[Ken Patton]

So, let me see if I got this right..... if we creatively go around some aspects of the rules beyond their current form (i.e. they don't yet cover this area), we are being "smart."

I'm sorry Dave, but in my opinion this is the sort of response that encourages people to be cynical about the rules and to lawyer the rules. I think you're wrong.

Back to the question. What is wrong with allowing or encouraging this? And, we are not allowed to use the word "unfair" because unfairness is okay.... hmmm....

How about that it violates the first sentence of R01?
"<R01> Each team may enter ONE robot into the 2006 FIRST Robotics Competition. That robot must be assembled using materials from the 2006 FIRST Kit of Parts, and other allowed materials as specified in the Rules, and must fully comply with all Rules."

I assume the word "ONE" is capitalized because they mean one, and not one-point-five or two.


How about that it violates section 5.3.3?
There is a pretty detailed fabrication schedule given, and it is made clear that all teams are to follow it. If a team is "smart" and they figure a way around it by using parts that were built during some other team's fix-it window, it is my opinion that they are not following section 5.3.3.


How about that it creates uncomfortable conflicts of interest among teams?

"Hey we both made the elimination rounds - awesome! - but you know, we are the lead team here, and we don't want to break the lead robot. Plus, we think our alliance is going to win, so we are going to need to strip some of the good parts off your bot in case we need em for the finals."

"Aw, come on B-Team, you KNOW we only entered you to be the support robot. So what if you have a qual match in 20 minutes - we need your bumper-buster and we are 6-0 right now. Give it up. We'll try to get it back in time."


How about that it creates situations where the idea of "competition" is subverted, due to conflicts of interest?

"Hey we both made the elimination rounds - awesome! - but you know, we are the lead team here, and we think you should not play defense on us in the quarter finals. We gave the last spare subsystem to you (you know, because we each brought a different 25 lbs of stuff), so we have gotten you this far. Make sure to go easy on us."


How about that it will discourage teams who choose to treat this as an exciting COMPETITION? If you think that teams who are complaining about this sort of thing don't have the opportunity to do it themselves - after all, you suggested they didn't figure out "a smarter way to play" - you are living on another planet. There are teams who are choosing not to do it. Suggesting they were not smart enough to do it is insulting. Give them some credit for NOT looking for ways around R19, R20, R29.