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E. The Kidd 21-01-2003 00:01

FIRST learned lessons
 
I was wondering what is one thing that you have learned as a result of FIRST that isn't related directly to the mission of FIRST:

For Example: I've learned that you can relieve stress by using a table saw

Mike Schroeder 21-01-2003 00:03

I have learned that white boy dancing can be fun

Kristina 21-01-2003 00:07

i've learned that you can control any guy through controlling his meals.
ie: "remember to be nice to me, i control when and if you eat during this trip/building season"

DanLevin247 21-01-2003 00:10

I've learnes a lot of things. But the one that's stuck with me the most has gotta be....



"sharp things hurt"

you know something is sharp, but you wanna touch it anyways...so you do and whoa! it was sharp! now you think to yourself, if i poke it again, is it still gonna be sharp? you poke it again, and by golly, it's still sharp. so you add the element of suprise to the sharp thing, turn your back and begin to walk away, or so the sharp thing thought! you charge back to the sharp object and poke it again, it's still sharp! AMAZING

rbayer 21-01-2003 00:47

How 'bout this? "Real programmers don't need sleep". Or, on a related note, "sleep is for the weak".

FotoPlasma 21-01-2003 01:22

There's a lot of screwed up stuff in this world, but there're ways to make it better.

/me looks at previous replies
Oh, we're just joking around, okay.

I've learned that it's not good to leave perishables out, in a robotics lab, between Nationals/Championships and the day before Kickoff...

Hrm... anyone got a mop and bucket?

JVN 21-01-2003 01:42

Quote:

Originally posted by rbayer
"sleep is for the weak".
I think a lot of FIRSTers live and die by this motto... well, I hope that's just a figure of speech...

FIRSTers never die, just burnout!:(

Ian W. 21-01-2003 06:02

driving a 130 lbs robot into a freshman at ~10 ft/sec DOES release tons of stress and pressure...

what, it does! you try it! :)

Brandon Martus 21-01-2003 07:37

I learned how to do the stuff I do every day at my job.

MissInformation 21-01-2003 09:08

I have learned if I do something with the idea of teaching a lesson, it will only backfire on me. Oh, and I have also learned it's important to have the proper insurance if you pick on Dave Lavery :D

MissInformation

<============>
I still haven't learned to keep my space heater away from my floor mat at work. Oops.

Katie Reynolds 21-01-2003 09:39

Quote:

Originally posted by DanLevin247
... you know something is sharp, but you wanna touch it anyways...so you do and whoa! it was sharp! now you think to yourself, if i poke it again, is it still gonna be sharp? you poke it again, and by golly, it's still sharp. so you add the element of suprise to the sharp thing, turn your back and begin to walk away, or so the sharp thing thought! you charge back to the sharp object and poke it again, it's still sharp! AMAZING
That's kind of like: you can tell someone that there are two billion stars in the sky and they will believe you. Tell them that a bench has wet paint on it, and they have to touch it to be sure! :D

I think the most valuable thing I've learned in FIRST is to say what you feel. Don't BS. If you have a problem with someone, tell them! Have the two of you sit down and discuss what is bothering you. Hopefully, the two of you can work out a compromise that will make both people happy.

The ability to be able to do this can either make or break a team. Our team has learned this from experience. :(

- Katie

Jeff Waegelin 21-01-2003 12:44

Quote:

Originally posted by Katie Reynolds
The ability to be able to do this can either make or break a team. Our team has learned this from experience. :(

- Katie

We're going through that right now. It's not fun. A few select people decided to try and take control without talking to the people in charge. Not fun at all....

Joe Matt 21-01-2003 12:49

-If you don't eat, you get sick, if you get sick, you can't work on the robot.
-You can bribe anyone by giving them a Segway ride.
-Counterstrike is fun, counterstrike with FIRST friends is more fun.
-Bawls can keep you up for days

Andy A. 21-01-2003 14:55

If you plug a cheap soldering iron in, then forget about it and go to dinner, when you come back even the handle will be hot enough to burn.

Lesson 1: Don't use cheap irons and always unplug them.

Lesson 2: Making a part look pretty even after it is functionaly done can be a very good thing, espically when the part gets cut from the bot and you get to keep it as a trophey. Take pride in your work.

Lesson 3: You can not comand a 'bot, only persuade it.

Lesson 3 corellary: The joy sticks only answer to those who they choose. You must first make a sacrifice of zipties and velcro before you can become one with the stick (as in, ziptie and velcro your hand to the stick).

Lesson 4: Heatshrink does not work on the ends of shoelaces. Epoxy does.

lesson 5: Chewing on zip ties is a great stress reducer

lesson 6: a Ziptie by any other name would still hold as strong.

-Andy A.

Ken Leung 21-01-2003 15:45

I learned that every time I do FIRST related stuff I get horribly sick.

Moral of the story: Don't do FIRST related stuff if I don't want to get sick.

AdamT 21-01-2003 16:18

Quote:

Originally posted by Andy A.
Lesson 2: Making a part look pretty even after it is functionaly done can be a very good thing, espically when the part gets cut from the bot and you get to keep it as a trophey. Take pride in your work.
-Andy A.

Very nicely said, I agree 100%

What have I learned? There is practical use for Trig!!!

That and thanks to Dave Lavery: 1*1=\2

Also learned...don't prank someone unless you know what you're about to get yourself into....:D

JVN 21-01-2003 17:48

I learned that I get food poisoning at nationals...
Hopefully Houston will keep me healthy.

Katie Reynolds 21-01-2003 18:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken L
I learned that every time I do FIRST related stuff I get horribly sick.

Moral of the story: Don't do FIRST related stuff if I don't want to get sick.

Wait, isn't that the opposite of what happens? ;)

- Katie

FotoPlasma 21-01-2003 18:09

Quote:

Originally posted by Katie Reynolds
Wait, isn't that the opposite of what happens? ;)

- Katie

Actually, he does get sick around FIRST time. Same with Bill. It can get pretty bad for both of them...

:(

Harrison 21-01-2003 18:27

I am YET to learn to wear gloves when picking up hot metal...owe :(

I am also yet to learn to use pliars or a screw-driver to pull sharp pieces of metal off the the Mill.

(can u guess I have somewhat burnt and cut up fingers today?)

Along with that, I nearly finished my teams 2 gearboxes today...should have them done 2morrow or thursday...YAY!

...maybe I'll wear gloves 2morrow...

Jeff_Rice 21-01-2003 18:34

I have learned that mentors will attack you if you even push your safety glasses up for a moment.

Marc P. 21-01-2003 20:50

I learned I only need 3.5 hours of sleep per night to operate machine shop machinery :cool:


That and espresso beans rule!!!

E. The Kidd 22-01-2003 00:09

today i've learned a new lesson: pneumatics are strong (i got caught in our gripper)

Harrison 22-01-2003 00:38

Quote:

Originally posted by team 713
today i've learned a new lesson: pneumatics are strong (i got caught in our gripper)
Ouch!

Even dropped down to 60psi that really hurts.

Sean_330 22-01-2003 02:15

I learned that without a steady stream of caffene thanks to Starbucks and Mountain Dew no work would get done.

I also learned that San Jose has really bad traffic and a lot of crazy 1 way streets that all look alike to me!

Kristina 22-01-2003 06:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Sean_330
I learned that without a steady stream of caffene thanks to Starbucks and Mountain Dew no work would get done.

I also learned that giving up all caffeine for Lent is not such a good idea when it's the same time as your team travelling to Seattle for a robotics competition.
1) I'm addicted to coffee and there's 3 starbucks on every corner in Seattle
2) Sleep deprivation from excitement and being silly in the hotels should be aided with caffeine
3) The boys on my team are evil and taunted me the whole entire trip.

Marc P. 22-01-2003 12:02

Quote:

Originally posted by team 713
today i've learned a new lesson: pneumatics are strong (i got caught in our gripper)
Anyone at last year's New England regional remember someone from team 38 nearly loosing a finger from the pneumatics in our robot while releasing a goal after a match?

A. Snodgrass 22-01-2003 20:38

Ive learned a few things from first that while random...are good things to remember:

1) dont let an engineer near duct tape unless he is working on the robot
2) dont fall asleep in a rolling chair in a building with elevators
3)when you are small and around engineers, they come up with all sorts of inventive things that they would like to try.....

DanLevin247 22-01-2003 22:50

Quote:

Originally posted by Andy A.
lesson 5: Chewing on zip ties is a great stress reducer
-Andy A.


My whole team does that!

Team238-aholic 23-01-2003 10:01

i've learned that you can make some really great friends for life through FIRST

FotoPlasma 23-01-2003 10:04

Empty gym + 4 bored teenagers + chair with casters = human pong.

Sean_330 23-01-2003 15:17

Burnt out speed controllers smell really bad.

Harrison 23-01-2003 21:58

Quote:

Originally posted by Team238-aholic
i've learned that you can make some really great friends for life through FIRST
Amen to that!

Everyone here is great!

Nate Edwards 23-01-2003 22:50

learning..
 
i learned that safety is a very important issue in robotics i learned i am a safety hazard... i still haven't been able to see our robot this year.........

Nate

Nick Seidl 27-01-2003 17:46

Quote:

Originally posted by Doanie8
I also learned that giving up all caffeine for Lent is not such a good idea when it's the same time as your team travelling to Seattle for a robotics competition.
1) I'm addicted to coffee and there's 3 starbucks on every corner in Seattle
2) Sleep deprivation from excitement and being silly in the hotels should be aided with caffeine
3) The boys on my team are evil and taunted me the whole entire trip.

Last year, I gave up caffeine for Lent (cold turkey after going at 3 Dews every robotics session = not good), my #1 girl at the time was going away to Australia for a semester, and things around my team were getting progressively evil (think unstable South American country). I hit a point one Saturday morning where I was curled up in fetal position on the floor of the GM Tech Center in Warren talking about green bunnies that live in cans.

Da SPAMinatress 27-01-2003 22:20

i've learned that you should double knot the top of your bathing suit so that it isn't as easy for kurt to untie your bathing suit for every robotics guy on the floor to see...

...and that you should always keep 2 wire hangers in your car so that bryce has something to pop his trunk with, in case he locks his keys in the car during build season... for the 12th time

I know there's more... but no one else would get it

LBK Rules 28-01-2003 09:41

To make shure the table grinder is on a flat surface.

Not to inflate lunchbags and blow them up when someone is cutting metal.

That ice is slippery when you're trying to walk on it.

That metal is hot after you cut it.

Sean_330 28-01-2003 15:47

1. Home Depot is just a big toy store.

2. It IS possible to convince a pizza place to give you free pizza!

LBK Rules 28-01-2003 19:32

Quote:

Originally posted by Sean_330
2. It IS possible to convince a pizza place to give you free pizza! [/b]
:D How?:D

Sean_330 28-01-2003 20:42

You come in and give them a sponsor letter and tell them how much their food support would mean to the team and the school. If you are lucky, they are nice and give you free pizza 2 nights a week!

E. The Kidd 29-01-2003 13:25

Quote:

Originally posted by Sean_330
You come in and give them a sponsor letter and tell them how much their food support would mean to the team and the school. If you are lucky, they are nice and give you free pizza 2 nights a week!
HA!!!!!!!!!!! today we just got the $600 pizza bill our coach left from last yer.....after we finished building and the account should have been closed for the year.

So, I learned never trust any adult who dosen't own a roll of duct tape

Harrison 10-02-2003 00:20

In green corner: A verticle ban saw.

In the red corner: My finger.

The winner: The ban saw (ouch @ me).

Lesson Learned: That piece of metal was too small to cut in the ban saw....and I have very quick reflexes or my finger would be a bit shorter today (rather than just sliced).

Golden 10-02-2003 18:56

Freshman
 
I learned in FIRST that freshmen are the lowest of the low. They are the most useless people. They can't even charge a battery when you tell them to. They reverse wires, set things on fire, destroy tools, think hot-glue fixes everything, and ... well we just won't mention that fiasco in the metal shop, the kid still can't move all of his ligaments in right direction. They get concusions by slipping on concrete, and try to break walls with their hands. They can only be used as pack mules (go-getters). We found these useful to make them more useful and motivated:
-Putting Kool-Aid in their shower head
-Dunking their shoes in water
-Antiquing (Powerdering them beyond all reason)
-Dumping five pounds of candy on their head
-Hitting them in the face with the Ball-Zac
-Setting clock several (6-12) hours ahead and waking them up
-Having Adults walk in on showering Freshman
-Locking them in the Sauna

Well... thats enough for now, AND remember avoid hockey teams, just ask team 11 about their hotel brawl!:D

Jeff_Rice 10-02-2003 21:41

I have learned not to let parents near the controller when you are working on the robot.

We had the disable on, and a certain adult decided it would be an ideal time to fiddle with the controls. He tries, realizes it is disabled. He flips the switch, fiddles with the joystick, and I hear this terrible thud. He had nearly de-jeweled his own son! Sheesh. The kid was OK, the arm only hit him on the thigh.

Also, I have learned that though you may be on the programming team, you are also expected to drill holes, do pneumatics, solder circuits, strategize and find planetary gears from exploded drill transmissions.

Joe Matt 10-02-2003 22:14

Never leave alone the construction team with a robot, a wheelie chair, and free time. BAD IDEA. :)

Quote:

Originally posted by Golden

-Locking them in the Sauna

YOU GUYS HAVE A SAUNA!!

MisterX 11-02-2003 18:08

Just look below
||
\/:mad:

LBK Rules 11-02-2003 23:29

What is it with all this freshman talk!

You do know that some middle-schoolers get to play with angle grinders on our team.

:yikes:

Oh, was I supposed to say that? :D

MisterX 12-02-2003 16:47

I'd take 1 middle-schooler over a dozen freshmen any day!Middle schooler are willing to learn and be taught plus they don't all of a sudden think they are all that merely because now they are in highschool

E. The Kidd 13-02-2003 10:48

let's get back on topic, and to be quite honest some of the freshmen on 713 work harder than the upper class men

Matthew936 13-02-2003 11:17

lessons learned...

Plasma ARC cutters are fun

if someone seems like they know exactly what they are doing, odds are they don't :)

why blame the programmers, it is electricals fault anyways :D

and finally when opperating a mill, don't try to remove the shavings with your bare hands (think i still got a sliver of aluminum in me)

Dimples04 15-02-2003 01:01

Lessons learned:

1) don't turn your back on a freshmen when they are 90% of your team.

2) tape and boys don't mix (especially if one of them ends up cacooned to the wall

3) never let a boy do your work...if something goes wrong you'll probably be the one to blame

josh_johnson 21-03-2003 00:02

a little more than 1 thing but here is my list


1. Never touch a drill motor after it has been running for 15 min.
2. Soldering irons are hot, even after being inserted into the snow. (This wasn't me)
3. Never attempt to remove the tip of a soldering iron when it is still plugged in. (This was me)
4. When desperate for a battery to power a cordless circular saw, the robot battery will work. (Just don't use 24 gauge wire to connect it)
5. Always keep the following tools handy: pipe stretcher, graphite magnet, adjustable allen wrench, and a metric crescent wrench. :D

utishpenguin 22-03-2003 19:43

hmm
 
lessons learned:
1)not to bring that much food to build
2)ordering frehsman around has a limit
3)never be mean to stoners/people who dont do work
4)never be timid
5)how to work in a team well

so much more of lessons about the spirit of first and first place....and how to treat other people.

Alaina 22-03-2003 20:57

I've learned not to be shy, and to speak up; because my opinion actually does count.

And that you must wear safety glasses at all times!!

utishpenguin 23-03-2003 16:56

hehe
 
also....not to waste zipties...=P

Powers 23-03-2003 17:43

If you measure where to drill 4 holes around another hole that you have yet to drill, and when you drill the middle hole it wanders, then you proceed to drill the 4 other holes, the screws will not line up, and you will get to "open" the hole with a file until the screws do line up, and that is not very fun.

Amanda Morrison 23-03-2003 18:48

1. Being a mentor only requires an open mind and fifty thousand times more responsibility.

2. Yelling and screaming gets you nowhere in life. A smile and a good sense of humor take you places.
3. All those little jobs that you would never want to do? That's what I get stuck with... :)

4. There are two things that FIRST always forgets to put inside the kit - more time and more money. There's never enough of either during the build season.

5. No matter how bad the situation seems, there's always a kid on your team that will keep trying to make it better.

6. The sacrifices that you make for your team are the ones that students will remember for a lifetime.

7. The best jokes are inside jokes with the kids on your team.

8. A FIRST friend is a forever friend.

9. The challenge of FIRST is not building a winning robot, it's that student, sitting in the corner, dying to create that robot - and you putting the wrench in his or her hands.

10. Never underestimate the power of the Chicken Dance.

randomperson 23-03-2003 22:17

Wait.. we're supposed to learn?!!:yikes:

Whoa.. the lessons are making me dizzy..

E. The Kidd 18-04-2003 19:19

Now that the FIRST season has come to a close I thought I would try to revive my thread and see what lessons were learned at the comps.....

I learned never to ask for something cause you just may get it (3 matches with 25...ha)

George1902 18-04-2003 19:33

Quote:

Originally posted by amandabean
8. A FIRST friend is a forever friend.

aww!! that's so true!

*hugs all his former SPAM-mates*

i love you guys!

utishpenguin 18-04-2003 19:58

well
 
i cant explain how much first changed me, i think it allowed me and others discovered where their talents are, and meet people with similar talents. the best part of first that separates it from the others is the excelltn competition style and the sress on gracious professionism.

JVN 19-04-2003 01:43

Quote:

Originally posted by amandabean
1. Being a mentor only requires an open mind and fifty thousand times more responsibility.

That's one of the lessons I've learned these past 2 years... It's a good one to remember.

2. Ummm what else..
I've gotten to see things from the Volunteer/Staff side of things a little bit this year. It's amazing to see the kind of work that goes into these competitions. I urge everyone to volunteer if they get the chance, it's an enlightening experience.

Remember this next time you decide to complain about something that happened at comp...

3. Stepping back is the hardest thing to do, but sometimes the most important.


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