[archiver]

Posted by Jerry Eckert.

Engineer from Looking for a team in Raleigh, NC sponsored by .

Posted on 1/8/2000 3:07 PM MST


In Reply to: New Scoring System posted by Tony K on 1/8/2000 2:38 PM MST:



: What does everyone think about the new scoring system (IOW, getting Loser * 3 times the points)? I think it is a bad idea. Not only do we have to look out for noncooperative alliances this year, we have to look out for noncooperative opponents as well! Dean mentioned in his speech about robots purposefully disqualifying themselves as being illegal, but what about scoring no points? You may end up doing twice the work--getting points for yourself and your opponents! After some serious thought, I dislike the idea. Too many adverse things could happen with no contingency. What do you think? Don't get me wrong--alliances are a good idea, but this offers too much potential for more problems.

No matter what system they dream up, we'll always be able to come up with a long list
of what-ifs. If we learn anything at all from last year let it be that our energy is better
spent being constructive rather than destructive. Just as in real life, the rules are out
of our control -- and may well not be to our liking. Instead of spending time
complaining about the flaws, why not use it to design and build a better robot or
devise strategies to deal with the unfavorable situations?

Personally, I like the new qualifier point scoring system. It add some very interesting
strategy considerations and it's totally unlike anything I've ever seen in competitive
sports. I think once the competitions start gracious professionalism will again prevail
and we'll see very few if any of the pathologic scenerios.

Jerry