Robot Arm C

[olympiaddict]

Oh okay, sorry, I've never ordered them myself- always waited for my coach to get them before.

thanks for the update retired1! it certainly elucidates the situation and makes a lot more sense. Hope they come soon.

[Flavorflav]

The printer was a lot less than honest with them. My thoughts are a bit stronger than this PC statement.I hope to get mine on Monday or Tuesday.

Seconded. I used to work in a print shop. This is a very simple job, which shouldn't take more than a couple of days in a small shop. Time to look for a new printer, I think.

[wlsguy]

Maybe Science Olympiad should consider selling a "stamped" PDF. It could contain the purchaser's name and e-mail to discourage sharing.
It can also be password protected and integrated in an ecommerce site.

The manual costs could stay the same but no longer would they need to be concerned about condensing rules to a single page (or pages).
The quality of the rules would likely increase because they could be more detailed in their intent in the rules (and avoid pages of clarifications and FAQs).
The rules could also be discussed in committee longer because they don't need to get sent to the printer (thereby avoiding the printing lead-time)

Science Olympiad would win because they would save on printing costs.
Users would win because we would save on shipping cost.
Everyone would win because no more printing delays.

It's just like what is sometimes used for ebooks

Examples here-
http://www.tipsandtricks-hq.com/wp-pdf- ... lugin-2332
http://www.e-junkie.com/ej/selling-ebooks.htm

Just don't know who to talk to to make this suggestion (but I know many Science Olympiad leaders follow this forum)

[retired1]

I sent them an email yesterday that said basically the same thing plus a bit more.
It is amazing, this program is generating scientists of the future, we stress technology and yet the rules are in the dark ages of snail mail, for no truly valid reason.

[chalker]

we stress technology and yet the rules are in the dark ages of snail mail, for no truly valid reason.

I'd like to perhaps clear up some items around this issue. First, full disclosure - I've been very vocal for several years about getting an electronic version of the rules out, so much so that 3 years ago I even built a prototype Android app that I demoed to all the 'SO leaders'. That said, technology aspects aren't the only things that come into play here - there are also business aspects.

What many people might not be aware of is that a sizeable portion of the team registration and funding both at the National and State levels of SO is intricately tied to the distribution of the rules manuals. Sure, you can buy a copy directly from the SOINC store (which many people do), but I'd guess the vast majority of teams get their copies via the state registration process (i.e. they register with their state director as a team, then get sent a manual). Of course that process could be revamped to not include the physical manual, but there are a ton of reciprocal effects as a result.

Regarding the technical aspects, I'd also suspect the majority of people still want a paper copy for many reasons. With an electronic copy you have to worry about the availability a laptop or tablet computer, it can be harder to quickly scan through to find a particular section, etc. etc. etc. That's not to say there aren't distinct advantages of electronic copies, such as the ability to search for things or remotely update them with clarifications. Much like what has occurred in the mainstream newspaper and magazine industry, when an electronic version is eventually made, it will be to generally supplement, not replace the paper copies that will continue to be widely used.

Regarding the 'watermarked' PDF idea, that really doesn't solve the primary concern over electronic copies, which is to avoid as much as possible 'sharing' amongst friends and colleagues. Obviously it'll help prevent it from being widely posted on the internet, but won't stop 1 person on a team from buying a copy and sharing it with everyone else on the team.

There likely will be a mobile app version of the rules for sale at some time in the not too distant future, as I know those in charge understand the need for such a product. However as the distribution of the rules is so fundamental to the way the organization as a whole functions and thrives, a lot of thought and work needs to be done to insure that a change like this won't have negative unforeseen effects.

[olympiaddict]

Thanks for all the information, it is nice to know that these things are being considered. I agree that having electronic versions would be a great idea, but I do also see all the shortcomings of that plan.. but hopefully a happy medium will be reached in the near future

Also, just a random question for chalker: Why, at least in last year's rules, are more points awarded for moving an object into the goal box nearest to it?
Wouldn't it be harder to move it to the goal box farthest from it, not closest?

[bearasauras]

The plan last year was to make this easier the first year and thus the points were awarded in a way so that students would want to put the items to the closest goal box.

[chalker]

The plan last year was to make this easier the first year and thus the points were awarded in a way so that students would want to put the items to the closest goal box.

Which has been changed in this year's rules.....

[mrsteven]

what are we defining motors as this year? If I were to use pneumatic cylinders are those counting?

[jander14indoor]

As usual, this is not official, clarifications are only official when posted on the national website, only my opinion, I won't be the event supervisor but in a few locations, hard to tell from a written description, I might rule differently when I see it in person, etc

I'd expect the definition of a motor to be pretty much what it was last year. There is a change in the rules on pneumatics, but it doesn't affect that.

As to opinion on the specific example, mentally I model a pneumatic cylinder pretty similar to a solenoid. Air pressure is voltage, air flow is current, pneumatic cylinder converts air pressure to mechanical movement. Solenoids were determined to be a motor last year.

But again, the only way to get an official answer is to ask a question on the NSO clarifications website and see what they say.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI