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Unread 04-04-2011, 20:39
ahollenbach ahollenbach is offline
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AKA: Andrew
FRC #0103 (Cybersonics)
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Re: A plead to FIRST, anyone else agree?

I guess I don't have much knowledge as a rookie to FIRST (although I've heard Phil Szymanowski go on and on about it), but I disagree with many of your points, and in general (sorry for the massive generalization) with all people who make open letters, and pleas, etc. If you aren't having fun, you aren't doing it right. The competitions account for (assuming you compete three times in a season) a mere 9 days. Build season (and the hype leading up to kickoff) lasts nearly 2 months. Enough, though. Let me address each point.

1. The "true" message of FIRST is great, but it does not need to be repeated 200000 times.
It's a tiny price to pay for having the opportunity to compete with the upcoming brightest minds in the world. Four years ago, I would never have dreamed of the exposure I've received, developing a professional website, designing a 150 pound robot, and learning to create accurate CAD drawings of it. The competitions are immense, and so if they want to spend a few minutes out of the three days to mention their slogans, they can.

2. Go back to more competition, you're beginning to lack in the competitive part of coopertition.
I don't even know where this comes from. I see robots out there that can do incredible things, built by veteran and rookie teams alike. The competitions have me on the edge of my seat, whether in person, or seeing it all on a tiny computer screen. This year, just like many of the past years, has been highly competitive. In fact, it is one of the first years that teams are competing to hit the score barrier, which just furthers the competition. Competition hasn't gone anywhere; it's still thriving in the FIRST regionals.
In terms of cooperation, that's how the real world works. You learn to cooperate to compete against your opponents when they're at their best. And yes, people have been complaining about minibot schematic stealing, but FIRST couldn't have anticipated that. They aren't perfect.

3. Enough of the shameless advertising. FIRST is not about the robots, great, but it's not about the politics either, nor is it about FIRST, it's about the future and inspiring our generation, and the next one.
Why? FIRST has brought wonderful engineering experience to more than a quarter of a million kids from all walks of life, all around the world. They need to get their name out there, so more people see it as an interesting thing to do. You can still inspire a generation - in fact, you will be reaching a larger audience in the next generation. Also, what politics do you speak of?
On another note, the "shameless advertising"? Let's not even call it that. Instead of the circular gamepieces from Rack 'N' Roll, FIRST stepped up the challenge by bringing in different shapes, and the logo bonus keeps the driver on his game. It also creates an awesome back-and-forth nail biting when two excellent alliances go head to head. Don't believe me? Watch footage from the quarter-finals at Florida, where both alliances went past the 80 point mark in all three matches.

4. Robotics is nerdy. The sooner that is accepted, and embraced, the sooner FIRST can confidently attract others to the program. Nothing says "nerds, beware" like a sign saying "hehehe, it's not nerdy"
OK, I'll agree with you a little there. The Will.i.am thing was a bit overplayed, but all in all, their point was not dumb. Robotics isn't all nerdy, and FIRST is not all robotics. Half of our team also learns about finances, professional presentations, web design, and many other core skills that really have nothing to do with cRios and pneumatic cylinders. So, the not-as-nerdy kids could join that aspect of FIRST (which is equally as important). But who's to say building robots has to be nerdy? Yes, it takes smarts, and interest in robotics, but are all engineers nerdy? Is it nerdy to know how to weld or use a milling machine? Not really.

5. You were on a good track with the "spectator friendly" game breakaway, continue on that track.
I can't speak to strongly, except that I've seen many videos from the past 4-5 years' games, and I have to say that LogoMotion is one of the most interesting games that FIRST has thought up. Not only does it address the veteran teams with a challenge - hanging the top row quickly and efficiently, but it allows rookie teams to also be competitive, using a defensive/minibot emphasis. Aside from the all around approach to game design, actually watching games are a thrill. Seeing logos being hung doesn't take away from the interest factor of the game at all.

In conclusion, this is an awesome program, an awesome game, and an awesome experience. Whatever "complaints" you might have aren't that important in the grand scheme of things, where you are getting a head start on your college and professional career.

Last edited by ahollenbach : 04-04-2011 at 20:40. Reason: Made it easier to read.
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