[SteveJanesch]

Brian,

My programming philosophy is that the program is the algorithm needed to do the job, not the syntax that a particular language requires to satisfy its compiler. You don't need to know the intricacies of C to get the 'bot to do the cool things you want - the basics of the language will get you there. You do need to know the math behind the robot behavior, though, and the subtleties of the control system. I'd steer you towards more math/physics stuff.

My main advice is to try to get access to robots (either by building them or finding them) with different drive trains and manipulators and see what you can to trying to program them. One huge advantage you have is that there are at least half a dozen other teams within about an arm's length of your home. I'd imagine you could get together with their programmers to get access to some old machines and see what you can learn.

Unfortunately, really learning this year's RC subtleties is of dubious value, since the control system is going to change next year. Still, it's easier to learn to do something if you've done it once before. An education is never wasted.

Getting the math background will help not just for programming the robot, but also in physics, trig, and calc classes. Think of the robot as a year-long physics lab, without having to write lab reports.

- Steve