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Unread 20-01-2014, 16:59
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Driver station computer limits

This year for competition we are thinking of using a new laptop for our driver station computer. However we are unable to find any rules about the size of driver station computers. Is there any rules limiting driver station computers? If so where? Thanks
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Unread 20-01-2014, 17:37
irvingc irvingc is offline
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Re: Driver station computer limits

I don't recall any rules specifically limiting the size of the driver station computer. However, you probably want your laptop fitting on your OPERATOR CONSOLE in such a way that it doesn't interfere with your drive controls; the OPERATOR CONSOLE has to fit on a shelf 5 ft. 9 in. wide x 1 ft. deep (section 2.2.8). Also keep in mind that the computer needs to have an Ethernet port to connect to the FMS, and that you will probably be carrying around your OPERATOR CONSOLE and a heavy/bulky laptop may become annoying to deal with.
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Unread 20-01-2014, 17:41
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Re: Driver station computer limits

To quote the rule:
Quote:
Originally Posted by R94
The OPERATOR CONSOLE must not exceed 60 in. long by 14 in. deep (excluding any items that are held or worn by the DRIVERS during the MATCH).

There is a 54 in. long by 2 in. wide strip of hook-and-loop tape (“loop” side) along the center of the PLAYER STATION support shelf that may be used to secure the OPERATOR CONSOLE to the shelf. See Section 2.2.9 for details.
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Unread 20-01-2014, 17:56
orangemoore orangemoore is offline
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Re: Driver station computer limits

There aren't any real restrictions that I know of. But be careful about getting a computer that does not have a FIRST supported operating system.
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Unread 20-01-2014, 19:10
yash101 yash101 is offline
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Re: Driver station computer limits

You don't want to come to the field with the biggest and most expensive alienware laptop you can find. Not only will it be easy for it to be stolen, it will take up most of the space you have available! Think wisely. A netbook-sized computer will suffice for most teams!

No need to go for this
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Unread 20-01-2014, 19:14
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Re: Driver station computer limits

Quote:
Originally Posted by yash101 View Post
Not only will it be easy for it to be stolen
One would hope that the FIRST community is above stealing other teams' computers...
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Unread 20-01-2014, 19:26
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Re: Driver station computer limits

Quote:
Originally Posted by Whippet View Post
One would hope that the FIRST community is above stealing other teams' computers...
Nah. not the teams. More of the audience and the spectators when they are visiting the team, probably! Anyways, that was just for the sake of LOL
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Unread 20-01-2014, 19:53
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Re: Driver station computer limits

Quote:
Originally Posted by Whippet View Post
One would hope that the FIRST community is above stealing other teams' computers...
You'd be surprised. I've heard some of the stories of stuff disappearing when left unattended.

OTOH, I've also heard some of the stories of FIRST teams STOPPING stuff from disappearing, so it goes both ways.
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Unread 20-01-2014, 20:03
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Re: Driver station computer limits

Sweet thanks for the help.
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Unread 20-01-2014, 21:22
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Re: Driver station computer limits

If I was getting a computer that was dedicated for driver station use, I'd buy a 3 year old Thinkpad and put an SSD into it. A new computer solely for driver station use is overkill, and a solid Thinkpad is going to hold up well for driver station use.

All of our team computers are circa 2008 Dell laptops (Latitude D830), and work great as driver stations and development machines.
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Unread 20-01-2014, 22:09
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Re: Driver station computer limits

Just get an el cheapo netbook and overkill it with 4GB ram and 64GB SSD (all you'll need for the DS, programming tools, Windows, etc. (Note, I use Win7 with VS exp, FRC java tools and the DS on a 32GB SSD! . No wonder I ran out of space when I tried installing eclipse )
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Unread 21-01-2014, 11:18
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Re: Driver station computer limits

The driver station and dashboard are not incredibly intensive programs to run. Obviously, using a higher-end computer will make it run faster, but there's no need to buy a fancy gaming desktop for competition.
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Unread 21-01-2014, 20:33
MrRoboSteve MrRoboSteve is offline
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Re: Driver station computer limits

Just to clarify, I proposed an SSD for reliability reasons, not performance reasons. Any 5400 RPM disk from the last several years is plenty fast enough for a driver station.
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Unread 21-01-2014, 20:56
yash101 yash101 is offline
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Re: Driver station computer limits

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrRoboSteve View Post
Just to clarify, I proposed an SSD for reliability reasons, not performance reasons. Any 5400 RPM disk from the last several years is plenty fast enough for a driver station.
However, a small (64GB) SSD will be more than what you'll need for FRC, and can be obtained at a moderate price!

Has anyone tried 3G/4G in their laptop? I know that it is an option in some laptops (mine can be upgraded tohave a SIM tray). It could allow the drivers to google things once-in-a-while, to try to debug fatal errors that they are having!
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Unread 22-01-2014, 22:07
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Re: Driver station computer limits

Quote:
Originally Posted by yash101 View Post
Has anyone tried 3G/4G in their laptop? I know that it is an option in some laptops (mine can be upgraded tohave a SIM tray). It could allow the drivers to google things once-in-a-while, to try to debug fatal errors that they are having!
Please don't do that

Quote:
R95

Other than the system provided by the ARENA, no other form of wireless communications shall be used to communicate to, from, or within the OPERATOR CONSOLE.
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