**FIRST EMAIL**/Invitation to Beta test the New Control System

[BornaE]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

I've been wondering if it would it be helpful to suggest that teams put 'Beta Test Team' under their username and/or in their signature along with link information they wish to provide.

Sounds good
Done

[GaryVoshol]

Once there's something to discuss, don't you all think that FIRST will provide a medium for that discussion/exposition to take place? Perhaps a moderated section of their forum, or maybe they'll set up a new blog.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

Once there's something to discuss, don't you all think that FIRST will provide a medium for that discussion/exposition to take place? Perhaps a moderated section of their forum, or maybe they'll set up a new blog.

I hope that FIRST will recognize that the teams themselves know the best way of communicating with those around them and that limiting a beta test team's avenues of discussion to only official, censored channels will impede discussion among teams that do not have a significant presence on the internet.

[ATannahill]

yes there will be a forum as mentioned on bills blog, also there will be demos and open meetings at the team's locationfor anyone that wants to visit. this is blanket across all beta teams.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

I hope that FIRST will recognize that the teams themselves know the best way of communicating with those around them and that limiting a beta test team's avenues of discussion to only official, censored channels will impede discussion among teams that do not have a significant presence on the internet.

And having blogs (or other such undocumented medium) on team websites would be better for those without a significant presence on the internet? or for those that are newer and have little information as it is?

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

And having blogs (or other such undocumented medium) on team websites would be better for those without a significant presence on the internet? or for those that are newer and have little information as it is?

Teams can best choose how to disseminate information to those in their area -- whether that be blogs, mailing lists, or face-to-face meetings.

There are teams in this area that we can communicate with via mailing list very quickly, but they are not plugged-in to this community or to communications from FIRST the same way that we are.

Beyond that -- even for folks who're tuned in to everything FIRST does -- I think there are significantly better ways of sharing and indexing information than in a blog.

I just think this is an instance where freedom to address the concerns and needs of the community you're serving outweigh the need for uniformity or control. Maybe that freedom will be available to teams. I'm just sayin' -- I hope FIRST agrees. They usually don't, though; at least not with me.

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

Teams can best choose how to disseminate information to those in their area -- whether that be blogs, mailing lists, or face-to-face meetings.

Can someone help define what is meant by "area"?
Thanks.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by RoboMom

Can someone help define what is meant by "area"?
Thanks.

Well, given the number of teams with access to the control system, in this case I think "area" might be defined as "your own state and each one bordering it."

[JaneYoung]

It’s very clear that there are a very limited number of control systems available to beta test and that this isn’t the perfect solution to this particular problem. However, there will be teams kicking the tires - testing this system, and sharing what they discover/learn. That's a good thing.

I choose to trust the committee that chose the teams who made the decision to go through the selection process and who are ready to deal with this challenge. I have also found it very interesting and exciting that some teams in some of these areas are working together and that all of the teams are committed to getting helpful information out to the FRC community in the best way possible.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by RoboMom

Can someone help define what is meant by "area"?

I suggest that the definition of a team's "area" is up to that team.

By the way, I'm thinking more of the teams that are not part of the beta. They're the ones who would decide where to travel if necessary in order to attend a beta test team presentation.

[BornaE]

This is from Bill's Blog,
Apparently there is going to be a private and a public Beta Testing Forum sections.

Beta Testing

Good Afternoon Teams,

As I'm sure you're aware, the Beta Test Team Kits start shipping today. Beta Teams will be receiving:

1 FIRST specific cRIO
2 analog modules
2 analog bumpers
2 digital I/O modules
2 pneumatic bumpers
1 digital output sourcing module
1 power distribution board

1 driver station
1 wireless adapter set
1 camera
2 joysticks
assorted cables and connectors
a DVD of software that will be shipped by NI
We're short a few items (we special ordered early editions of parts that are currently in production and one or two were damaged in transit) so we'll ship to the most distant teams first, and keep sending out kits as replacement parts arrive.

Digital Side Cars will be shipped separately the minute we receive them.

In the mean time, Beta Teams will have more than enough to get started with because they'll receive their invitations to join the Beta Test team private forum today.

The public Beta Test forum where everyone else can ask questions and Beta Teams can share updates will go live soon. I'll let you know the minute it's ready.

109 days to Kickoff. I'll see you there!

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

Well, given the number of teams with access to the control system, in this case I think "area" might be defined as "your own state and each one bordering it."

So why would I want to know what HOT Team is doing, and not know what GRR or BeachBots are doing? (I think those are all beta-test teams). Having a central repository - as it appears FIRST is planning to do - would let me learn about discoveries made by teams in all areas of the country.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

So why would I want to know what HOT Team is doing, and not know what GRR or BeachBots are doing? (I think those are all beta-test teams). Having a central repository - as it appears FIRST is planning to do - would let me learn about discoveries made by teams in all areas of the country.

Yep -- but having only a central repository and limiting the teams' discussions to that repository is less useful. That's all.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

Yep -- but having only a central repository and limiting the teams' discussions to that repository is less useful. That's all.

The beta teams received an email today detailing how things will work. We can all post information in any location we please, we just have to post it on the central FIRST repository as well.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by Cory

The beta teams received an email today detailing how things will work. We can all post information in any location we please, we just have to post it on the central FIRST repository as well.

This is excellent news.

Today we are living in the information age. If we want an answer, we just Google it, text ChaCha, or go to ChiefDelphi. It's a hard habit to break.

FIRST has time to do this correctly, the best way they can. We just need to have some patience in this case, and wait a few days (or a week or so) until we get some answers. I am not only excited to see what these Beta Test teams come up with, but also how they communicate to the masses.

Have fun,
Andy B.