Bill's Blog - What do you mean this is the last full week before CMP?

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

So... it is true... they moved two divisional fields out of the dome to have a stage for this performance act for one night. That's not acceptable in my book.

IF that is the case, I agree it is not acceptable. But I don't want to start complaining about something that may not be to true.

Aren, maybe they are changing the C from Competition to Celebration?

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

So... it is true... they moved two divisional fields out of the dome to have a stage for this performance act for one night. That's not acceptable in my book.

I agree whole heartedly. If FIRST is about changing the world and I've hard Dean say in x amount of speeches since 2003 how the rock stars aren't gonna change the world then why is FIRST eliminating two fields for the rock stars? Were those statements because we were envious that other organizations were catching their attention and not us?

I really wouldn't mind two pit fields IF there were more divisions and FTC/FLL expanded, not a rock concert. I really try to be supportive of FIRST's decisions but it is hitting a sad and hypocritical state. IMHO

Yes this will be fun in some ways but no matter how fun or exciting something is, it doesn't validate the "why" in the equation. These rock stars our here to celebrate us and our machines not us celebrating them.

[JaneYoung]

I'm feeling more and more old school and antiquated with each passing blog. 'Team social' is not what comes to my mind when I read about Friday and Saturday nights. 'Entertainment events' is what comes to my mind.

Brendan - maybe in some ways, our leaders have lost vision or - their vision of FIRST has changed. I'm not sure what the intent is regarding what teams will be celebrating. That wouldn't be a GDC question - that would definitely be a FIRST HQ question if one were to pose it.

It (the Championship) should be entertaining, that's for sure. That appears to be a keyword.

Jane

[Nathan Streeter]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

So... it is true... they moved two divisional fields out of the dome to have a stage for this performance act for one night. That's not acceptable in my book.

Well, as XaulZan and Brendan said, it isn't necesarily true... this may not be the cause for the field changes; however, that is a definite possibility!

Even if the "entertainment performance" on Friday night is not at the expense of the dome fields, I'm still kinda disappointed. FIRST definitely seems to be making some decisions about Championships that go back on all that FIRST is about!

Having an "endorsement" from a pop icon Will.I.Am and Morgan Freeman: cool, nice to have their support! (Although I can't say I appreciated FRC being related to dope...) Who's being recognized in a concert, though? Is an inspiration of science and technology being fostered?

FIRST definitely seems to be conforming to the culture rather than transforming it as Woodie and Dean have been speaking about for years! Does FIRST think that we'll suddenly be put on the same page as the Super Bowl because we have some popular music entertainment, or will we be chalked up with the Kid's Choice Awards?

I just don't see this garnering needed recognition... having the President speak would make good waves, perhaps... having Arne Duncan speak at the Deans' List Ceremony last year was nice... more effort along the lines of gaining recognition from political leaders or major technical leaders would seem more useful towards FIRST's mission! * sigh *

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Nathan Streeter

I just don't see this garnering needed recognition... having the President speak would make good waves, perhaps... having Arne Duncan speak at the Deans' List Ceremony last year was nice... more effort along the lines of gaining recognition from political leaders or major technical leaders would seem more useful towards FIRST's mission! * sigh *

Well, there will still be the daytime ceremonies and speeches to look forward to. Some of that wish may be covered there - at least by technical leadership.

Jane

[mrs. p]

if any other teams can help out 233 with wristbands, we have 37 attending (including mentors)

thanks in advance

[Kristian Calhoun]

Originally Posted by Nathan Streeter

Well, as XaulZan and Brendan said, it isn't necesarily true... this may not be the cause for the field changes;

I agree. I think people need to stop assuming that any potential entertainment act is the explicit reason for the new field layout/distribution this year. As far as I know, (someone correct me otherwise) FIRST has not issued such a reason. Obviously, this is troubling to some, but jumping to unfounded conclusions is not helping out the situation.

Looking at the public agenda, the "staged entertainment performance" is supposed to be around 8pm on Friday. FLL Pits close at 5, FTC pits close at 6, and the FRC pits and machine shop close at 7pm. Moreover, Friday's matches end at 5pm. That gives a window of a couple hours to setup a performance stage, which is not completely unheard of. Though I may be wrong, I'm more inclined to believe that the "extra" space in the dome is being used for the Collegiate FIRST Pilot. The most recent document for the pilot says,

For this demonstration, the pit and field will be in close proximity, much the same as a typical FRC regional event. There will be no long walk between the pit and field.

Bill has mentioned that more information on the topic will be available on the 20th, and I'll patiently wait the two days until then. Meanwhile, I'm glad to see that this thread is serving a greater purpose for teams to coordinate distributing wristbands. Even if your team has more than 30 members, some students or parents/mentors may not use theirs. I know in 2007 myself and some others gave our wristbands for the FIRST Finale to some members of 1547 who greatly appreciated the offer.

[Racer26]

Huh. According to that link Kristian just posted, Collegiate FIRST stuff was updated yesterday, deleting the FIRST Flight game. Thats a shame, it sounded cool.

[rsisk]

Originally Posted by 1075guy

Huh. According to that link Kristian just posted, Collegiate FIRST stuff was updated yesterday, deleting the FIRST Flight game. Thats a shame, it sounded cool.

I don't see that in any of Kristian's links, where did you see it was cancelled?

[Racer26]

Originally Posted by rsisk

I don't see that in any of Kristian's links, where did you see it was cancelled?

In the Collegiate FIRST manual, the update released yesterday no longer has the section about FIRST Flight, and their schedule for matches no longer lists FIRST Flight being played.

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by SammyKay

if you go to http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...p_Info_A-Z.pdf and scroll down to page six, there is info about Friday and Saturday.

I like how it says not to bring any type of gas tank. Strict adherence to this would mean most FRC and a hand full (at the most) of FTC and FLL teams would be unable to bring their robots.

Originally Posted by Nathan Streeter

(Although I can't say I appreciated FRC being related to dope...)

Once we started using semiconductors, it was already too late.






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