Scouting room

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Camren

correct me if i am wrong but, I believe that their is enough room in the convention center to host 4 scouting rooms for each division. where there is 3 projectors showing both sides of the field and the end game places. Each team scouts from each team are allowed. I believe that this will give all teams a equal opportunity to see the field instead of having you scouting team way in the back because of teams saving spots.

But what scout would want to sit in a room away from the actual robots? Scouting already is very un-appealing to most people, and pulling them away from the field and the atmosphere wouldn't help the scouting cause.

In theory, this would work well, but in the name of practicality there wouldn't be intrest.

[Samwaldo]

although this wold be very nice, it would destroy one of the great values of FIRST. the atmosphere and cheering!!!!!

[mikemat]

I agree that this would only make scouting less appealing. But, I would love the live feed to be projected next to the rankings so those in the pits can watch some matches.

[Camren]

Some things to tweak

Less appealing- It provides a social environment to meet and talk to other teams

Atmosphere and cheering- its not like the whole field will be their just 2 team reps

As I agree your not gonna have as fun of a time as watching the bots. I find that my FIRST fever makes me not care what form of FIRST I see as much as I love the view from the driver station I find myself watching FIRST matches in my free time on you tube.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Camren

Atmosphere and cheering- its not like the whole field will be their just 2 team reps

It's not the loss of the atmosphere for the field, its is the loss for the scouts that have to go to said room. Additionally, most teams use more than 2 scouts.

Originally Posted by Camren

As I agree your not gonna have as fun of a time as watching the bots. I find that my FIRST fever makes me not care what form of FIRST I see as much as I love the view from the driver station I find myself watching FIRST matches in my free time on you tube.

I do the same thing, but would you be willing to give up watching a regional that you are at to watch it behind a screen? Theres a difference when you have a personal investment in a team, than when you are just watching for kicks.

[stundt1]

I have always wanted a scouting base or headquarters MWAHAHA

[Steven Donow]

The only benefit I would see (and would personally love) to a "scouting room" would be it basically being a LAN party, only for scouting. Get a bunch of computers together in a room, and make that a "scouting base". Of course, there are so many logistical drawbacks to this.

[Alden94]

I think it would be cool to have a meeting prior to alliance selections to give all teams equal access to the data that has been collected.

Some teams will learn how other teams scout. I think this would add a very interesting element of strategy. But I think you would have to limit it to 1 or 2 team reps.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Alden94

I think it would be cool to have a meeting prior to alliance selections to give all teams equal access to the data that has been collected.

Some teams will learn how other teams scout. I think this would add a very interesting element of strategy. But I think you would have to limit it to 1 or 2 team reps.

But what about the teams that pride themselves in scouting, while the others that don't. Is it really fair to have to share your information? I suppose you could leave it up to the team as to if they want to share it.

[nitneylion452]

This doesn't have to be requirement for all teams to follow. If a scout wants to go to the scouting room to get all of the dynamic angles the webcast can offer, so be it. If they want to be out in the stands, then it shall be so. There's nothing wrong with trying something new. Plus, I'd find it kind of cool to be in a room dedicated for my purpose, but that's just me.

[Ekcrbe]

As a scout this last year, I would find it much more appealing to watch in the stands--even if it's on a screen there--than in some dark corner of the facility.

Plus, on a team with two teams of six scouts each, it wouldn't make sense to only send two.

[Anupam Goli]

Originally Posted by Gregor01

But what scout would want to sit in a room away from the actual robots? Scouting already is very un-appealing to most people, and pulling them away from the field and the atmosphere wouldn't help the scouting cause.

In theory, this would work well, but in the name of practicality there wouldn't be intrest.

It still bothers me that Scouting is unappealing to people. It's probably the most important job on the day of the competition, no matter what type of team you are. You always need to know the capabilities of your allies and opponents in each match.

That being said, I think the scouting room would be a cool place to just have standings, rankings, and scouting tools, rather than be a place to watch matches. It would be the one stop scouter's station.

[Paul T.]

What if they just reserved the first few rows to scouts? each team can send no more than two or three and each team has the opportunity to get to a prime angle for viewing the action on the field.

[Camren]

Originally Posted by Paul T.

What if they just reserved the first few rows to scouts? each team can send no more than two or three and each team has the opportunity to get to a prime angle for viewing the action on the field.

two from each team equal 200. I thought of the same thing except that would extend past good viewing area.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Paul T.

What if they just reserved the first few rows to scouts? each team can send no more than two or three and each team has the opportunity to get to a prime angle for viewing the action on the field.

Sorry, but if I'm only allowed to send 3 scouts down, I'm not sending any down there. I'll send 5, minimum; more likely 6-7. If I can only send three to a designated area, I'll try and sit 6, plus an input person, plus the rest of the team, right behind there, and none in the area.

And here's why: It is very, very, very difficult to monitor more than one robot at a time if you're a scout. The last time I tried was 2004, when there were still 4 robots on the field, so I took one alliance and the scouting mentor took the other. You tend to lose focus on one of the two robots. Three? Forget about it--you're losing so much data, you may as well not scout. Two robots on opposite alliances? Not easy. Trust me, I've done this.

At a regional level, you're talking up to 120-180 people, just with the 2-3. Districts are 120 for three/team. Championship, 200-300. 6 per team? Too many. You'd pretty much want the front half of the rows.


Not to mention that some teams just don't want to be split up...