[Jeff Waegelin]

Good idea, Clark. We weren't a rookie team, but last year was our first year using Pneumatics on our robot. We set up a pneumatics board like FIRST did for the kickoff last year so that we could all learn how the pneumatics worked before we started building the robot. It's a lot easier to learn how things work when you lay them out on a table and test them than when you put everything together and wonder "Well, now why doesn't this thing work."

Those kind of suggestions are also very helpful for new members on veteran teams. It's very frustrating to sit around and do nothing because you don't understand how the equipment works and noone will tell you because they don't have time to explain. Having new members put together test boards and such (with advice from vets) can be a great way to show the "newbies" what to do. After all, you might find that your best electronics guy is a new member, or something. Don't underestimate the rookies (teams or people)!