Here's what I think, which is in no way the definately right or nonprejudiced view (I'm on an odd team, so naturally I hate the current system.)
To be fair to all odd teams, next year the system must be the same.
But in 2004?
I support the idea of not 2, but 3 seminationals. One for the middle of the country.
But imagine the cost! most teams have to travel to make regionals, let alone the nationals or hypothetical semi nationals. And the winners, or top 8, 15, 20, whatever amount of teams do qualify, only large teams with gracious funding will be able to make all the trips. Think about teams, early in their lives, with smaller budgest than other teams that have been around longer. Also, I 've seen some low budget teams turn out great robots this year- it would be a shame to deny them competition because of money.
Money talks, the rest walks? No way fair.
Dean Kamen is being a little hypocritical with the rule changes, I admit, but I think it's better to limit the amount of people competeing in the nationals than the amount of people that can join FIRST. Let it grow to every highschool!
Good luck to everyone that's going to the nationals.
And sorry for my belated reply. I really have to check these forums more often.
