[BB]: My staff brought me a blue cake

[ATannahill]

http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/2010...blue-cake.html

Good Afternoon Teams,

As of last night we now have more teams registered for 2011 than participated in 2010. This season will be even bigger and better than last year!

I know it’s frustrating to be sitting on a wait list this close to kickoff, but hang in there. Once the payment deadline has passed on December 2nd we will start moving teams into the reserved spaces working to ensure as many teams as possible get to attend a Regional event close to home. If you’re not registered for the event you really, really want and you aren’t on the wait list yet, register now so we know you want to be considered.

New this year, we’re planning to release the Game Manual in two sections. Administrative information (Introduction, Communication, Team Organization, At the Events, Robot Transportation and Awards) will be released in the very near future so teams will have time to review it well before kickoff. Game Specific information (The Arena, The Game, The Robot, The Tournament) will be loaded on the website in encrypted form and released during Kickoff as it has been in the past. Watch this space, I’ll let you know the minute you can start downloading the Administrative Information.

What can you expect during Kickoff? The live broadcast will start at 10:30 AM ET and is scheduled to conclude at noon ET. I’ll be there as will Dean and the GDC. We’re working on the schedule of events this week and I can’t wait to disclose this year’s game.

This year we’re celebrating the 20th FRC season. If your team would like to be featured in a 4 second video during kickoff, film your original, funny wishes for a happy 20th season and watch this space. I’m looking for a way to collect your videos and will let you know when I have a place for you to post them.

I have an update to my Oct 13th blog post listing the variations between the 2011 Rookie and Veteran Kits of Parts. Due to some unexpected lead time challenges, Rookie teams will receive 1 Norgren relief valve and Veteran teams will receive 0. Relief valves will be among the choices in the FIRST Choice system in case veteran teams can’t find the ones received in previous years’ kits or if rookies would like a spare.

For those of you with questions about FIRST Choice, yes, this program is for all teams both foreign and domestic. I strongly advise teams to plan to visit the site when it opens for viewing December 13th. The more you know about what’s available, the better you can plan your order when the site goes live.

I understand that I, Wombat, the documentary film about the inaugural FIRST Robotics Competition Team in Australia will premiere on Thursday, Nov 25th at Macquaire University. I’m going to have to miss it as Macquaire is in Sydney Australia, but I want to send my best wishes.

My congratulations to Chris Elston mentor for team 1501 THRUST who has been named one of 40 Engineers under 40 by Control Engineering.

The staff surprised me this week with a cake to celebrate my 5 year anniversary with FRC. With everyone in the same place for once, we took this picture before all rushing back to work.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jf2J1wSLNG...oup+shot+2.jpg

Oh, and as of late last night, we have a game name for 2011! With any luck, we’ll have a game logo by Friday. Let the game hints begin.

52 days to Kickoff
See you then!

[JaneYoung]

This year we’re celebrating the 20th FRC season. If your team would like to be featured in a 4 second video during kickoff, film your original, funny wishes for a happy 20th season and watch this space. I’m looking for a way to collect your videos and will let you know when I have a place for you to post them.

Are any teams considering submitting a video? This looks like fun.

Jane

[blackiceskier]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Are any teams considering submitting a video? This looks like fun.

Jane

There is that number 4 again its got to have some significance....

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by blackiceskier

There is that number 4 again its got to have some significance....

4 second tele-op

or

Controls turn on/off every four seconds (possibly on purpose)

or

4second auto

note: FTC has 40 second auto this year

[EricH]

4-team alliances. That's the answer. See you in January, unless you wake me up with more hint chatter. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ....

[DarrinMunter]

Originally Posted by EricH

4-team alliances. That's the answer. See you in January, unless you wake me up with more hint chatter. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ....

Anyone count the number of people on the stairs? 16
With 4 people on a team (2 drivers, human player, coach) * 4 teams = 16 people on an alliance.

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by Munter2081

Anyone count the number of people on the stairs? 16
With 4 people on a team (2 drivers, human player, coach) * 4 teams = 16 people on an alliance.

That's actually a pretty brilliant observation that fits the "4" theme so-far.

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by Munter2081

Anyone count the number of people on the stairs? 16
With 4 people on a team (2 drivers, human player, coach) * 4 teams = 16 people on an alliance.

Possible, additional/alternate interpretations
-the drive team will stand on stairs ()
-4 & 16==> (first thing that I think of} squares=field/robot/scoring object shape

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Are any teams considering submitting a video? This looks like fun.

Jane

Poor Jane trying to point out the video submission, and it turns back into clue-searching.

We probably won't submit a video, since I can't even get the team together in one location before January.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by synth3tk

Poor Jane trying to point out the video submission, and it turns back into clue-searching.

That's ok, David. If the preseason is going to be a mix of valid information and hints of hints that are hints - then it's going to result in chaos and confusion. Maybe it's all part of the 20th celebration master plan.

Jane

[Dustin Shadbolt]

WOOT it's almost hint season

[PingPongPerson]

When and where do the game hints come out?

[ATannahill]

Originally Posted by PingPongPerson

When and where do the game hints come out?

When and where don't the game hints come out?

Hints have been posted on BB and on the usfirst.org website. Once it was mailed to teams.

The when can be even more chaotic. I believe in 2008 a hint was released mid-summer that had nothing to do with the game. Otherwise it is usually sometime in December. BTW don't trust game hint threads started by Greg Needel.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by rtfgnow

BTW don't trust game hint threads started by Greg Needel.

Or Dave Lavery :O

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

Or Dave Lavery :O

^ What he said. Dave Lavery will have your brain tied in a knot before you even download the game manual.