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Training

Suggested Videos for Member Prospects

Hello, my name is Michael Hintz. I am 14 and was previously the lead builder on FTC team 7039, Lord of the Bricks. My Dad, Randy Hintz, asked me to find some videos to help alleviate some confusion that  you might have about what FTC and robotics is about. 

This is a short two and a half minute video that gives a brief overview of what FTC is. I wish I watched it when I was first on a team. FIRST Tech Challenge is…

I watched this when I was starting robotics and it was helpful to me. Gracious professionalism is a trademarked term by First and is basically the point of First. It is purposely left undefined so people can find their own meaning to it, but co-founder of First, Woodie Flowers, helps shed some light on its meaning.Gracious Professionalism with Woddie Flowers

Here is a robot reveal (when a team shows off their robot to the world) from a successful team, 8644 Brainstormers, which shows many components that any given robot might have, as well as the materials from the kit that we plan to get.FTC 8644 Brainstormers Robot Reveal for 2018-2019 Season

Mecanum wheels are wheels that many teams use and wheels that we might also use. This video explains what they are, what they do, and how they work. SparkFun Mecanum Wheels

Mecanum wheels allow you to strafe much smoother than the ones in this video, but it is still helpful for you to watch.

Here is a brief overview of coding for the members who are interested in programming.  I have never coded, so this was over my head. Code Walkthrough of the FTC Robot Controller 

Admin

Getting the Word Out

Yesterday I posted a notice in the Facebook group Live New Kent. So far, we have received 16 responses from parents and students who are interested in learning more, and may be interested in joining a team!!  This is an overwhelming response, and Michael and I are both overjoyed.

We have also sent emails to all the math and science teachers at NKHS and NKMS.  We had to send those emails via the school’s website, and I am hoping that they were delivered.  I am a little concerned because no one has responded – after 15 hours I would expect one of them to have picked up the email and sent some sort of response.

Admin

Website Hosting

Our goal is to “get the word out”, and so we want to create website that will allow us to communicate answers to the questions that people might ask about the team.  WordPress is a familiar and popular platform for building a website, so I did some quick searches and found there are plenty of options for free hosting – even without ads!!

I first settled on awardspace, and started working on the website (yes, this website). It took all of 5 or 10 minutes to sign up and get started – which was awesome.  However, over the next few days, as I am working on the website – trying to find the best theme, colors, starting to add some content – I was struck by the lack of speed from this free website.  While in the admin area, I would click to go to a new page (like the plug-in page, or to create a new website page), and it would often take 30-60 seconds before the result would show up!  Now, I know “you get what you pay for” and this was free hosting, but I was still wondering if there was something better. 

An additional problem I was having was emails.  I was going need the site to email me when a person filled out the contact form.  Free hosting on awardspace only allows for a very limited number of outgoing emails (I can’t find the exact limit, but it is something like 10 per month.)  WordPress will allow an option to send emails via SMTP through another email server, but when I tried to set up a plug-in to accomplish that, I was met with a block saying this was not allowed by the host.

So, I went back to searching for more free hosting options, and this time I focused on the email limit offered through a free hosting plan.  I eventually found AccuWebHosting.  Now, unlike my previous signup experience, this one was lengthy and involved.  I actually needed to send them a copy of my driver’s license to prove I am who I say I am!  At first, I was put off by this, but then I realized that their more detail-oriented signup process was probably intended to limit the number of free hosting accounts, and therefore provide better quality service.  After filling out and submitting my application, it was 2 or 3 days before they offered me a free hosting account, and another 24 hours before that account was set up – a big difference from the click-and-go available from other free hosting providers.  But, maybe this was the cost under the “you get what you pay for” mentality.

What a difference!  All I can say is that now, I do not even feel like I am working on a website hosted under a free account.  The speed, the features (100 outgoing emails per hour!), the support – everything feels as if I am on an entry-level paid hosting account!  I could not be more pleased.  I plan on using AccuWebHosting for any paid website hosting I may need in the future.

Admin

Carps Corner Plaza

From the beginning, we have had our eye on the little strip mall with Rick’s Local Deli. We have lived in New Kent for 6 years, and in that entire time, the two store fronts between Rick’s and the vet have been empty. We were hoping he might be willing to donate that space to our cause.

Armed with a business plan, I asked a mutual acquaintance to introduce me to Rick. I only got as far as a phone call. Rick was very nice, but said that he had plans to rent out those spaces again, and that he did not have any other space available that might suit our needs. So, I thanked him for his time, and told him I’d be back when we were looking for other types of support.

So, now is the time to concentrate on getting the word out – finding out what other families in New Kent might be interested in a robotics team.