What advice would you give rookies? #BotChat update 1/6/12

[Carolyn_Grace]

Sunday's #BotChat had 17 participants, with many more lurking. (Next week you should join in!) Here is the last question of the evening, with everyone's answers. I took out users Twitter handles, but if you're curious about who said what, you can just search for #BotChat on Twitter. Join us next week, Sunday 1/13 at 7PM Eastern time.

If you have other advice for rookies, feel free to reply to this thread.

Q5: What one piece of advice would you give a person or team entering its first build season? #BotChat #omgRobots

You don't get to the top of a building in one big step, nor should you build your robot that way. Iteration is the key to success.

Success is what you strive for, but reaching such a bold goal is a multi-year process. Research, Iterate, & ask for help. #Learn

Do one thing well, then move to the next most important thing. Otherwise you end up with a half built robot...

Look at your resources! #driveinaday @VEXRobotics / @RobotIn3Days / #omgchiefdelphi / @andymarkinc / #omgrobots / @FIRSTweets

Take your time figuring out WHAT you want to do before determining HOW. Be open to all ideas initially. #BotChat

Determine your abilities, build within them. Start with a simple drivetrain that will end every match moving! #Botchat #omgrobots

Don't try to build too much! think simple and reliable #botchat

Don't bite off more than you can chew. There will be time for that (unless you're a senior, then sorry). #botchat

Pick one thing, get good at it, be happy with that. #BotChat #omgRobots"

Use others' developed ideas, like 1114's Kitbot on Steroids, so you can focus on the tough problems #botchat

Find a veteran team in your area and get their help. #BotChat #omgRobots

Keep it simple. You can't do everything in the game, especially this years game. Pick one thing and do it really well. #BotChat

Always design and compete to win while working within your means and remembering that learning is the main point. Have fun! #botchat

It's all about having fun & watching people grow, take the time to build your community, reach out to #BFFteams & #nevergiveup #botchat

Fail Faster, Learn More, Focus and Execute. Thank you @kylehughes27 for ingraining that in me. #botchat #lifemotto

Plan to use twice as much time as you think you'll need. Don't get discouraged. Learn something. Most importantly HAVE FUN! #BotChat

It is the hardest, most challenging, FUN you will ever have. #botchat

Keep up with schoolwork! #BotChat