Remember that thread? [10-13-04]

[Ken Leung]

Hi everyone :-).

One of my biggest thoughts about this website is how fast this forum growing from season to season. Things never quite remain the same; new faces show up all the time. Every once in a while, old timers like me long for the good old days when things are smaller and quieter. Maybe of us resist the changes, others felt silent and became spectators. In the end, what I learned is its best to adapt to the ever-changing environment and make the most out of the experience.

That doesn’t mean I can’t try to make things better.

In an attempt to close the gap between old time Chief Delphi Forum posters and rookie members, I've decided to revive my experiment from last year: "Remember that thread?”

Every week I will spotlight a thread from the archive forums of the 99, 00, 01 seasons. I will choose threads based on how well it showcases the philosophy at the time and by the merit of the discussion. They may not tell you the whole story, by at least they will allow you a glimpse into the past.

I hope from the bottom of my heart that new members will appreciate the sort of CD posters we once were, and old-timers like me will see how much we’ve evolved since the beginning of time(well, the beginning of CD forum as far back as we can trace it).

Looking at the bigger picture, I hope to preserve what once was good and leave it to the future generations as treasures from the past.

Enjoy.

[Ken Leung]

This week’s “Remember that thread?” spotlight the NASA Ames tipping controversy at the 1999 West Coast NASA Ames regional. I call it that because that’s what it is, and because there are 3 threads so I can’t easily use one of the titles.

Disqualification – Posted by Dan, Student on team #10, BSM, from Benilde-St. Margaret's and Banner Engineering.
http://web.archive.org/web/200105291...ssages/58.html

tipping robots - Posted by Austin, Other on team #47 from pchs.
http://web.archive.org/web/200107210...ssages/62.html

Gunn & Napa DQ VIDEO: DECIDE YOURSELF - Posted by Ben Chui, Other on team #192, Gunn Robotics Team, from Gunn High School (CAL Berkeley) and Xerox PARC / NASA AMES.
http://web.archive.org/web/200107180...sages/150.html

Being there on the day when the robot I help built struggled in the semi-finals, when the last second that robot overcame all hardship and got to the top of the puck and win the match, only minutes later it got disqualified for that match, I continue to hold my own opinion of the referee’s call to this day. But that has nothing to do with choosing this thread ;-).

I chose this thread because it shows that regardless of what their opinion of that call was, the posters in these threads debated with the utmost respect for each other. Just because you disagree with someone doesn’t mean you can’t be gracious and professional at the same time.

Little things to notice in this thread:

A lot of veteran teams you see now were rookie teams at 1999. That fact will come up a lot in all 1999 threads.

The 1999 NASA Ames regional was the first west coast regional in the history of FIRST. Before 99, most west coast teams had to travel to Florida for Nationals to compete the first time.

Last, but not least, you may note a little “P.S.” by a certain “Jason” who claims that he will “never post a message this long again. I PROMISE. I just thought you might want to know the details”. Tsk Tsk Jason. You may be happy to know that I learn to make my posts loooong after seeing yours.

[Travis Covington]

Oh, the memories...

I remember all of those matches well. I think the DQ in regards to Monta Vista/Beach Bot touching the robot was perfectly reasonable and was accepted by all. I am sure Joe remembers that match well hehe...

It IS evident that the conversation and discussions that took place were very civil. Much can be learned from the past. Thanks for these threads Ken!