Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

From the High School names of 1771 (North Gwinnett High) and 1261 (Peachtree Ridge)

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

An annual occurrence would make me ridiculously stoked to be a sophomore. 8-)

Team names are kind of trivial, why don't we focus on making this one of the best memories at Palmetto?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Guess we've got a annual grudge match on our hands... :D! I can't wait!

Pity there aren't other teams from the tri-state area that we know going down...I'd love to see us take you guys on.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Personally, I like the name "North Ridge Alliance". It flows really well.

Who ever had the Border War idea: mad props. This is so excellent!

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I do believe Kakashi1261 came up with "North Ridge Alliance", or he was the first one I heard using it.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Please try to think of this as a friendly "Scoring Exhibition" as opposed to a "grudge Match."

Now for the important stuff - how BIG do you want this trophy to be?

We have something special in mind ... <grin>

Let's assume it will be the original concept:

Burning Flash of Metal vs North Ridge Alliance

Each team should invite a 4th robot to be prepared to stand in if one of the primaries dies ...

I'm hoping for a best 2 out of 3, but that will depend on how the day goes and how quickly we wear out our welcome ...

Expect it to be at the end of the day AFTER practice rounds.

Stay tuned ... Most of the details will be decided Thursday.

- Rick

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

beast... thats all i have to say

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Ok, maybe "grudge match" wasn't the right word...actually, it definitely wasn't. I guess we should just stick with an annual trophy match.

Anyways, can't wait to see this go down! Does anything else like this really exist in FIRST?

Imagine if we were to make this something traditional at regionals...teams form alliances and for an hour each day, the field was open for competition- all you had to do was sign up in advance. If not at a regional, maybe at IRI or another big off-season? *hint*hint*

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Maybe in 2010 MORT and 25 will come down with 1676. "Y'all" can give us a fancy beating in a match. ^_^

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I presume you will need a game announcer. I will be happy to accomodate you. I had a 5:00 appointment on Thrusday to close on a house I am buying near Clemson, but I will change my schedule to accomodate you. Chiniqua won't be there yet, but I am sure we can find an MC.

regards
barry hudson

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

We need a better name....

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Rick, thanks for all the work you have put into this already! Leave it to "Iron Man" to do everything. From setting up and inviting us to your team's practice field, to talking to the event staff to set up this EPIC match. You ROCK!

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Wow, this looks Epic:) Another good reason for 832 to go to Palmetto next year. Maybe make this a "home and away" type of series at Peachtree and Palmetto. Awesome! Have fun guys!

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

are you making fun of our southern talk? ;)

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Barry,
Moving into the area, or a second house? There are a couple of teams nearby if your moving. 2751 comes to mind, and then there's always us.:D

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Team 2415 is down to stand in.
I have a test and cant leave Emory till 12:45 Thursday but I might be able to make this. Andrew will be there i think... Or maybe there arent going to be any mentors thursday....

Regardless our kiddies will be intelligent enough to find you and try and step in. Every thing on our robot is completely working... finally (sans fully functioning autotracking)

Just give me a call or shoot me an email

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

This sounds like fun! I wouldn't mind making a cameo reprisal in the role of MC. :)

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Well, we're planning on playing best 2 outta 3 format. I'm sure there's room for more than 1 MC. :D.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Ok, so 2415 has stepped up as the GA back up. Any nominations for the SC Alliance 4th pick?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

:D. Welcome aboard 2415. :D. A SC pick?

Hm...This is interesting. Oh well, I must continue to scout the Palmetto teams. Muahahha.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

hey billfred, we're calling you out here... any of the columbia teams want to stand as the 4th pick?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Just out of curiosity, some regionals play close to 11 qual. matches, but some, like p'tree only play around 9. So anyone know how many qualification matches we will be playing at Palmetto?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

NJ plays 7 usually.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

You better get that cough looked at by someone, it sounds contagious....

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Indeeds, Santosh, there will be no mentors on Thursday until you and Giacomo arrive.

Team 2415 will try our best (we'll be working on autotracking almost all of Thursday), but we're having a substitute human player and coach...

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Hey, I'm currently distracted with other things. (And doing pretty well to boot.) Let me get back to the right time zone, then we'll talk. ;)

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Just to give credit where it's due:

The "border war" concept was thrown down by Drake343, regarding the SC move to the Peachtree Regional:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...9&postcount=11

It's going to be SO COOL! Since we're a late entry to Palmetto, many of our team can't be there Thursday. Please, someone post this match video!

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

\*********************************************
\************** NEWS FLASH *******************
\*********************************************

OTTO SUFFERS "CRUSHING" DEFEAT

SCORE: FedEx: 1 OTTO: 0

Sorry I haven't been around guys .. we found out Thursday evening
that FedEx dropped a 1/4 ton skid of 2ft diameter, 4"thick steel
sprockets on Otto.

The skid was on top of a taller crate behind ours in the truck.
While in transit the skid came loose, crashed through the top
of our crate and smashed our robot.

The impact actually pressed the robot through the bottom of the crate.

Destroyed the right side of the robot, smashed the cRio, destroyed
the drive train, etc ...

FedEx, Show Ready Events and FIRST have been marvelous in helping
us try to recover. They have given us a few days to do CPR and apply
as many bandages as possible ....

You can see the large sprockets in the attached pictures ...

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Border Wars MC

Geezz ... I didn't know we had so many MC's available.

I was assuming I would have to do it (not pretty ..)

Barry, if you are available we would love to have you.

Otherwise, Gene and I will muddle through it ...


Trophy is designed - we just have to find time to fab it (we're a little distracted at the moment ..)


Now .. If we can just get PEACHTREE to do the same thing we could turn this into an annual spectacle. I'm working on it (like you had to ask ...<grin>).

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Rick,

Do you need any help resurrecting Otto? 1771 is available! If you would like, I will call around and get some of our guys to drive over this morning and lend aid / perform CPR. I know you guys are quite capable, but if you need more hands, I am sure we have several willing to jump in.

Also, do you need parts? We may have some extra KOP items we aren't using. Let us know.

Martin

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

If there is anything we can do to help, holler. We've had shipping problems in the past, but nothing this bad:eek:

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Thanks guys, I think we are in good shape. Just have a few long days ahead of us. We have to re-manufacture a LOT of custom parts to replace the damaged components. Very time consuming ...

We expect Otto to make a full recovery (although, somewhat untested ..).

May have some loose ends to tie off on Thursday, but otherwise should be ok.

Keep your fingers crossed.

- Rick

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

That's nice to hear. None the less, if you ever need anything, please give either Tanner or someone else on 1261 an email or holler and we'll surely find someway to help out.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Ok, 3 things:

1. Wow, that really stinks- having to rebuild that in a week cannot be too fun.
2. I'm happy for you that FIRST is being considerate with this- do you have the robot back at your shop, and how's it getting to Palmetto?
3. Who uses SOLID STEEL SPROCKETS that are that big?!?!?! :ahh:

Good luck guys- hope to see you in fighting form on Thursday.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

You probably should have built a better crate... haha just kidding.
You know that if you need anything we have you covered. Just give me or Andrew a call or Mr. Rosen or Dr. Bennet. We have a solid number of left over parts.
And If there isnt any room in your trailer to bring Otto up, we have our trailer which will more than likely have room for your robot. This way you wont have to sacrifice bringing anything else up

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Buying rental property for my wife's sister to live in. I grew up in Seneca. Clemson Grad '77 and '78. Moved away after graduation. Still feels like home, though.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

With this much action, we'll need two Announcers and MCs. I would even encourage a team mamber to try their hand at either position.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

We can't bring Otto up in our trailer.

We have about 3 days to get this done, then it has to be on the FedEx truck for shipping.

We're being REAL careful to stay within the rules and guidelines so no one can claim we had an unfair advantage. (I'm still trying to find the rules about unfair DIS-Advantage ...)

How's THAT for irony ... <grin>

- Rick

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Honestly, I wouldn't care if you guys bought a whole nother robot up to regionals, but I'm pretty sure others would. :D.

Couldn't you guys take the parts off your copy-bot and then simply replace the damaged ones instead making whole new parts..?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Everone else has already offered, but I would still like to offer 342's assistance in anyway. We will send every student we can to help otto get back to prime proforming condition (so you can most likely come back and beat us:rolleyes: ).

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Actually, while they look similar, the two were built differently. It would actually be more work to take 09-B apart, modify the parts and adapt them to 09-A.

Also, we weren't sure about the legality of using those parts, so to keep everything simple and clean we are just fabing replacement parts from scratch.

We're doing pretty well, the mechanical guys have almost finished, now we have to reconstruct the electronics. We might even get to power it up today!

Then we find out what else is broken ...

Thanks again to everyone for the support!


We are very fortunate - in a morbid sort of way - that this happened to us. We have the resources and ability to re-build. I'm just glad it didn't happen to a rookie team or someone that is less able to cope....

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

The ultimate show of engineering expertise would be if you could incorporate the offending sprockets into the design in some way... (Might be hard to make weight, though).:D

Good luck, I am excited to get to see Otto 09-A/2 in person.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

"It would be very interesting to see 343, 342, 1319 v 1771, 1746, 2515

Dumpers vs Shooters.

Answer the question once and for all ..."

Man, I would love to see that, we're not going to be there, but I know you all from Peachtree. That would be one exciting match.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

My biggest question is, what possible use could there be for 4" thick, 24" diameter sprockets? Is someone building a mine train? I would hate to have to deal with those things! A rough calculation says they weigh around 255 Lb. each. It's easy to see why they caused so much damage.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Those sprockets would be good defense. :D.

MUAHAHAHAH.

Folea - I see. We generally make copies but this year, our build season didn't go too well so the copy was actually better than the real one. :D.

Oh well, good luck. When do you have to have the robot out by?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Keeping with the theme of dumpers vs. shooters, who is SCs fourth member for the alliance in case one breaks. I'm thinking 1102, 2815 both made it to the semis at thier previos events, or maybe even 2751 (this will be there 1st comp), all are solid dumpers that could help if needed.

Things probably want get to rough since it is at 5 and there will not be alot of time to get a broken robot fixed for qualifications, however these will be some intense matches. Best of luck to OTTO on getting that robot of yours functioning again. Only 3 more days till this epic battle, can't wait.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

So what are the alliances for this battle, and is it shooter vs. dumper or GA vs. SC? Or both???

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

i think that the alliances are going to be 343, 342, 1319 vs 1771, 1746, 1261 with both alliances having a back-up bot. coincidentally, this is GA vs. SC and shooters vs dumpers

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

It is a SC vs. GA match however it will also decide the shooter vs. dumper debate, this is what makes it epic. I was just suggesting that the SC alliance pick another dumper as its backup to keep in line with the theme.

Any volunteers?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Is 1261 a dumper or a shooter then?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

1261 is a dumper. I really dont want to make this into a shooter vs. dumper match since I think the whole idea is bogus. I don't even know how to classify our robot according to most peoples notions.

I am definitely looking forward to the border war though. I think this will be an awesome sight.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I agree, this is meant to be a GA vs. SC thing. I'm most excited about Thursday simply because of the border war. PLEEEEEEEEEAASE tell me there'll be video archived.

I think 1771's robot fits into the third category: "Whatever, the thing owns".

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

HAHA thanks man. I will try to get our video person there with his HD camera. I think he's coming up Thursday. It would be great if we can get other people videoing as well.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

At the core, we're a dumper.

I believe this match is more GA vs. SC than shooter vs. dumper. :D.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Tanner (our lead programmer) is gonna try to attach his Flip Camera onto the bot. We should hopefully have a bot-cam for that match. Leave it to Tanner for awesomeness!! A mount shouldn't be terribly hard to make. :D

...and I think that you're allowed to attach a camera to your bot in regular matches too. I saw a team doing it. Idk though >_<.

and 1771, I think that you've invented your own category of robot yet again.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I'm sure Tanner will also be taping the match from the stands so that shouldn't be a big deal. :D.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

and we'll be taping from the driver's station. I forgot about that earlier.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Same here. It would be cool if we could compile everyone's video into one uber-epic video. PM me if you want to trade video Thursday night.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I'll be wearing a 1618 shirt at Palmetto (and, if you ask me who I'm with at Palmetto, I'll probably say 1618), but I can pass along the topic to the folks who'll be working more closely with Los Pollos Locos at Palmetto. Given how well Cocked and Loaded ran at Bayou (hardly any problems, just one small sprocket shield added inside the conveyors), I imagine it won't be a huge problem.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

So I was interested to see who else is staying in the Fairfield Inn & Suites Anderson Clemson?

Team 1261 is there. I believe we have 6-7 rooms. I'm not entirely sure though.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

im sleeping in my own bed :) but i did just want to give a friendly reminder... from where that hotel is, it is right next to I-85 in anderson. i know that ya'll are from the atlanta area, but make sure that you leave early enough b/c over there traffic could get bad around 7:30-8:00.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

:D. Thanks.

Our Robot doesn't really need any modifications. We may add some little things, but nothing major so we'll be leaving at around 7:30 and hope to get there around 9.

But we'll go directly to the stadium.

It'll be interesting to see the state of the stadium when we're roughly 1 hour late. :D. It's my first time at Palmetto, so seeing anything will be a wonder.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

it will probably be in a crazed frenzy as usual:D

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

You'll see fields. And pastures. And trees. Lots of trees.

(That's not even me sniping at Clemson--Barry, Chris, wanna vouch for me?)

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

he's right... lots of cows, lots of trees, a couple of golf courses, a big football stadium, and a lot of hills:)

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

and..and..Kangaroos???

:D.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

In General I know 801 will be there trying to archive the entire regional

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

C'mon Mr. Folea... i leave for THREE days and you break your robot?!:eek: :D

But wow... my face was in disgust from those pictures....cant imagine yours when you got the call:ahh:

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I can't deny it. How do you get to Clemson?
Go North till you smell "it", East till to see "it", and then North again till you step in "it".
OR
Get a 1400 on the SAT.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Does anyone with previous experience at Palmetto know whether or not they will allow teams on the field during lunch/after matches on Thursday to calibrate our camera? The refs allowed us to do this at Peachtree, but some extra preperations may be necessary if the rules are different here.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

nice. i wish there were kangaroos:D

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I wish there were kangaroos everywhere...:D.

As for trying to get onto the field during lunch, I'm not sure if anyone here can give an official answer. Your best bet would be to email the regional contact and ask him/her.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I think this would be fine on Thursday, but not Friday or Saturday. I will campaign on your behalf if you need an advocate with the Field Reps. I do know that the lighting may be different during practice matches than during the competitions. Will that impact you?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I hope you got a tiny pair of crutches and somehow added them to your robot. If you can get photos of the damage to me on a flash drive at the event, I will see if we can do a story during some dead time.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I certainly will be recording this border war, though I haven't decided how yet. A robot mount is a idea, but I have yet to build the mount or figure out where a good spot would be (or even if it is legal for that matter). I've got a control board mount for watching the field and will be watching another one to watch our drivers during the match, which I predict will be quite funny judging from the audio I got from Peachtree recordings.

Overall, I'm excited for Palmetto. First time to go, but it'll be fun. I can't turn down a chance to take another 3,000 pictures of a regional. Hope the weather is good though, I'd rather fly up than drive (even though it is a short drive).

-Tanner

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional. High score
 

The high score for all events is 151. Who predicts they can beat that on Friday?

There will be an announcer's challenge to score all 4 Super Cells.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

David,

This doesn't appear to be a local ruling - according to the follow Q&A post, this is available to teams at all events:

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=11118

Aidan

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

***************************************
- - - - - - - - - - NEWS FLASH - - - - - - - - - - -
***************************************

FIRST is asking us to postpone this friendly competition
for a more appropriate venue, like and off-season event.

So ...

We will still do a staged exhibition for the TV news media,
but it won't have anything 'official' about it

No name, no scoring, no trophy ... etc.

Please have someone from each of the 6 teams come
find me Thursday so we can coordinate.

- Rick

p.s. Your friendly neighborhood GeorgiaFIRST committee is
planning TWO offseason events. And YOU are invited!

Keep an eye on www.gafirst.org for an announcement!

The great thing about this is we can organize SEVERAL different
match-ups to allow more folks to get involved!

Two days - We can't wait (FYI: Otto might actually make it!)

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Wow. This may not be good. Summer is PACKED for me. I will be going to England, Africa, Miami, then be a Camp Counciler. Umm. Also, If we do it off-season, will FIRST give us an official field to use? Televise it? Announce it? Keep it just our 6 teams?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

:( EPIC FAIL!!!:mad: I was so looking forward to this. This match may be the only way we see these 6 teams on the field at the same time.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Sounds like you can do the exhibition, just not make a big production out of it. Disappointing to be sure, but perhaps fairer to the other teams at the competition:)

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I still come back to the practice rounds. Things at Peachtree were first come first served. The first 4 rounds at Peachtree were no shows, and I mean all 6 teams. We will be making mods, but should be done by 10am if all goes well.
Our pit will be tucked away in our top secret hiding spot at Palmetto. If you ask the right people you may be able to find us. No, seriously, we will most likely be where the practice field was last year along with 3 other lucky teams. Make sure you stop by and see us:D

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Oh well. We're still having the same teams. We can HAPPEN to keep score, and HAPPEN to keep it up.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

The MC and Announcer have the OK from the event staff to be practicing and checking sound levels at that time as well.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

im liking this just keeping it on the down-low thing. it could work...

Autodesk Seminars
 

BAE Systems and Team 342 are hosting Autodesk Inventor and 3ds Max seminars all day Friday & Saturday morning at Palmetto. Information and a sign-up sheet will be at the registration table. Or you can email elizabethbarndollar@gmail.com.

Topics:

• Intoduction to 3ds Max
• Introduction to Inventor
• 3ds Max Workshop
• Inventor workshop

The "Intro" seminars are aimed at total newbies. The workshops are where users can share and discuss their work, and solve problems. Bring your files on a USB drive.

Should be interesting!

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

It's supposed to rain all day tomorrow - does anyone know how much covered area there is around the venue? We're going to be unloading all of our stuff around 7:30 and I guess standing around outside until the pits open at 8:30. I would at least like to keep our electronics and computers dry.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

LATEST INFO:
The match durring the news will be somewhat low key. Be prepared between 5:00 and 6:30. Announcer, and scoring look to be available.
We may be able to get the t-shirt launcher indoors. The event would like to give out Lunacy shirts, and we offered this way to deliver them.
There is a large tunnel that leads into the venue, and will keep things dry. The road that is used to unload also has a large tent and practice field on it. So unloading will be done, and then trailers will have to u-turn to get out. Shouldn't be a problem. Make sure to come in from the East.
The 5th Gear simulator will be making an appearance at another venue, and not Palmetto.
The pits will be along the line of 9'X9', the overflow teams are the ones that registered later, and their pits will be more like 10'X10'

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

PALMETTO WEBCAST INFO

This event will be webcast Friday and Saturday. Just point your browser to: http://www.clemson.edu/tlt/stream/frc/

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

All the robots have been tucked in for the night. They were a little restless at first because they were so excited about tomorrow!!

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Hey, we're pitting beside 1319 again this year!

I'll be bringing the radio playing Queen's Flash Gordon theme all day ;-)

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

We just pulled into Anderson, SC. Is it 7:45 am yet?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Uh, how do you check your email for the password if you can't connect to the network without it?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

I checked my email on my iPhone when we did control system training.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

You can have a text message sent to your cell phone.

.......then you enter an email address or a cell phone number.

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

a) you can tell it to send the info via text message to your cell phone

b) or check your email on a working computer.

That is why they did the cell phone thing. It is in my instructions...

Broken Links - Match times, Standings, Awards, etc.
 

It appears that most of the Palmetto Links on the USFIRST site are broken:

http://www2.usfirst.org/2009comp/eve...chresults.html
http://www2.usfirst.org/2009comp/eve.../rankings.html
http://www2.usfirst.org/2009comp/events/SC/awards.html

I know there is no information to post yet (9:45 am Thursday) but for the other regionals they have placeholder web pages. Only for Palmetto do you see a "Not Found" message.

Re: Broken Links - Match times, Standings, Awards, etc.
 

^is loving having internet while sitting watching practice matches at Palmetto.

My only question is...if Clemson has a wireless network, why does FIRST not allow teams to have them? Or is there not a rule against them this year?

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Any chance they need to test the webcast when the emcee's are practicing, and some teams from, say, Georgia and South Carolina, all happen to be practicing?

Not going to be there, but would love to watch "practice".

Re: 2009 Palmetto Regional
 

Team 801 has a Ustream of the regional currently running

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/first-...-regional-2009