FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Doesn't FIRST release the game manual in advance with a password? Also isn't the password usually the game name? This year we already know it in advance due to the game trailer. FIRST will probably solve this, but what do you think the password could.

$tRöNgHölD

Yeah, this post is pretty much pointless.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Not really, in 2013 it was saucersflyrobotsclimb with some capitalization or symbols thrown in to make it harder to decrypt, in 2014, it was 3zones2goals1alliance or something like that with the same symbols and stuff.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Last year IIRC the manual was released a week or two before kickoff so we still have time.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

The encrypted manual is usually released less than a week before Kickoff. The encryption is rated as secure for days, as I recall.

The password is some combination of letters and numbers, often something to do with the game (but NOT repeat NOT the game name).

Even the one year the password was released early it didn't help. "Vets hurdling FIRST tetras" unscrambled to Drive*Straight*Turn*Left* (where * is a punctuation mark that I don't recall, and wasn't included in the original) back in '08 (Game Hint #3). Not that anybody figured that one out.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Last year, the password was a leet version of the game name, but the only part of the name that had been hinted was the recycle container into which the 2014 game manual had been tossed. Given the apparent straight-up reveal of the game name for 2016, I expect that the password will involve game mechanics or other details (similar to SaucersFlyRobotsClimb or 3zones2goals1alliance).

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

How long have manual passwords been around? I've hunted down the 2005-2015 ones (below if you're interested), but did they exist before that? And if they did, does anyone know them? It'd be nice to add to my list.


2005: 3XTr1pl3play2oo5
2006: S1x240JrTBmsqf95DL06FdsTM33H
2007: 7sBg8H4x2f3R9C3tm5
2008: Drive!Straight?Turn!Left
2009: 1GiantLeap4FRC
2010: Breakaway4FRC!
2011: 5Time4For3Robots2To1Dance!
2012: HotShots!KnowBalance!
2013: sAucersFlyRobotsClimb!
2014: 3Zones2Goals1Alliance!
2015: R3C3CL3RU$H2015

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

I think there was a huge argument thread about cracking the password that came up a while ago, so let's be careful here.
Basically, it's not moral to go and crack it (if you even could, which you probably can't).

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

We already decided several Big Bangs could occur before you brute forced every possible password.

Anyways, they release the game manual a few days before kickoff so you have a few days to acquire it from the FIRST website. The whole day of kickoff the FIRST website already runs at the slowest of snails pace. Imagine if everyone was pinging it to download the manual at once

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

I was told that the encrypted game manual should be posted today or tomorrow on the FRC website. With the more complex and unorganized website being a problem for me ( ;) ), does anyone know if the game manual has been posted yet? Thanks

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

http://www.firstinspires.org/node/3806

content coming soon

http://www.firstinspires.org/frc/manual

nothing to see here.

We'll keep waiting...

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Here is where you can check for the game manual being posted, and pick up the admin manual while you wait:

http://www.firstinspires.org/resourc...nual-qa-system

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

They already posted the password-- 9328490238209. So they are delaying posting the manual as long as possible so no one figures it out. It is on the internet so it has to be true. ::rtm::

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

I'm really starting to get concerned with the fact that it hasn't been released yet. I wonder if they have increased their server capacity to handle thousands of people trying to access it at once.... If not, it will take forever to get a copy...

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

If you watched the FUN Spotlight, Frank said they just finalized the game Monday or Tuesday. I'm sure part of that was also the manual.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

I seem to recall it wasn't too bad last year...

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Actually it was Wednesday. The stream was on Tuesday and he said the game is finalized tomorrow meaning 1/6/16.

So the game has been done for a day. I assume there are a few people checking everything over to check for grammatical errors so I am going to guess it will be released tonight or tomorrow. If the release is on Saturday along with the game I beg someone to download it and put it on drive, or something of that nature temporarily I know its not the greatest thing to do but, for people like me at remote kickoff locations downloading the manual right away is next to impossible.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

I was a little surprised the encryption test did not come out yesterday. Usually that proceeds the encrypted manual by a day or two. I agree that the manual will probably come out tonight or tomorrow morning.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Since it has been confirmed that it is a water game this year, I'm guessing that with the recent rain in California, they are relaxing the water usage rules.

I plan on posting the manual on my Google Docs account, and letting the team download it from there.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

How so?

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

It is a running joke.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Take your pick:

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

I was hoping for a new theory I have not yet heard of. Alas...

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Exactly, we all want a new theory, which the only outcome can be, "water game confirmed". :rolleyes:

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

About Passwords - plenty of people understand things like rainbow tables, context dictionaries and salt generators. I'm guessing FIRST doesn't, but understands that those types of things exist. So they're waiting to release the manual itself until the time it takes to employ those is more than the time until kickoff. Or perhaps the new website is having major issues (always plausible).

For example, it makes no sense for aaaaaaaaaaa, aaaaaaaaaab, aaaaaaaaaac (etc) to be tried - so just skip them. Most passwords, especially recent FIRST passwords, have game context around them. So l33t variants and grammatical substitutions can be applied to a more context-sensitive set of passwords (on something like Stronghold or its theme) to reduce the probable password set down to a few hundred million combinations. This is crack-able in a few days.

Adding grammar and numbers to a password increases the bit entropy of the password. Adding context to a cracker's rainbow table obliterates bit entropy. Yet making a diceware-based password increases information entropy to the point where a dictionary-based cracking attempt is completely obsolete while maintaining a sense of reason in how the password is disseminated on Game Day. The game manual could then be up a week ahead of time, presuming final edits are done.

I'm not an expert in cryptography, but the math behind information entropy is really enjoyable to read about, IMO.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

They're on Azure, or at least the FRC API is and it should be possible for them to scale up massively on Saturday morning if they want to. It could be the plan is to release the manual on Saturday morning without pre-releasing an encrypted version.

If it were me, I'd put all the documents on a "dumb" cloud web server (no .NET, no PHP, just an HTTP file server so it's got low CPU draw) and then that could be replicated and instantiated as many times as they need to, to cover the bandwidth needs. They could have 50 instances on Saturday and then cut it down to 5 on Monday.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

The better way to do this is use the Azure CDN Service: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/cdn/

No setting up of instances needed or writing custom automation for interfacing with load balancers. Let MS do all of that stuff for you.

Source: Am IT architect specializing in cloudy non-sense.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

From this link http://www.firstinspires.org/resourc...nual-qa-system
"Game Manual
An encrypted version of the Game Manual will be posted before Kickoff. The encryption key will be shared during Kickoff and an unencrypted version will be available after that."

So I would say we can expect it before kickoff, I would hope today.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Attachment 19639

I used the live support on the first website to ask when the encrypted manual will be release and got this response so this is what we can expect. By end of the business day tomorrow

Oh and to expect info in the team blast today for what that means

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

I am appalled nobody has invoked "correct horse battery staple" yet.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

It's Out
Encrypted Manual is now on the WEB Site

http://www.firstinspires.org/resourc...nual-qa-system


Have a Nice Day

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

The encrypted manual is on the website now
http://www.firstinspires.org/resourc...nual-qa-system

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Yay, it is

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Does anyone know how to download it? It doesn't give me that option before asking for a password.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Right-click the link, select "Save Link As"

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

(IE) Right click the link and chose "Save Target As". Sorry I'm using IE, it's the browser on my home computer that I rarely use. Chrome/Firefox/Whatever should have similar options.

Edit: Hallry beat me, how am I not surprised.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Right-click and choose "Save link as..."

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

16mb file as compared to 1.5mb last year.

111 pages as compared to 65 pages last year.

Sounds like a lot more pictures and diagrams are in this one...

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

The complete game manual is now available at http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/d...manual-enc.pdf. Of course, it is password protected.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

I suppose the release of this, means no official game hint this year?

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

;)

Here are direct links to the encrypted files (right click, select "Save Link As"):

Game Manual: http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/d...manual-enc.pdf

Field Drawing Package: http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/d...s-2016-enc.zip


Kickoff Kit

Gray Tote Checklist: http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/d...y-tote-enc.pdf

Yellow Tote Checklist:http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/d...w-tote-enc.pdf

Drive Base Kit Checklist: http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/d...se-kit-enc.pdf

Separate Items Checklist: http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/d...-items-enc.pdf

Frank mentioned on the FIRST Updates Now Spotlight show on Tuesday that there would be no more hints before Kickoff. (Which means that there weren't any true hints this year, other than what was seen in the season trailer video)

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Wasnt the security breach video a Game Hint? I would count it as one. Just as "useful" as any other game hint we have had imo.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

From http://www.firstinspires.org/robotic...ickoff-filming:

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

I guess the could of made that video just for fun. I may mix up "hype" and "game hint" this close to Kickoff. lol

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Encrypted Game Manual is up at http://www.firstinspires.org/resourc...nual-qa-system

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Right Clicking on the link in chrome is not letting me download it.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

See post #31 ;)

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

wrong password

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

yes

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

having trouble downloading
using chrome I dont have a download option
using IE I get a jumbled up web site

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Right-click -> "Save link as"

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Has there ever been an instance where someone has actually gotten into the game manual before the kickoff, or has it always been a secret?

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Someone breaking the manual before kickoff is next to impossible. The US government uses the same methods (128-bit AES encryption) to protect Top Secret information, and considers such information to be completely secure for several weeks.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

The archived 2015 manual is 1.4MB. The encrypted 2016 manual is nearly 16MB. Is that a consequence of the encryption or just crazy?

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Partially. The 2015 encrypted manual was 2.97 MB.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Does that mean that the new game manual will be ~7.5 MB? (daaaaaang)
(1.4/2.97=.47, .47*16=7.5)

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

I hope that means that the game manual images will be good enough to answer a lot more questions than previous years. Poring through the field drawings to get a linear measurement to within less than 10% is a lot harder than it ought to be.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Supposedly someone on the FRC subreddit has done it this year. https://www.reddit.com/r/FRC/comment...been_uploaded/

Hmm we shall see if he is telling the truth. I actually somewhat believe him it's highly unlikely I know but, he seems sincere.

What am I saying the guy is obviously trolling. In a day and a half we will know.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

The encrypted manual shows up on my laptop as 111 pages compared to last year's 65 pages.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

46 new pages of pictures displaying how to attach bumpers, assuring at least 15% of teams almost get it right this time

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Well, we can partially evaluate his trolling on Saturday - he says the password was 22 characters long.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Possible Spoiler???: Also says the game is similar to Arial Assist with the human player playing a huge role this year. I'm cool with that.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Tote Chute

Sorry, I just had to do it.

Seriously though, the password protection applied to the files should actually auto delete the files if the wrong password is used at least 3 times.

Attempting to brute force (or even guess folks), the passwords to those documents is, should be, and would be simply considered CHEATING. Ergo NOT GP.

Everyone on the planet (who is interested of course), will get all the info necessary to decrypt the files just released and play the 2016 game in just less than 36 hours from now....miraculously, all at the very same moment(s) in time.

Then, if history repeats, will all, as a community and as individuals parse the game, like it or dislike it (or portions of it), immediately, then a select few will probably even attempt to get certain rules changed to suit their ideas of what they think the game should be or fits their particular "in mind game play or robot design/build strategies"...only time will tell.

I'm still blown away by the banebot 775/550 motor announcements (both of them), and all the possible things that may have gone down between the 2 announcements. (IE: How many were disposed of in some manner, packed away, promised to others, not purchased when they were avail., etc.).

Have a very Happy Kickoff 2016 FRC Community & Family! Just about 36 hrs and counting.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

for anyone curious i took a screenshot of the comment thread on the FRC subreddit.
Edit: apparently prntscr screwed with someones computer so i re uploaded to imgur.
http://imgur.com/mYZvGNK

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

FYI - sketchy screenshot site. Started making sounds and unlimited spam windows. Weird sounds didn't stop when browser tab was closed.

Also, I'm calling BS on this guy.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

that has never happened to me, then again i have been using adblock. thanks for letting me know, am going to upload to imgur.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

If he had actually done it I imagine he would have posted some kind of hash or otherwise using the unencrypted pdf that people could verify against afterward. As it is, he hasn't said anything to suggest that he actually did it. Interesting that he gave a password length though, there is that tiny thing to verify.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

I find it ironic how they FIRST wants us to no longer use FRC but rather use First Robotics Competition, yet the name of the manual uses FRC. Btw the password isn't stronghold. Just decided to check so we don't all look dumb come Saturday :D

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

You know, after spending about 2 seconds in that thread i was reminded exactly why I don't visit reddit. I was also astounded that people would want to attach either their team number or their actual names to some of the things they were posting.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Does anyone recall from previous years when the password was released (time not date)? I'm actually really busy and not able to go to the kickoff so I was just trying to figure out how I could work it into my schedule. Any time given needs to be in eastern time. Thanks.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

Phew. I cannot look dumb come Saturday. If it just was ''Stronghold", I think I would have quit robotics just because I couldnt guess such a simple password.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

If you look up the team it does not exist in TBA.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

The two local official kickoffs start strategy workshops at 11:30EST, so I'd imagine it's around then.

Re: FRC 2016 Game Manual
 

11:10 est is when the password will go live this year.

(Source)