Bills Blog - Classmate announcement

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Ether

The decision I was referring to is this decision:



... any other purpose... like powering a laptop instead of a Classmate

That answer will come with the manual unless we get another blog post from Bill. If that is a rule that the power outlet can ONLY power the classmate, that would be one of the weirdest rules ever. But before we jump to conclusions, I'll wait for kickoff and the manual.

[dag0620]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

That answer will come with the manual unless we get another blog post from Bill. If that is a rule that the power outlet can ONLY power the classmate, that would be one of the weirdest rules ever. But before we jump to conclusions, I'll wait for kickoff and the manual.

Hopefully FIRST has common sense and will write the rules to allow all laptops access to power. I'm sure Bill was just trying to get the point across that you shouldn't being adding components that require access to power besides your laptop of choice for the Driver's station.

[EricVanWyk]

This sounds like a pretty standard FRC HQ move: hilariously cautious but in the right direction.

I'm happy with it even if the most conservative interpretation ("we provide power for classmates and classmates only") is what ends up happening. I'd be more happy with more liberal interpretations, but it is always easier for HQ to loosen restrictions than it is for them to tighten them.

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by EricVanWyk

This sounds like a pretty standard FRC HQ move: hilariously cautious but in the right direction.

I'm happy with it even if the most conservative interpretation ("we provide power for classmates and classmates only") is what ends up happening. I'd be more happy with more liberal interpretations, but it is always easier for HQ to loosen restrictions than it is for them to tighten them.

It's also easier and arguably more accurate to take what HQ says at face value until further interpretation, rather than trying to break it down like a Dave Lavery game hint.

[JohnBoucher]

I see this as FIRST seeing the problems with the hardware they gave us and making an effort to resolve one of the issues. They gave us a part the is supposed to last more than one season and the battery does not last. I would be surprised if FIRST allowed any other use for the power.

Given the dimensions of the drivers station shelf and the abuse the drivers station wall gets, I would hesitate using any laptop that I wanted to keep. That we can use a backup laptop if needed is quite a bonus.

[thefro526]

I'm glad to see the classmates becoming a thing of the past. I can't wait to be able to use a real laptop in the driver's station.

I'm a bit upset that we (FRC Community) must read into statements like "The adapter may only be used to power the Classmate and the power outlet dedicated to the AC adapter may not be used for any other purpose." and try to figure out how literally it is meant. In most cases I would read something like that and assume that any laptop used as part of the controls would be able to use this outlet and thus be refereed to as a "Classmate", but knowing FIRST they wouldn't think this way.

I really hope they allow any laptop used in place of a classmate to use this outlet.