TRA - No Longer Just A Rumor

[Chris is me]

There's a lot of FLL teams, and not a lot of following teams and robots year after year. I mean, the numbers change every year as do a lot of team names, so it's pretty difficult to get teams logged based on that... I just wouldn't even touch FLL.

FTC there's a significant need for a database. Or any match filming. Or any webcasting. If you want a lower level competition to analyze, do FTC.

[ttldomination]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

I see...but even without a need for scouting an FLL database might be worthwhile. The simple idea of having records of FLL matches might be useful. That's one of TBA's uses, isn't it?

Not just FLL mate, FTC also.

But I mean...we have one for FRC, and it's the hottest thing out there. If you imagine one place where FTC and FLL teams can go for match results, video, pictures, support documents, then why in the world is it useless?

I see thousands of teams who potentially have a website now to go to for all of their support, for all of their media. I think FRC has been squeezed to its full potential. A media website such as TBA is amazing and all of the video is right there for us, but for FTC, I generally spend hours on youtube trying to hunt down videos and seeing all that I can.

And the expansion for FLL growth is amazing. There is NOTHING out there like this for FLL and FTC, so simply saying that this website will fail because it bases itself off FLL and FTC is a fallacy because there's nothing to base the conjecture on.

I know that people are saying that one day FTC and FLL will have their own central sites, but I mean...one day we're going to have to START those websites. If we keep looking for places to put our FRC pictures and what not...then I mean, we keep on delaying what the community really NEEDS.

[Mr. Pockets]

Is there any reason that a FTC database would be fundamentally harder to put together than a FRC database? Apologies I don't know a whole lot about FTC.

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

Is there any reason that a FTC database would be fundamentally harder to put together than a FRC database? Apologies I don't know a whole lot about FTC.

There's no reason a single database wouldn't work for any robotics program where the team number is persistent from year to year. If you created a permanent ID number for FLL teams (separate from their changing FIRST ID numbers), you could create a single resource that would include FRC, FTC, VRC, FLL, and (presumably) BEST, Botball, NURC, college VRC, or ???.

The database design is a cinch. If you need some help, PM or email me.

[carpenma]

Ok, due to some disputes between me, my domain name provider and my hosting company I do not have theredalliance.net pointing to the correct place yet. However, you can view anything that I have done so far at this address: http://174.120.41.59/~carpenma/. Right now there is merely a page there to prevent the page not found error from appearing. I will upload the dummy profile page later today. Please feel free to provide feedback on what you do and don't like in this thread so that can be considered before the final design is created.

NOTE: Due to my lack of image editing skills the backgrounds and other graphics on the dummy page will be incredibly basic or non-existent.

Thank you and stay tuned!

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

I see...but even without a need for scouting an FLL database might be worthwhile. The simple idea of having records of FLL matches might be useful. That's one of TBA's uses, isn't it?

I think there would be some interest in a FLL database (see this thread on the FLL forums http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=10572). However, getting scores may be very hard or impossible. http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=10761 http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=10695

[CORE 2062]

my other is a video archive for FTC, FLL, Jr.FLL that teams can submit videos into

[carpenma]

Ok, I have changed the index page located at the temporary address of The Red Alliance. The page includes a link to a test profile page. Please check out the page and leave feedback about what you like and don't like either in this thread or in an email to me (carpenma@wowway.com or the link on the page).

I am planning on waiting for feedback to accumulate for a few days. During that time I am going to work on setting up the necessary databases etc needed to run the site. Thanks and enjoy!

Temporary home of TRA

[J93Wagner]

Sweet, I think TRA should be more history and functionality about robots for that year. Well, more functionality than anything else. Like our pit scouting forms. A past years section might be helpful for design ideas. Also, for the blank area, a video coud be provided to help show what that team's bot can do.

[Chris is me]

Good start. I'd suggest making sure all of the fields are customizable, but with good defaults (stuff like "ball throughput" is information some teams would like to stress more than others).

Underneath should be a narrative or something about the build process, what decisions were made making the robot, how it performed in scrimmages and regionals, etc.

I think the awards for the team should be for only the year of the robot you are viewing.

[XXShadowXX]

I just clicked post so I don't know what was posted before me;

- Videos; that actually concentrate on the robot, not the whole field
- Commentary; that really matters, I don't want to here that the plastic field simulates the moon gravity for the limit as it approaches infinity.
- Robot Facebook; like that.
- A free (as in freedom and beer, thank you Richard) code repository; to help people learn and to keep the game interesting.
- A full rule book; Searchable, with updates from the Q&A forums, and explainations from the rule hammering out treads here on CD. That would make it viable right there.
- Lecture videos; This is C++/A drill/Java/solder, now we will start learning.

I really can't think of anything else.

[JoeyTNT280]

A facebook style of page like the example posted is rather helpful but if updated by the team itself or by the webadmin things could get dicey if something was said about someone elses robot

[BrendanB]

Matt,

Just looked at the TRA site and so far, it looks good. Some changes:

1.Try changing the font, maybe something different.

2.In your spot that says "what should go here" what about previous robot pictures or close ups of parts. kind of a spot for teams to put up some of their photos.

3. In the awards section, see about changing fonts, sizes, and bold face.

4. I know that you said that you are not a graphics guy, but see if you can find a different logo for the awards and medals. Along the same lines, see about creating a logo for The Red Alliance and having along the top of the page much like TBA.

5. Try a different background instead of white. I know I am comparing with TBA, but something different. White seems unfinished and unprofessional(no offense ).

6. And think about defining the different sections on the page into different styled tables, so it seems separate from the others.

Like I said before, it looks good and good luck as you continue on with the project.

[carpenma]

Please don't take this the wrong way. I greatly value the input of all who take the time to look at the page and write their opinions. But...

In response to 1,3,4 and 5:

This is nothing but a demonstration for the sole purpose of getting input on layouts. I tried to advertise as much as possible the fact that the fonts, lack of backgrounds and graphics made in paint are merely to show that those items will eventually exist. I have every intention of making the changes you mentioned when the design is more final.

2 and 6:

Thank you for your input

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by carpenma

Please don't take this the wrong way. I greatly value the input of all who take the time to look at the page and write their opinions. But...

In response to 1,3,4 and 5:

This is nothing but a demonstration for the sole purpose of getting input on layouts. I tried to advertise as much as possible the fact that the fonts, lack of backgrounds and graphics made in paint are merely to show that those items will eventually exist. I have every intention of making the changes you mentioned when the design is more final.

2 and 6:

Thank you for your input

None taken. Those are some of the things that I view as I work on a bunch of power point work.

And I have worked with people outside of FIRST and they don't care at all how things look and I feel like killing them for it.
Can't wait for the final!