Really? I mean, really REALLY really?
Nobody -- and I mean NOBODY -- who actually watched the kickoff Telecast would come to the conclusion that FTC wouldn't be a part of FRC this year. Nobody.
And nobody -- and I mean NOBODY -- who actually looked at the FIRST Choice options this year would come to the conclusion that FTC wouldn't be part of FRC this year. Nobody.
This whole thing is silly. Before kickoff, I already knew that the FTC kit would be part of the competition this year. It is the ONLY part available in group 1 of FIRST Choice... And that it is available at all was a GIANT CLUE.
This whole angst-bunny act is hilarious. Hop along, little friends -- I'm busy finalizing the designs of my robot.
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Edit:
Alex, I love you, man, but if OMG WE NEED TO BUY STUFF is killing you, you're in the wrong competition.
Nobody -- and I mean NOBODY -- has had a harder financial time than Naples at getting a team up and running and sustained. Without spending thousands of dollars of my own money (and boy am I rich with this teacher's salary, I can tell you) and an anonymous donation from another FRC mentor from a different team (to whom we owe an eternal debt), 1551 wouldn't be around today. It took that much to finally attract the awesome attentions of Bausch & Lomb, and we likely wouldn't exist without their patronage.
FIRST takes money. A lot of it. If you don't have it, you probably can't compete. That's why business plans, fundraising, and relationships with local businesses are paramount to the success of teams.
If $500 will make or break you either way -- not that $500 is needed to deal with the MINIBOT regardless -- then you need to direct your attentions toward something you *can* deal with.
...that said, if you need financial help, please let me know. We can probably do something.
