|
Re: Building just isn't a priority anymore
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tassemet
Sorry for the double post but I just saw this and had to quote reply it.
You can only fit so many hands on an area 18x18x18 before there's no more room for hands, or they touch something that cuts them (ie sharp sheet metal underneath that we hadn't gotten around to filing yet).
|
There are many hands-off ways to help a team. Programming is of course one of them. Drafting being another(my focus as a student). The two have similar traits in their function within the team. There are times that something needs modeled immediately and then days when nothing seems to need done. That said, I never sat around and waited. I actively saw what the other people were doing(from a safe distance) and helped keep things on track. I worked to help keep communication going between the different parts of the team. I discussed what the electronics people needed by when and pressed the machining team to meet those deadlines. If there were good reasons for the machining team taking so long, I could explain them to the electronics. This is just one example of how a person can contribute to the construction of a robot without ever getting in the way. Another way is to work on the non-engineering side of things. Someone has to plan the trip to the competitions. Someone has to design the team shirts. Someone has to manage the budget. Someone has to fill out the forms for various awards. Someone has to do alot of things. Why not them? There really is no need for a student to ever be sitting around playing games while they are "on the clock". Not only does it limit their contribution to the team, it also suggests that this might be acceptable in industy. Randall Munroe(xkcd writer) has made many jokes about what happens when the code is compiling. Lets not perpetuate this mentality by making excuses for it. Programmers are smart people capable of many things more then just programming. Encourage them to branch and try different things. They will gain alot more then a high score in solitaire.
Jason
__________________
"Curiosity. Not good for cats, great for scientists."- Numb3rs
"They can break your cookie, but... you'll always have your fortune."-T.W. Turtle, Cats Don't Dance
"Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly - the ill deeds along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly. The rest... is silence."-Dinobot, Beast Wars
"Though the first step is the hardest and the last step ends the quest, the long steps in between are certainly the best."
–Gruffi Gummi, Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears
|