Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

The song they played ("you're beautiful..." or something) to introduce Lynn Tilton during the Championship closing ceremony was unacceptable.

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

Well I think Spyder just pulls data from the respective event websites, so I don't think it's usually anything on Spyder's end when things like this happen. I noticed something similar with Newton sometime on Friday. I think this may have been after the FMS stopped automatically updating scores, so I'm guessing they reset the system, and it took time to repopulate the data. I noticed that teams started appearing again in the standings after they played their next match.

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

Not a definitive negative, but something noticed to pass along.

Chocolate by the 1975, was one of the standardized stingers for GP Award at Regional and District events this year.

While I didn't have a huge issue with it, several people had mentioned to me they were surprised a song with the subject matter contained in that song was played at a FIRST event, especially for the GP Award.

Hopefully when the stinger list is set next year, someone else form HQ can just double check to make sure songs don't have meanings and content that aren't immediately obvious.

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

Ummm, that is why there is a coach on the drive team and one of that persons primary responsibilities.

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

I have one more random negative I really want to discuss.

Why are practice day matches from 10 AM to 4 PM??? They should be 12 to 6 PM instead.

In my five seasons on 2791, we have never, ever been to a practice match before noon. Regardless of how few or how many upgrades we had, getting situated and then inspected would always be the first thing on our minds. Maybe a half dozen robots actually make it to the field before noon.

On top of that, practice matches end super early, at 4 or so! This means teams doing serious upgrades maybe get one match. Then from 4-7, when your robot is *actually* ready to go, you can do nothing. The practice field is already full (and depending on the event may already be full for the NEXT DAY), your robot is ready to go but you have nowhere to use it, so you can either twiddle your thumbs in the pits or go home way early. If we shifted the matches 12-6, field volunteers would be working for the same amount of time, more teams would make it on the field, and everyone would get more practice.

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

I can get behind this.

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

The total lack of feedback from World Chairman's submissions. To not get any feedback at all is a total let down. How is a team supposed to improve when they don't get the feedback needed to see where that improvement needs to happen?

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

As a person who spends time in the stands -

Can we please, please, please have a larger font for the match number?
Can it be the same size as the score?

If you are on the field, you can sometimes see the match number on the display. If you are in the stands, you need a pair of binoculars.

I know this request has been made before - thanks for listening to it again!

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

While I personally strongly dislike that song, I don't think it's any worse than the majority of garbage that gets played at competitions. I did expect Einstein to have a bit more class though.

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

Most of the issues were already covered, but I'll post a few more that bugged me:

1. The bumper rules, specifically the requirement that it be solid "hardwood". I had one rookie team that almost had to run to Home Depot to build all new bumpers because their 1x6 backing was solid pine and not oak. The LRI stepped in and approved their bumpers. I think that just mandating that the backing be solid wood, and not particle board or plywood, would be sufficient.

2. As others have said I would appreciate better webcasting. The overall match presentation could use a facelift, including better visibility about time remaining and the match number.

3. The issues with the game and refs have been well covered. I think the GDC will take this stuff into account next year.

I agree. That 45 pounds was the difference between my team having a rolling chassis and a functional (if poorly designed) catapult arm.

This is a good idea.

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

Actually, the rules do not quote "hardwood".

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

I noticed an unfortunate trend at the championship of people coming to and from the stands while matches are in play. I unfortunately lost my cool and yelled at a team in front of us after it happened almost every single match and having already asked twice for them to sit down while our team was on the field playing. It makes it very difficult to watch matches, let alone scout teams when people are constantly stand up talking to people and walking up and down the steps. I thought this was a common courtesy know across FIRST but I guess I was wrong.

Please talk to your team about being courteous to the teams around you, wait until between matches to move around in the stands. And if you absolutely have to get up during a match do so as quickly as possible and don't stop to talk to someone along the way.

To the team I yelled at, I apologize.

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

As BigJ notes, the rule says plywood or solid robust wood. And, in terms of the application, I think plywood is the preferable material. Unlike a board, the plywood doesn't have a continuous grain so it's less likely to split on impact. Oak is way too expensive a material to mandate team use. I'd be interested to know who got the interpretation that it needed to be a hard (like oak, mahogany, walnut, etc) wood. Save that stuff for your nice tables at home and use plywood or OSB on the robot. IMHO.

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

OSB is not suitable since it does not hold screws or staples very well at all.

Re: 2014 Lessons Learned: The Negative
 

This probably isn't the right place for discussing bumper materials, but I wanted to jump in because there are a variety of reasons to not use plywood-- chief being weight and material availability. While plywood is cheap and abundant, sponsors can come through in interesting ways, including donating a bunch of wood to a team. If you have free stuff it's probably more prudent for most teams to make use of that first. Also, if you are targeting full weight bumpers, heavier wood can help you get there without violating any rules :rolleyes:.