[Steve W]

Usually Andy has great ideas. Unfortunately he must have a short memory. He must have forgotten what it was like at ship time and how his wife was looking forward to him coming home. I know!!!! He is trying to find another way to keep from those house chores.

I will go on record as saying KEEP the ship date. I really don't see teams gaining that much by extending. The reason is that those that can, do and those that don't, won't. Yes I believe that the gap will widen. I also know that I as a mentor will have serious burnout and home problems if ship is extended. I also believe that ship is what makes this program so world like. Meet the deadline or you lose out. All teams are on an equal foot. Do what you will with your time but it still ships on time.

I also see a problem with the idea of "historically experienced teams" playing early. Who are they and what if there are no early comps nearby? I also believe that teams will send out more scouts and make changes to their robot after seeing others. This happens now and they can only build them at comps.

Enough of my negative (or positive, depending on your view) thoughts. Why not set up a poll just for numbers?