Bills Blog - Classmate announcement

[MishraArtificer]

Yay, now I don't have to speedhack Classmates anymore...not that anyone ever allowed me anywhere NEAR a Classmate to begin with...

[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.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by Ether

Just wondering: Does anyone have (and can share) insight into the factors that led to this decision?

My guess is that the socket is not in an easily accessible location. They can run the classmate adapters when the field is set up, however it might take to long if teams were constantly trying to plug and unplug their laptops between matches.

[dag0620]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

My guess is that the socket is not in an easily accessible location. They can run the classmate adapters when the field is set up, however it might take to long if teams were constantly trying to plug and unplug their laptops between matches.

I really hope the power location is readily accessible. Honestly if I was the big man making all the descions, just have the power done like many invitationals this year did with little boxes on the dash of every station, and just have refs do a quick check to make sure nothing but the laptop/netbook of choice is the only thing drawing power directly (nothing formal just take a peek as the bots are being loaded onto the field).

As said before though, we can shoot ideas back and forth all day (just like what the games gonna be) but it's one of those things we won't know until Januraryish)

[artdutra04]

The best solution is to provide a single a single mains power outlet at each of the three driver stations for powering any operator interface laptop. A relatively inexpensive COTS part to provide this exact functionality already exists; it can simply be zip tied into inside corner between the shelf and the vertical shield.

[Jon236]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

The best solution is to provide a single a single mains power outlet at each of the three driver stations for powering any operator interface laptop. A relatively inexpensive COTS part to provide this exact functionality already exists; it can simply be zip tied into inside corner between the shelf and the vertical shield.

Thanks for the suggestion....perhaps something we can get for BASH next year!

[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.