A Request for transparency from FIRST

[kevinhorn]

I would like to move away from the 2011 KoP and return to the broader subject of transparency.
I feel that FIRST has made a good faith effort to be more transparent over the last season. There have been improvements in the quality of communication and the lead time given to teams.

Below is a list of progress we have seen in the past two seasons. Perhaps I have over looked something. Perhaps I have overstated something. Please point out my oversight or exaggeration.

• Bills Blog has tried to give us a look ahead. An example; The Veteran /Rookie KoP differences .
• As Don mentioned Bill asked for suggestions on what we want to hear about at Championships.
• The rules actually have intent in some instances! I really hate guessing when I am inspecting someone's robot.
• Someone asked FIRST to bring back the FRC store and they did just that by giving us "FIRST Choice"
• Bill let us know about FIRST Choice months in advance and let us see the choices ahead of kickoff. (I don't believe this would have happened a few years ago.)
• First gave us a workable CAN system and has bent over backwards to let help teams understand what is allowed.
• At least in my case I feel that Kate read and heard my survey suggestions. Proper terminations, motor data etc.
  
  
  Perhaps we can't have transparency, but responding to the needs of teams seems pretty close.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by kevinhorn

I feel that FIRST has made a good faith effort to be more transparent over the last season. There have been improvements in the quality of communication and the lead time given to teams.

<snip>

Perhaps we can't have transparency, but responding to the needs of teams seems pretty close.

I could not agree more!

[*]Someone asked FIRST to bring back the FRC store and they did just that by giving us "FIRST Choice"

Yes, at "FRC Live" (held on three occasions) at Atlanta last year. With Bill standing in front of a "hostile" crowd without a bulletproof vest (OK, we weren't hostile. But it took guts to get up there not knowing what would happen. Gotta admire the guy. And kate, too.)