[FRC Blog] Software Downloads and Administrative Manual Release

[sanddrag]

And you can go nuts with adding sounds to your carts for safety purposes.

Is it too early to start the "Petition to end the sounding of robot cart sirens/horns/beepers/buzzers/alarms" thread? ....

[kjohnson]

Originally Posted by Michael Hill

This doesn't make me happy...or at least it won't make me happy while at the events. I know some team is going to put some stupid sound on their cart and go obnoxious with it.

You're absolutely right. What I quoted that I was happy about was Frank basically explicitly saying to stop yelling, not necessarily that other noise devices are being allowed. Some teams will make the effort to add a warning devices to their cart and a fraction of those teams will use them inappropriately and ruin it for everyone. However we now have something to point out to the Safety Advisers who think yelling is a good idea.

[Caleb Sykes]

I cannot seem to find any robot display section in this manual comparable to section 5.4.3 from last year, described in this blog post from last year. Did I just miss it or does it not exist?

Also, the minimum unbag time for the robot access period is back to 2 hours after being 30 minutes last year. I wonder what prompted the switch back.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by nukemknight

You're absolutely right. What I quoted that I was happy about was Frank basically explicitly saying to stop yelling, not necessarily that other noise devices are being allowed. Some teams will make the effort to add a warning devices to their cart and a fraction of those teams will use them inappropriately and ruin it for everyone. However we now have something to point out to the Safety Advisers who think yelling is a good idea.

That is a good point. I would like the rule to state something along the lines of

Please be courteous while in the pit (and everywhere else for that matter). When moving your robot ask people politely if they would please move to allow you and your robot to pass. We are all in this together and everyone wants to have a great event and stay safe. Thank you for your help in this matter.

I don't see why this is even an issue, I have never had someone not move when I asked them nicely and there should be more than one person helping move a robot cart anyway.

[XaulZan11]

I know it is subtle, but I really like the change from 'winning chairmans' to 'earning chairmans'. I do not feel teams should be strategizing and planning their outreach efforts to "win" an award.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Is it too early to start the "Petition to end the sounding of robot cart sirens/horns/beepers/buzzers/alarms" thread? ....

Is it too soon to start the kickstarter to post bail for me after I dismantle the sound system on a cart?

Re Chairman's feedback, I have no words. Well, that's a lie, I have words. They just consist of 4 letters and aren't appropriate for this forum.

[mman1506]

Originally Posted by AustinShalit

Something notable not in the blog post is section 4.9.2:


Is this a step in the right direction?

The only thing that stands out for me is that Canadians don't typically stand facing the flag. It caught me way off guard when everyone did it at IRI. I'm assuming its a traditional American thing?

[Christopher149]

Huh, so banners weren't actually allowed in the arena in the past. Even though we've been doing so since at least 2009 (at least at Traverse City). Good change to reflect reality.

[dag0620]

Originally Posted by mman1506

Only thing that stands out for me is that Canadians don't typically stand facing the flag. It caught me way off guard when everyone did it at IRI. I'm assuming its a traditional American thing?

Yes, not only is it tradition, it is a part of the United States Flag Code.

---

I didn't know Canadians don't face their flag. You learn something new every day.

[PayneTrain]

I swear we're being trolled on the feedback thing. That can't be real.

The core issues with feedback stem from what seems like a lack of uniform training on how to provide the feedback, seeing as it's all over the place depending on the event/region. It's like if there's a consistent traffic jam on the freeway and the way you fix the problem is by ripping up the road.

I remember a lot of responses in championship reflections (including my own) to add more feedback, make it a digital copy that is emailed to the TIMS main and alternate contacts at the conclusion of the event, and provide feedback at Championships. (In fact, as impractical as it is, I wish they would provide feedback on CMP pit interviews as well). I just don't understand why this change was made.

I like the other rule updates, including the ability for sound on the cart. We'll just play some smooth jazz and funk though.

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

Except now we get beeps and things. I am not sure this is any better.

Also I liked the Chairman's feedback form, it helped us from our first event to our second. If done well I believe those forms could really help teams figure out what they are missing.

I will personally strangle the first team that adds one of those backup beepers to their cart and then gets stuck outside my pit while we're in the middle of a harried repair job between matches.

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

Wow, I mean wow! I have been saying for years that FRC needs to provide MORE feedback to the teams regarding how they are doing. Now they are taking away the only real feedback that any team gets?? This is beyond silly. FIRST, please read this and make the feedback form better. Don't remove feedback from the system. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE change this before week 1 events.

I tend to agree. I'm also going to say something here that's perhaps a bit controversial. It's about time that teams are required to release their Chairman's information when they win. There have been a couple times where I've been privy to team chairman information that you immediately know isn't true - things like teams suggesting they started teams that they really didn't, organized events that they merely participated in, etc. Public scrutiny of winning chairman entries will hopefully help naturally moderate some of the 'inflation' that goes on when entries are 'secret'. That's long overdue. It's also a great stepping stone so other teams know just how much more they can do in their community, and you never know when it might spur someone to inspiration and a great idea.

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by Tom Line

I tend to agree. I'm also going to say something here that's perhaps a bit controversial. It's about time that teams are required to release their Chairman's information when they win. There have been a couple times where I've been privy to team chairman information that you immediately know isn't true - things like teams suggesting they started teams that they really didn't, organized events that they merely participated in, etc. Public scrutiny of winning chairman entries will hopefully help naturally moderate some of the 'inflation' that goes on when entries are 'secret'. That's long overdue. It's also a great stepping stone so other teams know just how much more they can do in their community, and you never know when it might spur someone to inspiration and a great idea.

On that note, I think the "release interview videos" is definitely a good step in the right direction.

All I can really say about the lack of feedback is that I am incredibly disappointed. Teams deserve better.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by Tom Line

I will personally strangle the first team that adds one of those backup beepers to their cart and then gets stuck outside my pit while we're in the middle of a harried repair job between matches.

I won't go that far. I will say, that there will be a "special" discussion during our pick list meeting about teams with beeping carts.

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

I won't go that far. I will say, that there will be a "special" discussion during our pick list meeting about teams with beeping carts.

What can I say - I prefer the more direct approach.