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[Ken Leung]

Suggestions of changes:

-Rookies, having a really big disadvantage under this system, should be given some points to begin with and qualify through the point system.
-Award 1 point to teams taking 2nd to 4th place in a regional or nationals
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...=&threadid=674
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...=&threadid=673

Give up the rule about giving automatic qualification to the 28 original teams.
Wow... the more I think of this "28" rule...

A suggestion of a different qualification system:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...=7106#post7106

The FIRST community would have been better served if FIRST had split nationals over two weekends (very little additional cost; all teams can go)
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...=7000#post7000

If money is a reason for this limitation, there are ways for FIRST to cut cost
Operation Cost

......

Well, hopefully the above sums up what people have been thinking these few days. Again, it is so long because there are a lot of different voices out there. Try to keep an open mind, and listen to what others have to say. We shouldn't be picking on other's fault in their arguments; instead we should encourage people to learn from others.

Conclusion:
The question of "How should National be run?" is still unanswered. With a group of this size, it is really hard for everyone to think the same things. It all boils down to these two questions: What are the limits? & What do people want out of this competition? Before we understand the limits, we won't realize the limited options in front of us. And when we know what we really want, then we will be able to set priorities in what we should do...



"Sure, the winning is a part of FIRST, a part of Nationals. But there's a spirit at Epcot when we are all there together. FIRSTers seem to share something unique, I've never been quite able to put my finger on it. It's the mix of east and west coasts, US and abroad, girls and boys, north and south. Rookie and veteran. It's a mix of all of us that makes Nationals even more unique than any regional. I only hope that that same feeling will remain with so many teams left behind." By Lora Knepper.





POLLS:

A poll was started to see how many people think FIRST¡¦s decision on registration is fair or not. the latest result is a tie of 12 vs. 12.

Another poll was started to see what qualification scenario do people think will happen?
So far, "FIRST will stick to its guns and not let up" have the highest votes (75%).

A third poll was started to see if people think about FIRST competition happening on Easter break is a problem. So far the votes are spread even between yes and no.


QUESTIONS:

Question about qualification: is it fair to every teams? Or does it favor famous teams?

Since a lot of people disagree to what FIRST did, someone try to ask the question: what would you have done to National?

Another side question came up, asking people "why do they want to attend National so badly"¨


P.S. By the way, here is a copy of FIRST's 1999-2000 budget posted by Adrian Wong: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=7088#post7088


A reminder: any response about the issues should be posted in their respected threads.

As for suggestions or comments about the structure/format or any mistakes in this letter, please reply in this thread.