Chief Delphi - Perennial Q&A Answers

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Re: Perennial Q&A Answers

I hope it doesn't sound like I'm implying that the GDC is the bad guy; I would say that in general their rulings are consistent and predictable and understandable; very few surprises, and never anything I would characterize as "stupid". Even the responses that are effectively "because we said so" help keep consistency in the rules by not changing every little nitpicked word, lest we get a 2000 page manual. "Relief valve directly on the compressor" is a good example - that takes one sentence, versus other options which you could spell out in several paragraphs which I'm sure meet the same intent.
What I'm looking for is the least painful way to make some of the grey areas more black and white, so there is less confusion between teams and inspection is easier (its a go or no-go). Does the GDC take questions in the Q&A during the after-season? I may ask them the question I posed at the start of this thread regarding using previous year's rulings (not rules).

Re: Perennial Q&A Answers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Dillard (Post 958866)

Does the GDC take questions in the Q&A during the after-season? I may ask them the question I posed at the start of this thread regarding using previous year's rulings (not rules).

I don't know that answer. My gut feeling is they are taking a well deserved break before they start on next year's game. Give it a try and see what happens.

Re: Perennial Q&A Answers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hibner (Post 958861)

It wouldn't be that hard to put this in motion. When the GDC publishes the rulebook, they could publish a supplement with past Q&A answers to clarify each rule for which a clarification was issued.

That would require each Q&A to be indexed to a rule, and then the indexes updated to the new rule numbers in future years. I don't know which would be more of a hassle - indexing, or answering the questions over again.

Re: Perennial Q&A Answers

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol (Post 958910)

That's exactly what I was thinking.

Indexing should be pretty easy. All of the Q&A's reference specific rules, so automating a search and compile would be pretty simple. Hire a student with some Perl experience - he could probably have it done in a few hours.

Re: Perennial Q&A Answers

iPhone probably already has an app for it

Re: Perennial Q&A Answers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz (Post 959146)

What's an iPhone?

It's like an iPad, but smaller.

Re: Perennial Q&A Answers

I agree with what Al said

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz (Post 958860)

I would prefer to see Q&A response or GDC affirmative action at the top followed by a Team Update. The TUs are then, in turn, followed closely after with a manual revision. That is pretty much what happens now. Bill's blog should be out of the list here.

but I think it should be simplified further.

It is unreasonable to require teams that are under-mentored to follow Bill's Blog and ALL Q&A threads throughout the very trying build season in addition to keeping track of FIRST email blasts and reading a nearly 200 page manual.

If a team asks "how far can a ball protrude into a passive mechanism above the bumper zone?" in the Q&A, that answer (which is not covered in the manual) needs to go in the next update.

There should be one place that teams get "the final word" - the manual and the manual as amended by official updates. Teams, referees, inspectors, etc. should never have to go anywhere else.

-Mr. Van
Coach, Robodox