place)
Graham Donaldson
07-03-2008, 10:47
1676 is going to the playdium on Thursday night.
Speaking of which, it may be a little late now, but I have a question for area residents/teams that have attended before: (at least this year) the Playdium offers two different packages. One's a two for one on credits (160 credits instead of 80 for the same price), and one is 80 credits and a meal voucher or something. Here's my question: for people with experience at the Playdium, which is the better idea? Will a person run through 160 credits easily, or is 80 enough? Should we get the 160 credits anyways, even if we won't finish them, because the meal prices are realistic and buying your own food isn't a big deal?
Looking for opinions/commentary on this...
Vince lau
07-03-2008, 11:07
the 2 hour unlimited is probably the best deal, but I guess it depends on what games you want to play since some games are exclude on the unlimited card.
I would go with the 160credit if you're not planning on getting the unlimited card, because the credit value varies depending the game you play. I'll call them later and ask what the credit for games range from.
i'm guessing you'll have more then 3 people go so the price for the 160credit is 22.50, so its a $0.50 difference between the unlimited and160 credit
Graham Donaldson
11-03-2008, 10:29
Another question from 1676: Communication. How do American teams communicate with each other at Canadian regionals? Cell phone prices are outrageous, and as far as I know, we can't have radios (walkie-talkie's) at the competition. My guess would be just to send runners to find someone, but I'm not sure.
In addition, are there any other tips American teams that have been to Canadian regionals before have for our team? Since we (my family) are Canadian, we have an idea, but we certainly don't know everything.
Vince lau
11-03-2008, 10:54
bring a warm jacket, from past exerience (i've been to every Canadian Regional/GTR since it started) we had snow on the first day of the competition and by saturday its warm and sunny outside. I think for the first few years it was always cold on the first day when we had to wait outside to get in open the crates.
can't think of anything else, but if you have anymore questions feel free to ask
For all teams if you need to do a food/parts run you can find me in team 1605's pit ask for Vince and I can take one of your mentors with me
Another question from 1676: Communication. How do American teams communicate with each other at Canadian regionals? Cell phone prices are outrageous, and as far as I know, we can't have radios (walkie-talkie's) at the competition. My guess would be just to send runners to find someone, but I'm not sure.
In addition, are there any other tips American teams that have been to Canadian regionals before have for our team? Since we (my family) are Canadian, we have an idea, but we certainly don't know everything.
I wouldn't be too worried about this, yes, GTR is held in the biggest venue I've been to a FIRST event in, but its usually not a problem, as long as you organize where your team members are going to be in the stands. (Yes, I know, Atlanta, but 1075 has never been... no money)
Cell Phone prices are outrageous for all us non-mississauga canadian teams too, I know my cell phone will kill me for roaming if I use it... Also, if cell phones ARE your way of communication, I believe text messaging with most US carriers is only about 15 cents a message when you're in canada. Of course, check with your specific carrier to be sure.
Travis Hoffman
11-03-2008, 11:41
Another question from 1676: Communication. How do American teams communicate with each other at Canadian regionals? Cell phone prices are outrageous, and as far as I know, we can't have radios (walkie-talkie's) at the competition. My guess would be just to send runners to find someone, but I'm not sure.
In addition, are there any other tips American teams that have been to Canadian regionals before have for our team? Since we (my family) are Canadian, we have an idea, but we certainly don't know everything.
Most important advice to American teams (which won't apply this year):
If it's anywhere near April 1st, beware of individuals with funny-colored hair. They come bearing false and temporarily disturbing information. :yikes:
As for communication, we always just bit the bullet and used our cell phones - some phones (including my Sprint phone) didn't work at all. I believe you need a GSM phone to even have a chance at roaming. Perhaps that has changed.
Also - AVOID THE ETR 407 (Express Toll Route). The people running that scam like to steal American money and line their pockets with it. There are no toll booths - they use cameras to record your license plate - you'll get a lovely bill in the mail at your home.
There are many useful stores in the vicinity of the Hershey Centre - huge grocery stores, a Home Depot, etc. Ask the locals.
Lick's (great hamburger joint) and Montana's on Hurontario (between 401 and 403) are good places to eat - all in the same plaza. There's also a good pizza place there, whose name escapes me.
If you get a chance to go to Niagara Falls, go. It makes a great side trip. Typically you should stop there for a few hours on the way into Canada.
I can't think of anything else to "watch out for" at the GTR. It's so well organized and operated, you really have to search for things to complain about.
Have fun!
bring a warm jacket, from past exerience (i've been to every Canadian Regional/GTR since it started) we had snow on the first day of the competition and by saturday its warm and sunny outside. I think for the first few years it was always cold on the first day when we had to wait outside to get in open the crates.
can't think of anything else, but if you have anymore questions feel free to ask
For all teams if you need to do a food/parts run you can find me in team 1605's pit ask for Vince and I can take one of your mentors with me
Remember no food is to be brought into the arena.
Also - AVOID THE ETR 207 (Express Toll Route). The people running that scam like to steal American money and line their pockets with it. There are no toll booths - they use cameras to record your license plate - you'll get a lovely bill in the mail at your home.
LOL.. That's the 407 actually not the 207 and yes it is a scam.. even for us Canadians. It's actually to aviod the traffic Toronto gets during Rush Ho... wait....anytime in the day....
I think the best best for communication, is to know where everyone is sitting (or the majority of people) and do runs.. and if you have to use something else, texting seems the way to go!
Have Fun and See you there!!
Vince lau
11-03-2008, 12:13
Remember no food is to be brought into the arena.
that is correct, we usually eat in the parking lot, hopefully it will be warm outside
Hey Travis, how come 48 isn't coming to GTR this year... it won't be the same without you guys.
Hopefully 1075 will meet up with you at an offseason... maybe Wonderland (if it happens) or Kettering or RaChaCha.
Travis Hoffman
11-03-2008, 12:54
Hey Travis, how come 48 isn't coming to GTR this year... it won't be the same without you guys.
Hopefully 1075 will meet up with you at an offseason... maybe Wonderland (if it happens) or Kettering or RaChaCha.
We decided after 6 years of supporting the event since its inception, it was time to change things up a bit for our "far" regional to give the kids a bit of variety. What we may do is rotate between Midwest and GTR here and there, depending on how the regional schedule works out from year to year. I'd be inclined to go to both in the same year, but that's another story.
The Midwest Regional was an all-around great experience for us - very comparable to the GTR with a new fun setting in the city of Chicago. Plus it was like GTR South with the three Canadian teams in attendance.
Canada's Wonderland (if they arrange for it this year - I'd bet on it) and Kettering Kickoff are definite possibilities this offseason, although in not taking a bus, I think any of our students going to Wonderland would have to have a passport - that may be a hindrance. We also hope to go to IRI, as usual.
Best of luck to all who compete at the GTR, which, given the many dedicated volunteers who work their butts off to plan it, will continue to be an excellent event, with or without 48 in attendance. A special shout out to fellow Delphi teams 378, 703, and 1507, who will all be competing there.
so does anyone know if GTR is 1 field or 2 this year?
I haven't seen anywhere saying that there is two fields so I am assuming there is only one. Can anyone comfirm??
AcesPease
23-03-2008, 19:19
I haven't seen anywhere saying that there is two fields so I am assuming there is only one. Can anyone comfirm??
I think you need over 70 teams to have more than one field. At least that was the offer in CT. New Jersey and New York also have over 60 teams on one field.
fredliu168
23-03-2008, 19:30
I am betting GTR will break the current national record placed in waterloo of 168 points.
im going to try to work really well with 1114 in a qualification match and see if we can beat our own record.
you might just see a 200 point match
DonRotolo
23-03-2008, 22:08
Yikes! Into what have we gotten ourselves?
Toronto sounds like it's going to be excellent, can't wait for the bus ride to start...
Toronto is traditionally one of the biggest regionals, and one that often sets a high score for a game. I think thats partly due to its nature being a week 5 regional (its always been late in the season), and because it gets alot of the best teams from the Michigan, Upstate NY, and Ohio areas. It was the FIRST super-regional. Never mind the pool of Canadian talent, in 1114, 2056, 1503, 1680, 296, 772, 188, and so on.
Vince lau
24-03-2008, 12:38
woohoo GTR is just a few days away, well it looks like we might be getting some snow thursday and friday so bring a jacket.
and for those out of province teams that are driving up, watch your speed limit, with the new 50 over law (50km/h over speed limit), your car automatically gets impounded for 1 week and your licence is suspended for 1 week and you face a minimum $2,000 fine. Nobody should be driving that fast in the first place.
DonRotolo
24-03-2008, 18:24
50 over the limit? Goodness, that's too fast and should be punished*. Those penalties do not sound too harsh, either - duh, just drive at the limit...
1075guy's post has me worried. I mean, GTR is legendary, but will 1676 be able to compete? I guess we'll try our very best and see what happens. Maybe some of that famous Canadian luck will rub off on us. Or Team Waldo will help us find our way. I just hope we don't embarrass ourselves.
Anyway: we'll be there in about 49 hours. See you then.
Don
*and this is from someone who drives the Autobahn regularly.
Remember Don, we measure in km/h up here, 50 over is really only about 25-30 over for you.
Graham Donaldson
24-03-2008, 21:46
Remember Don, we measure in km/h up here, 50 over is really only about 25-30 over for you.
That's still a lot over the limit- highways in NJ generally range from 55-65 mph, so that's like one and a half times the limit- a lot when you realize that that's 90-odd miles an hour.
Nawaid Ladak
24-03-2008, 21:51
is somebody willing to do a ustream web cast for Thursday. Discovery i think is doing Friday and Saturday only right?
the canuk 2step (waterloo and GTR back to back) is one of my favorite times of the FIRST calender year. not only do you get to see the same dominant Canadian powerhouses like 1114, 1503, 188, and ...1305, but you get to see variant talent, like T3 coming to waterloo, or the great 2006 alliance of Division by Zero (Team Element,(4), the Thunder Chickens (217), and Division By Zero (229).). alnog with Ace is High visiting last year.
I really wanted to attend this regional this year, but because of spring break being a week too late, it sucks to be me...
Im REALLY looking forward to this weekend...
Graham Donaldson
24-03-2008, 22:21
is somebody willing to do a ustream web cast for Thursday. Discovery i think is doing Friday and Saturday only right?
Good question...my dad just asked me about that. Since we're down here in NJ, we have people who want to watch us compete via a webcast, or something similar. Is anyone (person, team, or organization i.e. Discovery- Canada or US?) broadcasting the regional?
the canuk 2step (waterloo and GTR back to back) is one of my favorite times of the FIRST calender year.
"The canuck two-step" - :D ...that's a new one. I like it!
Mark Rozitis
24-03-2008, 22:21
reminder to let all the media know about this week's events at the Hershey centre, that means start pounding all the TV and radio stations, newspapers, wire services, community cable 10 (rogers) and send those press releases to those assignment desks, producers and news directors and tell them WHY they should put a reporter on the story and how about some story ideas? angles? interesting story about someone on you're team or you're team.....something that makes this a story.
I am going to try and be there, for Global news in Toronto and if not me personally I have and keep promoting the story idea all week and to the weekend crew for Saturday as well, I also shoot for the Weather Network and with the snowy winter we have had here I have leads on two teams that almost didn't make it due to road closures due to the snowstorms so I am going to try hard to get to come down to the GTR and shoot a ton of video and clips and get it on the air.
I can't speak for the other stations but I am sure others will make sure they are aware of the event.
In news the sad reality is that it's really tough to get coverage for something that is good......but both Global and TWN obviously are heavy into weather so I am going to play the weather angle as my way of getting them interested.
and when contacting media...TV, radio, local papers, major papers, wire services in adddtion to telling what this is all about you have to make sure they know what they will see and hear at the event and how big it really is or they won't chance it and send a camera and reporter.
I work in news and I have a heck of a time selling any ideas so you got to come up with something interesting to get them....interested in covering this story.
Explain what FIRST is well and that is a good start and then if there is something special about you're team or a team member...put that in as well and of course team number and contact info, if a crew can't find you at the venue in 10 minutes flat.....they won't keep looking, depending on the reporter make that 1 min and 45 seconds and I am being kind :)
Mark's right. It's time to put up or shut up when it comes to Dean's homework. We need as many people to hit the news outlets, and come up with as many angles to cover FIRST as possible.
Tech, human interest, business, weather, anything!
Here are some Toronto news room e-mail addresses to get started with:
news@citynews.ca
http://www.cbc.ca/local_includes/toronto_contacts/newsatsix_toronto.html
science@ctv.ca
news@ctv.ca
globalnews.tor@globaltv.com
city@thestar.ca
torsun.citydesk@sunmedia.ca
If you have any more, please post them to this thread!
Good question...my dad just asked me about that. Since we're down here in NJ, we have people who want to watch us compete via a webcast, or something similar. Is anyone (person, team, or organization i.e. Discovery- Canada or US?) broadcasting the regional?
The link to the webcast is :
http://www.ctvdigital.com/discovery/first/player.html
This webcast is to be covered by Discovery Channel here in Canada on Friday and Saturday. They do interviews between matches and show different angles from those only seen on FIRST webcasts if it is the same as last year. I was told that there may even be HD webcast.
It was asked if there could be a webcast Thursday, not that I know of. All of the DSL's are being used unless I pull one from the pits and that would be a bit of work.
Graham Donaldson
25-03-2008, 09:59
The link to the webcast is :
http://www.ctvdigital.com/discovery/first/player.html
This webcast is to be covered by Discovery Channel here in Canada on Friday and Saturday. They do interviews between matches and show different angles from those only seen on FIRST webcasts if it is the same as last year. I was told that there may even be HD webcast.
It was asked if there could be a webcast Thursday, not that I know of. All of the DSL's are being used unless I pull one from the pits and that would be a bit of work.
Thanks for that info Steve! I'll send it on to my dad and the team.
Vince lau
25-03-2008, 13:31
whats everybody doing at night? playdium? laser quest? i feel like challenging Steve, i heard he is pretty good :P
Graham Donaldson
25-03-2008, 14:05
We're headed to Playdium Thursday night. If anyone else is going, let us know.
whats everybody doing at night? playdium? laser quest? i feel like challenging Steve, i heard he is pretty good :P
Vince I am pretty good, however, I have retired for playing Laser Quest after my problems in Rochester. I knew that I was somewhat allergic to the smoke but I guess that after 10 years of not playing I got worse. I am still having problems with my voice and hope that I can keep it for GTR.
Vince lau
25-03-2008, 15:42
hope your voice gets better Steve.
i think some people from 1605 will be heading to playdium but don't know which day yet
AcesPease
25-03-2008, 16:28
We're headed to Playdium Thursday night. If anyone else is going, let us know.
Looks like Thursday is when we go also :)
anyone know if there is internet access in the pits?
anyone know if there is internet access in the pits?
Adding to that: Will Sundial be up again this year??
Also:
Team 2200 is in desperate need of the LH (Left Hand) 9 tooth (output gear) Keyang motors.
You can identify them by the LH marking on the power connector. And by them having a 9 tooth gear.
If any team has one that they are not using and could bring it alot it would be appreciated. We went through 4 of them at waterloo.
Thanks alot,
Adam Bochek
-FRC 2200
Also:
Team 2200 is in desperate need of the LH (Left Hand) 9 tooth (output gear) Keyang motors.
You can identify them by the LH marking on the power connector. And by them having a 9 tooth gear.
If any team has one that they are not using and could bring it alot it would be appreciated. We went through 4 of them at waterloo.
Thanks alot,
Adam Bochek
-FRC 2200
No worries! we will bring another one for you (we brought you one last time too :D)
Discovery Channel has a good intro for those wondering about FIRST and this years event. Check it out : http://www.discoverychannel.ca/shows/showdetails.aspx?sid=7826
No worries! we will bring another one for you (we brought you one last time too :D)
I appreciate it! we keep wearing these out, oh well thats what spares are for!
- Bochek
Pat Fairbank
25-03-2008, 19:42
Adding to that: Will Sundial be up again this year??
I'm afraid not. I've been asked by FIRST not to run Sundial at events this year due to interference concerns with the field system.
I'm afraid not. I've been asked by FIRST not to run Sundial at events this year due to interference concerns with the field system.
I'm not even sure how this is possible, but it is a downer. I really missed it at waterloo. And i'm sure i will miss it attending GTR for the first time.
I'm afraid not. I've been asked by FIRST not to run Sundial at events this year due to interference concerns with the field system.
...What field system? Sundial runs on 802.11 [2.4ghz], and AFAIK everything about the field runs on 900mhz... So no RF interference... the only place even possible to introduce issues is where it connects to the statistics from the field, and that should be purely an input thing.
Never mind that at GTR RF interference is highly unlikely due to pits/field being separated by so much distance.
...What field system? Sundial runs on 802.11 [2.4ghz], and AFAIK everything about the field runs on 900mhz... So no RF interference... the only place even possible to introduce issues is where it connects to the statistics from the field, and that should be purely an input thing.
Never mind that at GTR RF interference is highly unlikely due to pits/field being separated by so much distance.
Yes indeed the problem is with the interface. FIRST believes that with Sundial accessing the database that it causes a problem. Better safe than sorry is a good motto.
People asked if there will be wireless in the pits. The answer is yes. I will be providing, thanks to Bell Canada, not 1 but 2 DSL lines that will be connected to 2 Cisco access points. This should allow a better throughput and better connection as the 2 access points will be farther apart and the more distant teams will now be closer. The access points will be running A/G/B but not N so bring the right cards.
1114: We (1024) pretty much already know you're going to rock the Toronto regional, but we'd like to wish you best of luck anyways. ;)
Funny... that list of three teams to ever win three regionals in one season looks to get longer mighty quick... :D
I don't really personally know any of the other teams at this regional.. so I'll give a hearty... GO TEAMS! (and may your field be malfunction free... unlike the cleveland field... kudos to the ifi guy for sticking with it.)
-q
DonRotolo
26-03-2008, 10:05
Remember Don, we measure in km/h up here, 50 over is really only about 25-30 over for you. OK, so when I said we'd leave in 49 hours, that meant really about 30 hours? :ahh:
Just kidding. Yeah, I drive in Europe all the time, and USA is really one of the very last to use the antiquated English system of Miles Per Hour. As I get older, I understand the value of dividing by powers of 10 instead of something random like 5280. 40 km/h is 25 MPH, almost exactly - and driving 65-70 in a 40 (MPH) zone is plenty good readon to lose your license AND pay huge fines. Even 90 in a 65 is pretty excessive.
OK, now it's down to about 49 minutes before we leave...
Don
Well, I don't know if you've ever driven the 401 through Toronto area, but at points its a SIXTEEN lane cross section. It is very very easy to find oneself doing 130km/h, 140km/h and even more just keeping with traffic, when traffic is moving. When its stopped, you'll be lucky to see 40km/h.
I drive it all the time, and I'm never trying to go more than 120km/h (roughly 10mph over, and roughly michigan's highway speed limit.), but I often find myself being the slowest one of the group, and I'm STILL doing 135km/h
I've been being especially conscious of this since the 50 over law came out, as I don't have any particular interest in a $10,000 fine and having my car impounded on the spot.
Another thing for you out of provincers, If you are approaching an emergency vehicle on the shoulder, GET OUT OF THE RIGHT LANE. They have been fining a TON of people for this lately, as a few officers have been killed.
So I thought I would throw out a question:
Out of all the teams attending GTR, which alliance would you think could take down the 1114/2056/???? alliance?
So I thought I would throw out a question:
Out of all the teams attending GTR, which alliance would you think could take down the 1114/2056/???? alliance?
I think any robot, with a good drive train, and drivers that can keep pace with 1114 can slow them down enough to make it a amazing match to say the least
Not sure about team numbers... but I think there are teams that could do it!
PS. Bochek I'll be sure to stop at your pit with that motor for you tomorrow morning!
Thanks, appreciate it!
And theres another good option, that is to seed higher then both 1114 and 2056. Then pick the lower seed of the 2 to be on your alliance, Atleast then if they say no, there is no chance of them being on the same alliance.
- Bochek
hahahahahaha! that has been thrown around in Waterloo! but 2056 beat us to it!!
Someone will do it in GTR...
I think if you get your weakest bot to trap one of the opposing team's balls, then you've reduced their scoring ability by approximately 50% while reducing yours by a max of 33% (assuming your third bot produces 1/3rd of your points, which is unlikely). Even if the opposing team's more powerful hurdler takes over their 2nd ball, you've still probably hurt their scoring rate more than you've hurt yours.
The main problem in a match vs 1114/2056/???? is that they will probably score 5 + 3 + 2 lines and 2 balls in hybrid (56 points!), so even if you can shut down their in-game scoring, you're probably going to have a LONG way to catch up.
Someone will do it in GTR...
agreed!
Roller claw team up anyone?? (our designs are similar lol) :P:D
ive been thinking about it, i hope we get a qualification match with you guys in GTR. We never got to play together in Waterloo.
- Bochek
ive been thinking about it, i hope we get a qualification match with you guys in GTR. We never got to play together in Waterloo.
- Bochek
agreed our record against eachother is 2 wins for you guys and 1 win for us. Not once did we play together. I think roller claws work well with other roller claws!
ROLLER CLAWS FOR THE WIN:D:D (thank you 121!:D)
we'll try and get a few practice matches together, we love to run as many as we can (we ran 6 straight in waterloo) and see what happens.
- Bochek
we'll try and get a few practice matches together, we love to run as many as we can (we ran 6 straight in waterloo) and see what happens.
- Bochek
We'll be out to practise as soon as our upgrades are put on (we are making both the rollers and our arm faster, arm is roughly twice as fast, and rollers will be 3.8 times as fast or more, up to 5ish times)
See ya tomorrow!!
We'll be out to practise as soon as our upgrades are put on (we are making both the rollers and our arm faster, arm is roughly twice as fast, and rollers will be 3.8 times as fast or more, up to 5ish times)
See ya tomorrow!!
Do you guys have any PID controll on the arm? increasing the speed is going to increase the difficulty of controlling it without PID.
ahaha who needs sensors!? we have never used such things (or even complex code, which I am assuming is PID)
No worries my friend, the arm was toooooooooo slow in waterloo, it will be controllably faster for GTR.
If things get out of control, I know who to ask haha :D
controllably faster
Isn't that an oxymoron?
Nawaid Ladak
26-03-2008, 23:27
tot he alliance that can beat 1114/2056/x. i don't think there is one that can do it at GTR
your best bet will have to be
a VERY consistent 2200. a VERY consistent 188. and a x robot, weather it be a 1503 or 2386, it's going to be a wait and see process...
who said 1114 and 2056 will be together? You guys are jumping a little too ahead of the game! :P (But yes, I do know it's something likely)
you'll never know how the rankings are going to turn out at each of these regionals. Just a reminder, don't forget that 188 as "inconsistent" as some of you say they are, they ended up seeding higher than 1114. it's really how these teams are going to play in Eliminations and how "lucky" they are with the way their alliance partners work in matches.
On another note, I wish luck to teams in attendance, and I'm sure that I am missing one heck of a regional.
Optimizer
27-03-2008, 14:27
tot he alliance that can beat 1114/2056/x. i don't think there is one that can do it at GTR
your best bet will have to be
a VERY consistent 2200. a VERY consistent 188. and a x robot, weather it be a 1503 or 2386, it's going to be a wait and see process...
Probably anybody's best hope is to break those two up.
But just to give you everybody "fair warning" :] , you should really be watching a couple of newcomers. Interestingly, we also (like #1114) are coming in from the Niagara Frontier - only from the American side (Niagara County, NY). We (#1507) were seeded #1 in Rochester, and our sister team (#378) headed up the alliance that won the silver there. I wouldn't be surprised if one or both of us made it to the final round opposite 1114/2056. It would be kinda cool, too, if we were both on the SAME alliance in that final round, if those two can't be separated. Hey - you never know!
Anyway, good luck to all the teams, I'm getting a late start (heading out now) but I will look forward to seeing you all in action tomorrow. I couldn't find a Canadian/American dictionary, so I'll just have to wing it with the language barrier - bear with me, please! ;)
Mark Rozitis
27-03-2008, 14:42
Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.
Mark Rozitis
27-03-2008, 14:46
Tonight on Global news we should have something on the national at 5:30pm in Toronto and on Global news at 6pm......I'm the camera operator that shot the vis and just ingesting it into Grassvalley now and they will start editing.
Mark
Hopefully this gets into the right forum, I'm posting via Blackberry.
is anyone staying at the days inn?
Hey guys,
1114 won't be with 2056
Vova
and your sure of this how??
and your sure of this how??
Hope your upgrades went well.
Here's my logic, that maybe Vova had as well:
1114 hasn't been top of the standings yet this year, they seem to have reliability issues and a bit of bad luck in qualifications. They have an ENORMOUS target on their back, everyone has analyzed how to defend against them, so it is possible for them to get 1 or 2 losses during qualifying. When 1114 is paired with weaker alliance partners, shutting them down = shutting down their alliance.
2056, though quite good, isn't quite as powerful as 1114, they had flawless reliability (and a smidgen of luck) at waterloo, so it is possible that they won't be top seed.
If we assume that the top seed will pick 1114 first (pretty much given unless they have catastrophic drivetrain AND manipulator failure) and top seed isn't 2056 or 1114 then 1114 and 2056 will not be together.
Close, here is my logic:
From the past years I have noticed that when 1114 is seeded very high, which they always are, they pick alliance members different from the ones they were with at a regional which they've recently won. Meaning that if a team that 1114 has just won a regional with, is at the next regional that 1114 is also at, even then 1114 is not bound to pick them. I think that 1114 wants to give other teams a chance to win and enjoy competing in the elimination rounds, not just because they can afford to do that, but because it's part of gracious professionalism. Now, an exception would be 1503, but in 2006 they were under the mentorship of 1114. Also, 2056 is a very powerful team, which would mean that 1114 would most likely want to be with them again. However, I think that there are other very successful teams at GTR this year. There is however a restriction to my prediction: 1114 has to be seeded higher than 2056.
I hope you guys understood that cause personally I'm not feeling well right now haha
Jonathan Norris
27-03-2008, 23:12
The only way that 1114 ans 2056 get together again is if one of them is the first seed... but when you look at it, thats a very good possibility. But seeing that GTR doesn't have as many matches as Waterloo, one or two un-lucky matches (or matches against one another) could put another team in first seed. I still think one of 1114 or 2056 will end up in the first seed.
I'm talking to a few people on msn, and the more I talk the more flaws we see in my logic even though some of it makes sense. We still think that 1114 won't be with 2056 but for other reasons. Either way, good luck to everyone!!!!! Seeing as my team isn't attending GTR I'm rooting for each and every one of the other teams :D
dtengineering
28-03-2008, 00:15
Good luck to all the teams at GTR, especially 1241 who billeted us our first two years at the tournament.
We'll be watching the webcast, but after four successive GTRs it will feel weird to not be at Hershey Centre.
Mind you, seeing as the weather forecast is calling for more snow... I might be able to get over it!
Jason
Tonight on Global news we should have something on the national at 5:30pm in Toronto and on Global news at 6pm......I'm the camera operator that shot the vis and just ingesting it into Grassvalley now and they will start editing.
Mark
Hopefully this gets into the right forum, I'm posting via Blackberry.
Mark, my dad caught the segment on Global at 5:30 while working out at the gym. GREAT WORK!!!
J Flex 188
28-03-2008, 08:33
Is there any sort of chat app going on for people watching the webcast from the Discovery Channel feed? Thanks!
Sagar Vyas
28-03-2008, 09:09
Probably anybody's best hope is to break those two up.
But just to give you everybody "fair warning" :] , you should really be watching a couple of newcomers. Interestingly, we also (like #1114) are coming in from the Niagara Frontier - only from the American side (Niagara County, NY). We (#1507) were seeded #1 in Rochester, and our sister team (#378) headed up the alliance that won the silver there.
When you say the Niagara Frontier, don't forget to count out 1503 who are less than 35 minutes away in Niagara Falls!
There will be a lot of teams from the Niagara area, including:
-1114
-1503
-1507
-1680
-2056
Anyway, hope to see you there!
Is there any sort of chat app going on for people watching the webcast from the Discovery Channel feed? Thanks!
Mmmm... iframes
http://www.student.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~ahare/first.html
I don't know how to make the meebo media window smaller though, sorry.
PatrickN
28-03-2008, 16:43
Close, here is my logic:
From the past years I have noticed that when 1114 is seeded very high, which they always are, they pick alliance members different from the ones they were with at a regional which they've recently won.
I think it's somewhat uncommon to be in a position to team up with the same team in the same year, and even harder to be the one picking both times. Given they had 3 regional wins with the same team in 06, 2 with the same team in 07, went to regionals in 3 completely different areas in 04 and only picked at 1 of 2 regionals in 05, I can't see how you'd reach that conclusion.
But anyways on a different note, does anyone else notice 1114 trying to catch their own hurdles off a bounce (and sometimes succeeding)? That's impressive...
But anyways on a different note, does anyone else notice 1114 trying to catch their own hurdles off a bounce (and sometimes succeeding)? That's impressive...
It is... but what's also impressive is the almost total lack of defense against 1114... I mean.. no one batting the ball away from them now and then or getting in front of them for a few seconds...
I love the Discovery channel broadcast of this regional. Having a correspondant (and let's not forget our co-correspondant Karthik (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/member.php?u=1777) :D ) makes it so much more fun to watch! So, anyhow, the Toronto regional gets my star for most fun broadcast to watch today.
Lots of neat arm designs too.
Go Teams!
-q
Graham Donaldson
28-03-2008, 18:52
GTR has been amazing for Team 1676- we're having a blast. The upgrades to our elevator have really helped us out- we're now 7th in scoring average, and 21st overall- a huge improvement over NJ.
Congrats to Where's Waldo on their Woodie Flowers! Congrats also out to all the other teams that won awards today.
We'll see what happens tomorrow!
we are having a blast as well! Our arm upgrade is working well and we are currently ranked 10th (we seem to have horrible luck in certain matches:( )
and we won Innovation and Control award!!!!!!! :D:D
Good luck to all teams tomorrow, and see you in the Eliminations!!!!
IntensifiedAmp
28-03-2008, 20:19
Yeah I LOVED 1565's drivetrain. It's so beautiful :eek:
I also loved a lot of the robots. I mean, I expected a certain design to be dominant. There was really never much dominance of one. People wanted to build something unique, you got it.
Our team's having fun!
It's unfortunate though that someone messed with our trimming and the robot went totally wild for one match. Aye! It was horrible I admit. Imagine (actually you can see the match) a quote, "Zoom Zoom" robot thats drivetrain was not trimmed -- It's having a Ferrari without any breaks. That was close. Yay for a low-mass robot.
Sorry for those at the other side if you're reading this!
E-button for the win!
Have fun :)
- Team 1219
DonRotolo
28-03-2008, 20:52
Props to 1565 for their drivetrain & the rockwell award - it is truly a thing of beauty.
Asa for 1114, I will be highly surprised if they are not in the finals on Einstein. Their bot does everything perfectly, their drivers REALLY know how to drive, and reliability seems excellent.
Having a great time up here, this place is huge... Kinda like NJ, but just a bit larger. I can now understand what all the talk is about.
Don
Mark Rozitis
28-03-2008, 21:21
Thanks, I ended up going to the station and looked at the air-check for the 5:30 and the 6pm show and they did a decent job putting it together, I also saw it on the weather network and it will be on TWN again tonight at 11:10pm.
I am always worried because you never know how they are going to put something together or what the reporter will say or write...I just shoot the video, but this time it looked decent.
mark
Mark, my dad caught the segment on Global at 5:30 while working out at the gym. GREAT WORK!!!
basicxman
28-03-2008, 21:24
has the tournament already started, im going tommorow hopefully, how many matches are left!?
well tomorrow is a few qualification matches 2 per a team i believe, and then after lunch its the final rounds.
basicxman
28-03-2008, 21:33
well tomorrow is a few qualification matches 2 per a team i believe, and then after lunch its the final rounds.
ok cool im so there
Mark Rozitis
28-03-2008, 21:39
It has started, tomorrow is the final day at the Hershey centre....practice was Thursday, and today started the competitions. I am not sure how many matches left....
has the tournament already started, im going tommorow hopefully, how many matches are left!?
Jonathan Norris
28-03-2008, 21:50
I saw a short little segment on CBC at the end of 6:00 news today about GTR.
astephen68
28-03-2008, 22:07
Does anybody know where 1114 is placed in the standings? and what are the top 8 teams right now in the standings
thanks
Optimizer
28-03-2008, 22:08
When you say the Niagara Frontier, don't forget to count out 1503 who are less than 35 minutes away in Niagara Falls!
There will be a lot of teams from the Niagara area, including:
-1114
-1503
-1507
-1680
-2056
Anyway, hope to see you there!
:o :o
How could I forget you guys!?! We just saw you at Finger Lakes! Sorry, ... Rookie mistake!
I hadn't noticed Fort Erie (there are just so many teams), and I wouldn't have realized where Stoney Creek was, so thanks much for enlightening me. My best to all our neighbors across the border!
basicxman
28-03-2008, 22:19
Well seeing that im from burlington and used to help mentor st martins i must say:
Go St. Martins and Rambotics!! It would be so cool if they were in an alliance, anyone know how they're doing?
Joe Ross
28-03-2008, 22:27
Does anybody know where 1114 is placed in the standings? and what are the top 8 teams right now in the standings
thanks
http://www2.usfirst.org/2008comp/events/ON/rankings.html
astephen68
28-03-2008, 22:30
http://www2.usfirst.org/2008comp/events/ON/rankings.html
Thank you very much
basicxman
28-03-2008, 22:33
lol no surprises there:rolleyes: me senses another win for simbotics
well i dont know what people think of this years game, and the judges decisions. But for our team its been nothing but bad luck this year. All our matches have been pretty good but then we have other allied teams who end up with penalty's and we loose. Lets see if any team will choose us for finals based on what we can do and not our really bad rank.
Good luck to all,
Roborams - 2185
astephen68
28-03-2008, 22:35
lol no surprises there:rolleyes: me senses another win for simbotics
No mistakes there but i think 1114 will lose in atlanta to team 70's alliance unless they are on the same alliance with team 70
lukevanoort
28-03-2008, 23:00
Lets see if any team will choose us for finals based on what we can do and not our really bad rank.
If your robot is truly performing well and it is just bad luck, then you have decent shot of getting picked. GTR has several veteran teams who are skilled at scouting; 1114 comes to mind immediately, you don't win 8 of your last 9 regionals just off of luck and a good robot. Those who have been around for a bit know to look past ranking.
astephen68
28-03-2008, 23:05
If your robot is truly performing well and it is just bad luck, then you have decent shot of getting picked. GTR has several veteran teams who are skilled at scouting; 1114 comes to mind immediately, you don't when 8 of your last 9 regionals just off of luck and a good robot. Those who have been around for a bit know to look past ranking.
1114 is an awesome team
yes 1114 does scouting but what about their second pick. they know that their going to win so they chose a ok or bad robot fro their third pick to win with so to look good and less competition in atlanta. Also 1114 most of the times at regionals that the teams they mentor or were mentored by them are their they chose them like this years waterloo. 1114,2056,1608.....
Uhm, I respectfully disagree.
1114 does the best scouting I have ever seen in FIRST. They have exact statistics on every single team at the regionals they attend - how many lines and balls they do in hybrid, how many laps they do, how many hurdles they do, how many places they make. They use this as the basis of their pick lists.
The reason 1114 is forced to pick a middle-of-the-road robot for their second pick is because of the nasty thing called the serpentine draft - but that's a whole other can of worms to be opened at another time. They will always pick the best available robot to complement their alliance, and make the best use of them possible, because they do know that they aren't unbeatable. They want to ensure they have the best chance possible of winning the regional, therefore, they pick the best robots possible. I would expect nothing less from any team out there. Noone is guaranteed a regional win, let alone 1114, but they do an amazing job at inviting the best possible alliance mates to work with them, to give them the best chance possible.
Yes, 1114 picks teams that they mentor. Not because of the fact they mentor them, but because of the fact that the teams they mentor are the best robots available. That in itself says tremendous things about their program - the teams they mentor consistently rank very high, and are generally in the top level of teams at a regional. They are obviously doing something extremely right, that they transfer to those teams. It is no wonder that they won the RCA in Waterloo - their program is, in my opinion, one of the strongest out there. Both of the rookie teams 1114 mentored last year made it to the Championship, and made the eliminations in their respective divisions - not picked by 1114. The teams they mentor have a long history of success, between them: 7 Regional wins, 3 Regional finalists, 1 Rookie Inspiration Award, 3 Rookie All-Star Awards, a Motorola Quality Award, and 2 Highest Rookie Seed Awards. Those speak for themselves to the quality of the teams they mentor, if you ask me.
Oh and by the way, at Waterloo 2008, 2056 picked 1114, not the other way around.
lukevanoort
28-03-2008, 23:52
yes 1114 does scouting but what about their second pick. they know that their going to win so they chose a ok or bad robot fro their third pick to win with so to look good and less competition in atlanta. Also 1114 most of the times at regionals that the teams they mentor or were mentored by them are their they chose them like this years waterloo. 1114,2056,1608.....
I hope that's sarcasm or a joke, because I doubt 1114 ever knows their going to win, and I am certain that they don't pick bad teams in order to boost their own image (often the last robots picked are just okay, but alliance captains have no control over that, since they are the last ones picked). And I also doubt 1114 chooses teams they mentor because they mentored them. You'll note that every time 1114 has picked another NiagaraFIRST team, they picked either one of the best or the best robot available to them. It wouldn't surprise me if they leaned towards teams they knew well (more familiarity = better efficiency on the field), but I would be extremely surprised if they go into alliance selections thinking "How many NiagaraFIRST teams can we get on our alliance."
astephen68
29-03-2008, 00:07
Uhm, I respectfully disagree.
1114 does the best scouting I have ever seen in FIRST. They have exact statistics on every single team at the regionals they attend - how many lines and balls they do in hybrid, how many laps they do, how many hurdles they do, how many places they make. They use this as the basis of their pick lists.
1114 is an awesome team
astephen68
29-03-2008, 00:11
I hope that's sarcasm or a joke, because I doubt 1114 ever knows their going to win, and I am certain that they don't pick bad teams in order to boost their own image (often the last robots picked are just okay, but alliance captains have no control over that, since they are the last ones picked). And I also doubt 1114 chooses teams they mentor because they mentored them. You'll note that every time 1114 has picked another NiagaraFIRST team, they picked either one of the best or the best robot available to them. It wouldn't surprise me if they leaned towards teams they knew well (more familiarity = better efficiency on the field), but I would be extremely surprised if they go into alliance selections thinking "How many NiagaraFIRST teams can we get on our alliance."
1114 is an awesome team
Vince lau
29-03-2008, 00:22
yes 1114 does scouting but what about their second pick. they know that their going to win so they chose a ok or bad robot fro their third pick to win with so to look good and less competition in atlanta. Also 1114 most of the times at regionals that the teams they mentor or were mentored by them are their they chose them like this years waterloo. 1114,2056,1608.....
I have to disagree with you here, First, no team even knows they are going to win for sure, they might be favourites, but they aren't guaranteed to win, there are always upsets.
and by saying that they pick a ok or bad robot as a second pick, just so they look good and so there will be less competition at the championships. i think you just disrespect the all the hard work those teams put into their robot. I'm not speaking for 1114, but i think that they pick the best team out of the remaining teams that they think will be best for the alliance. 2006 Waterloo for example 1114 and 1503 picked 1281 as the last pick, the reason they picked us was because of our drive system and from their scouting they knew that we would be able to play good defense for them.
1114 knows how to scout and I think they have some of the best scouts out there.
astephen68
29-03-2008, 00:24
The only thing bad about this years completion anywhere is that you can't play defence like the other years. Like other years you could defeat the #1 seeded alliance, you could win with an 8th place seed this year you can't
Nawaid Ladak
29-03-2008, 01:49
The only thing bad about this years completion anywhere is that you can't play defence like the other years. Like other years you could defeat the #1 seeded alliance, you could win with an 8th place seed this year you can't
The Defense i agree with
but the rest, 8v1 is a different case a each regional. Midwest was packed, while waterloo had 2056, 1114, and the rest of the robots were nowhere near their level of play.
if you want to prove this theory, let me know when championships come around
IntensifiedAmp
29-03-2008, 06:16
If your robot is truly performing well and it is just bad luck, then you have decent shot of getting picked. GTR has several veteran teams who are skilled at scouting; 1114 comes to mind immediately, you don't win 8 of your last 9 regionals just off of luck and a good robot. Those who have been around for a bit know to look past ranking.
You couldn't have said it better. For example, say a team has done only one error, and say its a human error easy to fix, such as "someone messed with a limit switch" (which happened to another team unfortunately) or something related, I think very insightful scouters would know and come back for another match.
Well of course they look for consistency, but good scouters know what mistakes were made and how often. And if it isn't often, then I think you got yourself a good one. (Of course it depends on every other factor)
Yes and I have to stress his point -- Rank clearly does not matter in the picks too much. I would say there would be a trend for sure, but sometimes you'd have to omit that to circumstances.
Travis Hoffman
29-03-2008, 06:50
The only thing bad about this years completion anywhere is that you can't play defence like the other years. Like other years you could defeat the #1 seeded alliance, you could win with an 8th place seed this year you can't
I think the inability of an alliance to do anything to repress an opponent's hybrid mode proficiency is the number one contributor to "super" alliance success at regionals this season. Alliances without spiffy hybrids are frequently sunk by 40+ points by those with awesome modes before they even touch the controls. Very hard to overcome that, whether you can play D during teleop or not.
It's a case of the match being over before it even started. And the crowd goes wild!.....:confused:
But yes, at the Championship, more lower-seeded alliances will also possess effective hybrid modes, so the hybrid gap will not be as insurmountable as often, and they will have a better shot at unseating the top seeds in Atlanta.
If you have a strong hybrid mode, you will make an attractive 2nd pick selection for most picking teams at the Georgia Dome.
Richard Wallace
29-03-2008, 10:44
So, predictions? I'll go out on a limb and project 1114 as the #1 seed. They can't seem to score in less than triple digits.
Joe Ross
29-03-2008, 10:48
So, predictions? I'll go out on a limb and project 1114 as the #1 seed. They can't seem to score in less than triple digits.
The only way 1114 does not get #1 seed is if 188 or 2056's opponents score 200+ points and still lose.
Richard Wallace
29-03-2008, 10:57
The only way 1114 does not get #1 seed is if 188 or 2056's opponents score 200+ points and still lose.Yeah, I didn't say it was much of limb. :rolleyes:
So, 1114 picks 2056. 188 picks 176. 1114/2056 put up a 200+ score in the quarterfinals. The finals go three matches.
gah, was I WRONG or what? :D
astephen68
29-03-2008, 12:07
The Defense i agree with
but the rest, 8v1 is a different case a each regional. Midwest was packed, while waterloo had 2056, 1114, and the rest of the robots were nowhere near their level of play.
if you want to prove this theory, let me know when championships come around
very true and actually i forgot about one alliance member on our alliance when we were the 8th seeded alliance vs #1which was 1114,2056,1608. 2056 couldn't pick up the ball because our alliance partner 2361 pushed their ball around the course. if our alliance partner did that to 1114 they couldn't have score by hurdling they could still race but we would have had a better chance.The only way to defeat teams like this is to push their pall around because if they cannot hurdle they have a better chance of losing
astephen68
29-03-2008, 12:11
I have to disagree with you here, First, no team even knows they are going to win for sure, they might be favourites, but they aren't guaranteed to win, there are always upsets.
and by saying that they pick a ok or bad robot as a second pick, just so they look good and so there will be less competition at the championships. i think you just disrespect the all the hard work those teams put into their robot. I'm not speaking for 1114, but i think that they pick the best team out of the remaining teams that they think will be best for the alliance. 2006 Waterloo for example 1114 and 1503 picked 1281 as the last pick, the reason they picked us was because of our drive system and from their scouting they knew that we would be able to play good defense for them.
1114 knows how to scout and I think they have some of the best scouts out there.
yes i know that they do chose by scouting but what i said came out the wrong way to people i meant to say that from what i see not from every year 1114 has chosen a team that is doing good in the competition and a team who has had some bad luck with their arm or manipulator.
Ok i know they properly don't know that they always are going to win but every regional that has 1114 in it always had 1114 in the winning alliance. I know that they do not know if they are going to win but the only time i have seen 1114 lose is in Atlanta with the better American teams. for example last year when the were pushed into the rack by 2 teams and their arm fell off with no penalties, so they lost in the semi's. All i am saying they don't think they are going to win the regional but everybody else does know they are going to win the regional
astephen68
29-03-2008, 12:22
I think the inability of an alliance to do anything to repress an opponent's hybrid mode proficiency is the number one contributor to "super" alliance success at regionals this season. Alliances without spiffy hybrids are frequently sunk by 40+ points by those with awesome modes before they even touch the controls. Very hard to overcome that, whether you can play D during teleop or not.
It's a case of the match being over before it even started. And the crowd goes wild!.....:confused:
.
You coul always get the alliance during eliination rounds program their robot to go foward and bloakc the side form other teams going around meaing like this
| robot #1
his is the line |
| Robot#2
|
|Robot#3
it effectivil;y blocks the other team getting a second ball and getting 2-3 more lines
so it will limit them to only 16 points
Coming from a team competing at GTR, i was appalled at the quality of the reffing. Multiple times i took video footage evidence to the head ref and he basically told me to suck it up and leave.
I have seen several other teams get in a good argument with the head ref. I even went and talked to him when the penalties where against our alliance just to show how inconsistent the reffing was. If anyone just watched the final match, the only penilty given to the red alliance was 1 <G22> to 1114, when there where a clear 2 and possible 3 infractions. Also, they somehow managed to score a hurdle in hybrid mode (at the same time they got a <G22>)
I was very disappointed how rude the ref was to myself and anyone else who went to go clarify any calls.
I would like to hear if any other teams from GTR had the same thoughts or feelings.
- Bochek
Richard Wallace
29-03-2008, 16:37
Coming from a team competing at GTR, i was appalled at the quality of the reffing. Multiple times i took video footage evidence to the head ref and he basically told me to suck it up and leave.
...The info under your name in the post above lists your team role as "Mentor". If that is correct, then you should know (per rule <T04> in section 9.6.2 of the 2008 FRC Manual) that only pre-college students are permitted to interact with the Head Referee for clarification of rulings or scores. And whether you are a mentor or a pre-college student, rule <T03> (same section) clearly states that referees will not review recorded replays under any circumstances.
Ah i have allready changed my status in preperation for next year, i am still pre-collage and still attend the highschool and act as a team member.
I understand that they do not accept video footage. When i went up, i told the ref that I was not trying to affect the scores, just to make sure that he knew what was happening, but he woulden't hear a word of it.
-Bochek
Gaurav27
29-03-2008, 18:19
Thanks to Team 1565: T3 Think Tank Technologies and Team 781: Kinetic Knights for getting us to the Semi Finals!
Congratulations to Teams 1114 Simbotics on their 3rd regional win, 2056 Patriotics on winning both their attended regionals and 2166 Bluebotics on their win! :cool:
Good luck to 1114 Simbotics and 1547 Where's Waldo in Atlanta with Chairmans, keep striving to be the first Canadian Chairmans winners.. :)
And everyone who made it an amazing regional to watch!
Imprudent
29-03-2008, 18:26
Also, they somehow managed to score a hurdle in hybrid mode (at the same time they got a <G22>)
I was wondering if anyone else saw this problem, as there was a stir amongst those of us sitting in the stands as the hybrid was being re-scored. Does anyone have any video footage? It is still unavailable on TBA and Discovery.
As well, for anyone who has contact with discovery, if you visit http://www.discoverychannel.ca/shows/showdetails.aspx?sid=7826 you can see that the team numbers of the winners have been incorrectly entered, and I believe it would only be right if this were to be corrected.
J Flex 188
29-03-2008, 18:29
Referee's have about the hardest job in a single FIRST event. Until you have been through the challenges of attempting to pay attention to about a million different things going on, it may be wise to hold off on judgement in terms of his response to you.
Since I was not there, I cannot comment on the validity of your concerns in terms of how the rules were enforced. But what I can say, knowing the head referee, is that he has been doing this for a long time and he would not intentionally attempt to bias, disregard or ignore any calls that he is supposed to be making.
Being a mentor means understanding more than a student on the team and holding yourself to even higher standards than what you would expect of those same students. It is hard in the heat of competition to restrain yourself and compose an objective opinion, but it must be done in order to have your voice heard.
Congratulations to all the teams that competed this weekend!
Ah i have allready changed my status in preperation for next year, i am still pre-collage and still attend the highschool and act as a team member.
I understand that they do not accept video footage. When i went up, i told the ref that I was not trying to affect the scores, just to make sure that he knew what was happening, but he woulden't hear a word of it.
-Bochek
IntensifiedAmp
29-03-2008, 18:37
Thanks to Team 1565: T3 Think Tank Technologies and Team 781: Kinetic Knights for getting us to the Semi Finals!
Congratulations to Teams 1114 Simbotics on their 3rd regional win, 2056 Patriotics on winning both their attended regionals and 2166 Bluebotics on their win! :cool:
Good luck to 1114 in Atlanta with Chairmans, keep striving to be the first Canadian Chairmans winners.. :)
And everyone who made it an amazing regional to watch!
Don't forget 'Where's Waldo?', Team 1547. Congrats on them specifically on winning the Regional Chair(person)'s Award.
Thanks to Team 1565: T3 Think Tank Technologies and Team 781: Kinetic Knights for getting us to the Semi Finals!
Congratulations to Teams 1114 Simbotics on their 3rd regional win, 2056 Patriotics on winning both their attended regionals and 2166 Bluebotics on their win! :cool:
Good luck to 1114 Simbotics and 1547 Where's Waldo in Atlanta with Chairmans, keep striving to be the first Canadian Chairmans winners.. :)
And everyone who made it an amazing regional to watch!
We would also like to thank 1241 and 781 for the awesome alliance!!
and congrats to 1114 for beating us again in semis!! we got closer this time then waterloo, but.. still no good
congrats to all winners good luck in Atlanta!!! win the gold for Canada!!
IntensifiedAmp
29-03-2008, 19:34
How can I forget?!
Thanks to Team 188 and Team 703 for making us feel special. :yikes:
Fastest Robot Award for the win!
Had tons of fun.
Laura 1547
29-03-2008, 20:42
Wow I can't believe GTR is over already. What a GREAT regional. I have so much to say I don't even know where to begin! I want to start off by congratulating our teacher, Mrs. Sigsworth, on the Woodie Flowers Award. She really is an inspirational teacher; not only to the robotics team but the entire school. I couldn't think of a person more deserving of that award.
As for other teams I really need to thank everyone. All the teams were SO nice to us (as usual) and made GTR better than ever. Specifically though I need to thank 1114 for all the help they gave us. We couldn't have done anything without them! And I need to thank 1676 for everything they did for us. They would cheer for us, give us help whenever we needed it, and didn't even kick me out of their stands when I sat there waiting to use their printer :P. But seriously everybody was such a big help.
Thank you to everyone and hope to see a lot of you in Atlanta!!
Laura
xoxo
Vince lau
29-03-2008, 21:47
Congradutations go out to:
the winning alliance 1114,2056, 2166, good luck in Atlanta.
1547 on winning chairmans
1305 wow Regional Engineering Inspiration Award at both Waterloo and GTR
2624 rookie all stars
hope to see all of you at Atlanta
188 i always like seeing what new idea's you come up with on your robot, from back in the Canada FIRST days, to now, you guys always come up with an interesting robot.
to all the other teams that won an award and the competed at GTR you all did an amazing job
d.courtney
29-03-2008, 22:00
On behalf of Team 781 I would like to thank 1241 and 1565 for being one of the greatest alliances I have worked with in the last 4 years.
Congrats to teams 1114 and 2056 for doing it once again this year, to 2166, and to 1547 for all the hard work that went into your Chairmans submission! To everyone advancing I wish you the best of luck, hopefully you will be able to bring back Champions and/or Chairmans.
Mark Rozitis
29-03-2008, 23:57
On Thursday I shot the video for Global local and national (5:30 and 6pm shows) and for the Weather network in which I played a weather angle as Teams 1312 and 781 had to deal with closed roads due to heavy snow and high winds. On Friday I got a little vo-clip on weather network with team 1006 from Port perry as they are promoting Earth hour and Today Saturday I got alot of stuff (interview clips) on the weather network by playing the earth hour angle and as luck would have it Canadian astronaught walked by as I was doing a clip with a member of Team 188 on earth hour and saving the planet so I got an exclusive clip with him.
On Friday I know CTV/CFTO news did a full story as I saw thier camera/reporter there and like you said CBC was there.
Only ones that didn't show up were CITY TV. I must say it is nearly impossible to get some media outlets to show up at certain events, it all depends on who is working as the assignment desk and who is producing and I could go on and on but I would break every rule so I won't. I work in news just as a camera operator and believe me it is a tough sell to get anything positive on on the air these days, nearly impossible actually and even harder to get today's breed of reporters to understand anything.....
Was a good three days.......got me out of doing real work for three days anyways which is usually the crime beat.
I saved most of the B-roll that I shot on all three days but it is broadcast grade video and that means large files so I will try and upload it to yousendit.com and then post the links in here once it's all done, probably will take me 2-3 days to actually upload the files to yousendit.com though.
I dont have specific matches, just lots of B-roll of all the various things that were going on at the GTR.....I don't edit so it's all raw video.
was fun!
Mark
I saw a short little segment on CBC at the end of 6:00 news today about GTR.
Referee's have about the hardest job in a single FIRST event. Until you have been through the challenges of attempting to pay attention to about a million different things going on, it may be wise to hold off on judgement in terms of his response to you.
Since I was not there, I cannot comment on the validity of your concerns in terms of how the rules were enforced. But what I can say, knowing the head referee, is that he has been doing this for a long time and he would not intentionally attempt to bias, disregard or ignore any calls that he is supposed to be making.
Being a mentor means understanding more than a student on the team and holding yourself to even higher standards than what you would expect of those same students. It is hard in the heat of competition to restrain yourself and compose an objective opinion, but it must be done in order to have your voice heard.
Congratulations to all the teams that competed this weekend!
It could just be that I am comparing to waterloo, which was so very well reffed (I am still working on re-watching all the videos of the 168 point match tho, and yes, i am thinking that it didn't actually happen.)
And yes, i do realize that this game is very difficult to keep track of, but if something like this happens on the Einstein field i think your going to find a large amount of very annoyed teams.
PatrickN
30-03-2008, 01:04
It could just be that I am comparing to waterloo, which was so very well reffed (I am still working on re-watching all the videos of the 168 point match tho, and yes, i am thinking that it didn't actually happen.)
And yes, i do realize that this game is very difficult to keep track of, but if something like this happens on the Einstein field i think your going to find a large amount of very annoyed teams.
I thought it was pretty obvious then, and equally obvious now, that the score was incorrect. The error is clearly with the hybrid score, where the blue alliance somehow gets credit for 3 hurdles which increases their score by 24 (they received 64 points when they should have gotten 40 - 6 lines and 2 balls). After that everything is scored perfectly.
Probably doesn't matter though, they'll probably smash that score eventually.
Spiffizzle
30-03-2008, 12:58
Team 1676 arrived home to New Jersey from the Greater Toronto Regional at 5:00am. However, our exhaustion and my lack of voice was well worth it, the regional was GREAT!
Congratulations to Team 1547, Where's Waldo, on their Regional Chairman's win! We were so happy to spend time with you guys, AGAIN, and were even more excited to end off on that note! (Come back to Trenton next year!) But wait, we can spend time together again in Atlanta!
Congrats 1305, Ice Cubed, on Engineering Inspiration! I don't personally know your team as well, but from what I encountered this weekend, I definitely have nothing negative to say about you guys!
Thank you Team 176, Aces High for picking us. And both 176 and 1053, Glebe Gryphons, for being an awesome alliance!
Congrats to Team 1114, Simbotics, 2056, Patriotics, and 2166, Appleby, for your Regional Win! Definitely a field dominator!
Congratulations to Team 2624, the BotCatz, for the Rookie All Star Award! I personally spoke to your members, answering questions about how our team functions. The questions you guys thought to ask were impressive, you truly do "get it".
Finally, thank you to everyone for being so kind! Being strangers in new territory is difficult pretty much anywhere but FIRST!
Personally, my first experience in Canada was a great one and I hope to visit Canada and the GTR again in future years!
DonRotolo
30-03-2008, 15:03
1114 does the best scouting I have ever seen in FIRST. They have exact statistics on every single team at the regionals they attend - how many lines and balls they do in hybrid, how many laps they do, how many hurdles they do, how many places they make. They use this as the basis of their pick lists.
Agreed, we model our scouting after theirs, and in three years of doing it their way, I can absolutely say "it works". Presently we use six people with wireless laptops to record everything each team does, 100%. We set up a wireless network and put all the recorded data onto a server, which is always available for every team to see, download and use. We'll be in Atlanta, hopefully with some partners, recording (and sharing) everything on all four fields.
So, predictions? I'll go out on a limb and project 1114 as the #1 seed. They can't seem to score in less than triple digits.Yeah, some limb. Like "The sun will rise". 1114 will be awesome on Einstein. Best bot I have ever seen. Ever.
Coming from a team competing at GTR, i was appalled at the quality of the reffing. Multiple times i took video footage evidence to the head ref and he basically told me to suck it up and leave.
As well he should. If you want it changed, volunteer to join the referee staff next year, and eventually you can work your way up to head ref. Maybe by then you'll understand why it is the way it is.
On average, it all evens out.
Pat Fairbank
30-03-2008, 17:28
Congratulations to teams 1114, 2056 and 2166 on the win, and thank you to 1507 and 247 for being great alliance partners. It was nice to be on the opposite side of the elimination bracket from 1114 for once, after being on the same side three times last year. :)
Here (http://picasaweb.google.com/patfair/GreaterTorontoRegional2008) are some photos taken at GTR.
cbale2000
30-03-2008, 20:06
Hey, does anyone know what happened to the gameday.soap108 site? I was told there would be video archives on that site, but it seems to be down. :confused:
"Never a dull moment at the GTR..."
That line definitely sums up the entire weekend. This event was filled with excitement and intrigue. The arena was electric all weekend long with 66 amazingly spirited teams.
Special thanks go out to our alliance partners 2056 and 2166. It was a pleasure to work with two teams who we're so close with. We had high hopes for 2166 ever since you visited our shop in Week 2. We'd been hoping to pick you all season long, and glad the opportunity presented itself. As for 2056, I'm still in awe at the parallel paths our two teams have taken. It really is something else.
Congratulations to the finalist alliance of 1507, 1503 and 247. As soon as alliance selection ended, I looked at this alliance and said "These are the teams to beat". For those who didn't attend or watch, Team 1507 was one of the highest scoring robots at the regional, while 1503 had made huge improvements since FLR. I'm not entirely sure how Team 247 was available as the 22nd team in the eliminations, considering they had a 4 line hybrid mode.
A special thanks to Team 703, who made one of the classiest moves that I have ever seen in FIRST. On Saturday morning, they realized their despite the fact their drivetrain was still working, they were on the verge of a possible catastrophic failure. They gave a letter to the other 65 teams, letting them know the situation, and recommending that they not pick them. I have seen too many teams hide technical difficulties, and only reveal them after being picked. Team 703 handled this situation both graciously and professionally, and for this I commend them. Hopefully in the future more teams will learn from this wonderful example.
Congratulations to Team 1547 on their Regional Chairman's Award win. Back in your rookie season, 2005, I predicted that your team would soon become a perennial RCA winner in Canada. Your program has a huge impact on everyone that encounters it. I'm glad that I've been able to witness the journey. I know you will do Canada proud with your presentation in Atlanta.
I'm still trying to gather my emotions after such an amazing weekend. I don't think the magnitude of it all has sunk in yet. It's suffice to say, this really had been a magical regional season.
Thanks to everyone who made this event possible. You all rock.
Finally, I'd like to know what people though of the Discovery Channel coverage of the event. The crew spent a lot of time on this coverage and I thought the host, Shannon Bentley did a fantastic job. Of course, I only saw the coverage through the other side of the lens, so I want to hear the input of the home viewers.
Congratulations teams! Toronto was DEFINITELY my favorite regional to watch... even brought the ol' sprint cellular modem along to listen to it on the road. :o Great job on playing a fantastic regional!
Amazing, huh... the FIRST comminity's FIRST two-time 3-regionals-in-one-season winners! Congratulations 1114!
Finally, I'd like to know what people though of the Discovery Channel coverage of the event. The crew spent a lot of time on this coverage and I thought the host, Shannon Bentley did a fantastic job. Of course, I only saw the coverage through the other side of the lens, so I want to hear the input of the home viewers.
After the GREAT coverage the discovery channel provided in Toronto, I was left wishing they'd covered more regionals! Having a reporter there 'on the scene' made it so much more exciting... just like watching a big game on ESPN or the like. I think FIRST should seriously consider arranging for some form of floor reporter at as many events as possible.
Kudos to the Discovery channel! I sure hope they cover Atlanta!
-q
p.s. Does anyone involved in getting the Discovery channel to Toronto know anybody I could poke to improve the chances of them covering the Championship? If so, please let me know!
Aces High had a great time once again.
First I wanted to thank everyone at the event. I've found that GTR has something that the other regionals I've attended are missing. The event seems to have a different kind of competitiveness to it. Every team exemplified Gracious Professionalism. Everyone was helpful and friendly. The volunteers and event coordinators should be proud of their event.
Next I want to thank specifically the MC, Karthik and the announcer, Steve. We all noticed how you guys understand what FIRST is really about. I appreciated what Kartik said during alliance pickings about the crowd's reaction about teams declined an alliance.
Also, team 703, I wanted to mention my sympathy for your team. Your robot was certainly one of the best robots on the field this weekend. It is unfortunate your competition was cut short. Karthik is right. You should be commended for the way you handled the unfortunate circumstances.
Thanks to teams 1676 and 1053. We gave the 2nd seeded alliance a run for their money. 1676, it was great working with you. Your team appeared to be mostly student lead and your students were very professional. It was great that you offered your scouting data to all of the teams during the regional. 1053, thanks for working so well with us. It was great to have a team who could play a little defense but also hurdle when we were in a pinch.
And lastly, Congratulations to team 1114, 2056, and 2166. 1114, again your team had an excellent robot. We enjoyed playing with you in the qual rounds (sorry about that penalty in hybrid mode). 2056, what a record, nice work. 2166, you had a nice robot, and i was surprised to see that you were still around to be picked by the first seeded alliance.
lukevanoort
30-03-2008, 22:42
Amazing, huh... the FIRST community went from 3 teams to 5 this year for three regional wins in one season. Congratulations 1114!
Actually, it only went from three to four. 1114 already accomplished the feat back in 2006, so you guys are the only addition to that very select group this year. Of course, two teams winning three regionals is huge when you consider that it took eight years for a team to do again after 47 originally did it way back in 1998. Also, this makes 1114 the first team to win three regionals in a year, twice.
Laura 1547
30-03-2008, 23:04
Yeah, some limb. Like "The sun will rise". 1114 will be awesome on Einstein. Best bot I have ever seen. Ever.
I want to second that. Watching 1114 play is like watching...I don't even know! It's like magic is happening right in front of you. An absolute joy to watch. It's not even as if someone is driving the robot; it's as if there is just an invisible person pushing the robot around. If I have anything to say about it...1114 will give every other team on Einstein a run for their money. (not to jinx anyone)
DonRotolo
31-03-2008, 10:24
A special thanks to Team 703, who made one of the classiest moves that I have ever seen in FIRST. On Saturday morning, they realized their despite the fact their drivetrain was still working, they were on the verge of a possible catastrophic failure. They gave a letter to the other 65 teams, letting them know the situation, and recommending that they not pick them.
I agree completely. I spoke to some of the team out in the parking lot later that day, and basically said what Karthik said above, emphasizing the class act they are. That bears repeating: Team 703 is a Class Act.
Next I want to thank specifically the MC, Karthik and the announcer, Steve. We all noticed how you guys understand what FIRST is really about. I appreciated what Kartik said during alliance pickings about the crowd's reaction about teams declined an alliance.
I partially agree. The first time, when someone actually Boo'd, absolutely 100% agree, Karthik did the right thing. But the second time, when a team respectfully declined an invitation, I didn't hear it as Booing, I heard it as a lot of people saying "Ooooh" - which is what I was saying. Ooooh as in "how dramatic", and not expressing any negative thoughts or feelings at all.
No disrespect to Karthik - from the field, sounds are different, he may have heard something that I (way up top) couldn't, and I don't have any problem with what he said or did.
(For those of you not there: during alliance selection, one team was Boo'd when they were announced, and Karthik laid into the Boo-ers, and rightly so, for their lack of GP. The second time, just a few seconds later, when a seeded team declined to join an alliance, the whole stadium went "ooooh"*, which probably sounded like a big "Boooo" on the field, and he repeated his message.)
*My interpretation only
Big Props to our Game MC, extremely professional and enthusiastic, right there with the best I have seen. Not to diminish Steve's efforts, either, which were also world-class. How these guys keep their voices after 3 days of this stuff baffles me.
Don
No disrespect to Karthik - from the field, sounds are different, he may have heard something that I (way up top) couldn't, and I don't have any problem with what he said or did.
(For those of you not there: during alliance selection, one team was Boo'd when they were announced, and Karthik laid into the Boo-ers, and rightly so, for their lack of GP. The second time, just a few seconds later, when a seeded team declined to join an alliance, the whole stadium went "ooooh"*, which probably sounded like a big "Boooo" on the field, and he repeated his message.)
*My interpretation only
Just to clarify what I heard down on the field, when Team 1114 selected 2056 there were clear "boos" from what I would guess to be a small group people around the arena. It disappointing to say the least. The second time, when 1507 declined 188's offer, the majority of the sound was "ooohs" from the crowd, but there was a smattering of "boos" mixed in. At least this is how it sounded on the field. Hopefully I was wrong and it was just 100% "oohs", but I definitely recall hearing "boos".
Thanks for all the kind words Don, hopefully we'll be seeing Team 1676 back in Canada next year!
DonRotolo
31-03-2008, 10:56
So then it was a good call both times. And, THANK YOU for having the guts and presence of mind to say what you did - it was absolutely the right thing to do and hopefully made some impact on those boors (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBS_en___US211&q=define%3a+boor) (and the Boo-ers).
Don
Agreed, we model our scouting after theirs, and in three years of doing it their way, I can absolutely say "it works". Presently we use six people with wireless laptops to record everything each team does, 100%. We set up a wireless network and put all the recorded data onto a server, which is always available for every team to see, download and use. We'll be in Atlanta, hopefully with some partners, recording (and sharing) everything on all four fields.
Thanks so much for the scouting. Our team was short on members at GTR so I used your data to look at our team stats vs. others. I wonder how many teams realized this resource was available. Although you gave out cards on how to access, it's so easy to misplace it. Also, I needed to come up to the stands to get in range of your wireless.
I was pleased to have wireless access in the pits this year so we could watch the Discovery Channel webcast and see current ranking information. Maybe next year you can connect to the GTR hub. I think all you'd need is to agree on IP range and one DHCP server. May I suggest using the 10.x.x.x range which gives you lots of nodes.
I too can report hearing definitive boos from my location in the stands (on the south face of the building) when 1114 picked 2056 (presumably because some of the less GP members of some teams were a little irked to see the regional basically decided then and there, and irked to see the dream team together once again), and I only heard oohs when 1507 declined 188, however, I could be wrong.
EDIT: Frankly, I don't fault 1114/2056 for picking each other so often. They've consistently made the best robots the last two years, and I'd much rather lose to them because they were better, than to beat them because they went easy on the rest of us.
I was pleased to have wireless access in the pits this year so we could watch the Discovery Channel webcast and see current ranking information. Maybe next year you can connect to the GTR hub. I think all you'd need is to agree on IP range and one DHCP server. May I suggest using the 10.x.x.x range which gives you lots of nodes.
This year in the pits we had 2 access points and 2 DSL lines to try and improve coverage and bandwidth in the pits. Unfortunately they were on different networks so adding another would be a bit tougher. We try to improve every year and I am glad that the wireless worked well for you in the pits.
Mark Rozitis
03-04-2008, 20:11
here are some links to some of the B-roll from the news video I shot at GTR regional....these links will expire in 7 days. I have two more to upload and post and I'll get to it. Keep in mind the visuals are totally random as for the news we don't shoot whole matches of anything like that, it's just whatever looks interesting or good visuals and good sound......and these are en-edited .avi broadcast grade files so you'll need you're T-3 lines for this :-)
GTR COMP DAY 1
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=azR6S3d0dENkMnMwTVE9PQ
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=azR6MWZQcGszeUkwTVE9PQ
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=azR6S3dqb0JubHcwTVE9PQ
GTR COMP DAY 2
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=azR6YkJnUzhsamMwTVE9PQ
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=azR4VWR1cTJveE0wTVE9PQ
FANS
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=azR3ck8wdkdlcEkwTVE9PQ
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=azR6RE90NmNwcFUwTVE9PQ
What team is Olwen Sigsworth with?
Travis Hoffman
09-04-2008, 09:40
What team is Olwen Sigsworth with?
1547 -Where's Waldo.
Her name is cool because my grandma's last name is Sigworth. :p
1547 -Where's Waldo.
Her name is cool because my grandma's last name is Sigworth. :p
Hey Travis why were you in Toronto anyways??? You stopped by our pit to see our linkage.. and I never asked why you were there lol..
Travis Hoffman
09-04-2008, 13:16
Hey Travis why were you in Toronto anyways??? You stopped by our pit to see our linkage.. and I never asked why you were there lol..
Old habits are hard to break? :)
Old habits are hard to break? :)
lol. Well I'm glad that I finally got to meet a CD'er in person! lol (besides my own team, and annoucers)
Vince lau
09-04-2008, 14:20
lol. Well I'm glad that I finally got to meet a CD'er in person! lol (besides my own team, and annoucers)
i was in the pit right next to you guys, don't know if i talked to you but i talked to a lot of people on your team. that big screw driver you guys have is useful.
i was the one with the hex bug
i was in the pit right next to you guys, don't know if i talked to you but i talked to a lot of people on your team. that big screw driver you guys have is useful.
i was the one with the hex bug
Yeah I think I saw you, not sure if I talked to you haha, and yes the big screw driver saved our butts in elims when the linkage broke again lol!
Glad it was useful to your team as well :D
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