We have cash to burn...or do we?

[davidthefat]

Buy a laptop, or more depending on how many programmers are on your team. You will not be able to stand coding on the class mate they provide, its too small. It does not even have to be all fancy, just a 15.6 inch screen should do fine.

[apalrd]

I would assume somebody has a laptop to lend. On our team, we use my laptop and Jim's laptop, and that is fine for all of our programming and CAD.

[Kdabr]

Thanks for the advice, guys.

We already have a laptop and a shop full of basic tools, so it sounds like we'll be fine.

Should we be equipped to weld? Or will nuts and bolts be fine for that?

A fairly successful FIRST team is nearby (JJ Pearce), so we'll head over there and take a look at their shop. We were actually very close to teaming up with them for this first year, but we have a lot of female team members, they have none, and were grossly inappropriate at times.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Kdabr

but we have a lot of female team members, they have none, and were grossly inappropriate at times.

This is extremely disturbing and I hope you don't just let that go.

One of the most important things FIRST teaches is appropriate behavior and people skills (maybe the most important thing for many.)

Sounds like they would benefit a lot more from working with your team than you could learn from them. Please don't give up on these young men, they need help.

[Kdabr]

How much should we allot for parts that we'll need that aren't in the KOP?

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by Kdabr

How much should we allot for parts that we'll need that aren't in the KOP?

In prior years there has been a monetary limit of $3500 worth of parts not included in the KOP. A successful robot can be built with far less than this, however. In addition, many teams that do document $3500 of additional parts actually spend less than that because some of the parts or raw materials may be in-kind donations.

If you have the funds, it may be wise to reserve a full $3500, but if you have other things that you want to purchase you can certainly get by with $1000 or maybe less if you have donations of materials.

Welding is by no means required. If you have the facilities you may decide that it is a good frame construction method, but in my experience the majority of teams use either nuts and bolts or rivets for the majority of their robot construction.

[RoboMom]

I would recommend you come up with a business plan looking at sustainability over the next 3 years before you spend down all your funds.

There are some great team handbooks out there that you could look at. Some are posted here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr....aspx?id=14036
358 & 1511 have terrific planning for example. I also recommend 234 continuity plan posted in the white papers on this forum. And I'm sure there are lots of other great examples.
Travel eats up a lot of budgets.

[JaneYoung]

Welcome to FRC and to ChiefDelphi, Kdabr. (Your username is clever. )

You are receiving (and will continue to receive) excellent advice here in this thread. Be sure to share it with your mentors and the rest of your team. Do look at the business plans in the links that Jenny Beatty provided for you - it will be worth the effort.

Because you have had 2 years in the BEST program, your team should have a pretty sound foundation in what it takes to be a team and develop a plan. I look forward to meeting you and your team this season.

One word of caution and one personal request:

- Be very careful when talking about other teams. The concern that you have mentioned is a valid one and IndySam shared great wisdom with how one team can help another team grow and develop in areas they are weak in. But be careful with the mention of teams' names in a negative light.

- Request: if you can, encourage other team members and other FRC teams in your area to register and post in ChiefDelphi. It would be nice to see more good ole Texas folk representing our regions here in CD.

Again, welcome! Please let me know if I can be of any help to you. Good luck, 3626!

Jane

[Cyberphil]

Originally Posted by RoboMom

I would recommend you come up with a business plan looking at sustainability over the next 3 years before you spend down all your funds.

There are some great team handbooks out there that you could look at. Some are posted here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr....aspx?id=14036
358 & 1511 have terrific planning for example. I also recommend 234 continuity plan posted in the white papers on this forum. And I'm sure there are lots of other great examples.
Travel eats up a lot of budgets.

Excellent idea!

While you have the time, please try to create a business plan, showing most expenses, funds, and fundraiser profits. 103's business plan has been a work in progress for years because we never actually finish it. The second we update it, we buy something else. We have, however, won many entrepreneurship awards because of our constantly improving business plan.

I would say that the most important knowledge we have for the continuity of our team is within our business plan. It allows us to see how we are doing compared to previous years, make changes to the way we are doing things, and improve on our spending habits every year.

[ebarker]

Originally Posted by RoboMom

I would recommend you come up with a business plan looking at sustainability over the next 3 years before you spend down all your funds.

What she said !!!! Don't move...Don't breath....Don't do anything until you have a 3 year business plan

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Kdabr

How much should we allot for parts that we'll need that aren't in the KOP?

You're allowed to spend $3500 on robot parts not on the KoP. Unlike BEST, the majority of your robot will be made up of parts not in the KoP (though the KoP makes a GREAT drive base).

I would see what you can do to quickly get a FIRST team to mentor you guys, it sounds like you have a lot to learn in very little time.