Need Your Input - Is my OI panel still legal?

[CraigB]

Outside of the "fix-it window" I drilled some holes in my OI panel. I do not plan to use these holes during competition, and plan to restore the state of my OI to it's original configuration, except for the holes, before I arrive at Nationals.

What is the majority opinion of this forum? Is it:

1) To be legal, I now have to build a new OI panel when I arrive at Nationals

OR

2) It is OK to use the existing OI panel as long as I do not use the illegal holes I drilled.

This is my first post ever, thanks for your input.

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by CraigB

Outside of the "fix-it window" I drilled some holes in my OI panel. I do not plan to use these holes during competition, and plan to restore the state of my OI to it's original configuration, except for the holes, before I arrive at Nationals.

...

Welcome to CD! I'm a little concerned from your post that you did more than drill a holes. IF you modified your OI outside the window AND you're going to RESTORE it to its original configuration - seems like you're doing a lot with your OI.

If you build another one in Atlanta, you'll know for sure you're in compliance with the rules...

[ahecht]

From my reading of the rules, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong, the Fix-it window rules only apply to the robot (both parts and software), not the OI.

EDIT: Nevermind, I hadn't seen the Q&A covering this

[CraigB]

Originally Posted by ahecht

From my reading of the rules, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong, the Fix-it window rules only apply to the robot (both parts and software), not the OI. You should be fine.

Here are the rules and the FIRST Q/A session that are causing me pause:

FIRST Robot Rules:
<R14> Prior to the competitions: After the close of the “FIX-IT WINDOW” and prior to the competition, the team must put down their tools, cease fabrication of robot parts, and cease all software development. Take this opportunity to rest, recover from the build season, and relax. Teams may scout other teams, gather and exchange information, develop game-playing strategies, collect raw materials, prepare tool kits, plan how to make repairs, etc. in preparation for the upcoming competitions. But no construction or fabrication is allowed.

FIRST Q/A:
ID: 1614 Section: 5.3.3 Status: Answered Date Answered: 2/15/2005
Q: Are teams allowed to work on their OI- namely mount joysticks, build switches, etc- after the fix-it window?
A: No.

[David Brinza]

Per FIRST Q&A, you're NOT allowed to work on the OI:

ID: 1614 Section: 5.3.3 Status: Answered Date Answered: 2/15/2005
Q: Are teams allowed to work on their OI- namely mount joysticks, build switches, etc- after the fix-it window?

A: No.

[ahecht]

Okay, I hadn't seen that Q&A. Thanks.

[CraigB]

Well, David Brinza seems to be the only one in tune with my delema. Thanks for your input David.

I feel that the Q/A answer was intended to disallow functional modifications to the OI panel in between competitions. I modified our OI to try out different options, but had planned to restore it to it's original configuration prior to the start of our next competition. The only difference being 3 extra holes on the panel that we are not going to use.

[SteveO]

Why did you drill these holes?

[AIBob]

Although I am not entirely sure about this, based on R14 and Q&A 1614 it seems that it is against the rules and you will have to recreate a new OI at the competition , sorry to say .

[Ryan M.]

Going by the spirit of the rules, the idea is to prevent people from having more time than others to test and fix problems. If you do not use any of the modifications/restore them to their original condition, I would say that you're okay.

That being said, I'm not a judge and people have different opinions on rule reading. If you have a feeling they'll go by the letter of the law, then you're in trouble; better start building a new control box.

[David Brinza]

One might ask:

Is it OK to disassemble and reassemble an OI outside of the fix-it window?

It may be necessary to remove joysticks, etc. in order to safely transport the OI after the competition (when you pack up in the pits). If you reassemble the OI within 48 hours, you haven't violated the fix-it window. But if you wait 4 days to re-assemble the OI - do you comply with the rule? In either case, you must disassemble the OI to transport to Atlanta - did you now break the fix-it window rule?

I'd say NO. Other than removing components from an assembly to allow safe transport, you haven't worked on (as in modified) the OI. You are not attempting to gain unfair advantage by making improvements outside of the fix-it window.

Back to your situation:

If you had attempted the modified OI with a different panel (one that you wouldn't take to Atlanta), this would be a no brainer - no work was done on the competition OI panel. In this case, you've attempted some modifications that have, shall we say, left some scars on your OI. Maybe the changes didn't work so you're going back to the old configuration. So the dilemma you're wrestling with is "I didn't gain any advantage as a result of the modifications to the OI panel, so maybe it's OK" versus "I worked (modified) on the OI panel outside of the window, but I'm not going to use the modification I made".

Part of FIRST is learning to resolve these dilemmas yourself - to develop your own sense of ethics that you'll carry further in life. There's no FIRST police (other than your teammates and your own conscience) for these "honor-code" based rules. I think, because you are forthright enough to raise the question in an open forum, you'll consider your options and will do the right thing.

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by CraigB

I feel that the Q/A answer was intended to disallow functional modifications to the OI panel in between competitions. I modified our OI to try out different options, but had planned to restore it to it's original configuration prior to the start of our next competition. The only difference being 3 extra holes on the panel that we are not going to use.

Originally Posted by <R14>

Prior to the competitions: After the close of the “FIX-IT WINDOW” and prior to the competition, the team must put down their tools, cease fabrication of robot parts, and cease all software development. Take this opportunity to rest, recover from the build season, and relax. Teams may scout other teams, gather and exchange information, develop game-playing strategies, collect raw materials, prepare tool kits, plan how to make repairs, etc. in preparation for the upcoming competitions. But no construction or fabrication is allowed.

It seems quite clear to me that you are to not do anything with hardware or software that will be used on the field. You modified the OI to try out different options, and decided to not use them. That you don't plan to use the variation does not negate the fact that you modified the OI outside the fix it window.

I would say that you don't need to rebuild the OI. The violation didn't result in a meaningful difference of structure, but instead a tactical advantage. You now have increased knowledge from physical manipulation outside the fix it window about what to do at Atlanta. I would say you made a mistake, shame on you. You realized your error and asked the opinion of the teams you are competing against what you should do. For that, I commend you.

Wetzel

[Wetzel]

Willing to share what you decided to do?

Wetzel