[FRC Blog] Software Downloads and Administrative Manual Release

[BJC]

Regarding the loss of feedback forms and the change from "winning" the Chairman's Award to "earning" the Chairman's Award:


The Chairman’s Award represents the spirit of FIRST. It honors the team that, in the judges’ estimation, best represents a model for other teams to emulate, and which embodies the goals and purpose of FIRST. It remains FIRST’s most prestigious award.


When you really think about it, it is sort of backwards for a team to nominate themselves as the "best" team for others to emulate. If I had my way a team would have to be nominated by other teams in order to be eligible for this award. Then it would truly be something you earn* rather than win**.

I think that these changes are FIRST trying to de-emphasize the competition aspect that has slowly surrounded this award over time. When looked at from this paradigm, these changes are positive. There shouldn't be a feedback form telling teams what they should do to "earn" an award - that turns it right back into "winning".


*earn
- to merit as compensation, as for service; deserve.
- to acquire through merit.

**win
- to finish first in a race, contest, or the like.
- to gain the victory; overcome an adversary.

dictionary.com

Cheers, Bryan

[Connerd]

■ All persons in the Pit should observe the code of behavior for the presentation of all national anthems:
• Maintain a respectful silence;
• Stand, facing the flag. If there is no flag, look toward the video screen showing a flag; and • Hats off please.

As someone who's been doing color guard activities for over three years now, this has always been something that bothered me. We had exchange students from other countries on our team, but they were always respectful of the anthems. Of course, our team, myself included, could always be better at being respectful.

[sanddrag]

And you can go nuts with adding sounds to your carts for safety purposes.

Is it too early to start the "Petition to end the sounding of robot cart sirens/horns/beepers/buzzers/alarms" thread? ....

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Is it too early to start the "Petition to end the sounding of robot cart sirens/horns/beepers/buzzers/alarms" thread? ....

Is it too soon to start the kickstarter to post bail for me after I dismantle the sound system on a cart?

Re Chairman's feedback, I have no words. Well, that's a lie, I have words. They just consist of 4 letters and aren't appropriate for this forum.

[Caleb Sykes]

I cannot seem to find any robot display section in this manual comparable to section 5.4.3 from last year, described in this blog post from last year. Did I just miss it or does it not exist?

Also, the minimum unbag time for the robot access period is back to 2 hours after being 30 minutes last year. I wonder what prompted the switch back.

[AdamStockton]

Originally Posted by Caleb Sykes

I cannot seem to find any robot display section in this manual comparable to section 5.4.3 from last year, described in this blog post from last year. Did I just miss it or does it not exist?

They just added this in the Dec. 19th Update. It is located in section 5.5.3

Originally Posted by FRC Admin Manual 5.5.3

To assist teams with their promotional and community relations activities, robots may be unbagged and operated briefly after “Stop Build Day” for display purposes only.

• The intent of this option is to allow teams to briefly show their robot to their community, sponsors, or potential sponsors after “Stop Build Day”.

• Unbagging a robot and putting it on display for many hours (i.e. more than four (4)) at a time would not be considered a “brief” display.

• The Robot Lock-Up Form must be used to track the unbagging and rebagging of the robot during this period. In the “Explanation” column of the form, enter “Robot Display”.

• No activity that could be considered “work on” or “practice with” the robot is allowed.

• Brief displays of robot functions - driving for example - are allowed, but not to the extent that they could be considered practice.

• A good way to avoid turning a robot display period in to a practice session is to have non-drive team members operate the robot, and only for as short a time as necessary to show the robot’s capabilities.

• If you have any questions about this new Robot Display option, please email frcteams@usfirst.org.

[Caleb Sykes]

Originally Posted by AdamStockton

They just added this in the Dec. 19th Update. It is located in section 5.5.3

I'm very glad they added this section back in. My team will likely be taking advantage of this opportunity.

[XaulZan11]

I know it is subtle, but I really like the change from 'winning chairmans' to 'earning chairmans'. I do not feel teams should be strategizing and planning their outreach efforts to "win" an award.