In the pictures, they showed copious amounts of "the little velcro thingies" (their latin name) on the side of the table and then also had additional copious amounts on top of the side rail. Until we had all of those in place, the tower looked like it belonged in Pisa, but with them its been pretty stable. 
I relax the string except when we actually need the tension on the line. I believe its important when the robot is triggering the tower (you do want to be sure the plane actually gets released) and any other case where the string could be in the way of the robot (like when the robot has to pass under the string, possibly with some attachment extended) - in some areas of the table, the string is pretty low. 

I would also add that the Molotov cocktail / C4 solution would also likely violate rule 34 (Model Damage) and incur penalties per rules 32 (sprawl penalty) and 12 (Strategic objects - how many items would the pieces count as?).

I also have a question though - if the 2x4s are repurposed, would that be covered under the liability waiver? Not that I expect to really need this information, but I've been temped, ooooh I've been tempted :)

Brian

On Sep 9, 2013, at 12:28 AM, Anant Narayanan wrote:

> Haydee:
> 
> This is not a direct answer.  Or perhaps it is :-)
> 
> From a coaching perspective, putting the zipline up is a waste of time - an "attractive nuisance" to use a legal phrase.  If you move the lever, you pretty much get the blue line or yellow line points. A team member pointed this out to me per the Robot Game Updates.
> 
> Of course this adult rationality doean't fit well with some of the kinesthetic learners on our teams, who need to physically move the pet/truck/whatever to whereever while discussing how to motion plan the item.  Every time. For weeks.
> 
> There are kids who note that the Tsunami waves roll in the direction of the evacuation sign, and hope to get both mission points with just one lever push, forgetting that it will probably take a Molotov cocktail to make that happen.  The fact that the laws of physics are against them on an ordinary Robot Field does not stop them from hoping, and praying.  For those who are not into the humor of it all, I should point out that Molotov cocktails are not permitted under Rule 4, except possibly in the Gulag Archipelago.
> 
> The key question is how to effectively move kids from (often incorrect) instinct to (unsatisfying) rationality.  I use humor a lot, though it is often tempting to use those 2x4s from the Table Building Instuctions for other purposes.
> 
> Enjoy the ziplining .. it is a great way to waste three weeks.  And give others a chance to get ahead :-)
> 
> For my teams, I am not putting that thing up until they show me some good stuff.  One should save the dessert for last.
> 
> Best,
> Nari
> ______________________________________
> Sent by
> Anant Narayanan
> McLean Robotics Institute
> [log in to unmask]
> +1.202.421.3826
> via AT&T from a Samsung Galaxy S3
> ______________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Haydee Cooper <[log in to unmask]> 
> Date: 
> To: [log in to unmask] 
> Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Problem getting the zip line tower to stay put 
> 
> 
> Fellow coaches,
>  
> Our zip line tower keeps coming undone. The little Velcro thingies whose name I'm blanking on right now keep detaching from each other and the tower leans in from the tension in the zip line, even though we're trying to keep the arm horizontal for proper tension.
> I have gone through two sets of the Velcro things and tried taping the outside to the wall with packing tape.
>  
> I'm wondering if anyone is running into the same problem and whether you have any suggestions. Would duct tape work better? Can I try drilling a couple of screw through the beams that are supposed to be stuck to the wall without running the risk of having them disintegrate?
>  
> Thank you,
>  
> Haydee
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