~INCIDENT AT THE RAMBOTS CHAT~ Please Read!

FIRST General Forum
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Posted by Lora Knepper.

Student on team #69, HYPER (Helping Youth Pursue Engineering & Robotics), from Quincy Public Schools and The Gillette Company.

Posted on 2/27/2000 6:28 PM MST

I have a bit of an incident to relay to all members of the FIRST community, and it pains me to have to do so:

This evening, a chat was going on over at the RAMBOTS page, between friendly members of FIRST teams from around the country. It was interupted, however, by several people who will remain anonymous. There was vulgar language, and putting down of other teams…General un-sportsmanship like behavior. They were warned repeatedly, but the inappropriate behavior continued, forcing Anton to close the server. He is now in the process of raising the security of the chat server, something that should never have had to happen. Please, if you were the people who caused these actions, do not abuse a resource that someone has given his time and energy into providing for us. If you were not there tonight, please let this be a reminder that no matter how much we talk about ‘Gracious Professionalism,’ we need to practice it.

Lora Knepper
Team Leader and friend of FIRST
Team 69 HYPER

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Posted by Anton Abaya.

Engineer on team #419, Rambots, from BC High / UMass Boston and NASA, Mathsoft, Solidworks.

Posted on 2/27/2000 8:51 PM MST

In Reply to: ~INCIDENT AT THE RAMBOTS CHAT~ Please Read! posted by Lora Knepper on 2/27/2000 6:28 PM MST:

Hello FIRST community,
Well, within 10 minutes of the reopening of the chat server, the chat filled up to 15 people immediately. It’s gaining popularity and it’s beginning to work great.

We have nothing to worry about any longer. I do thank the people who tested the server and its integrity. Because of people like you, we find ways to strengthen the public service of the chat server. Hopefully in the future, it can be directed in a kinder fashion. ok? :slight_smile:

The chat is open 24/7. I highly suggest people add the chat code to their web sites as well and join in the fun, meet new friends, and enjoy the spirit of FIRST. (http://www.rambots.com/chatcode.html)

ANTON ABAYA
team leader
Rambots, #419

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Posted by Quentin Lewis.

Engineer on team #42, P.A.R.T.S - Prececision Alvirne Robotics Technology Systems, from Alvirne, Hudson NH.

Posted on 2/27/2000 11:16 PM MST

In Reply to: Better news. posted by Anton Abaya on 2/27/2000 8:51 PM MST:

> The chat is open 24/7. I highly suggest people add the chat code to their web sites as well
> and join in the fun, meet new friends, and enjoy the spirit of FIRST. > (http://www.rambots.com/chatcode.html)

I must say…I cut and paste your code into one of my pages, and VIOLA…instant chat server connection.

Nice work…and nice chat server!

I have been on the past three nights, and I have met alot of great people…and had some interesting discussions. As a Newbie, this is all very helpful to me.

Keep up the good work!

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Posted by Michael Betts.

Engineer on team #177, Bobcat Robotics, from South Windsor High School and International Fuel Cells.

Posted on 2/28/2000 7:44 AM MST

In Reply to: ~INCIDENT AT THE RAMBOTS CHAT~ Please Read! posted by Lora Knepper on 2/27/2000 6:28 PM MST:

:… There was vulgar language, and putting down of other teams…General
un-sportsmanship like behavior…

To the FIRST Community,

I have been informed that one of the ‘disruptive’ influences at the referenced chat event had identified themselves as being affiliated with Team 177. As team leader of Bobcat Robotics, I have a very difficult time believing that any of my team members were involved. We have a great group of individuals on our team and they have all demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship in both actions and attitude.

Nevertheless, the image of Team 177 has been tarnished. Accepting the possibility that one of my team members was involved, I wish to publicly apologize for this incident.

I will do by best to investigate this incident but, given the anonymity of the net, my chances for success may be problematic. If anyone has any first hand information about this incident, please call me at 860-727-2478 or email at [email protected] in total confidence.

And finally, to the person(s) responsible:

You just don’t ‘get it’, do you? It is far easier break, or leave broken, something (robot, team or community, it does not matter), than to make it work. What you miss, by taking the easy way out, is cultivating a genuine respect for yourself and your own potential. You have learned nothing.

It does not matter if you are a member of my team or not. Your lack of this basic understanding means that both I and my team have failed you. You, also, have my sincerest apologies.

Mike Betts for Team 177

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