We thought it might be of some interest to everyone to hear what it was like to be an FRC rookie in 2012. As a result we brought together several rookie teams from several backgrounds and will be doing a cast tonight at 9pm with them. These teams include 3940, 3929, 4141, and 4334. So join us at the usual place tonight at 9pm http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/98466
It’s live if anyone wants to watch it
Unfortunately I couldn’t catch this cast, but I can’t wait to hear it later. Starting a rookie team is something I’d love to do somewhere far, far down the line.
Notes - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WI1ocGohWkauJJNgGq0wXlPdw9C_OSsgMhWNun00zgA/edit
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<Guest 10> nobody here tonight?
<SuperNerd256> It was only announced a few hours ago on CD, and the thread got hidden quickly due to newer threads being posted on.
<Guest 10> Indiana (Baker?) your mic is going in and out
<Guest 10> noise was only from Baker
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<schreiaj> Sorry for the delay in PR on this one, I've been swamped at work
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<lemiant> http://team358.org/files/programming/ControlSystem2009-/setup/
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<Guest 10> Maybe a lot of the Senior Mentors need to do a better job of connecting rookies to capable veterans.
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<Guest 10> it would help bridge the gap
<taylor1529> Might this be better served at a regional level?
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<michaelblake3481> EI... yep... NASA pays FAST... paid the $5k on the Monday after the regional...
<michaelblake3481> Lot less emails this season than last season...
<taylor1529> even veterans miss important bits in FRC emails. Thank goodness for chiefdelphi for reiterating most important parts
<michaelblake3481> Last season, our first, the email traffic from FIRST was overwhelming...
<Guest 10> andrew you're breaking up
<michaelblake3481> Hi, Andy!
<andybaker45> hey, Michael
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<taylor1529> they have one
N central Florida is on the call
<rsisk101> http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
<taylor1529> right there on the FRC page is the season calendar http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/frc-season-calendar
<Guest 10> stop offering silly grants
<Guest 10> that expire within 1 year
<Guest 10> and teams don't learn that they won't always be around
<michaelblake3481> In Texas... it's mostly finding the sustaining funding...
<Guest 10> FIRSt needs to explicitly tell teams that they can't rely on these grants
<Guest 10> correction: need to tell normal* teams
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<taylor1529> area teams to lean on & support rookies is critical. Setting up rookies with 2,3 area veteran teams would be paramount.
<michaelblake3481> For most rookie teams... they need a commitment for 3 years with a minimum of $10k for each year...
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<michaelblake3481> otherwise, why start a team with initial $$ only to have it most likely disappear after year 2?!
<taylor1529> Is it feasible for FIRST to help promote offseason events - not just competitions but workshops as well?
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<taylor1529> perhaps tie it into the "what's happening in my area" link on the splash page
<Guest 10> all of that existed in the early years of FIRST. Now its a ton easier because of COTS parts available
<Guest 10> It is also because now so many more rookie teams get mentored by newly graduated alumni
<taylor1529> the mantra is "hey you made a moving robot, that's a win" but that's really not true. Being competitive is key to inspiration; that's up to the GDC
<Guest 10> or alumni who have their engineering degrees
<taylor1529> to create a game that is accessible to different robot types and strategies.
<Guest 10> more veteran teams, more veteran alumni who can mentor
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<michaelblake3481> Last season, Week 1... we didn't know a Digital Sidecar from a Railway Car...
<michaelblake3481> I don't understand why Rookie Teams can't get the base electrical/electronics to start learning/understanding @ weeks BEFORE kick-off?!
<SuperNerd256> The best way to make the playing field the most level is to create a uniquely new game. Something where people can't build off of a previous season.
<SuperNerd256> That would give rookies a near-equal chance against the vets
<michaelblake3481> *2 weeks BEFORE kick-off
<andybaker45> 256 - that is what FIRST did in 2009
<schreiaj> I still pretend 2009 didn't happen lalalalalala
<SuperNerd256> I'd like to see another 2009-ish game (no regolith, just originality)
<taylor1529> What specific tricks do veteran teams have that make the playing field unlevel? Knowledge of exotic drive bases? Knowledge of manipulators?
<SuperNerd256> yes, yes
<taylor1529> So the GDC needs to make a game on a brand new playing surface, with exotic, never before seen manipulatives, every year?
<schreiaj> Knowledge that 6 weeks isn't a lot of time when it comes to engineering
<Guest 10> Sisk does FIRST tell the Senior Mentors what teams have just registered near their location?
<Guest 10> Why isn't it up to FIRST to connect the Senior Mentor with the team?
<rsisk101> We have access to something called RIMS which show us all the rookie FTC/FRC teams in the area
<rsisk101> Its not hard to find the rookies, it is hard to get them to ask you questions
<michaelblake3481> In Texas, Mike Henry - Senior Mentor 210-410-3657
<rsisk101> or contact you when they need help
<rsisk101> Mike Henry = Great guy!
<taylor1529> It's hard for the rookies to know when they have questions and need help.
<Guest 10> but let's say a team is registering online- I think it would be beneficial that it be mandatory for that team's mentor to contact teh Senior Mentor
<michaelblake3481> AGREED, Richard... Mike's the best!!
<rsisk101> At least in CA, there is a lot of communication with the RD and FSM about who the rookies are and I make lots of email contact with them.
<rsisk101> sometimes I hear back, sometimes I dont.
<Guest 10> So is it that a team is stubborn about asking questions? Or just that they have no clue that they will need help?
<rsisk101> I think it is the no clue case
<taylor1529> No clue coupled with not knowing the right questions to ask
<rsisk101> I know that is how it was for us our rookie year
<rsisk101> Taylor1529 nailed it
<michaelblake3481> THE BEST advise to Rookie teams, IMHO and experience, is to ask their Senior Mentor who the 6 top FRC teams are in their state...
<michaelblake3481> pick up the phone and ask for help... but, be prepared to travel TO THE HELP... don't expect the HELP to travel to you...
<Guest 10> that's tough Sisk