Week 1 Observations

[MrRoboSteve]

Originally Posted by Mike Copioli

1. Update your DS software, PDP and PCM firmware to the required versions.

Most teams at NL needed the software updates. The DS update is particularly important as the older version won't connect to the field. We bypassed several teams at Northern Lights during practice for this issue.

You can update the DS software and do items 3, 4, and 5 on Mike's list with the robot in the bag.

[Short Stuff]

Was ere a problem at the South Florida regional that caused it to go so late last night or just so many teams that it took so long to get through qualifications? I am trying to help my team plan ahead for when we go to the Utah regional in a couple weeks.

[Pretzel]

Originally Posted by Short Stuff

Was ere a problem at the South Florida regional that caused it to go so late last night or just so many teams that it took so long to get through qualifications? I am trying to help my team plan ahead for when we go to the Utah regional in a couple weeks.

South Florida was one of the earliest ending regionals. I remember watching the finals at around 3:00-3:45 mountain time, which I suppose would still be a bit late at 5:00-5:45 EST.

Did you perhaps mean Dallas, which finished at around 9:00-10:00 mountain time? If so, it is because they had to end qualifications matches on Friday at ~3:00 due to weather concerns. This meant they had to finish qualification matches on Saturday afternoon before they could do alliance selections and eliminations.

[Short Stuff]

Originally Posted by Pretzel

South Florida was one of the earliest ending regionals. I remember watching the finals at around 3:00-3:45 mountain time, which I suppose would still be a bit late at 5:00-5:45 EST.

Did you perhaps mean Dallas, which finished at around 9:00-10:00 mountain time? If so, it is because they had to end qualifications matches on Friday at ~3:00 due to weather concerns. This meant they had to finish qualification matches on Saturday afternoon before they could do alliance selections and eliminations.

When I was watching the live stream of South Florida, I saw the finals end at about 7 pm MST

[Jade Z]

Where is everyone finding match results/rankings/etc? The Blue Alliance only has some of the information I'm looking for, and FRC Spyder stopped updating after the third match for everyone at South Florida this weekend.

[Qbot2640]

Originally Posted by Tytus Gerrish

Recycle rush is the most garbage game ever

Have to agree, pun or no pun...I hate this game!

[brrian27]

Originally Posted by Jade Z

Where is everyone finding match results/rankings/etc? The Blue Alliance only has some of the information I'm looking for, and FRC Spyder stopped updating after the third match for everyone at South Florida this weekend.

For South Florida at least,http://app.robovisionod.com/ has scores and rankings

[AlexD744]

There is no room for error in eliminations. In quals, a bad match can be overcome because it's only 1/12 - 1/9 of your average. But in quarters and semis, where your average is based on 2-3 matches, you have to be on point for every match. Finals actually is more error tolerant because of the W-L-T system.

[SoccerTaco]

Originally Posted by AlexD744

There is no room for error in eliminations. In quals, a bad match can be overcome because it's only 1/12 - 1/9 of your average. But in quarters and semis, where your average is based on 2-3 matches, you have to be on point for every match. Finals actually is more error tolerant because of the W-L-T system.

Quoted for TRUTH!

I much prefer the 2 out of 3 W-L format for playoffs.

[dodar]

Honestly, in the playoff format, the finals this year are easier than the quarters and semis.

[Jay O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by dodar

Honestly, in the playoff format, the finals this year are easier than the quarters and semis.

Agreed. One bad match in quarters/semis (whether it is your own fault or a dead robot) kills your average and chances of advancing, but one bad match finals and you still have a chance to win the other two matches.

[rick.oliver]

Originally Posted by Tytus Gerrish

Recycle rush is the most garbage game ever

I could not disagree more. In my twelve seasons, this is the best game design I've seen.

[highlander]

Originally Posted by rick.oliver

I could not disagree more. In my twelve seasons, this is the best game design I've seen.

That's a joke, right?

[Doug Frisk]

Originally Posted by rick.oliver

I could not disagree more. In my twelve seasons, this is the best game design I've seen.

I can't agree with that. In past games, a rookie or not as skilled team had opportunities to contribute where in this game there isn't that opportunity.

Even something as simple as a "noodle plow" requires a good driver and some decent manipulation capability.

As for the totes and recycling containers, their weight and the height they must be lifted means that you need some serious engineering and manufacturing skill to build a machine that can put a full stack together.

[rick.oliver]

Originally Posted by highlander

That's a joke, right?

No, not a joke. I am quite serious. Look at the solutions we saw in Dallas this past weekend ... and without Alfred, too. Really looking forward to see how the season plays out. World Championships are going to be epic, I believe.

Yes, it requires a fair amount of engineering knowledge and experience to be competitive. At the same time, many excellent resources have been established to provide less resourced teams with the strategy, design and manufacturing capability to contribute.

It has been derided (my inference) as a glorified skills contest. I agree, it is a glorified skills contest and I like it very much.