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

[Andrew Schreiber]

About getting involved in relationships, on 397 it is not against the rules. Relationships are great, if you feel strongly about someone that is fine and none of my business. The second it becomes my business then we have a problem. If I see team members kissing I WILL yell at them. This goes for at competition too, if I see two people kissing I will yell at them, this includes people I DONT know.

That being said, robotics is a great way to meet people, don't be afraid to talk to people. You never know when you will find a new friend, even if it is someone completely different than you.

[gorrilla]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

About getting involved in relationships, on 397 it is not against the rules. Relationships are great, if you feel strongly about someone that is fine and none of my business. The second it becomes my business then we have a problem. If I see team members kissing I WILL yell at them. This goes for at competition too, if I see two people kissing I will yell at them, this includes people I DONT know.

That being said, robotics is a great way to meet people, don't be afraid to talk to people. You never know when you will find a new friend, even if it is someone completely different than you.

I was thinking more of getting in the way of solid(and organized) thinking

[IndySam]

I wish I would have known how really helpful the experienced teams are.

They are such a huge resource for teams who are struggling or team who just need a little advice.

[kamocat]

Here's a rule that really makes FIRST about engineering:

Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.

This includes ordering standard parts before you need them. We're still having trouble with that.

[dqmot17]

No idea if anyone has said this but:

No matter how geeky you are, or how not geeky you are - one FIRST competition and your hooked.

[[TBT] Vampire]

Originally Posted by dqmot17

No idea if anyone has said this but:

No matter how geeky you are, or how not geeky you are - one FIRST competition and your hooked.

I completely agree, this entire organization is an amazing feat and idea. Dean Kamen is a genius

[waialua359]

Pretend its a 5 week build season, submit awards on Feb. 17th (for 2010) the day before they are due, read the updates in addition to the manual, read Chief Delphi daily, and practice extended periods of no sleep.

[Captain banana]

Always have a back up code. Corruption is always bad, even on computers.

[JamesCH95]

Bring everything, even the kitchen sink, because if you don't bring it, you will definitely need it!

[kaszeta]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

Bring everything, even the kitchen sink, because if you don't bring it, you will definitely need it!

During my first several years mentoring Team 95, I made soooo many trips to the Home Depot for various tools, parts, and stuff, and that's with us bringing everything and the kitchen sink.

I actually got quite popular with some of the other teams in the pit with my "Going to Home Depot, anyone need anything?" offers.

[kws4000]

Make sure someone is counting the number of rules posted.

???. Make sure your mechanical guys know what it means to switch around the air and motor PWMs and air hoses without labeling them, and their potential implications.
???. Make sure your robot is enabled before you compete AND the bridge eternet is plugged into #1 port on the cRIO.

[Wildcat]

???. when staying at a hotel that serves hot breakfast, make sure you wake up early enough to get some
???+1. pack emergency food (such as poptarts) in case you miss the hot breakfast

[Ryan_Davis]

Do not forget to connect to the arena's ip. This happened at our Ruckus... it was not fun.