As a (former) long time employee of FIRST...I couldn't read all these posts and not respond. I know how hard it is for teams to have rules changed on them in the middle of design and build, and sometimes during an actual competition event! (That has happened before as some of you know!)
When you call the FIRST office, you might get "We'll take that under advisement." I know when I was handling several hundred phone calls and emails, I used that response more than once myself!....but I ALWAYS took your requests, comments and suggestions seriously, and I know that FIRST still does.
If you continue to bring these unsatisfactory issues/rule changes to FIRST's attention, they are bound to listen and make adjustments. That's why, like SupaE said in his post....FIRST does listen, at the Team Forums (this was designed just for YOU!), through e-mails, through phone calls and at the events. Just bring issues to them rationally, and they'll get it...sometimes not right away...but they WILL get it!
Lots of positive changes have been made and incorporated into this season...and I'm sure there will be lots more changes in the future...so hang on to why you started with this program...it IS what you make it! Make it GREAT!
my two cents.......
-Lori-
