FRC Blog - Something New - Team 'Standards'

[Ty Tremblay]

Originally Posted by Steven Donow

But in all seriousness, while the intent is cool, I'm becoming more and more hesitant about this medieval theme. FIRST seems to be going too strong with it, and the season hasn't even started yet.

All this complaining about the theme is pointless.

Kickoff will still come, robots will still be built, matches will still be played, a few champions will still be crowned, and a bunch of students will still get inspired.

All this will happen with a medieval theme this year. Get over it.

[Jon K.]

Originally Posted by Steven Donow

RIP


But in all seriousness, while the intent is cool, I'm becoming more and more hesitant about this medieval theme. FIRST seems to be going too strong with it, and the season hasn't even started yet.

While FIRST may be going strong with the theme this early on, I fail to see how that is a bad thing? They are providing teams more of an opportunity to embrace it, and instead it seems like most people are just bashing them for trying something new. If it doesn't work out well, then they can always change it for next year. Engineering is all about continuous improvement, and FIRST is trying to improve the overall feel of the events in this manner. I would like to point out how many teams fully embraced the "cheesecake" last year. Especially 125 who made a customer cheesecake "standard" and paraded it all around the events last year. To the point where they even had Frank Merrick sign it.

Instead of bashing everything they are doing, try to figure out how you can work with it. They have given teams the opportunity to make something fun and themed this year before the start of the season. Many teams should have more than adequate time to create something unique and interesting that represents them in a new way.

I mean, think of all the flags as well. There is no standard for flags, and some teams have something fun and small, others make flags that no MC wants to touch because they weigh 40 lbs. No one is saying ban the flags. It is part of what makes FRC, FRC. It has become part of the culture.

Yes, I agree that maybe a medieval theme may not play well to the general public, but think about how much money a company like Medieval Times makes every year. I for one think that the theme this year will help make a more cohesive event look and feel, even if it may not be the most broadly appealing.

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by Ty Tremblay

All this complaining about the theme is pointless.

Kickoff will still come, robots will still be built, matches will still be played, a few champions will still be crowned, and a bunch of students will still get inspired.

All this will happen with a medieval theme this year. Get over it.

To echo this, we are almost done surviving a theme about recycling. And even so, students were still inspired.

I don't know about you, but I'd take a theme involving knights and castles over one involving litter and garbage cans any day.

[JB987]

Originally Posted by Hallry

To echo this, we are almost done surviving a theme about recycling. And even so, students were still inspired.

I don't know about you, but I'd take a theme involving knights and castles over one involving litter and garbage cans any day.

+1. Could be fun and funny at the same time

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Hallry

I don't know about you, but I'd take a theme involving knights and castles over one involving litter and garbage cans any day.

+2

[s_forbes]

I like the idea of having team flags showing over the field during the match. I'm going to predict that some will look like this though:

[Lil' Lavery]

I think many of the people complaining about the appeal to "normal people" have a pretty cynical view of "normal people."

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Jon K.

I mean, think of all the flags as well. There is no standard for flags, and some teams have something fun and small, others make flags that no MC wants to touch because they weigh 40 lbs. No one is saying ban the flags. It is part of what makes FRC, FRC. It has become part of the culture.

Just as a thought, flags can be "interesting" to use as display items at a demo. But these "standards" should be--at least ideally--pretty well self-displaying if you can keep them upright. Great for pit marking... announcing who you are... using as a flag for the MC next year...

I'm a little skeptical, but given that it's OPTIONAL (that's for anybody who didn't catch that in the blog post), I'm willing to wait and see.


By the way, that little thing about it being optional: If you don't like it, don't do it. I think FIRST is smart enough to figure out that a lot of empty standard holders means people don't like the idea. And, I would guess further that that would mean that they put this in with "floppies", 1v1v1, and the Coopertition Award as "ideas to NOT recycle".

[GaryVoshol]

Does this mean that Arts is sneaking into STEM, making STEAM?

[Tom Bottiglieri]

Week 1... I can see it now!

[Munchskull]

In terms of standards I think that they are a great idea. Some may be complaining about themes, effort, and being professional. I say why can't the game have a fun theme and still be professional? People can be whimsical and professional, look at google, the multi billion dollar tech corporation. What do you see when you enter their HQ? A giant slide. Besides a lot of engineers that I know are still kids at heart.

This is a competition for high schoolers. For all the time we spend having to go to school, and be serious, we still love to have fun. We embrace themes. If FIRST's goal was to always be professional then why is there dancing and music at the competitions?

[Mark Sheridan]

Originally Posted by Jay O'Donnell

No more than some field elements have in the past (2013,2011,2006,etc.). Also check out the sizes, they aren't that big.

yes those are are all examples blocking viewing angles. Yes the banners will block views and I am not stating anything beyond that. The implication of this will be pure speculation until we know the game. It may be entirely irrelevant and the views that are blocked are not particularly appealing.

The real question is: will your standard be a pirate flag?

[Jay O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by Mark Sheridan

yes those are are all examples blocking viewing angles. Yes the banners will block views and I am not stating anything beyond that. The implication of this will be pure speculation until we know the game. It may be entirely irrelevant and the views that are blocked are not particularly appealing.

The real question is: will your standard be a pirate flag?

Of course it will! If I was still on 1058...I'm sure they'll make a nice looking pirate themed standard.

[sanddrag]

Am I the only one thinking about how many pieces of electronics you could pack into this thing? Without any limits, I could envision some neat applications, some of which possibly could be used to enhance the robot's on-field performance. I think smarter teams are going to find a way to utilize this "extra thing you can put on the field" to their strategic advantage in the game.

That said, I was thrilled at the removal of bumpers last year. I'm not thrilled at yet another thing to have to build, transport, and store in our put area. Furthermore, of course this is going to turn I to another competition of who can make the "most bling" standard. While it is optional, if everyone has one and you don't, well...

Many teams cannot even make their robot look decent and meet compliance with rules like displaying the team number. This "standard" just seems like another distraction that is going to take time away from what really matters.

While I may not be all for it, I'm not entirely against it, yet. I'm willing to see how this pans out. I kind of want to CNC machine a one piece one from a solid slab of aluminum.

I'm just hoping FRC doesn't start becoming a competition of poster board, glitter, and glue.

Also, should I get a jump on things and start the thread named "Petition to end the pit area parades led by standard-wielding students?" My crystal ball tells me this is going to be a thing. I also predict at least one person is going to get hit by one of these things while traversing the pit area. If that one person happens to be me, consider it two people who will be hit by one.

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Am I the only one thinking about how many pieces of electronics you could pack into this thing? Without any limits, I could envision some neat applications, some of which possibly could be used to enhance the robot's on-field performance. I think smarter teams are going to find a way to utilize this "extra thing you can put on the field" to their strategic advantage in the game.

This was one of my first thoughts as well (after thinking about costumes for drive teams, refs, field reset...). At least those complaining about them have another avenue attempt to gain a competitive advantage.