Lessons learned 2005: The negative

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by KTorak

Pit Area in General: I don't think FLL and FRC pits should be in the same building. FLL teams are encouraged to be loud in their pits and scream/shout on the way to their matches, which was distracing in FRC pits while trying to talk to others/work. Don't get me wrong, I thought the South Korean teams drums were cool, but REALLY loud. I also didn't like the Pit Admin announcing. You could not understand a word they said. I also wish you could get sound from the matched in the field. I had to go back and crate our robot during closing ceremonies/finals becuase it took so long to get the crate and I didn't want to miss the Wrap Up party. I was dissappointed I couldn't hear what was going on.

If what I heard when I was in the pits was the pit admin, then I heard it fine. Then again, I was always in the pits at off hours.

Perhaps something similar to or improving on 296's Sundial concept is in order. On top of the Pit Admin announcements, those announcements (as well as queueing information, whether the fields are ahead or behind, etc.) would then go up on screens placed around the pit area, say at the end of each aisle. Didn't hear it? Just go check the screen.

The alternative way of doing that would be more Sundialish in nature, and probably is a bit cheaper--put all this information out on a website available over WiFi, then have fewer FIRST-operated displays on the floor (closer to two or three, as opposed to six or seven).