Bills Blog - Classmate announcement

[IndySam]

It never ceases to amaze me how a simple statement in Bill's blog can cause such rancor and debate.

Can't we wait to see what is actually provided at the drivers station before we go nuts?


I would have no problem with FIRST providing a power connector for the classmates like they used to do for the old drivers station. If you chose to use a different notebook you're on your own.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by IndySam

It never ceases to amaze me how a simple statement in Bill's blog can cause such rancor and debate.

Can't we wait to see what is actually provided at the drivers station before we go nuts?

Whoa. I don't sense any rancor. Nobody's going nuts. It's a friendly discussion.

I would have no problem with FIRST providing a power connector for the classmates like they used to do for the old drivers station.

It would certainly be better than nothing.

If you chose to use a different notebook you're on your own.

Can't we wait to see what is actually provided at the drivers station before we make that conclusion?

[EricH]

What Bill has said:

1. There will be Classmate power adapters at every driver's station.
2. Classmates will not be the only legal driver's station; other computers will also be legal pending further rule decisions.
3. No other computer can use the Classmate supply, or the AC power port. (implied/stated)

What Bill has not said:

1. They won't change their minds on #3 above.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Bill made that post partly to generate discussion and see what we as competitors thought about it, and if we had any input.

[Chris is me]

If you happen to draw from the same size and voltage of DC plug you could just plug your eee pc or whatever in....

Just sayin.

[Ether]

I don't have the Classmate charger specs handy (perhaps someone does?) but I suspect it's not designed to provide the current required for a full size laptop.

[rsisk]

Originally Posted by EricH

...and if we had any input.

That piece just cracks me up, this is ChiefDelphi after all. How could we not have input galore

I wonder if they are going to run the power from the same power that runs the SCC (the computer at each end of the field). Or if they are going to run another power source.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Ether

Whoa. I don't sense any rancor. Nobody's going nuts. It's a friendly discussion.

I'm getting grumpy in my old age

[Ether]

Originally Posted by IndySam

I'm getting grumpy in my old age

Old age? Yikes! I'll trade birthdays with you