[Bob Steele]

This is a great comment...

I do differ to the LRI in these matters... but I am really just passing the buck...

I have felt all year that the minibot parts rules were not written in such a way that it is clear to any inspector ....

We all have our ideas on why rules are written.

Many years ago I worked for EPA and had to deal with the regulations that were written... if you think FIRST rules are convoluted you should see the Hazardous Waste rules... I actually was an inspector in those days and had to make these kinds of decisions...

I did, however, have the benefit of having another document that showed the intent of the rules... and often would refer to that...
We had the law, the regulations, and the intent documents...
and sometimes the hearings documents that gave the testimony and the resultant decisions....

Now I am NOT saying that we should EVER do that in FIRST...
If we did ... I would quit... :0)

I do find that nice tight regulations/rules are the easiest to interpret as an inspector....

The process you went through from wall switch to light switch is a great example of using technical information and making logical decisions. I especially liked that your definition of a light switch included the voltage and amperage ratings...

I, too, would hope that rules are written with specifics that are easily testable... the more you put these judgmental decisions in the hands of inspectors... the more variety we are going to see from regional to regional..

FIRST needs to remember that inspectors and referees bear the brunt of their words.... For inspection... tight rules that are very specific are always the best...

We also need to remember that many teams have never competed in this type of competition before... they will arrive with their own interpretations and then they will get upset when they find out that their interpretation doesn't fly....

The process is pretty difficult for a new team...

Education is the answer for rookie teams... we try to stress to new teams that they should talk to veteran teams about questionable issues when it comes to robot rules... it will save them in the end...
We also recommend straight questions in QA ... if you think you are treading the line... go and ask... USUALLY you will get an answer.

Thank you for being an inspector... and believe me, we are NOT Lawyers...thank goodness...!!!