Will there be remote kick offs in 2005?

[Peter Matteson]

For those who haven't done so yet the Manchester kick-off is worth the trip if you can drive to it. Just don't take wrong turn on the way home like we did last year . Last year it was helpful because the field in NH had some last minute changes that were made the night before.

Hopfully this year the temperature is at least a positive number when it happens last year it was -6 F.

I'm just remembering I talked with some mentors who flew in for the kick-off.

Pete

[Heretic121]

Ok, here is a major questino about the kickoff that i have wanted to ask. I have heard that only mentors may go to the Manchester Kick-Off, is this true? I am hoping to drive up with a few other teamates outside of those possible mentors from our team. I am just hoping to be able to see the kickoff in person rather than streamed offline, or wathcing it over Nasa tv, espicaly because i didnt join until a week after kick off this season =/

[Peter Matteson]

I know for a fact the Founder's Dinner the night before is mentors only. I believe that is to not only keep crowds down but limit liability. Also its so crowded and painful to get in and out of I wouldn't recommend it.

I'm not sure if the kick-off at the college is mentors only. Last year I recall seeing many students there, particularly college students.

[Billfred]

I know that the kickoff last year at USC was open to everyone. Hence I was there.

(Note, however, that this was at USC--your mileage may vary.)

[RoboMom]

Sites are now posted on the TIMS. (Team Info. Management System).
How many can go varies greatly by venue.

[Wetzel]

The kickoff information is available here for those without TIMS access.


Wetzel

[George1902]

There are none in Florida at all.

=-[

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by George1083

There are none in Florida at all.

=-[

Well, pack up the bus/car/CR-V and come on up to the University of South Carolina for kickoff.

(c'mon, if I can make the trip... )

[Matt Leese]

Originally Posted by Heretic121

Ok, here is a major questino about the kickoff that i have wanted to ask. I have heard that only mentors may go to the Manchester Kick-Off, is this true? I am hoping to drive up with a few other teamates outside of those possible mentors from our team. I am just hoping to be able to see the kickoff in person rather than streamed offline, or wathcing it over Nasa tv, espicaly because i didnt join until a week after kick off this season =/

Yes. Only mentors are allowed to attend the Kickoff in New Hampshire (or at least that's how it was handled in previous years).

Matt

[henryBsick]

Ummm....
Not so much a Kickoff but around here in Tunkhannock we get everyone together @ The Dietrich Theater and show a live feed from the web on one of the screens. A lot of local teams have been know to show up . It will be on for this year also I believe... I just have to ask the boss for the OK of the pirating of one of her screens.
Good food: Good people: Good times with FIRST.


-Henry

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by Henry_222

Ummm....
Not so much a Kickoff but around here in Tunkhannock we get everyone together @ The Dietrich Theater and show a live feed from the web on one of the screens. A lot of local teams have been know to show up . It will be on for this year also I believe... I just have to ask the boss for the OK of the pirating of one of her screens.
Good food: Good people: Good times with FIRST.


-Henry

For those of us whose local remote kickoff only admits 4 [EDIT: make that 3] people per team, putting together an off-site viewing opportunity is a necessity for the rest of the team. I recommend that all teams make sure as many of their members as possible view the kickoff somehow or other.

You could get friendly with someone who has a home theater, digital recorder, and satellite TV--the works. Oh yeah, and a big living room or office to hold everybody. Have people bring breakfast munchies, coffee, cups, plates, and napkins. Chairs, too, if needed.

Team 330 was able to use our home church's auditorium last year, and we hosted some other teams who needed a place to watch the kickoff. Although our Web reception was embarrassingly slow (heavy traffic--not the fault of our equipment), I think it was worth getting up early for. If we do it again in 2005, we'll try to get better reception--maybe we can get someone to loan us a satellite system or something.

[Heretic121]

Originally Posted by Matt Leese

Yes. Only mentors are allowed to attend the Kickoff in New Hampshire (or at least that's how it was handled in previous years).

Matt

*tear*... lol... well i guess ill be sitting at home watching NASA TV on my new HDTV we are getting for XMas... btw... is NASATV have an HD channel it will be broadcasting over!?!? =D

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by Matt Leese

Yes. Only mentors are allowed to attend the Kickoff in New Hampshire (or at least that's how it was handled in previous years).

Matt

Actually, that is not correct. The party at Dean's house is typically limited to mentors only. However, the kickoff event itself on Saturday has been open to student team members in the past. Historically, there are a limited number of seats available per team attending (typically 2), but it has been up to the team to decide if a student, mentor, or teacher would attend.

Originally Posted by Heretic121

*tear*... lol... well i guess ill be sitting at home watching NASA TV on my new HDTV we are getting for XMas... btw... is NASATV have an HD channel it will be broadcasting over!?!?

NASA TV is currently converting to digital signalling, and may be fully braodcasting in HD by the time of the kickoff. You can check the status of the conversion, and how to get access, on the NASA TV web page.

-dave

[KarenH]

I don't know when they posted this, but FIRST now has the 2005 Remote Kickoff information at

http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2005/remotekickoffs.htm

So, it looks like there will officially be remote kickoffs.

To answer another question: Officially, the Founder's Reception (at Dean's house the night before) is limited to those over 18.