FIX-IT WINDOW Proposal

[David Brinza]

FIRST allows teams to work on spare, replacement and upgrade parts for robots after shipment and between events via FIX-IT WINDOW rules. In 2005, FIX-IT WINDOWs opened at the end of the regional competition events (Sat 5pm) and ended the following Monday at 5pm. That window created a serious hardship for teams that travelled many hours to/from the events. In the past two years, the maximum number and duration of FIX-IT WINDOW sessions were prescribed: no more than 2 sessions, each with a 5-hour maximum duration. This much-improved, yet somewhat arbitrary, allocation of FIX-IT WINDOW sessions can still create difficult situations for teams due to conflicts arising from school use policies, scheduled mentor "day-job" hours, etc.

A lot more flexibility for teams would be gained by allowing no more than three sessions with a cumulative total of 10 hours in a given week. If the twice weekly 5-hour session works better for your team, you could still do this.

Any opinions on alternative FIX-IT WINDOW schedules?

NOTE: The 4th choice is ambiguous!!
A vote here could imply either UNRESTRICTED work is allowed, or NO work is allowed except at competitions.
If you select this choice, please post a reply indicating your intent.
You should state your case for your choice as well, since these are about a different as can be.