[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by Billfred

Here's one I find sorta perplexing:

Q: 6.3.5 states "FIRST will allow you to keep all of your robot controls (Operator Interface, OI power supply, joysticks, etc.) and not ship them with your robot on Tuesday, 2/21/2006. This will allow you to continue to work on your programming. If you decide not to ship controls with your robot, please rememberyour initial competition. FIRST does not have replacement controls."

Just to be sure, does the Robot Controller fall under the "etc." mentioned in 6.3.5?

A:The Robot Controller is considered part of the robot, not part of the operator interface. As such, it must be shipped with the robot prior to the shipping deadline.

Incredibly disappointing. How are we supposed to develop software during the two 5 hour fix-it windows we all get after ship and during each week of regionals? Do they seriously expect us to spen hundreds of dollars on another just to make full use of the fix-it windows when our kit-provided RC is sitting dead in a crate? Do they expect us to minimize our code to run on an old controller? Then why have the new controller with more program space? What about rookie teams who have no RC from previous years? This Q/A answer does nothing except provide the rich teams an advantage. I hope FIRST seriously reconsiders this Q/A answer because of the unleveling of the playing field that will result.