I've talked about it before but it really is silly that FIRST spends oodles of noodles on all of the networking equipment to run FMS on the field but the data the end user gets has not changed really at all over the last 7 years I've followed the program (and that's with a massive overhaul of the FMS, iirc). Couple that with the appearnce that FIRST's web presence is probably controlled by 3 interns peddling a bicycle in the basement of FIRST HQ to generate enough electricity to run whatever toaster they put their content on, and it's frustrating to say the least.
It's 2014! Some of the stuff they use is literally stuck in 2007. Why are we shooting video in 4:3 at competitions? Why is the scoring information so hard to get even at the event? Why can't their be an FMS API? I feel like FIRST is at a point in its growth phase that it should be investing a pinch of its $13.4 million cash on hand into putting on the better show and giving teams and fans (yes, there are fans!) a direct or indirect way to access real-time information at events and give developers ways to display that information (Think about Google Glass app for drive coaches! Then I wouldn't have to dart my vision to another place). I mean, there are a lot of neat people in FRC who just want the opportunity to do this stuff for fun. Give those people that chance.
Also, if no one takes anything away from the blog post, at least save this:
Quote:
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Lesson learned, I should have listened to Ether.
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That statement can be applied to a lot of things.