[Steve W]

What ever happened to the pride that comes with designing and building your OWN robot? If 2 or more teams develop a robot how can any of them say that their robot was the best? If you purchase parts from other teams then is it really YOUR robot?

The problem I see with this thread is that it seems to propogate laziness. If you buy all your prebuilt parts then what have you learned? The part that I like best about FIRST is the opportunity to explore, test and design a unique machine. i know that you need to buy gears or tread but to buy prebuilt gearboxes, arms frames etc? Where does the learning come in. I am a mentor but I am learning as we go along. I find that it taxes my mind. Makes me think. I build and find problems so I have to rebuild. Our team finds weaknesses and tries to figure a way around them. This is were you learn. This is were new inventions, better ideas and growth occur. I would hate to see any team lose out on these experiences. Steel becomes strong through fire. So do we. I for one would rather fail trying than win by someone elses work.

I know that I am in the minority on this thread but I needed to express my view.