Attn: Mech Designers, Beta Testers Needed!

[JVN]

All,
Many of you have used, or know of the motor/gearing design spreadsheet which I released shortly after kickoff in 2004. Since that point, I have been slowly (painfully slow) revamping this sheet to make it easier to use, while providing more functionality.

I have been pushing on this even harder in the past few months, trying to get a version ready for release at Kickoff 2006. As Christmas rapidly approaches, I am nearing the point of completion.

I've tested this sheet fairly extensively. I've used it (as it has evolved) to run countless gearing and design calculations for 229, for friends, and even a few for IFI. However, I frequently make mistakes; as a precaution against one slipping by me, I'm looking for some beta testers to run through my spreadsheet, and make sure there are no serious errors.

I need:

1. People to review the User Interface, and suggest potential improvements.
2. People to run numbers in the spreadsheet, and make sure they make sense.
3. People to suggest additional functions & capabilities for the spreadsheet that are missing.
4. Experienced designers to go indepth, and check the actual formulas themselves, to see where I may be off-base.

If you feel you have time to do one or more of the above, please post in this thread, and send me an email or AIM. Once I have your interest, I will let you know when/where you can get a beta-copy of the sheet for review.

I know how busy everyone is and I appreciate whatever time I can get. Hopefully together we can ensure this sheet is an incredible resources for FIRST teams in 2006 and beyond.

Thanks in advance,
John