I compiled the original UFAQ in the spring of 2003. FIRST was kind enough to provide me with a text dump of all 6000 plus messages from the 2001 and 2002 seasons. After compilation, I sent out the UFAQ to the top forum contributors for review.
The bulk of the comments I received where spelling/wording/ type problems with just a few technical comments. I also received from a few individuals the concern that I was giving away too much information. That teams should learn the answers to these questions on their own.
These comments sent me into a period of philosophical upheaval. How far is too far when you teach a team a new skill? Was I providing too much information in the UFAQ? Was I providing too much information to my own team? Was I violating the FLL code of ethics? I went back and read all the information from FIRST that I could find to try to answer these questions. I found little to give me guidance.
So I arranged a meeting with the kind folks at FIRST and asked them for guidance. Just how much information is too much information? Had I gone too far? They had no simple answer as they themselves are grappling with the issue. Their current rule of thumb is not to provide information on a silver platter but make it available with just a bit of digging. They reviewed the UFAQ and gave me suggestions.
So I went back and edited the UFAQ with this in mind. I either deleted answers, minimized the answers, or turned the answers into thought provoking questions. Some will think I have not provided enough information, others will think that I have gone too far. I am open to your point to view with an email to skye@fll-freak.com.
| Change History | ||
|---|---|---|
| Version | Comments | Date |
| 1.0 | Original "over the top" | 5/03 |
| 2.0 | Initial web release | 9/03 |
| 2004-a | Updated for 2004 rules | 9/14/04 |
| 2004-b | Added RoboLab versions, new USB IR tower driver | 9/16/04 |
| 2004-c | Fixed section on batteries. Deleted incorrect section on deliverable and retrieval objects. | 9/16/04 |
| 2004-d | Added a description of tag-team and added Mindscripts as a legal language. | 9/17/04 |
| 2004-e | Added the printer friendly all in one page courtesy of Steve Dakin. | 9/21/04 |
| 2004-f | Added a section on Mindscripts courtesy of Jon Gilchrist. | 10/1/04 |
| 2004-g | Corrected the link to the program that prints RIS programs. | 10/7/04 |
| 2004-h | Removed references to documents at www.HightechKids.org. All links are broken. | 10/7/04 |
| 2004-i | Added the "How to ask a Question" page. | 1/14/05 |
| 2005-a | Initial 2005 version | 8/17/05 |
| 2005-b | Various spelling errors and a description on how to fix a mat. | 8/17/05 |
| 2005-c | Information on batteries, perfect scores, RIS stack limation hack, and sabotage. | 9/17/05 |
| 2005-d | Correction to misformed batterie question. | 9/19/05 |
| 2005-e | Added numbering to questions and fixed Q3.10, 3.11, 3.12, and 3.13 | 9/20/05 |
| 2006-a | Updated for the NXT and new rules. | 9/05/06 |
| 2006-b | Fixed links to this years rules, table setup, and QA pages, as well as some minor tweeks. | 9/18/06 |
| 2006-c | Added questions 7.36 and 16.16 | 10/28/06 |