2012 Texas Robot Roundup

[AllenGregoryIV]

We're stilling missing a few Texas Powers. Where's 118, 231, 704, 1429 and 3310 off the top of my head. I know a bunch of other TX teams still need to register, this is the closest thing we have to a TX state championship. (though other states would be awesome as well).

[Astrokid248]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

We're stilling missing a few Texas Powers. Where's 118, 231, 704, 1429 and 3310 off the top of my head. I know a bunch of other TX teams still need to register, this is the closest thing we have to a TX state championship. (though other states would be awesome as well).

118 just hasn't said we're in on this thread. There are definite plans of going, it's just a matter of Mason or Ridley signing up. Like we'd miss our own state's off-season event, yall know us better than that.

[jessjank.]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

We're stilling missing a few Texas Powers. Where's 118, 231, 704, 1429 and 3310 off the top of my head. I know a bunch of other TX teams still need to register, this is the closest thing we have to a TX state championship. (though other states would be awesome as well).

Originally Posted by Astrokid248

118 just hasn't said we're in on this thread. There are definite plans of going, it's just a matter of Mason or Ridley signing up. Like we'd miss our own state's off-season event, yall know us better than that.

Many of those teams have already expressed interest in participating. Like 118 above, they just haven't officially registered yet!

Friendly reminder, team and volunteer registration for TRR can be found at robotroundup.org!

[midway78224]

Looking forward to Robot Round up. It should be fun just like last yr. Cant wait to see all the teams there.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by midway78224

Looking forward to Robot Round up. It should be fun just like last yr. Cant wait to see all the teams there.

I liked the thread that you started about TRR. It showed a lot of enthusiasm for the event and I'm sorry it was closed so abruptly. We can use all the enthusiasm we can get here in Texas.

To answer the question in your thread - I'm going! I've already asked off from work and I can't wait to see all the teams. I know Jess and the folks helping to plan the event are working very hard to make this year's TRR even better than last year's. It's going to be a lot of fun.

Jane

[Koko Ed]

If I may; I would like to offer one piece of constructive criticism to make this year's event better: Please make sure all of the teams have checked in before releasing the match schedule. It is unfair to teams to have to come to the field with a scheduled disadvantage.

[Michael Blake]

Jess, what about practice bot entries... allowed? If yes, how are you planning to handle?

Also, could you provide an updated registration list? THANKS!

[jessjank.]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

If I may; I would like to offer one piece of constructive criticism to make this year's event better: Please make sure all of the teams have checked in before releasing the match schedule. It is unfair to teams to have to come to the field with a scheduled disadvantage.

Thanks for the feedback, Ed! We are doing our best to make sure we put on a great event for the teams.

Originally Posted by Michael Blake

Jess, what about practice bot entries... allowed? If yes, how are you planning to handle?

Also, could you provide an updated registration list? THANKS!

Michael, we won't be allowing teams to register two robots (ie competition bot and practice bot), however, we highly encourage veteran teams to invite another school or organization to compete with practice bots as a pre-rookie team. Pre-rookies get to play for free.

The most up-to-date list only has two additional teams from my last update. I need to send out a registration confirmation before posting the newest list, but I will post it tomorrow when I have the chance. I plan to send out an email again before then to Texas teams to remind them to register if they are interested. In addition, we should end up with a team(s) from Oklahoma, Louisiana, and perhaps Hawaii and California.

[Michael Blake]

Originally Posted by jessjank.

Michael, we won't be allowing teams to register two robots (ie competition bot and practice bot)

Jess, what if we pay TWO entry fees? Then that shouldn't be a problem, right?

We'd enter as 3481 and 3481P... that's what we're doing at Ozark Mountain Brawl and what we intend to do at Cow Town ThrowDown once they announce... we want to give non-Drive Team students a chance on the field...

[jessjank.]

Originally Posted by Michael Blake

Jess, what if we pay TWO entry fees? Then that shouldn't be a problem, right?

We'd enter as 3481 and 3481P... that's what we're doing at Ozark Mountain Brawl and what we intend to do at Cow Town ThrowDown once they announce... we want to give non-Drive Team students a chance on the field...

Michael, I understand your interest in doing that, however, the decision to only allow each team to register with just one robot had already been made in order to ensure that there are enough slots for all interested teams and potential pre-rookie teams. While TRR is not an invitation-only event, the hope is that we can build this competition up to eventually be much like IRI.

It is of course up to you and your team entirely which students you decide to have drive your robot.

[Michael Blake]

Originally Posted by jessjank.

Michael, I understand your interest in doing that, however, the decision to only allow each team to register with just one robot had already been made in order to ensure that there are enough slots for all interested teams and potential pre-rookie teams. While TRR is not an invitation-only event, the hope is that we can build this competition up to eventually be much like IRI.

It is of course up to you and your team entirely which students you decide to have drive your robot.

NOT SURE how to react to this news... since we have an off-season strategy that involves using BOTH robots (twins) to further our primary drive team AND _reward_ non-drive team students... and we have a budget for THREE off-season events ALL to utilize both comp and practice bots... PLUS, we're traveling to IRI to observe/learn...

We may have to look elsewhere other than TRR to accomplish this... I'll discuss with the team...

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Michael Blake

NOT SURE how to react to this news... since we have an off-season strategy that involves using BOTH robots (twins) to further our primary drive team AND _reward_ non-drive team students... and we have a budget for THREE off-season events ALL to utilize both comp and practice bots... PLUS, we're traveling to IRI to observe/learn...

We may have to look elsewhere other than TRR to accomplish this... I'll discuss with the team...

I find myself wondering why you are electing to conduct this discussion in CD rather than in a private e-mail.

Jane

[Michael Blake]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

I find myself wondering why you are electing to conduct this discussion in CD rather than in a private e-mail.

Jane

Why... is this controversial?

Isn't entering comp and practice bots in off-season events pretty much pro forma?

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Michael Blake

Why... is this controversial?

You have asked a question and received an answer. You have stated your team's objectives and that it is possible that TRR does not meet your team's objectives. If you care to pursue it further because you do not like the answers provided then, in my opinion, the more professional way to handle it would be to continue the discussion in private.

Edit: I don't know the answer to the question about practice 'bots. From the off seasons that I've traveled to and volunteered at, I'm not familiar with their use other than to be provided to pre-rookie teams.

Jane

[Michael Blake]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

You have asked a question and received an answer. You have stated your team's objectives and that it is possible that TRR does not meet your team's objectives. If you care to pursue it further because you do not like the answers provided then, in my opinion, the more professional way to handle it would be to continue the discussion in private.

Jane

Sorry, Jane... I respectfully don't agree... I know _my_ standards of the "professional way" are _at least_ as high as yours... ;-) ...and I'd like to "air" the issue on CD...

I went and checked the original flier and there's NOTHING stated about NO PRACTICE BOT entries... and we made plans around this event and we take our plans/commitments to the students seriously... and this will put us out from what we intended...

NOT SAYING Jess or anyone did anything wrong... it's Jess's and Patrick Felty's decision... it's their event, not mine... just wish I knew this upfront so that we didn't make plans around TWO bots being entered...

We may have to withdraw to find another off-season that allows two entries... NOTHING controversial about that...