FRC Blogged - Wireless Security, Karthik at TEDx and a Pop Safety Quiz!

[Hallry]

Taken from the FRC Blog, 2/13/13: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...op-safety-quiz

Wireless Security, Karthik at TEDx and a Pop Safety Quiz!

Blog Date: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 - 10:26

Wireless Security

In the wake of the events on the Einstein field in 2012, FRC has been working to improve the security of our wireless system. No wireless system is perfectly secure, and within FRC there is a definite need to keep the system we use practical as well as secure. However, we know any system can be improved, and with over 2,500 FRC teams competing at more than 70 events in 2013, we expect you will run into situations and come up with ideas that were not included or considered as part of our testing.

We’ve set up a website for teams to submit identified security vulnerabilities or suggestions for security improvements related to our on-field systems. You can find it here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...urity-web-form. These suggestions will go straight to the FRC Engineering team. We won't respond to all submissions but they will all be read and considered. You're free to remain anonymous in your submission, if you wish. If you are open to contact from the FRC Engineering staff, please provide your contact information.

Thanks for helping FRC improve our systems!

Karthik at TEDx

Check out this great presentation at TEDxUTSC by Karthik Kanagasabapathy, mentor for the 2012 Chairman’s Award winning Team 1114, Simbotics. My favorite quote: “Life is too short to spend 40 hours a week doing something you are not enthusiastic about."

Video found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=MfC3JdkEVgQ

Pop [Safety] Quiz!

How many power strips can you safely ‘daisy chain’ by plugging one into another? The answer is…zero. Don’t daisy chain power strips, at your build site, at home, or at events. The Safety Advisors at our events are very friendly, but when they see this, they will politely ask you to reconfigure.

Speaking of safety, I hope every team has read and is following the FRC Safety Manual! In case you missed it, you can find the manual here: http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default...fetyManual.pdf.

I’ll blog again soon.

Frank