FIRST is really looking into the Einstein problems

[Peter Matteson]

I've read the report and digested it at this point, and I'm posting here because I of my posts being critical of method process for the trouble shooting.

I have to say I believe they did the job correctly and had the right people there based on what I gathered from this report. I think they did the best job possible given what they had to work with.

To those of you that don't understand how it feels to be so close playing for the championship and have something outside your control end your run I really can't explain how it feels. I really feel for the entire Eh-team and understand you pain.

I had a litany of other instances I was going to post here about things that have been done wrong on Einstein over the last several years proving the point that this is not an isolated occurance, but it adds nothing to the discussion. I hope in the future FIRST pays attention to all aspects of what goes on and around the field in the future.

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by Taylor

What you, and your team, experienced throughout 2012 certainly inhales audibly and I can't fathom what it's been like (I wouldn't want to). What Patrick said rings true.
I'm having trouble connecting the dots between Jane's post about learning from the engineering processes of problem solving, troubleshooting, and documentation to your taking it as an attack to your team.
Tragedies happened. We've learned from them, as individuals, as teams, as a community. Why choose to focus on the hurt and distress rather than embrace the lessons that have come? Everybody "cares about the robots" - otherwise we'd be doing science fairs. Otherwise there would have been no investigation, involving people across North America, some not even involved with the 12 Einstein teams Can't we also care about and celebrate the processes, the professionalism, the experience of healing?

In every tragedy, there is obviously some good that comes out of the lessons learned. Please excuse me for drawing some parallels to situations which were completely beyond the scale of what we saw on Einstein, but some people in this community are so blind through their rose coloured glasses that it's the only way to make them see anything. (Again, trying to be very clear here, that I'm comparing the scope of the events on Einstein to any of these tragedies, I'm just trying to make a point painfully clear)

After Hurricane Katrina there were many lessons learned about disaster management. Did anyone think it was appropriate to say "Oh, what a beautiful day for America. I've learned so much from this!"? God, I certainly hope not.

Perhaps the peanut gallery needs to spend a little more time trying to understand what our teams are going through, and a little less time trying to put a positive spin on everything that happens. Sometimes things just suck. If I sound angry, it's because I am. I'm frankly a little tired of people trying to tell me that I should be "thankful" for Einstein. Should I be thankful that I had to wipe tears off of a student's face at a time when she should have been celebrating a Chairman's win? Was it really "beautiful" when a once in lifetime opportunity was stolen away from our team by a "hacker"? While you're all celebrating the forthcoming FMS whitepaper, perhaps you should remember that there are multiple victims here who aren't in the mood for celebration. Some members of the FIRST community, who actually get it, have been incredibly supportive, while others have just shown us a complete and utter lack of respect.

The Simbots are trying to move on, sorry if we can't do it fast as the rest of you want.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

The report has been made public and there has been time to read and review the findings.

There was a big push for FIRST to act, and act quickly, following the troubles that arose on the 2012 Einstein field competition.

I'm interested in seeing what type of closure this has brought to this thread and to those who contributed to it.

This was basically what my post was about. The rest had to do with recognizing the efforts it took on the part of FIRST, the teams involved, and those who contributed to helping the investigation move forward.

There was nothing in the post that was meant to create a false positive spin. If anything, it was meant as one of empathy and support of the process and the people impacted.

Jane

[Jay O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by Karthik

In every tragedy, there is obviously some good that comes out of the lessons learned. Please excuse me for drawing some parallels to situations which were completely beyond the scale of what we saw on Einstein, but some people in this community are so blind through their rose coloured glasses that it's the only way to make them see anything. (Again, trying to be very clear here, that I'm comparing the scope of the events on Einstein to any of these tragedies, I'm just trying to make a point painfully clear)

After Hurricane Katrina there were many lessons learned about disaster management. Did anyone think it was appropriate to say "Oh, what a beautiful day for America. I've learned so much from this!"? God, I certainly hope not.

Perhaps the peanut gallery needs to spend a little more time trying to understand what our teams are going through, and a little less time trying to put a positive spin on everything that happens. Sometimes things just suck. If I sound angry, it's because I am. I'm frankly a little tired of people trying to tell me that I should be "thankful" for Einstein. Should I be thankful that I had to wipe tears off of a student's face at a time when she should have been celebrating a Chairman's win? Was it really "beautiful" when a once in lifetime opportunity was stolen away from our team by a "hacker"? While you're all celebrating the forthcoming FMS whitepaper, perhaps you should remember that there are multiple victims here who aren't in the mood for celebration. Some members of the FIRST community, who actually get it, have been incredibly supportive, while others have just shown us a complete and utter lack of respect.

The Simbots are trying to move on, sorry if we can't do it fast as the rest of you want.

Thank you for saying this, I think it really puts the enormity of this tragedy in perspective. FIRST is a huge part of mylife, and I'm sure it is the same for most kids on your team. I especially feel for the seniors who will never have another chance at this as a student, and I hope for your teams sake you make a quick return to Einstein.

Simbotics is one of best teams in FIRST, both on and off the field. What happened is extremely unfortunate for you guys. I completely agree that this is not something that you will be able to get over quickly, and the FIRST community is here for you. As we all know, time heals all wounds, but for right now, you every reason to be upset. Your team, along with the other 11 on Einstein, have been the most professional group I have ever seen, I know I wouldn't be able to handle it as well as you all are.

[Racer26]

For those having trouble grasping the enormity of Karthik's posts, I'm gonna put them in perspective for you.

2012 Simbotics Chairman's Video

Watch it. Again. Of all the teams in FIRST, including past HoF teams, I can't think of a team that "gets it" any better than 1114. The video says it all. 1114 is a CLASS ACT.

Karthik and the rest of 1114 have pretty much dedicated their lives to this program. There is a reason their CCA this year was LONG overdue.

To have their chance at taking home the double crown stolen away by some fool with a cellphone is devastating. I don't know strong enough words to describe the emotions I felt, never mind what the members of 1114, 2056, 4334, and the rest of the Einstein teams have felt.

Imagine how 4334 feels. They're rookies! They "get it" too. Won Rookie-All-Star at GTREast to earn their seat. They're trying to get a western Canada regional started NEXT YEAR. For those playing the home game, there are currently TWO teams in western Canada, 1482, and them. Its an absolute tragedy that their stellar first FIRST season came to an end like this. I have to imagine its making them question all the time and money they've put in.

[CLandrum3081]

I am shocked and saddened by what happened. I think we all feel a little betrayed by this. As one of the teams in Archimedes, what we did was cheer on 1114 and the Archimedes champs because that's what FIRST is about. As a first year, I was excited about Coopertition and everything this organization had to offer. To have that be undermined by a hacker... Who would stoop so low as to mess with an alliance that had a rookie team and a potential double crown winner?! Or even to mess with the other teams?! Communication problems happen, but now paranoia will set in and every time there is one, teams will jump to conclusions because someone wanted to mess with a championship that was supposed to be the most exciting weekend of many of our lives. It'll be interesting to see how 2013 regional competitions deal with this issue - will teams still trust each other, or will they suspect that anyone with a computer or an iPad or a cell phone is a hacker? Will successful teams, who thought they'd been supported by the other teams, now distrust them because they think others are out to get them? I think anyone with half a heart is shocked and disappointed by what occurred. I remember watching Einstein knowing something was wrong, but out of my own trust in everyone there, not even letting the thought of intentional interference cross my mind. My heart truly goes out to those affected, especially 4334, 2056, and the Simbots of 1114. Hopefully future years will not be plagued by this issue and this wound can heal and we can move on, but many of the students hurt by this will be FIRST alumni before this happens, if it does.

[JaneYoung]

This thought is only partially formed and I may come back in and edit a million times until I have it the way I'd like it to be but I'm going to give it a try now.

We can find many discussions here in CD regarding taking risks and facing challenges. We can find discussions about how those challenges are brought about by the continual advancement of technology and how it impacts our world. In this case, our world is FRC. The risks and challenges are always there but sometimes - the discussions are theoretical. Sometimes, the risks are small. Sometimes, the challenges are worked through and the teams achieve a goal.

Sometimes, the risks and the challenges become very real. Technology shows us what it can and cannot do. I think that we are looking at that right now. There is a reason that FRC has core values. There is a reason that Dr. Woodie Flowers has spent a good deal of his professional life talking about risks, challenges, ethics, core values, Gracious Professionalism, and kindness. None of those have changed. They have been challenged and we are risking losing sight of them and, in doing so - ignoring their strengths. This is as dangerous as the misuse of technology and it is creating some of the stresses and concerns that we are all feeling here in CD.

There is a reason for the Woodie Flowers Award. It is a very serious reason. There are many mentors in many FRC teams who hold the values, knowledge, and respect for core values - that qualify them to be outstanding nominees for the Woodie Flowers Award, capable of joining with our WFFAs and WFAs and their commitment, influence, and impact. This is very important.

The news is fresh and has sent a shockwave through the CD community and members of FIRST. When the time of recovery begins then a time of rebuilding will begin. Trust will be a part of the rebuilding period and I believe that FIRST is working very hard now to help all of us when we are ready to help to rebuild the trust. We can certainly undermine with worries and doubt and criticism. We can also work within our teams to deepen the respect and understanding of FRC's core values and what they mean to the team and to the community and how, when a bad situation occurs that threatens our security - we have to lean on those core values and share them with each other.

We have members of our FIRST family who are suffering terribly. They are saddened, angry, betrayed, and feeling great loss. But - those members will work through it in their own time, leaning on the core values and on their community. Their community is ... us. All of us. We'll get through this.

Jane

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Karthik

If I sound angry, it's because I am. I'm frankly a little tired of people trying to tell me that I should be "thankful" for Einstein. Should I be thankful that I had to wipe tears off of a student's face at a time when she should have been celebrating a Chairman's win? Was it really "beautiful" when a once in lifetime opportunity was stolen away from our team by a "hacker"?

I just had to say that this line is absolutely heart-wrenching. Your team, 2056, and 4334 and the Einstein teams, are such class acts. I know I can't claim to fully comprehend your pain despite my best efforts, but your sentiments are truly powerful. No one should dictate that speed at which the Eh-Team 'moves on', and being thankful for FIRST's changes and to all those that made them possible should not morph into a desire to be thankful or accepting for the tragedy that caused it.