Q & A

[IndySam]

Help my old brain out; the Q&A on FIRST is not yet active. I don't remember it taking so long last year. Was it functional right after kickoff last year?

Is there a back door I am missing?

I’m frustrated because I think we really need some questions answered ASAP before we go to far along in planning.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by IndySam

Help my old brain out; the Q&A on FIRST is not yet active. I don't remember it taking so long last year. Was it functional right after kickoff last year?

Is there a back door I am missing?

I’m frustrated because I think we really need some questions answered ASAP before we go to far along in planning.

I think it took a few days last year. (probably to force teams to read the manual)

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Indy,
After the rush to get the kickoff out of the way it might take a few days for recovery. Most of the FIRST staff was working this weekend with the rookie workshops and such and kickoff at a far separate location.

[GaryVoshol]

The GDC members live all around the country. Many had to travel from Manchester back to home, and probably went to work/school today. Trust me, they've been keeping track of issues with the rules and will likely have a slew of opinions written to open Q&A. But they have to email or phone each other to get a consensus. It may take until a Team Update (usually issued on Tuesday and Friday), in case there are changes that have to be made to any rules.

[dlavery]

For the past several years there has been a "built-in hold" of a few days between the kick-off and the opening of the Q&A system. For example, last year the Q&A system opened at noon on the Wednesday following kick-off.

This delay period is intentional (and in my opinion absolutely necessary). It allows the teams to have a reasonable amount of time to fully read, digest and comprehend the contents of the manual and game rules before they ask questions. This encourages teams to really become familiar with the documentation, and the information that is available describing the 2008 game. It also helps prevent those that answer the Q&A questions from being completely overwhelmed with basic questions that are better answered by reviewing the provided materials during the first few days.**

Before (and after) the Q&A system opens up, one of the fundamental messages we give to our team is:

The manual is your friend. Read it. Learn it. Use it.

-dave

** for example, just peruse through almost any of the existing threads currently discussing the rules, and take a tally of the number of times the "does anyone know if we can use a left-handed garstuckle?" "have you even read the manual? it is right there in Rule <Q01>, underlined and bolded" conversation occurs



.

[David Brinza]

Unlike in CD, the GDC doesn't get negative rep points for "RTFM" responses. As a matter of fact, it's a common response.

I'm OK with that! I think it is irresponsible for FIRST members to expect the GDC to take time to answer questions that are correctly and unambiguously addressed in the game rules.

[Protronie]

Back at the power house we have a saying... if you can 't get it to work with a big wrench and a good kick... get the manual and use it on the thing!

There another saying I've heard... "when all else fails, try reading the manual"

Wish they put pictures in this thing like the McDonald's manual !

[lopz056]

does anyone have any ideas on how to fasten the bumpers onto the robot. i was in charge of coming up w/ the idea for it and it worked very well, but it was a big hastle to take the bumpers on and off after each match so that the pit crew could get to the insides. any suggestions would be very much appreciated and helpful

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by lopz056

does anyone have any ideas on how to fasten the bumpers onto the robot. i was in charge of coming up w/ the idea for it and it worked very well, but it was a big hastle to take the bumpers on and off after each match so that the pit crew could get to the insides. any suggestions would be very much appreciated and helpful

In the spirit of how this question would be answer in FIRST Q&A (which is the subject of this thread):

A. Yes

Note: I sent a PM to lopz056 about my response (please don't whack my dots...I like them!)

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Protronie

...

Wish they put pictures in this thing like the McDonald's manual !

If the FIRST Manual was as easy to read as the McDonald's manual, then FIRST would be excellent preparation for working at McDonald's.

Wait, that isn't what we're trying to accomplish, is it?

[David Brinza]

It's like the GDC "super-sized" the Poof Ball this year - maybe there IS a McDonald's manual somewhere in FIRST...

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by dlavery

For the past several years there has been a "built-in hold" of a few days between the kick-off and the opening of the Q&A system. For example, last year the Q&A system opened at noon on the Wednesday following kick-off.

This delay period is intentional (and in my opinion absolutely necessary). It allows the teams to have a reasonable amount of time to fully read, digest and comprehend the contents of the manual and game rules before they ask questions. This encourages teams to really become familiar with the documentation, and the information that is available describing the 2008 game. It also helps prevent those that answer the Q&A questions from being completely overwhelmed with basic questions that are better answered by reviewing the provided materials during the first few days.**

Before (and after) the Q&A system opens up, one of the fundamental messages we give to our team is:

The manual is your friend. Read it. Learn it. Use it.

-dave

While I agree with the reasons that the Q/A is closed, I think it would help if this was communicated officially to the teams.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

While I agree with the reasons that the Q/A is closed, I think it would help if this was communicated officially to the teams.

The manual tells us that Q&A opens "shortly after Kickoff". I think Wednesday (or thereabouts) fits that description.

Originally Posted by 2008 FRC Manual, Section 1 Communication, 1.6.1

Getting Answers To Your Competition Questions
...
FRC Q&A Forum: Shortly after Kickoff, FIRST also provides an on-line forum for questions and answers (Q & A). ...