[gail]

FIRST makes the rules based on feedback at the team forums

FIRST is not operating in a vacuum. The rules are developed by taking into account the feedback they receive at the team forums following the close of the season. This is the purpose of the forums.

Teams complain bitterly about the playing field not being level.
Teams complain about the amount of time being spent
Teams complain about all sorts of things.

If every complaint was analyzed in terms of FIRST's goal of inspiring students to choose engineering, science and technology careers, the result would be vastly different.

Teams would be encouraged to program and try out new code.
Teams would be encouraged to develop and improve their systems.

The learning would not stop simply because the robot ships, unless.....
its about winning, and fairness, and competing successfully, not about learning.

So, which is it?