Important Q/A forum responses

[sanddrag]

Let's duplicate/point out the important FIRST Q/A forum here so we have a centralized location for the possibly strategy/material/process changing responses. Only post responses to questions that have to do with things that are not covered or are unclear in the manual or that contradict the manual.

[Guy Davidson]

I thought it should be pointed out that the GDC has started to answer some questions. Here are some of the interesting ones I found at first glance:

Coaches may NOT have laptops on the field

The wrap-around exists!

Herding of more than one piece is illegal

Legs may only be pushed in order to control them

Scoring of other alliance's ringers results in a penalty, but ringer counts, as long as it's the only one in the leg.

Post other interesting links you find, or comment about the ones posted.

[Ian Curtis]

How 'bout defining AM two speeds as COTS mechanisms, which means they must be purchased after kickoff . Those AM people will be making lots of money.

As an aside to AM employees: Interested in selling some stock?

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=1100

EDIT: Perhaps this came across the wrong way, and is actually quite irrelevant after what Andy said about this rule change.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by iCurtis

How 'bout defining AM two speeds as COTS mechanisms, which means they must be purchased after kickoff . Those AM people will be making lots of money.

As an aside to AM employees: Interested in selling some stock?

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=1100

We are not happy about this ruling. That is an understatement. I don't forsee anyone winning or "making lots of money" in this situation. I see alot of needless paperwork and shipping for teams to become legal.

I still want to see an official FIRST update on this.

Andy B.

[Fred Sayre]

Originally Posted by sumadin

Legs may only be pushed in order to control them

This is not the link you were talking about? It is a link to a question about herding tubes.

I was curious what ruling you were referring to.

[Guy Davidson]

Originally Posted by fsayre

This is not the link you were talking about? It is a link to a question about herding tubes.

I was curious what ruling you were referring to.

Sorry. I was referring to the thread found here: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=1098

-Guy

[Fred Sayre]

Originally Posted by sumadin

Sorry. I was referring to the thread found here: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=1098

-Guy

Oh, yeah - I saw that in the Q&A and thought that might be what you were talking about. I just misread the claim "Legs may only be pushed in order to control them" to read that the only way in which you can contact the legs is when you are pushing them to control and score.

[Taylor]

I assume this means that a team cannot intentionally sway the spiders to keep an opponent from scoring? I was looking forward to that type of defense, and teams overcoming that.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by boiler

I assume this means that a team cannot intentionally sway the spiders to keep an opponent from scoring? I was looking forward to that type of defense, and teams overcoming that.

Did you read the answer here? http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=1098 It says the legs "may be pushed".

[BrianR]

Originally Posted by GaryV1188

Did you read the answer here? http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=1098 It says the legs "may be pushed".

If you read on though...

Re: Spider attachment clarification

The Spider Legs are considered part of the field structure, and are covered under Rule <G33>. The Spider Legs may be pushed to one side, from the front, or from the bottom, to stabilize them during the process of hanging a game piece. However, they may not be grasped, held, or severely restrained without violating this rule.

I believe they will not allow you to just go forwards and backwards into the rack for the duration of the match, but this would be a useful question to submit.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by BrianR

If you read on though...

Re: Spider attachment clarification

The Spider Legs are considered part of the field structure, and are covered under Rule <G33>. The Spider Legs may be pushed to one side, from the front, or from the bottom, to stabilize them during the process of hanging a game piece. However, they may not be grasped, held, or severely restrained without violating this rule.

I believe they will not allow you to just go forwards and backwards into the rack for the duration of the match, but this would be a useful question to submit.

And <G33> says

Originally Posted by <G33>

<G33> Field interaction - ROBOTS may push or react against any elements of the field, provided there is no damage or disruption of the field elements. ROBOTS may not grab, grasp, grapple, or attach to any field structure. Robot may not HANG GAME PIECES on the Vision System Targets , or otherwise block visual access to the Vision System Targets. If a ROBOT violates this rule, the head referee will give one warning. If the referee determines that the TEAM is disregarding the warning, their ROBOT will be disabled for the remainder of the match.

They've already said we can push as long as we don't break. The Q&A was only referring to how much constraint could be put on the spider to be considered grasping. And I can hardly believe that "disruption" would mean putting the spider into motion, else no one would ever be able to nudge it, even accidentally.

[Fred Sayre]

Originally Posted by GaryV1188

They've already said we can push as long as we don't break. The Q&A was only referring to how much constraint could be put on the spider to be considered grasping. And I can hardly believe that "disruption" would mean putting the spider into motion, else no one would ever be able to nudge it, even accidentally.

Yeah, I agree. The Q&A question was specifically asked in regards to contact while attempting to score, so it seems the GDC answered that question specifically with "...during the process of hanging a game piece" instead of a general ruling about spider contact.

[akshar]

a questiong about the herding clarification... if your home zone is littered with pool tubes, can you move them out of the way to make room for your robot to deploy ramps and such, or is this still considered herding?

[Cody Carey]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

We are not happy about this ruling. That is an understatement. I don't forsee anyone winning or "making lots of money" in this situation. I see alot of needless paperwork and shipping for teams to become legal.

I still want to see an official FIRST update on this.

Andy B.

While this will not effect our team personally, I can definately see that extra money will need to be spent on everyone's account, and excess paperwork will need to be done. It reminds me of our team having to disassemble the spare KOP gearbox at the door of the Pitt regional in order to get in, only to re-assemble it on the other side. We didn't use it on the robot.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Cody Carey

While this will not effect our team personally, I can definately see that extra money will need to be spent on everyone's account, and excess paperwork will need to be done. It reminds me of our team having to disassemble the spare KOP gearbox at the door of the Pitt regional in order to get in, only to re-assemble it on the other side. We didn't use it on the robot.

Why did you have to disassemble anything to get into the event? I can't imagine how this is in anyone's best interest, nor do I recall a rule that would prevent you from bringing assembled mechanisms in as spares.