Thoughts on new US FIRST splash page?

[GGCO]

Originally Posted by basicxman

This is what really needs to be kept in mind, perhaps we should send a letter to FIRST. (email about to be sent)

This is a really good idea. I'd love to put my name on an open letter to FIRST regarding this topic.

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by dlavery

It is admirable that a large, visible celebrity like Will.i.am sought out Dean and FIRST and asked "how can I get involved and help?" (and it is important to note that he came to FIRST, FIRST did not seek him out), and he can help put a very visible light on what we are doing. However, in the process FIRST has to be careful that the fundamental message of the organization - celebrating science and technology and the practitioners thereof - is not lost in the glare of the limelight. Unfortunately, this new web page starts off in that direction.
.

Thanks for confirming my suggestion that Will.i.am found FIRST and not the other way around. A part of me feels that Will.i.am is 'using' FIRST to rebrand himself as a technological innovator type person more so than wanting to help FIRST out. I don't think it is a coincidence that Will.i.am very recently joined Intel as "Director of Creative Innovation". (I have a sneaky suspicion that this new position is a glorified spokesmen or advertisment for both parties).

[IKE]

Originally Posted by GGCO

What I've always wondered is why does FIRST always feel a need to pander to people who already aren't interested in becoming engineers? Are all of will.i.am's fans suddenly going to join your FIRST Robotics team? Do we want that? People who don't care about solving problems joining FIRST because their favorite artist endorses them?

I'm fine with will.i.am promoting FIRST, but having him be the face of the sport seems like it might backfire.

While they may not join the team, they might go to see an event. How cool would that be if the stands were full of spectators watching what is going on, just like the football and basketball games. You might even be able to someday charge $1 for admission which could then offset regional event costs which would help sustain teams.

Technical people are often really good at solving technical problems. How do I make this do that. Frequentlly though in the world, there are non-technical problems that require solving before the technical solution can be implemented. How many researchers are really good at getting people to give them money to support them to do research? Once they have found a cure for XYZ, sometimes it is difficult to get people to take it. Just the other night I saw a really good interview about how one of Bill Gate's charities is trying to eradicate polio. The vaccine has been around for 50+ years, but not everyone will take it.

If your really listen to the speeches Dean gives, it is more than the robots, it is more than the kids, it is more than the events. The goal is to change the culture. Having an artist, musician, or athlete actively seek out and ask how they can help proves culture change is happening. Don't loose sight of that goal.

[perlgerl]

Splash pages are a sure sign of bad Web design - Jakob Nielson ("the king of useability")

Looks like FIRST needs some mentoring.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by IKE

If your really listen to the speeches Dean gives, it is more than the robots, it is more than the kids, it is more than the events. The goal is to change the culture. Having an artist, musician, or athlete actively seek out and ask how they can help proves culture change is happening. Don't loose sight of that goal.

The goal has to be clear to the messenger. Very clear. Especially if the messenger is the draw to the program. Otherwise, confusion occurs.

Jane

[IKE]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

The goal has to be clear to the messenger. Very clear. Especially if the messenger is the draw to the program. Otherwise, confusion occurs.

Jane

Agreed. Though which messenger would you be referring to?

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by IKE

Agreed. Though which messenger would you be referring to?

- That - would be my point.

Jane

[Chris27]

Frankly, the new look looks very unprofessional. I think in trying to look cool/trendy, FIRST is undermining the P part in GP. I know that FIRST want's to spread its message around but what is the point if the message is wrong (or perceived wrong)? I don't think the point of FIRST is to be "cool" but to change the perception of science/technology to being "cool." To me, the splash page comes across as more of a promotion of will.i.am then of science and technology. For instance, I wold not put "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology," FIRST's slogan below the fold of the page...

[Katie_UPS]

You know when your grandma/mom/dad/history teacher other awkward adult tries to act "hip"...?
Yeah, thats the embarrassment I get from this page. Its the same way I felt about the FIRST "rap".

I'm sure someone somewhere worked really hard on this and I congratulate them for the attempt. Unfortunately, its one of those things that should be taken down and recorded in the company journal as a bad idea.

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by Katie_UPS

I'm sure someone somewhere worked really hard on this and I congratulate them for the attempt. Unfortunately, its one of those things that should be taken down and recorded in the company journal as a bad idea.

I would think Akamai was the company who was asked/paid to produce the page. As they are in the lower right corner.

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by IndySam

We have been told for years that we should celebrate scientist and engineers instead of athletes and entertainers then we get an entertainer interested and FIRST goes completely nuts over him.

Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

My thoughts exactly as I watched the kickoff. For years Dean has tols us that we need to look beyond our silly aspirations of becoming famous musicians and sports stars, and get serious about more important goals. Now this? I don't get it.

[Katie_UPS]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

I would think Akamai was the company who was asked/paid to produce the page. As they are in the lower right corner.

Then I'm sure someone from there worked really hard on it.
That might also explain why the page isn't the best representation of FIRST.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

I would think Akamai was the company who was asked/paid to produce the page. As they are in the lower right corner.

Akamai does not produce content, they only deliver it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akamai_Technologies

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by Katie_UPS

You know when your grandma/mom/dad/history teacher other awkward adult tries to act "hip"...?

I am smelling what you are cooking.
Indeed, I am picking up what it is that you are putting down.

In the parlance of the modern vulgate, one could say that I am indeed jiggy with it. Verily and forsooth.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

I am smelling what you are cooking.
Indeed, I am picking up what it is that you are putting down.

In the parlance of the modern vulgate, one could say that I am indeed jiggy with it. Verily and forsooth.

Ten-four.