101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament

[anna~marie]

Our mentors say this every year... wash your hands when you leave the (metal) shop and use the restroom!

[ChuNalt787]

Originally Posted by robochik52

-understand how to use a machine properly and safely before using it (mangled fingers...not fun)

thats a huge one. getting part of ur thumb taken off by the drill press isnt fun. Ive seen it and its pretty dusgusting.

[Excelsior]

Get everyone involved. Even the smallest freshman can have an idea an engineer would have never have come up with.

[june_2008]

Originally Posted by MrToast

22. Yes, kids really do cry when their robot loses. Pretty soon, you will too.

23. When something goes wrong with the robot, it's always the programmer's fault.

Dave

As a Programmer, I resent that comment!

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

you havent seen the warning label?

WARNING! FIRST IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE - MAY CAUSE: SLEEPLESSNESS, LARINGYTIS, UNCONTROLLABLE CHEERING, YELLING, CLAPPING, STOMPING, TENDENCY TO TALK TO ALLEN WRENCHES, COMPULSION TO BE IN ATLANTA IN APRIL, REVULSION FOR PIZZA, INCLINATION TO CALL PEOPLE 'HUMAN PLAYER', OBSESSION WITH #S 5 26 120 130, INTENSE LOVE/HATE FEELINGS TOWARDS ROBOTS, IRREVERSABLE POSTIVE ATTITUDE, STRONG FONDNESS FOR WOODY FLOWERS, STRANGE DESIRE TO BALANCE THINGS ON 2 WHEELS, TENDENCY TO LEAN TOWARDS MIT, INEXPLICABLE ADMIRATION FOR SOMEONE CALLED DEAN KAMEN, CAUTION! MAY CAUSE STUDENTS TO SUDDENLY EXCEL UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. SIDE EFFECTS ARE PERMANENT - THERE IS NO CURE OR TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION TO FIRST.

Best.
FIRST.
Button.
Ever.

[Koko Ed]

Let's see...
*Don't burn bridges. You'll find FIRST is a very unpleasant place standing on scored earth.
*Don't be afraid to look around FIRST and learn from other teams. They have alot to share.
* Don't be afraid to share with other teams. You'd be surprised with how much you can contribute.
* Do not use 3D Studio Max for over 30 minutes without saving. Otherwise you will learn the true meaning of tragedy.
* You don't have to be a genius to join or enjoy. You just have to be interested and enthusiastic.

[pyroslev]

Make your plans for a social life once the robot is shipped.
Caffine IVs are essential.
Fun and pain go hand in hand.
If you are good at only one thing, learn another task.
How to go for 48 hours on 20 minutes of sleep (if you can call it that...)

[spamified88]

Hammers are known as "speed" drivers
Duct tape is for when your speed driver gets out of control
Pins are ALWAYS in fashion
Jedi robes make any team instantly cool
You talk more to CD more than your friends
Engineers are celebrities
You don't need a license to drive a robot
It might help if you do know how to drive a robot
The fun always starts the weds. before a regional
Kickoff should be considered a national holiday
You learn how to find any team number you know in everyday life

[Rick TYler]

Some pit areas don't have chairs. A couple of folding chairs make life easier.

[Tim566]

Don't worry if your robot is a little overweight on practice day chances are more holes can be drilled somewhere to reduce weight without compromising structural integrity too much

[fnsnet]

Build a Battery charging station instead of just having a few chargers laying around. It comes in handy to have all your chargers in one place and you can check the status of all of them at a glance. Also, have someone in charge of it for the entire competition. It's a nightmare come true when someone utters "I thought you put that battery on charge."

[Simon Strauss]

spend the extra money to get yourself a comfortable pair of safety glasses that wont give you a headache if worn for 3 days straight (there is a reason why people wear them on their heads, because they are either uncomfortable or put their eyes out of focus and gives them a headache)

I'm gonna get some slack for this but

remember not even coke, Pepsi, mountain dew, sprite, bawls, jolt cola, your caffeine drink of choice or even pure speed is a comparable replacement for good ol' cowboy coffee (coffee brewed blacker than you have ever seen, left hot in the machine all night, cooled then microwaved and drunk without any milk or sugar)

[James1902]

*Zipties are always good to have
*Speed holes are fun!!!

[Aaron D.]

If anyone is interested there will be a new segment in FIRST cast called Daisycast by team 341 aimed at helping rookies it will premier in the next FIRSTcast and we address many of the issues discussed int this thread so tune in!!

[ryan_f]

at the toronto regional, we aren't even allowed to bring in water. we have to buy it all there. I remember 2 years ago security giving someone problems and not letting them bring in some honey (i think) because he was diabetic.

I hope some rules have changed