Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Grady
It really disgusts me that I'm forced to use the crappy music player on my Droid X...why couldn't Motorola just use Apple's player in their code instead?
You get the point...
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Well, if Apple made their player available for your hardware you could use it if you wanted. There are also a dozen other music players for Android available...
I get your point though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaneYoung
It's not falling apart.
Jane
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No, it isn't falling apart but a lot of the people I am seeing complain about these minibot rulings are some respected members of the FIRST community. I'm not saying they should have some special say but I am saying that if a large number of them disagree strongly with a decision it should really make us step back and ask ourselves why they are disagreeing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaneYoung
I have 2 questions:
1. What is so ruffling about "and their kits"?
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Because their kits are supplied by a for profit company that signed a contract with FIRST. I support FIRST, I support the ideas it stands for and I will do anything within my power to help any FIRST team (FRC, FTC, FLL, JFLL). THAT is supporting FIRST. Buying parts from a FIRST partner is not supporting FIRST it is supporting that partner. Now, if FIRST wants to mandate that we have to buy those parts to be competitive that is their prerogative. For some reason the wording reminds me of our former President's use of the phrase "You are either with us or against us". I disagree, nothing is ever that two sided, especially when it comes to inspiring the next generation.
After having played with the Tetrix kit a little I understand why it costs so much, it is really nice hardware. I just do not feel it is the proper tool for me to use to inspire our students. Can I still say I support FIRST? Can I still say I support the ideals and goals of an organization that changed my life? With this statement by the GDC I am not sure.
I understand the goal of bringing more awareness of the smaller competitions by using the larger one. I like the idea, I admire the desire to bring FTC and FLL to the same status as the "big robots". Quite possibly the only thing I don't like was that one little phrase. And, maybe there isn't a rational reason why it bothers me so much, maybe I can't explain it to you. I still don't agree with it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmass
I don't care that they limit minibot to Tetrix and some raw materials, that is a fine constraint that levels teams to some point.
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[Rant] This is the Superbowl of Smarts, why should the playing field be level?[\Rant]
Now that I have said some pretty mean things about the GDC I have to give them a compliment. Thank you for doing exactly what we asked for. I feel that the rules this year have a clear intent behind them. If the intent is not clear it was mentioned in either the Kickoff broadcast or one of the blue boxes/ notes in the rulebook. I know you are catching a lot of flak for it but I think that clear and honest communication will only result in an improvement for the entire community. I don't always agree with your intent but I appreciate you sharing it with us.
-Andrew