Re: Are things quieter than usual this year?
 

I have to agree with Joe on this one. This is a really good play, so many good ways to score that you really have to weigh the options. I think teams are doing just that, and taking their time to see what they want to do. Then after they have their design hammered out, then some more things will pop up. Or we are all just running around trying to make sure our math is right for something that has no correlation with what we are really doing!!! Anyway, I just think once design is over and builds are underway things will pick up, and once people see flaws in their ideas mid-build and need advice. Let's just wait, the fish will start biting soon enough.
ivey

Re: Are things quieter than usual this year?
 

Hmmm let's see...
*Over exuberant "which robot will win" before any robot is shown thread. Check.
*Premature where is everyone staying at the championship thread. Check.
*Numerous vague teasers. Check.
*Numerous threads that are clones of other threads because newbies don't know how to use the search option. Check.
* Lots of threads about food at regionals which FIRST does not control but teams for some reason think they should. Check.


Nope. Seems about the same as previous years....

Re: Are things quieter than usual this year?
 

and add in the -

* "Gee, this is the dumbest/most boring/least challenging game ever" before anyone has seen even one match actually played thread(s). Check.

Re: Are things quieter than usual this year?
 

Anyone who doesn't find this game challenging is probably underestimating their competition.

Re: Are things quieter than usual this year?
 

I think there is just less for teams to discuss. There is only one challenge versus the bazillion(its a really big number, trust me) field elements and challenges last year. Drivetrains, i'd say 60% to 80% are going with the kit drivetrain and chassis, its better than what most teams could build in previous years. Most of the discussion just involves turning it into a 4 wheel drive system. To raise a tetra, its going to be an arm, a forklift, or maybe if you're really creative some conver belt system, but i don't see too much varience here. The area with the most varience will be the tetra manipulator and i don't think any team wants to reveal any clever way of grabing them, or as may be the case has not stumbled upon any very clever way.

Now all of this doesn't mean this years game will be bad at all. If you look at the programming board its a flurry of messages dealing with all the new goodies. My team has made nifty little, easy add on for the kit tranny that gives us two speed shift on the fly, that we don't want to release yet. Other teams i'm sure have their own neat ideas. I just don't think there can be as many because of the fewer options initially available.

my two cents.
~Ian

Re: Are things quieter than usual this year?
 

Or overestimating their own skill.

I think it has been quieter. It makes sense to me, FIRST just took the playing field, flipped it over and dumped everyone back at Square One. So teams are working hard to get back on top. Can't wait to see this years surprises.

Re: Are things quieter than usual this year?
 

Gee, that doesn't happen here...
"Which robot will win this year"
"Well I don't want to toot our own horn ( :rolleyes: ) but team ### will have a robot that will have to be reckoned with...
As if anyone else doesn't build a worthy robot. Why not build first then brag.

Re: Are things quieter than usual this year?
 

I think the answer is a resounding no. I just checked today and all the topics on the new post section are new.

Re: Are things quieter than usual this year?
 

Yes new topics, but not about the specifics, such as your teams actual strategy, design, and a lot about what your team is using, as it was in past years.