[EWCP] EWCPcast, 1-5-12 and 1-8-12, Twas the night before kickoff and Game Reactions

[thefro526]

Hey everyone, it's that time of year again, the moment that our lives become dominated by robots and competitions and EWCPcast hopes to make it a bit easier for all of us.

On Thursday Night, January the 5th, we'll be doing our 'Twas the night before Kick-off cast'. The basic outline is this:

-Good practices for analyzing the game.
-Good practices for brain storming.
-Good practices for prototyping.
-Efficient use of the critical first week of build.
-Basic Build Scheduling.

Then, on Sunday Night, January 8th, we'll be doing our 'Initial Game Reactions' cast. The basic outline is this:

-Overall impressions of the game.
-Interesting rules.
-Predictions of how the game may or may not play out.
-An in-depth discussion about the lack of minibots.... (A guy can dream right )
-Game Piece sourcing, if available....
-Open call in period for listeners to talk about their thoughts on the game.

There will be minimal in-depth game analyzable in this cast - we're doing this to prevent influencing teams design decisions....

As always, the casts will be live at 9pm EST and posted to iTunes and Talkshoe shortly after they end. This link will take you to the talkshoe page for the cast: www.talkshoe.com/tc/98466

Hope you can all tune in.

Will you recite twas the night before kickoff on the January 5th episode? If you don't have one, I've been working one one.

[Akash Rastogi]

In addition to this, the cast on the 5th will also be a way to teach teams how to relax and not get too anxious about kickoff.

By the way, there are two or three casts after the Registration Part II cast that we didn't advertise much if people need something more to feed their robot thirst before kickoff http://ewcp.org/

[Akash Rastogi]

Quick update on the 1/5 cast: Jon Jack from 1538, The Holy Cows, Jim Zondag from 33, The Killer Bees, and Karthik from 1114, Simbotics, will be joining us on the call.

Get pumped and be ready to tune in!

[Andrew Schreiber]

Kick-Off Tips and Tricks

• Get Encrypted Manual Beforehand
• Initial Rule Reading
• Analyzing Strategy (General)
• Don't Panic
• Get Encrypted Manual and KOP Checklist beforehand.
• Inventory your KOP, you only have three days to correct

Build Week One

• Prototyping
• CAD Design
• Parts Ordering

Cowscout Chat

• Cow Scout
• Is Cowscout better than paper scouting?
• Is data private?
• What kind of hardware/software is backing the system?
• Have you done load testing? Will system handle multiple teams hitting it
• Is an offline version available?
• Is data backed up?
• API?

Simbot iOS App

• Why an iOS App?
• What content is in there?
• Any plans to port to Android?
• Requisite joke about Blackberry

[Cyberphil]

I just wanted to say I am really glad you guys are bringing the EWCP to the next level. You guys have gone from a group of friends to a great resource in a very short period of time. I listen to every cast and each time I come away with something extremely useful. I really look forward to see how it evolves in the next few years!

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Cyberphil

I just wanted to say I am really glad you guys are bringing the EWCP to the next level. You guys have gone from a group of friends to a great resource in a very short period of time. I listen to every cast and each time I come away with something extremely useful. I really look forward to see how it evolves in the next few years!

I can't plan too far in advance but the EWCPcast plans are actually publicly viewable at https://trello.com/board/ewcpcasts/4...91a4de46010186

[Cyberphil]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

I can't plan too far in advance but the EWCPcast plans are actually publicly viewable at https://trello.com/board/ewcpcasts/4...91a4de46010186

Excellent stuff! Are each of the build week casts just a discussion of what was completed by your various teams on the corresponding week (vaguely for obvious reasons), or will they each have a topic also?

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Cyberphil

Excellent stuff! Are each of the build week casts just a discussion of what was completed by your various teams on the corresponding week (vaguely for obvious reasons), or will they each have a topic also?

It depends on the week. Some weeks are just a general discussion of what milestones you should be reaching (with the caveat that each team is different, we are just talking generally). Others add on a special guest to talk about a topic of interest. For example, Week 3 will include Alex Cormier from TwoPencil Designs to talk about banners, spirit supplies, and some of the other products they offer. We are working on lining up other useful topics but we will probably hold off until we are able to determine what is relevant for the game.

As always, if you feel there is a topic we need to talk about let us know and we will do our best to fit it in.

[Cyberphil]

Absolutely. I will be sure to shoot any ideas your way.

I really like the recruiting sponsors and students idea. It seems like a universal problem for many teams (on the sponsor and student side).

I also agree with you that many of the casts will probably depend on the game itself.

[jwfoss]

In the event that I am unable to call-in tonight, I would like let everyone know that some members of the EWCP will be at the NH Kickoff on Saturday to take pictures, video, and do some interviews if we get the chance. We'll let you know when this content is available.

If you see us, stop by and say hello.

Good luck this season.

[BJC]

Hey everyone,

The talk is starting soon. 9:00-10:30ish Tune in to listen (link in first thread post)

[gyroscopeRaptor]

That link is incorrect, it should be http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web...d=98466&cmd=tc

[Andrew Schreiber]

We are planning on having Gabe Salas Jr from 233 on as a special guest. Who knows, maybe he will drop a few hints about what Pink is thinking. No promises though.

[Peyton Yeung]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

We are planning on having Gabe Salas Jr from 233 on as a special guest. Who knows, maybe he will drop a few hints about what Pink is thinking. No promises though.

Possibly that 8 wheel swerve