[skimoose]

Originally Posted by billw

I have no idea if any of the following actually apply, but they would be my first guesses for the relucatant embrace of VEX:

1. IFI is not receptive to FIRST suggestions for changes/improvements to the platform. RF might be one area that is vital to FIRST but not to IFI.

I would find this one hard to believe. IFI has been very enthusiastic about improving Vex and other products USED by FIRST. IFI was extremely proactive about correcting this year's FRC radio issues. Even having staff on hand at every regional and every playing field at Atlanta. I haven't seen this level of commitment from other VENDORS. The recent advanced gear kits and large omni wheels released by IFI and the anouncement of additional sensors and products this summer shows a clear desire by IFI to improve their products.

Originally Posted by billw

2. FIRST would like to see additional revenue sharing. This tactic certainly applies some public pressure.

This could be possible, but is IFI being singled out from all the other VENDORS? I think that even if IFI thought an increase in their contribution to FIRST was unreasonable, the increase in sales as the program grows would still have to be considered by IFI. Any revenue sharing is also a part of business, and can usually be worked out in a private business-like manner if BOTH sides are willing to negotiate in good faith.

Originally Posted by billw

3. IFI is moving in the direction of the hobbyist with its latest releases. This is contrary to the more "educational" vision of FIRST.

Please get one important thing straight. IFI and FIRST are two completely different entities. IFI is a for profit corporation, FIRST is not. IFI spent a great deal of resources to develop Vex partly to help grow FIRST, but mainly to increase its own revenue. IFI then spent even more resources to buy the rights to Vex from RadioShack, something FIRST could have done, too. IFI needs to recoup these expenses, just as any corporation would, in a smart business-like way. IFI's foray into the hobbyist market is good business sense. Should we fault other vendors like IGUS, Fisher Price, LEGO, etc. for having commercial ventures?

Remember, without successful commercial ventures of any kind, who would be the sponsors of FIRST?

Originally Posted by billw

In any event, I am quite pleased that FIRST has at least set a course for the upcoming year. We can now start bringing others on board with some assurance that there will actually be a program. I was quite reluctant to do so prior to this announcement.

Bill Wiley
Coach, Vexy Things

I too, am glad FIRST has finally set a course for this year. HOWEVER, I am still EXTREMELY RELUCTANT to promote FTC to others. As well stated by others in this thread, FIRST is once again starting down a path to hurt its teams. It is clear that many schools have invested heavily in Vex and are not about to change products to stay involved in FIRST. This is bad for FIRST. Period.

This has been my biggest complaint with FIRST, since long before this current issue. FIRST is continually making changes which cost teams vital resources (money), for almost no good reason. Changing to keep pace with technology is one thing, but changing from a platform like Vex that is well supported by its vendor, robust in materials and resources, and well integrated with FRC, without any valid reason given is a waste which teams should NEVER have to endure.

I can not, and will not, in good conscience encourage new teams to get involved in FTC this year without giving them a serious warning. Since there is at least some minimal chance that anything and everything a rookie team purchases this year may be obsolete next year.

Perhaps FIRST is forgetting its reason for existing.... to inspire students through science and technology. Schools have always been reluctant to embrace new technologies because of costs and rapid obsolescence. For FIRST to reach every school, it MUST provide a stable yet progressive program which doesn't force schools with limited resources to reinvest money without seeing any benefit from one platform to another.

That is not only good business sense, its good non-profit sense. Schools were teaching technology before FIRST was formed, and will continue to teach technology with or without FIRST. As inspiring as FIRST is, schools and school boards can only look at the bottom line... money, not loyalty to FIRST.