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The height bonus was talked about at the very end of last year's thread. Mr. Anderson talked a good bit about what was being considered for it there.

Just speculation, of course...
One thing that may have been limitted is the initial height of the arm...otherwise, the height bonus could be problematic. Also, I personally hope that motors were either better-defined or removed as a tiebreaker; last year's rules left much to be desired in that department.

twototwenty wrote:I personally hope that motors were either better-defined or removed as a tiebreaker; last year's rules left much to be desired in that department.

There will be next to no need for tiebreakers because scores will now have fractions of a point from the height bonus. Envision something like gravity vehicle where a tie is almost impossible. Unless they do something I'm not expecting, I think number of motors and quality of technical documentation will be vastly less important, if important at all.

Controversy? The biggest controversy I remember was about using a tool, such as a magnet, to pick up objects. So either we are allowed to use them and drop them in the bins as well, or the entire robot has to retract back to its starting position at the end of the run.

I had an arm last year that did amaxing, minus the fact it started out of the 30 by 0 cm box... but tah can be easily fixed with osme hinges and a saw! As for height, I have firtually no limitations for that! Last year I had an NXT hooked up to a non stock pc program, pvc, an erector set, and some wood to make the whole deal work. I haven't gotten the rules yet... Hopefully my teacher is getting them soon so I can make this and be done with preliminary early.

also, are the specs vastly different from last year? it still hs to start and fit inside the 30 X30 cm box? and does it have to retract back into the box at the end?

dandaman wrote:Hopefully my teacher is getting them soon ....

I ordered my rules directly from SOINC and received an e-mail that the rules were delayed until Sept. 6th due to a printing problem (that was completely outside of Science Olympiad's control)
So, hopefully they will start shipping on Thursday.

wlsguy wrote:

dandaman wrote:Hopefully my teacher is getting them soon ....

I ordered my rules directly from SOINC and received an e-mail that the rules were delayed until Sept. 6th due to a printing problem (that was completely outside of Science Olympiad's control)
So, hopefully they will start shipping on Thursday.

Weird I ordered mine when they were first listed on the 30th, and according to the website they shipped out on the 31st

Ordered mine last friday and it says they shipped my copy this morning, September 4th. Maybe they had only some printed?
I wish they would just make it possible to buy a PDF download- no paper, easy to keep track of, and no shipping wait.. but then everyone would just share it with their teammates/friends

Wait. You ordered Friday? I ordered mine last Thursday or wednesday and I've only recieces the receipt, no delay notice or shipment date. I would hope they ship in the order recieved... That's frustrating...

harryk wrote:

wlsguy wrote:

dandaman wrote:Hopefully my teacher is getting them soon ....

I ordered my rules directly from SOINC and received an e-mail that the rules were delayed until Sept. 6th due to a printing problem (that was completely outside of Science Olympiad's control)
So, hopefully they will start shipping on Thursday.

Weird I ordered mine when they were first listed on the 30th, and according to the website they shipped out on the 31st

Mine also say they shipped but I received the e-mail below:

Hi,
We have run into a problem with the Manufacturer of our B & C manuals, they are having printing problems and the manuals will not be arriving to me until sometime late morning on 9/6/2012. All orders for the 2013 manuals will be delayed until then. Again this problem is out of Science Olympiad’s control and we are sorry for any inconvenience this will cause.
Thanks
Debbie Lehman
Science Olympiad
Account Manager

I asked for clarification since the shipping date showed
Shipped via UPS on 8/31/2012 8:19:08 AM

But was told NO manuals shipped.
Confusing but all I can do is wait and see......

go to the soinc store, click your account name (or log in) in the top right, scroll all the way down to order history, and it will say there if it was shipped. Mine says "Shipped via UPS on 9/4/2012 8:26:20 AM".

Edit: After reading the above post, I guess none were shipped, so that must be inaccurate.. which is frustrating