[YLDNWLY]

Interesting discussion.

One of the aspects of the FIRST program that I appreciate and enthusiastically talk about when promoting the program is the fact that the robot must be designed, built, tested and shipped in just six weeks. My feeling is that we would be losing an important part of what FIRST is about by eliminating the ship date. Here are some other reasons:
1) In the real world, there are deadlines that cannot be moved. In my biz, the green flag is going to fly whether you are ready or not. We are doing what we can to help the students prepare for the world after school and this world revolves around immovable deadlines.
2) Many projects take up all available time given to them without an increase in the efficiency or efficacy of the end product. Extending the time will not magically increase the quality of the robots.
3) The most valuable commodity that any of us has, and it is all the same everywhere, is time. It is the only way to allow some teams to compete with others. The have and have not discussion usually revolves around money, or that which money can buy. If the time is increased, the disparity in financial status between teams will be much more pronounced since the potential leveling influence of the firm, universal deadline will be removed.
4) Burnout! Without a doubt, if the deadline were removed, this would become a larger factor. Right now, it is far easier to recruit mentors and get the blessings of parents since the major time commitment is limited.

Bill Woolley
Team 1079

PS: Be sure to get the November issue of SERVO magazine.