pic: You guys remember what most of us said would never happen last year?

[JVN]

Originally Posted by JesseK

Did you try anything new <to you> mechanically?

Though the team has done it before... I've NEVER designed an intake mechanism. That was a fun new thing to try. I've been scared of them for years. Seems like it turned out okay.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

There hasn't even been any video of 217 posted on Chief Delphi. Nor has a single match been played by any of the three robots, or even anyone period.

Chill out, let the season play. Who knows? Maybe it'll turn out that corner dumpers and human players is the best strategy of all.

For all we know part of their strategy is to post pictures and videos of their robots before the season began to demoralize the other teams.
Competition is as much about psychology as it is about ability. If you go in thinking you're going to lose then you just made a self fulfilling prophecy because you've lost before you've even made it to the field.

[Danny McC]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

For all we know part of their strategy is to post pictures and videos of their robots before the season began to demoralize the other teams.
Competition is as much about psychology as it is about ability. If you go in thinking you're going to lose then you just made a self fulfilling prophecy because you've lost before you've even made it to the field.

Very true Ed. very true. That is why I always have the thought train of we are going to win. And if not have the best time we can doing it.

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by Jessica Boucher

The better question is, how is YOUR team doing? What are YOU doing to make your team better, stronger, closer to YOUR goals?

I know our team is doing just fine. We really pushed ourselves this year in every system we built, and were successful in most of them. My point is more to the fact that next year we'll probably look for some sort of build-season alliance in addition to everything else we've done so far. Everyone seems to benefit from it. Sure, this year our bot will be competitive, but we don't have a promo video that's nearly as intimidating as these 3. Guess we'll have to see what video I can get in DC. I mean, after all, it was one of our strategies to lower everyone's expectations at the DC scrimmage by not moving at all...silly regolith paneling .

Our strategy would be to out-drive 1114's shooter, use our UI on the laptop to lead the shots on 217 & 148 a la Descent I and II, (after all, none of the 3 can move sideways ), and stick to the original plan that with a shooter it doesn't really matter what your fire rate is so long as the opposition stays in range. Oh yea, then there's a play I like to call 'bait, switch, and tackle', but that will require someone else to have a ball handling design similar to ours .

[Ian Curtis]

Like Dave keeps sayin', 71.

Let's review their record of success when there are mobile goals on the field, shall we?

2008 - No mobile goal, No Championship
2007 - No mobile goal, No Championship
2006 - No mobile goal, No Championship
2005 - No mobile goal, No Championship
2004 - Mobile goal, Championship #4
2003 - No mobile goal, No Championship
2002 - Mobile goal, Championship #3
2001 - Mobile goal, Championship #2
2000 - No mobile goal, No Championship
1999 - Mobile goal, No Championship
1998 - No mobile goal, No Championship
1997 - No mobile goal, Championship #1
1996 - No Mobile goal, No Championship

In summary, there has been only 1 game with a mobile goal that did not net Team Hammond (71) a national/international Championship. And that, my friends, is what we like to call scary...

[A Bear]

nice stats

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

For all we know part of their strategy is to post pictures and videos of their robots before the season began to demoralize the other teams.
Competition is as much about psychology as it is about ability. If you go in thinking you're going to lose then you just made a self fulfilling prophecy because you've lost before you've even made it to the field.

I understand what you are saying, Ed, it can be part of the promotion of your own reputation, legacy, hard work. It can also be an intimidation factor if viewed as one. Champions can become champions by pulling out the stops and using every venue they can to achieve that title. We’ve seen that in many athletic sports/teams/venues. It’s a marketing tool as old as the first games, I’d wager.

Many respected and successful teams also champion the right and the room for self-improvement, self-development, and self-respect in other teams – learning to grow as a team and as competitors to be feared and respected. These teams also provide white papers and information concerning how their programs work and how to develop robot designs that are sound and effective. Several also give excellent presentations at the Championship conferences, sharing aspects of their team strengths, their engineering talents, and even their strategies.

All of this works together. One can’t just separate out some photographs and videos without looking at the other aspects of the teams that have made them competitors on a world championship level.

I’m always among the first to encourage each team to develop their program and their strengths, including recruiting engineers and mentors to help strengthen/obtain their goals and commitments. At the same time, I have to give a nod of respect to those teams who have already found that balance and continue to put it into practice year after year, achieving consistency, setting the bar, and acting as role models for others to learn from.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Jessica Boucher

The better question is, how is YOUR team doing? What are YOU doing to make your team better, stronger, closer to YOUR goals?

Your job is you. Focus on yourself and your team. Research of others is important, but it should be focused on how you can learn from it. Once you learn and you share what you've learned, everyone will benefit. Speculation for the sake of speculation is just wasted time.

Umm... I hope this type of comment aren't directed at me, because the intent of this picture was just to make people laugh (hey, JVN laughed when I showed him).

I kinda want people to fear something like this happening Fear drives others to do better. I know it did this to me.

Also note that this compilation had nothing to do with the 3 individual teams. It was me posting the pics to make people laugh and not them. Do not drag the teams into it please.

[Jared Russell]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

I understand what you are saying, Ed, it can be part of the promotion of your own reputation, legacy, hard work. It can also be an intimidation factor if viewed as one. Champions can become champions by pulling out the stops and using every venue they can to achieve that title. We’ve seen that in many athletic sports/teams/venues. It’s a marketing tool as old as the first games, I’d wager.

Many respected and successful teams also champion the right and the room for self-improvement, self-development, and self-respect in other teams – learning to grow as a team and as competitors to be feared and respected. These teams also provide white papers and information concerning how their programs work and how to develop robot designs that are sound and effective. Several also give excellent presentations at the Championship conferences, sharing aspects of their team strengths, their engineering talents, and even their strategies.

All of this works together. One can’t just separate out some photographs and videos without looking at the other aspects of the teams that have made them competitors on a world championship level.

I’m always among the first to encourage each team to develop their program and their strengths, including recruiting engineers and mentors to help strengthen/obtain their goals and commitments. At the same time, I have to give a nod of respect to those teams who have already found that balance and continue to put it into practice year after year, achieving consistency, setting the bar, and acting as role models for others to learn from.

To turn this around, a perceived slight by the CD community can also be a powerful tool. I have used Fantasy First picks, otherwise innocent "quotes" from forum users, and other online "popularity contests" as motivation for our build and drive teams more than once.

Pictures and videos that people drool over can intimidate, but they also motivate. I think that the veteran teams who truly do "get it" hope that that is the message that gets received when they post their machines.

[Akash Rastogi]

Thanks everyone for hijacking a comedic thread. Really. Thanks for random neg rep and presumptuous posts too.

Originally Posted by Jared341

Pictures and videos that people drool over can intimidate, but they also motivate.

Finally, someone who sees it from my side of the window. (emphasis mine)

[JaneYoung]

Akash,

I’m sorry that the intended comedic thread was hijacked but at the same time, there has been some good discussion going on. In my opinion, none of the posts made were presumptuous although several became serious. Many mentors that read and post in CD always keep in mind how easily young people can be influenced. Mentors who are struggling to find effective ways to help their teams and their students develop, can see the impact that posts can have on the individuals on the team. Rookie teams and rookie members may not understand the joke or the humor that is implied and they may be intimidated, thinking this is the standard they have to meet as a first year or second year. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and intimidated if strong organizational support systems aren’t in place on a team. Sometimes, ChiefDelphi is a double-edged sword in that it provides wonderful information, resources, and experience. It can also be perceived as setting very high standards, perhaps too high for those who do not have the strong foundation in place that helps teams meet their goals. Some of these posts in this thread are about that, building stronger foundations – building a stronger team. Yes, it is great to have role models and teams to look up do, but keep your eye on the prize, don’t forget to work to become a champion in your own right.
--
I see you edited your post to include Jared's quote. It's a good one.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by ComradeNikolai

I never thought refrigerators could look so intimidating. ...

In a celebratory post last season, John suggested that an alliance of 1114, 217, and his refrigerator could win.

Maybe 148's robot will prove him right in 2009. I'm an admirer of high quality appliance designs.

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by JesseK

My point is more to the fact that next year we'll probably look for some sort of build-season alliance in addition to everything else we've done so far. Everyone seems to benefit from it.

Just to clear somethings up, there are no common parts on any of the 148, 217 & 1114 robots. We all share a common sponsor (as well as 254 and 2056) who graciously manufactured our sheet metal for us. What we have benefited from as a group is our discussions during build season. Each team designed and built their robots on their own, but constantly bounced ideas off of each other. (1114 made some small parts for 148 that couldn't be made easily in the Robowranglers shop) These types of discussions proved to be very valuable, as it's nice to get an unbiased opinion on an approach. We also had these same discussions with many of the local teams in our area, including 1503, 2166, 2702 and 2809.

I think this form of "talking collaboration" has really benefited all these teams. I know some teams enjoy the secrecy of build season and working on their own island, but we've found that some good old fashioned peer review sessions make a huge impact, and open our eyes to merits and flaws of our designs. It's so hard to evaluate your own design honestly, having a fresh set of eyes look take a look is a great asset. It's just another form of co-opertition.

[JVN]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

Thanks for random neg rep and presumptuous posts too.

Wow, negative reputation for something in THIS thread?
Someone has some real issues they need to address...

[ComradeNikolai]

Originally Posted by Richard

In a celebratory post last season, John suggested that an alliance of 1114, 217, and his refrigerator could win.

Maybe 148's robot will prove him right in 2009. I'm an admirer of high quality appliance designs.

I think that was a game hint.