Chief Delphi - Correct use of FIRST terms

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- - Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them! (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52874)

Jessica Boucher

27-01-2007 12:44

Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

In the slew of great letters sent to officials on the FIRST forums was a note from John Marichony, Chief Marketing Officer at FIRST. It can be viewed in its entirety here: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=2359

There are some things in here to remember as you start to craft your team's message in 2007:

Quote:

Greetings,
Response to the homework assignment has been phenomenal. In a very few instances, names of FIRST programs have not been used exactly as they are intended. Here are FIRST's preferred, recommended, and requested ways to refer to our programs:

The organization is FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, often referred to as FIRST, or FIRST (without italics). We try always to use italics. You are not "required" to do so.

FIRST's original program is called the FIRST Robotics Competition. We do not refer to it or the organization as "FIRST Robotics." In writing, we will provide the full name, then the acronym, and then refer to the program later in the copy as "FRC." Example: FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC).

Next, FIRST created the FIRST LEGO League (FLL), which we NEVER EVER refer to as "LEGO League." Also, just FYI, when you have two LEGO bricks, you say "I have two LEGO," not "I have two LEGOs."

Most recently, we created the FIRST Vex Challenge (FVC). We NEVER EVER refer to the program as "Vex." We do say that participants in the program us the "Vex Robotic Design System."

Hope that helps. Thanks for all your fabulous work and contributions.

John
__________________
John Marchiony
Chief Marketing Officer, FIRST

So, as you write and speak about all the great things you are doing this season - don't forget to use correct terminology! The more consistent the message, the clearer it will stick in the heads of those we wish to help us grow the program.

JAB

Billfred

27-01-2007 17:46

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Thank you for posting this--it really does get irritating when folks completely butcher it, especially in writing.

(Can this get a sticky, by chance?)

Elgin Clock

27-01-2007 18:28

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Quote:

Also, just FYI, when you have two LEGO bricks, you say "I have two LEGO," not "I have two LEGOs."

Another common plural of LEGO, which has been accepted by the LEGO users community would be "I have two LEGO bricks".
(If you really want to make yourself sound plural or have OCD and NEED to have an S present somewhere.)

Just thought I would throw that out there from one LEGO Maniac and FRC member to others of the FIRST and LEGO community.

Isn't the English language and the new rules it makes every day fun? :rolleyes: :D :yikes: :p

Great post Jess, everyone in any aspect of FIRST should read this!!
*Note for The Game Manual writers of '08 - Add this to it!

Chaosrxn

12-03-2007 00:00

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

awesome.

KathieK

12-03-2007 12:24

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

And with many teams now considering a trip to Atlanta, may I point out that it is NOT "The Nationals"? It hasn't been for many years. It is an international event and is comprised of:
The FIRST Robotics Competition Championship Event
The FIRST Vex Challenge World Championships
The FIRST LEGO League World Festival
and
The FIRST Robotics Conference (which encompasses all programs).

Romeo1351

16-08-2007 03:23

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

And more recently, the FIRST Vex Challenge has been renamed to the FIRST Tech Challenge.

cobrawanabe1699

30-11-2007 23:58

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Don't forget "Gracious Professionalism"

KathieK

01-12-2007 08:16

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

well, since the thread has been resurrected...let me add..

It's not the "Vex program". Vex is the common name used for the robotics design platform. "FIRST Tech Challenge" is the name for the FIRST program.

FIRST Tech Challenge (or FTC) has 4 levels of tournaments - Local or League Tournaments; Qualifying Tournaments which allow winning teams to compete in their nearest Championship Tournament. A Championship Tournament is akin to the FRC Regionals. And the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships.

BandChick

02-12-2007 11:14

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Along that same line, please remember that the term FIRST encompasses ALL programs (FRC, FTC, and FLL). Since FRC was the first FIRST program, a lot of folks have a tendency to call FRC FIRST. They are NOT equal.

KathieK

02-12-2007 11:30

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BandChick (Post 654864)

And let's not forget JFLL!

Cooley744

02-12-2007 18:14

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

I really didn't know it mattered.

Daniel_LaFleur

04-12-2007 12:58

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooley744 (Post 654935)

I really didn't know it mattered.

How you present yourself always matters, especially in writing.

Gary Dillard

03-01-2008 10:59

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

I just noticed this on the FIRST website:

At the very bottom of each page it says
(c) US FIRST (Foundation for the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).

although just above that it says
FIRST: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

Has anyone seen the Foundation nomenclature before? I don't recall hearing that anywhere.

Billfred

03-01-2008 11:09

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Dillard (Post 667035)

I found it on the liability forms in the first paragraph, emphasis mine:

Quote:

This is a Consent and Release of Rights in favor of the United States Foundation For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
Technology, and its officers, directors, employees, and assigns (“FIRST”), as well as entities designated and approved to assist FIRST in
managing, contracting, sponsoring, hosting, conducting, evaluating or publicizing (including individuals and entities working with FIRST in
print, publication, television, broadcast or video media) FIRST’s programs (“FIRST’s Cooperating Entities”) including any and all FIRST
Place, the FIRST LEGO® League (“FLL”), Junior FIRST LEGO League (“JFLL”) FIRST Tech Challenge (“FTC”), and FIRST Robotics
Competition (“FRC”) Events (the “FIRST Events”). As used below, “Participant” shall mean any individual, student, mentor, teacher, or
volunteer involved in a FIRST event. In consideration of the acceptance of my participation in one or more FIRST Events, I agree to the
following:

GeorgeTheEng

03-01-2008 12:16

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Dillard (Post 667035)

I beleive the foundation nomenclature is from the original incorporation documents or the initial IRS 501.c.3 application. That would be FIRST's legal name. The other is the more common name they us and what is the mark they are protecting. It's similar to FedEx (Federal Express Corporation) or UPS (United Parcel Service). It's my understanding that changing that legal name is not easy.

Gary Dillard

03-01-2008 12:59

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Right, except there doesn't seem to be any question that FedEx is an abbreviation for Federal Express and UPS is an abbreviation for United Parcel Service. Seems that there is some discrepancy about what the letters in the acronym "FIRST" represent.
If the CMO is going to publish a document concerning the "preferred, recommended, and requested ways to refer to our programs" in great detail (including the name of the organization), I would think it should be consistent or at least note the difference between the legal name and the preferred name.

KathieK

06-01-2008 14:29

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Thisis even more important to note now with this year's Dean's Homework assignment.

beth martin

11-02-2010 17:32

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

JFLL is now Jr.FLL :D

dubiousSwain

16-01-2013 17:24

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock (Post 566461)

As an avid Lego builder, I always say "I made this out of x legos. Just putting it out there.

Bob Steele

16-01-2013 19:18

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Right from the lego box:

"Dear Parents and Children
The word LEGO® is a brand name and is very special to all of us in the LEGO Group Companies. We would sincerely like your help in keeping it special. Please always refer to our bricks as 'LEGO Bricks or Toys' and not 'LEGOS.' By doing so, you will be helping to protect and preserve a brand of which we are very proud and that stands for quality the world over. Thank you!"

This seems definitive...

dbar	01-03-2013 10:34

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

What do CP, HP, TP, and BP mean on the standings sheet for a regional. I can't find this in the rules.

CalTran

01-03-2013 10:38

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbar (Post 1241943)

What do CP, HP, TP, and BP mean on the standings sheet for a regional. I can't find this in the rules.

Those are old...like last year old. CP meant coop points, HP hybrid points, TP teleop points, and BP means bridge points

Patrick Flynn

01-03-2013 10:40

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbar (Post 1241943)

What do CP, HP, TP, and BP mean on the standings sheet for a regional. I can't find this in the rules.

It appears that this was not updated from last year. CP mean co-op, HP is hybrid, TP is teloOp, and BP is/was bridge points which they appear to be placing the climb points into.

Tyler Olds

01-03-2013 10:41

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalTran (Post 1241944)

Those are old...like last year old. CP meant coop points, HP hybrid points, TP teleop points, and BP means bridge points

To translate for this year:

HP: Autonomous points
BP: End game tower points
TP: Tele-op points (discs scored)
CP: Not used this year.

Joe Ross

06-01-2014 10:25

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

I never thought that so many robotics people would be interested in a font.

Whippet

06-01-2014 10:29

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Can we make a note if how "Aerial Assist" has an 'e' in it? I am seeing too many people talking about helping the little mermaid. :)

AndrewPospeshil

06-01-2014 14:35

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whippet (Post 1322293)

Can we make a note if how "Aerial Assist" has an 'e' in it? I am seeing too many people talking about helping the little mermaid. :)

That's more of a spelling/grammar issue, not necessarily related to FIRST terms. Although I do think that is worth adding to the OP, especially for people who don't speak English as a primary language or are just bad at spelling.

cadandcookies

06-01-2014 14:52

Re: Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whippet (Post 1322293)

Can we make a note if how "Aerial Assist" has an 'e' in it? I am seeing too many people talking about helping the little mermaid. :)

Another unique thing about this year is the game definitions of ASSIST and CATCH, which are very easy to confuse if some people are using the manual definition and some are using a more colloquial definition. Precise game definitions are a must in this game!

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