[JesseK]

I loathe most things about my Apple iPhone; from its archaic synchronization methods, to its inability to multi-task, to its inability to prevent apps from tracking my specific phone's SIM ID, to the ridiculous 56-page (and growing) terms of usage for the Apple Store; the list goes on. The only saving grace I have is that I can cut my losses in April when my contract ends and choose a new phone. I don't begrudge Apple for their communistic technology practices; I simply don't want to be a part of them.

Just thought I'd throw that out there. And this too:

Throw the MINIBOT aside for a second and examine everything veteran FRC teams have had go their way this season; there are three that I can think of off the top of my head, centric to my team:
1.) The 2011 game is very similar to 2007. I doubt there's a successful 2007 team around that isn't almost already done with their robot, barring weather or significant capabilities changes
2.) The allotment of motors plays towards every resource veteran teams have accrued over the years for KOP motors, including the (typically) most expensive things: COTS gearboxes
3.) Use of little-known KOP pieces for scoring 33% of most teams' points (the Igus sliders -- 1 has come in the kit every year for 4 years) -- has allowed at least one team (this one, and I'm sure others who haven't lost focus) to prototype a piece of the the ship-date robot in record-breaking time.

My point in saying both of these is that Apple is successful because Apple (and not their customers) controls the products; in doing so they're able to deliver an overall superior product regardless of its individual [severe] flaws. Customers who don't like it can go to a competitor. If we examine FIRST's control of the FRC product, then we not only get the TETRIX scenario, but also the above positive reflections on that control. Just like Apple has its cultists, atheists and agnostics, so apparently does FIRST.

To me, it's just sad that this year so many CD'ers are taking the opportunity to take cheap shots in the name something they're obviously bitter about only to turn around and continue to put on a facade elsewhere in order to get a FIRST award. To me, it means those teams have representatives who truly miss the point.