All right, the first way to start would be to check the main FIRST website,
http://www.usfirst.org/robotics
The team resources tab on the left has a bunch of good information for startup.
Last year's robot manuals are located
here
They have useful information on the trends of robot rules from the past. The manuals can be downloaded right off the website.
To answer the other question, omniwheels are the COOLEST THING EVER!!!
They can be used to roll straight forward, and to allow the robot to slide while turning.
Here is a picture
__________________
Branden Ghena - Michigan Tech Student and Team 240 Alumnus
Working Towards: Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering Double Major
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." - Gandalf