Re: Lesson Learned: The Positive.
 

I agree, and it wouldn't have changed the outcome of the match. (The robot in question had a broken drive on one side.)

Re: Lesson Learned: The Positive.
 

I thought this years wrap up party was really good. I went 2 years ago (and the previous year before that) and I was far from impressed - to the point I was going to get dinner some place else and just relax at the hotel. This year, I felt it was totally worth going.

I also think everyone in ATL did a great job keeping everything running smoothly despite the damage to the city that was fairly evident.

Re: Lesson Learned: The Positive.
 

I liked the focus on the Chairman's Award team and the announcement early, with VIP seating for the team. Very cool.

The pit layout was good for the space available.

Organized and well done event.

Re: Lesson Learned: The Positive.
 

Phew, another long post...

• Pit Admin was helpful as always - on shipping, on silly questions, on any feedback or suggestions we had, everything. The volunteers and staff at Pit Admin made this event a breeze for our team.
  
  
• The City of Atlanta was a terrific venue, even with their downtown ripped apart by tornadoes a month prior to the event. I was shocked and saddened to see the damage the city sustained but was incredibly impressed by the helpfulness of the Dome, GWCC, and Omni Staff in making our stay a pleasant one. The fact that a natural disaster (so soon after their State of Emergency water crisis, can't forget that) only slightly, if at all, inconvenienced teams is a testiment to the immense commitment of this city to the FIRST organization.
  
  
• Our team did not purchase the FIRST hotel and party package but did take advantage of the AMAZING offer of $13 tickets to the Georgia Aquarium. Our kids loved it, our mentors ooohed and aaaaahed, and we had more fun doing that together than we had in a long time. Although the food lines were long, we ate afterward instead - it was a small inconvenience totally dwarfed by the fact that we had so much fun for an unbelievable price. Thank you for offering this!
  
  
• I'd like to request Blair Hundertmark and Andy Grady on my field every regional, every event, every year. The two of them are full of excitement and energy and keep you motivated throughout the day. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and even after we had a disappointing Thursday and Friday, Andy made our matches an edge-of-seat event every time. They helped to shape this great experience.
  
  
• MOE's video was amazing. They emphasized the students involved and sent every team in the audience a positive and inspiring message through their involvement. We aspire to be like MOE. I feel their Chairman's video was the best I've seen yet.
  
  
• FIRST has a unique talent for really putting on the big show and making the opening and closing ceremonies exciting. This year was no exception.
  
  
• It was a somber and respectful moment when Mike Wade was posthumously awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award (or whatever they are calling it now). In the face of his passing, it was very appropriate. I know many also caught up with the folks of Rosie to support them after the passing of John Burns, and to see our little community pull together in such sad times is a sign of the strength of our partnership.
  
  
• Every morning I walked to the Dome/GWCC. Every morning myself and my team were greeted by the staff and volunteers. That was a good feeling.

The weather was beautiful, the teams were in good spirits, and everyone was excited for the event - it was a good time to attend Championship. I know there's more, but my brain has shut off from lack of sleep. :)

Re: Lesson Learned: The Positive.
 

One of the nice things I liked were seeing security guards and food service people at the GWCC/Dome, and the desk people at our hotel all wearing robot pins. My son is a pin freak and he gives away at least 20% of the ones he collects to random folks wherever he goes at an event, but I can tell he isn't the only one.

Re: Lesson Learned: The Positive.
 

One thing I really loved was the traveling NASA machine shop. The machinist' were helpful and very quick at getting parts back to you. I also got to tour the shop in NYC. It is certainly a top notch trailer (of course it's NASA ;)).

Re: Lesson Learned: The Positive.
 

I think the referees this year were awesome. They made the tough calls, the controversial calls, and they were (IMO) in line with the rules. I noticed few mistakes. The referee training seemed to have helped significantly.

Re: Lesson Learned: The Positive.
 

Re: The Game

I still think G22 is like the "School Zone" caution lights that light up during the school's spring break: what's the point of being so strict about it? It caused alot of havoc when it's an alliance partner who did it 3-4 times in a match. Even so, it caused our team to come up with creative solutions to the blind spots on the field. Without G22 & G42 (Hurdling protection), our RoboCoach would have been fairly bored during teleoperated period. With this change, we were penalty-free in Philadelphia and Atlanta.

Re: Championship

Teams at the championships this year were top notch in regards to GP. Every team we interacted with was extremely helpful and enthusiastic. I don't believe we met a single team (rookies included!) that came off as self-centered or tunnel-visioned. (Special thanks to 1983 for the bundles of favors, to 1503 for SMC wiring help, and to 1114 for patience).

Support from AM was top notch this year. Nick helped our team for well over an hour to troubleshoot why our transmissions were binding up. It turns out that the top of the transmission was spaced about 1/32" too close, causing the gears to pinch together. This was causing at least a 3fps speed loss and probably an extra 20-30% current draw. We could have simply swapped the transmissions, yet we would have probably made the same mistake again next year. Many thanks to Nick!

Re: Lesson Learned: The Positive.
 

I echo this statement 100%, they are my favorite tag team, Blair is my favorite MC (tied with Jeff) and Andy is my favorite announcer.

I agree with Sean, as much as I hate G22, it was called fairly and as written by the rules. Sure I hate it when teams lose due to it, but it's better to call them all than to nit pick about intent or just igonre them.

Re: Lesson Learned: The Positive.
 

Whoa, thanks for reminding me! Overall, I felt like the referees this year did a great job - our field was consistent throughout the entire weekend. The lack of comments about the other divisions also silently speaks wonders. This year's Championship was definitely a step in the right direction, and this should absolutely be noted.