YMTC: Can teams start cutting metal for 2005?

[Steve W]

Even though this thread is degrading somewhat I will respond. As stated by Dean and the one and only JVN, nothings fair. That being said, I don't believe that any 1st year team expects to be as good as the "powerhouses". The great thing about FIRST is that people try. It is a growing experience. Yes even for us older, notice I did not say more mature, mentors. With the wealth of knowledge that is floating around in FIRST, teams will grow quickly. BUT there is no substitute for experience. We all hopefully learn from our mistakes. To say that we can't use our past to improve out future is silly. Second year teams are not rookies so why would you want to take away a large portion of their learning curve. Also remember that every 4 years every team is new except for the mentors and sometimes even then.

Back to the thread question. I find it interesting that 18 % of the teams that responded say that it is OK to cheat. That is why we need these rules. There are probably many more out there saying or doing what is definitely against the rules. Yes to be the best we must push the limits but to deliberately break the rules is another issue. I know that as you step into a grey area things are no longer black and white but just different shades of grey. That is what we all must be very careful of.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Ok Lucien,
I have had a night to think it over and I have a response, toned down though it is...
Rather than pinpoint each item I would like to disuade your fears in what seems to be your underlying concern. Team #111 believes fully in the FIRST Rules and we follow them as best we can, ALWAYS. We teach this to our students, parents and as mentors we remind each other of the rules, goals and ideals of the FIRST program. (We carry rules books throughout the season, both printed and electronic) We do not use parts from previous year's robots on our competition robots, ever. As a matter of fact, I think that if you examine our robots you will find that although similar, each year's parts are a distinct improvement over the previous design. (Thanks' to Raul and his team) Furthermore, those teams that I consider close friends (and after ten years that is a considerable number) would never think of doing something that violates the rules. Frequently we communicate with each other and FIRST to insure the correct interpretation. Should you look into the past, you would find that winning teams are extreme in their interpretation and implementation of the rules. If we are such a model for other teams we need to be honest and fair. Finally, it is our experience which we share with other teams at every event we attend. It is not only Wildstang but any team will lend assistance when asked or not. This program is to insure that all students are exposed to the fundamentals not just the teams you consider special. If you ask for my help, I am bound to assist, if you ask for my strategy I am bound to answer, if you ask for my designs I will gladly show you and provide drawings if they exist. If during build season, you have a problem, I am bound to do whatever I can to help. My teammates and I (and I consider all FIRST teams to be my team) take these ideals seriously. When you ask for an opinion you will get my answer tendered with my experience and those of the people I respect and work with.