[dhitchco]

Novel ways to communicate:

1) Scouting methods:
--walk around and memorize
--walk around and write random thoughts on scraps of paper
--walk around and record on Excel spreadsheet forms
--above but feed data via optical character recognition into database
--form a partnership and have somebody else do the dirty work

2) Countdown timer to next match:
--wear a watch
--use a white board in pit
--program a laptop with a coutdown timer in Powerpoint
--synch laptop with wireless system throughout pit areas

3) Communicating from the Georgia Dome to the GWCC pit areas
--Have your fastest team member run with paper-based messages
--Use semiphone flags or smoke signals from the balconies
--Run 2000 feet of Cat-5 cable and hope it won't get run-over
--Use a wireless link that has a dedicated RF spectrum that won't interfere with the robot communications

Just remember that a stone in the hands of a caveman serves many purposes!