New Skill

[FourPenguins]

Okay everyone, what's the craziest (but actually useful thing) you learned this year?

I'd have to say mine was learning to identify the size and thread size of a screw by touch alone. (It happens on the AutoDesk team when you're trying to catch up to the mechanical guys.)

[irishninja]

Looking at a hole needing an alan key, blindly throwing my arm behind me, where the alan keys are, and knowing which one will fit by feeling it.

[Billfred]

It didn't happen in FIRST, but it happened because of it: I learned how to CAD.

I realize that this doesn't sound crazy, but remember: I'm a business student.

(Actually, I also learned pretty much everything that goes into building one of these drivetrains. I have a newly-rediscovered respect for the folks who can crank out these crazy ideas.)

[KenWittlief]

The weirdest thing Ive learned this year? Our eyeballs rotate in their sockets.

If you close one eye and slowly tilt your head left or right, your eyeball actually rotates to keep the horizon level.

Dont believe me, look in a mirror or watch someone elses eye as they tilt their head sideways. Its freaky!

Its not a learned skill, its an inherent trait that we all have, (but it was news to me!)

[mechanicalbrain]

Well developed multitasking abilities. I was able to turn three problems over in my head, help two on two projects, and eat pizza at the same time.

[JoeXIII'007]

My programming mentor taught me how the computer digests all the code we put into it, from machine code to user level compiler code. Found that pretty darn cool.

That enabled me to figure out how to truly make my own code.

Not that I didn't know how to before, but as far as C is concerned, I had many questions floating around that in one day were answered. I owe a big thanks to my mentor on that one.

-Joe

[Tetraman]

Thoughts that you come up with late at night walking back in fourth in your room for hours on end can actually come true.

[dubious elise]

I learned how Hex works...about three times.
Most unfortunately, like log functions, I have forgotten how they work after nearly every single learning event

Then again, I learned how to use a lathe, how to more effectively (and safely!) use a drill press, and how to solder lots of Anderson connectors onto lots of battery chargers.

Perhaps most importantly, I learned to keep on working, even when we were behind schedule and having various problems.

[hayakuneko]

if its a personal life skill, I learned that I put too much trust in some while not enough in others...

but for robotics, i'd say it was really fun creating a "hopper" for our robot and working with different materials like stretchable fabrics, shelf-liner, and netting as opposed to other commonly used materials like sheet metal. If anything, at least I know I can make a decent flagholder since I put the one that's on our robot

[IraJason]

If anything, I learned why it's not good to write award submissions close to deadline...

Really though, I've gotten a bit more hands on experience when it comes to engineering and working with people to achieve financial goals, such as working with parents (and a lawyer) to start a non-profit booster club.

[Elgin Clock]

I learned that a FIRST team can continue even when the lead mentor leaves thanks to the generosity, and unwavering dedication of parents, and other mentors.

As for me personally, I'm currently learning MasterCAM software and hopefully will be able to apply it to a FIRST related project in the future.

[Chris Marra]

I learned Adobe Illustrator after someone on my team was like, "Let's rip off the Porsche crest," and I was like, "Cool."

But then I also needed it when our t-shirt team fell through

[KathieK]

I learned that I don't have a clone, there are only 24 hours in a day, and I can't do everything I want to do (even though I tried) and I learned that I have to say "no" once in a while.

[petek]

Originally Posted by KathieK

I learned that I have to say "no" once in a while.

Then it's true: Heck has frozen over!

Oh - and I learned that running the field is almost as much fun as helping a team get a robot onto it. Just about as much work, too. The best parts are that a whole bunch of teams benefit from it, and I got to make a whole new set of friends!

[JaneYoung]

I learned that I am constantly surprised and amused by robotics people.(I R proud, I did not say 'geeks')
I also learned that the most serious all-business don't mess with me I'm working here team member turned out to be the most serious all-business don't mess with me I'm joking here - practical jokester
What a hoot.
New Skill: staying open taken to a new level