[MikeDubreuil]

My point in saying that the goal was poorly designed is not to be elitist about myself being a superior engineer than anyone else. Therefore, I will not offer alternative designs. My point was to say that in engineering there is a process. One of the most important steps in the process of engineering a product for a customer is testing. It's why as mentors we strive to get a robot built by week 5 so the kids have week 6 to test it.

I find it inconceivable that the Game Design Committee hoped the center goal would require human interaction with an automatic computerized scoring system. I think Dave's comments point out a problem with the “big picture” of FIRST. Essentially, he said that there's nothing wrong with goal clogging because there's a set of constraints that cause it to be built in such a way. So I'll assume the GDC did test the center goal and knew the goal would clog during competition.

This year was a rough ride for IFI. There's been two major flaws identified with the Robot Controller. You'd think I would be ready to steam roll them in this thread. I'm not. In fact, I love IFI. When the problem was discovered they worked with teams and were open and honest. They immediately issued a fix for the problems. They were even as kind to monitor the problem as best they could at the regionals and provide on the spot help. I mention IFI here because they gracefully handled a situation where their stuff had problems. As I said above they were open and honest about the problem and immediately and continually offered help. IFI knows who there customers are and treats us right.

I don't think FIRST was nearly as open and honest about the problems with the rank and scoring software. Unlike IFI, FIRST was not prompt with a fix and even at times would refuse to admit there was a problem. (Yes, this did actually happen to my team)

I work tirelessly with my teams to make sure that the students have a robot that they can be proud of and abides to all the FIRST rules. FIRST loves rules. In fact, the rules have gotten more and more detailed. The rules are so stringent that it's possible to be disqualified at an event. What rules does FIRST follow? What happens when FIRST breaks the rules? Does FIRST have a set of standards to which they live by?

Currently the vehicle that gets kids involved in science and technology is in need of repair. As a mentor I invest thousands of hours of my time and my sponsors spend thousands for that vehicle to be in top top shape. Students can not become excited about science and technology when the system that inspires them has become so broken. FIRST does not even follow engineering processes. Field systems are not working as expected. Under my understanding of gracious professionalism it would not be acceptable to not be open and honest about your problems. A center goal clogging is really just the symptom of a major problem FIRST has right now. They do not understand how important a working game is and they do not understand that as customers we expect the vehicle to work.