Critical and picky - here I go again.

[Andy Baker]

OK, it's time for uncle Andy to get on his soapbox and dish it out a bit.

*takes deep breath*

OK, there are some know-it-alls who are posting some critical crap about other people's robots need to stop (I'll give you the reason why below). When a team puts out a picture of their robot, there seems to be a growing group of people who say things like this:

"it looks good, but does it work?"
"that part looks too heavy, you need to lose weight"
"that ratio looks way off. you should try... (yada yada)"

Everyone has the right to post what they want, but you need to realize that what you write here may impact your team when it comes time to competition. I have seen many times where there is a person giving out criticism left and right, and then they are suprised that their whole team is ignored at a competition.

Plus... you are being downright rude. If you are trying to just knock someone's design that they have worked on for the past 5 weeks, then you are just being mean. If you are honestly trying to point things out that you feel will help this team out, then save it for a PM. My guess is that many are doing this just to be clever and you think you are funny. You're not.

Also, I am guessing that many of you who are being critical have not posted any pics of your 'bot yet. When you do, I don't think that you would enjoy people asking "does that work?".

So, think before you post. If you have constructive critiques for the image poster, they why don't you PM them instead of trying to embarass them in front of the CD community? What is the point of trying to point out their mistakes? If you are truly trying to help them, just send a PM. If you just want to knock them down, save it for the playing field. Soon, you will realize that your critical opinions are a minority in FIRST. If you are not understanding what I am saying, wait a few weeks and experience a regional... I assume that it will be your first.

If you disagree with me, flame away... I can take it.

Andy B.