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[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

In my personal, biased by lack of snow opinion...

Don't waste your time trying to get an extension with such little build time left. Either FIRST will do it or they won't, but you've got too little time to be campaigning and worrying.

The teams complaining about losing time should have thought of this last night or the day before and either put in even more hours during those days or moved their robots and tools they need to someone's garage. It is as simple as that.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

The teams complaining about losing time should have thought of this last night or the day before and either put in even more hours during those days or moved their robots and tools they need to someone's garage. It is as simple as that.

Assuming teams own their robots and tools, it could maybe seem as simple as that.
Do all teams own their robots and tools? Do all teams pay for their robots and tools? It's easy to say what teams should and should not do. It's not so easy to actually be the teams that are dealing with a difficult situation and have to contend with what they can and cannot do.

Jane

[V_Chip]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

The teams complaining about losing time should have thought of this last night or the day before and either put in even more hours during those days or moved their robots and tools they need to someone's garage. It is as simple as that.

I understand your simplistic perspective but your statement does seem a little harsh. Please consider that some of these teams were not aware of the consequences of a snow storm like this.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Vector MycroftH

I understand your simplistic perspective but your statement does seem a little harsh. Please consider that some of these teams were not aware of the consequences of a snow storm like this.

20+ inches of snow doesn't sound like a ton up north, but go down south and you have some major problems. I agree with Akash, teams should have been ready and even if they took a few items home or done extra stuff it should have been done. Yes, it is unfortunate that this is happening, but it isn't like 2 feet of snow just showed up outside. Sorry if it might seem harsh, but as was said earlier, life isn't perfect and if it was then that isn't FIRST.

I think you guys should all get your team shirts to say, "Got snow?".

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

20+ inches of snow doesn't sound like a ton up north, but go down south and you have some major problems. I agree with Akash, teams should have been ready and even if they took a few items home or done extra stuff it should have been done. Yes, it is unfortunate that this is happening, but it isn't like 2 feet of snow just showed up outside. Sorry if it might seem harsh, but as was said earlier, life isn't perfect and if it was then that isn't FIRST.

Agreed Brendan. It was not unplanned or uncalled for weather. It was also not news that these states would be inadequately prepared for weather like this because they do not budget for snowplows/salters and what have you.

It was not a harsh statement, it was more about questioning the logic of teams who sit idle when they know what is coming. The statement about not knowing the consequences of a snowstorm this late in the build is highly questionable.

Jane- teams who do not "own" the robots/tools still had time to plan things out with their school/sponsor. As I stated, this was not uncalled-for weather.

[Karthik]

The latest entry in "Bill's Blog" addresses the weather issues:

http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/2010...last-week.html

Originally Posted by Bill's Blog

Whether or not the weather cooperates, robots must be shipped (or bagged and tagged) on Robot Ship day. Heads up, February 23rd is coming soon.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Vector MycroftH

I understand your simplistic perspective but your statement does seem a little harsh. Please consider that some of these teams were not aware of the consequences of a snow storm like this.

I agree you can not predict the weather. Here in Connecticut we were supposed get the biggest storm in years today. Starting early morning around 3am to 6am with 12 inches of snow. Just about every school in the state was closed for the day. It it now 5pm I can clean my driveway with a broom. There was no reason to cancel school in my town today.

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

The teams complaining about losing time should have thought of this last night or the day before and either put in even more hours during those days or moved their robots and tools they need to someone's garage. It is as simple as that.

Akash, and Brendan, I have no advice on what teams should or should not have done given the cards they have been dealt. What works for your team may not work for others.

Schools in the Baltimore area were closed for a day or 2 days, last week. That was 3 storms ago and 4 " ago. They started Friday by opening late in some areas, then closing early due to a storm that evolved and grew. That was 2 storms and 30 " ago. They have not been back to school since. This storm (which it appears NJ is also experiencing) will be dumping another 10-20" depending. Schools have been canceled until at least early next week. I am hard pressed to imagine anyone who was wise enough to envision how this would unfold the past week. The Baltimore area, as well as much of the Mid-Atlantic is paralyzed and in a state of emergency. There are building collapsing, thousands without power (some since last Friday) and medical emergencies everywhere with no way to reach people.

Sometimes compassion and listening (and there are lots who need to vent and this forum allows for that within limits) is better than offering advice.

[BobC]

If I were you I would waste my time. If I remember right about 6 to 8 years ago (that's when my son was still in high school) we in New England had 1 or 2 snow storms just about every week of build season. I do not remember how long the extension was but it was not very long only 1 to a few days. So go for it do you do what ever you got to do. Good luck hope it works out for you.

[ChrisP]

You had 6 weeks to build a robot like everyone else. If you cannot meet the deadline, dont compete, simple as that.

[_Tanto_]

Originally Posted by ChrisP

You had 6 weeks to build a robot like everyone else. If you cannot meet the deadline, dont compete, simple as that.

little harsh dont you think?

[ChrisP]

Originally Posted by _Tanto_

little harsh dont you think?

Lifes too rough for you? should god give you some free time that all of the other teams dont get?

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by ChrisP

Lifes too rough for you? should god give you some free time that all of the other teams dont get?

No, I agree that if you are just going to whine about tough design challenge FIRST isn't for you. Time limits are a design constraint we all have to face in the real world, whining about them won't get them changed.

This post went over the line, if you can't provide useful advice don't be a smart mouth.

[JGecko146]

Originally Posted by ChrisP

Lifes too rough for you? should god give you some free time that all of the other teams dont get?

Hey, we get that you have a strong opinion but there is no need to be rude. How about using a little gracious professionalism?

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by ChrisP

Lifes too rough for you? should god give you some free time that all of the other teams dont get?

With this winter being the heaviest snowfall on record, BEFORE the storm yesterday that dropped another 10 inches, and NOT INCLUDING whatever will come from the NEXT possible snowstorm they are now forecasting on Monday, it is quite a difficult situation. Many of the teams I work with are not allowed to meet outside of school without field trip forms. Some school districts have been closed for 13 days, that is 30% of the build season. A poll with the majority of teams in MD, DC and VA has an AVERAGE lost workdays at more than a week, 10 days. Just about any real project out there that suffered a loss of so much of the project time would suck it up, pay the costs, and buy some more time.

This is where some planning and coordination can be helpful, so when teams arrive at events, they will be able to help each other get running and running well quickly.

No robot left behind.
Wetzel