[BillP]

Interesting collection of opinion and some compelling (if not always accurate) arguments. In my simple-minded view, the spirit of the "no building or fabrication before kick-off" rule is simply that; no building or fabrication before kick-off! This is true regardless of how the rule is worded. The intent is clear.

Our team has actively been designing test bed robot platforms, modifying last year's robot and prototyping since mid-summer. Are we breaking the rules? No. We are learning about design principles, building teamwork and enhancing our abilities. Everything we have learned will be applied to this year's robot but nothing (and I mean NOTHING) that we have build, cut, fabricated or bolted together will be used on this year's robot.