Gems of Wisdom
- Have fun!
- Don't get strep in the middle of the project.
- Sleep. Nothing good ever happens after 2 A.M.
- There is always more than one solution to a problem. Even as the deadline approaches, be open to radically changing your approach even if you have committed a lot of time.
- Know where the fire extinguisher is in lab.
- Li-Pos are a risky proposition. If you opt for these batteries, remember Rule #5.
- If your team decides to divide jobs in order to learn new skills, the quality of your robot may wind up less than expected. But it can be worth it.
- Soldering is a b****.
- So are large CAD assemblies.
- Don't use too small of solder boards. Go a size up if things are too cramped.
- Cardboard can be a fantastic substitute for Duron. It's cheaper, easier to laser cut and prototype with, and if planned properly, can be stronger under normal stresses. It's horrible for buckling, though.
- ABC: Always Be Committing. Even though SVN can be extremely annoying.
- AHH: Always Have Hummus. Stop by Trader Joe's before a long work day (or night).
- Have a shop TA on your team. When the SPDL reeks of B.O., caffeine, and stress, you can recourse to Room 36.
- BYOSAM: Bring Your Own Solder And Molexes. You will need them *all the time*.
- Check your #defines. The compiler won't know if your data type is incorrect.
- And after all of that, remember Rule #1!