[thefro526]

Though I agreed with 148's 2008 machine being the antithesis for do-everything machines my belief on the subject is this:

Do what you can with the resources you're given. If you have a large number of resources available (Time, Talent, Manpower, Money etc...) then try to do as many things as you can without spreading your resources too thin. Inversely, if you only have few resources focus on doing one thing, and doing that thing to the best of your ability and then once you have that thing/function/mechanism worked out move your resources onto improving it or adding additional function to your machine.

We, (I), try to follow this second approach on 816. In 2006 and 2007 we learned that trying to do everything half-a**ed was worse that trying to do nothing at all. From now on we always try to focus on building a strong drive-train (most important part of any good machine, IMO), then a good/decent primary mechanism (Our elevator in 2008, our conveyor in 2009, or our kicker in 2010), and then a good secondary mechanism or function (Our multiple auton's in 2008 with robo-coach assist in 08, our autons and Driving Practice in 2009, and our hanging mech this year (which we removed)) This works pretty well for our team and our limited resources, I'd suggest that anyone else in a similar situation look into doing the same... Or Not.