Re: When does "build season" begin?
 

Some of us will be watching from our lab this year, so we'll probably be distracted by other things like cleaning and eating breakfast. Y'all don't have to be there at 7 AM :)

Re: When does "build season" begin?
 

Off-the-shelf components and raw materials have been fine in the past, as long as they aren't modified before kickoff. There was a rule last year that could have been interpreted as prohibiting the use of off-the-shelf assemblies (e.g. gearboxes) that were purchased before kickoff, but FIRST quickly clarified that was not the intent of the rule.

Re: When does "build season" begin?
 

From the "just kidding" stand point.

Does the season really ever end or start? Many of us are constantly thinking up new ideas and possibly building or designing off season projects, reflecting on other teams great performing robots, or mechanisms. In just a few days now, we'll all start "building" when the GDC drops the official game clue. We'll all try to imagine what the game will be like, what the scoring pieces are, start dreaming up mechanisms to win our imagined game. Doesn't that count too?

From the more serious side, I'd say the minute the Kickoff webcast begins. You're still taking a slight risk that something you're designing/building won't comply with a game rule. What if they change robot dimensions this year, and you're already milling a frame? So it's a somewhat risky start without having read the rules fully. During the Kickoff event we're always taking notes of key points, and tossing design ideas back and forth. When we attend the Manchester event in person (most years) it's a three hour car ride and non-stop discussion home. Fellow mentor, Bengineer, even had his girlfriend read the rules to him on the car ride home one year! (I'm sure that scored points with her :p )

Unfortunately, we won't be attending the Manchester Kickoff this year, but a local remote Kickoff. We'll be much too busy preparing for our Kickoff evening Pasta Dinner Fundraiser which will also be our 10th Anniversary Celebration. Lots of alumni, former parents, mentors, and faculty to impress with how far the team has come in ten short years. Any friends of GUS Team 228 are welcome to stop by and talk about the 2008 game.

Re: When does "build season" begin?
 

We watch the broadcast, usually over at VCU, then have a leisurely lunch. Then we meet at the school in the afternoon, where we chain up the best and brightest, and beat them thoroughly. They we leave them in the robot closet until Sunday or Monday. This makes it much easier to get all the ideas out in the open and secure agreement over the best strategy and design goals. It also prevents second-guessing later in the season. :yikes:

Re: When does "build season" begin?
 

Like most teams, last year, 393 sat at the webcast with notebooks or loose leaf paper and jotted down specifics about the game as it was revealed. Then we usually spend the rest of the webcast trying to brainstorm on our own.
We usually go to lunch on the trip back from Kokomo, and most of us will discuss ideas on the bus to lunch, during lunch, and then we have a semi-organized discussion on the bus the rest of the way home.
I love the dedication of Robotics kids. :)

Re: When does "build season" begin?
 

Me, too.

Re: When does "build season" begin?
 

i would have to say right after your entire team has seen the animation video.

Re: When does "build season" begin?
 

That's my vote too: The moment the kickoff webcast starts. But wise teams watch the kickoff before cutting metal...
No, not really. It has its ebb and flow, busy and slack times, but realistically, it never really goes away.

Don

Re: When does "build season" begin?
 

the FRC season starts when Acosta me and what ever students happen to be with us (usuly the core team pleus some) get together after the webcast at a chillies and draw out what we plan on doing. thats when the season starts for 1745.

this year may be alittle different seeing as ill be in a car driving back from mexico. . the season may start as early as half way through the webcast when I insist on calling every one I can and setting up a conference call so they can describe whats going on to me in real time. this will more likely end up being a big 4 hour strategy meeting over a cell phone(but hey its a weekend so who cares about minuets).