Bill's Blog -- Possible changes to regional agendas and shipping.

[ATannahill]

I believe they bagged up after the State Championship and then put the bag in their crate and sent it to Atlanta.

[OScubed]

I'd hazard a guess and say that with bagging over 2/3 of the FRC Finger Lakes teams would self ship. Saving shipping and Drayage costs would save FIRST and in the end FIRST teams a ton of money and I for one feel it's money better spent elsewhere. There are many ways to make Bagging pretty bulletproof - camera based evidence of proper bagging being one - it seems like a great idea waiting to be implemented.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by OScubed

There are many ways to make Bagging pretty bulletproof - camera based evidence of proper bagging being one - it seems like a great idea waiting to be implemented.

If it were to come to this, then integrity is lost. Not just by the few who might want to bend the rules or break the rules but by everyone. If a suspicious distrustful atmosphere is created, then a suspicious distrustful reaction will occur.

[Bharat Nain]

Well, since we can trust everyone, why even bag it? Teams who don't cheat won't cheat anyway and teams who will cheat will have an easier time doing so (and as someone pointed out, teams who want to cheat will find a way regardless). I don't think this matters to me as much since I won't have the time to work on the robot in between regionals anyway. Some of us have jobs and school, you know.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Bharat Nain

Well, since we can trust everyone, why even bag it? Teams who don't cheat won't cheat anyway and teams who will cheat will have an easier time doing so (and as someone pointed out, teams who want to cheat will find a way regardless). I don't think this matters to me as much since I won't have the time to work on the robot in between regionals anyway. Some of us have jobs and school, you know.

I can very easily see the physical barrier deterring me and reminding me it's Not Okay. As silly as it seems, if there wasn't a bag I imagine I'd be tempted to tinker / touch / fiddle with the big shiny thing in front of me. "Oh, it's just a quick measurement, that won't hurt..."

Plus the system isn't COMPLETELY breakable as it is. If you use it as intended, it prevents cheating.

[EricH]

Locks keep honest people honest. They aren't there to keep thieves out.

The bagging system is a lock. Should a team want to cheat, they'd do it anyway. I would hope, however, that all FRC teams have no desire to cheat, and therefore it's simply a reminder.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Bharat Nain

Well, since we can trust everyone, why even bag it?

I'm sorry, Bharat, I don't mean to tease or pick on you, but - ever since I read this, I pictured pieces of the robot being carried in for check-in and a nervous student saying, 'wait, there's more - they're coming, they're coming!' and more pieces of the robot trickle in. In the meantime - more teams have started stacking up in line - some with intact robots, ready to go, and others with various stages of assembled robots and their pieces waiting - patiently, or, um - not so much.

Sorry - I just can't quite get past that visual.