Chris,
Right, this is pretty similar to the system Josh and
the team considered.
The question I would have is
What would be gained by this new system?
- Currently our results are produced, fully cross-linked
on the web within two days, often within one day of the
event.
- With time posting, competitors can see what
everybody has done on their last run, and set themselves
up for the next run, as well as know their results on site
in real time.
- The results process produces a
complete database of all our competitors (currently over
3,000 entries according to Pat), and provides machine
readable data for analysis of run group size, attendance,
retention of competitors, novice participation, and whatever
else we want.
- In addition, if anything goes wrong, anybody
present can fix the system without any technical knowledge
(except for our electronic equipment, like displays and timer lights).
There is no way a system failure can stop or ruin an event.
- There does not really
have to be an expert on the system on site, since it's a dumb
paper based system. There is not really a need for any specialized
expertise to speak of during the whole process.
- Works pretty well on rainy days or sunny,
can be dropped without any significant impact to the process
or our bank account. The grit of windy sites like Marina or
3COM don't foul up the cards, either.
- Drivers or workers who are careles,
distracted, clueless, or technically challenged can operate in this
system without causing major damage to the event itself,
though sometimes a careless scorer can screw up some people's
times.
- The equipment required to make it work is purchased so
cheaply that occasionally some of us provide it out of pocket, and
don't even bother to ask for reimbursement.
- And, there's absolutely no risk that
anybody is going to steal what we need to run the current system.
OK, a pen could be stolen, but the system goes right on.
Given all that, how will your proposed system retain all these
characteristics, and make some important improvements that we are
all chafing over with the current system?
Jerry
Jerry Mouton mailto:jerry@moutons.org Laissez les bons temps
rouler!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Warner" <jabrwoky@pacbell.net>
To: "Bay_Area_Autocross_List" <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 8:04 AM
Subject: RE: Preregistration and computerized timing/scoring
> I was thinking of 2 computers. The idea I have would be to augment our
> antiquated paper system until people are comfortable enough with the
system
> to switch over. We certainly don't want abandon the paper system, as it
is
> a good backup in case of hardware problems.
>
> One for registration. This machine would allow users to enter their
personal
> info, sponsors, ETC. As an alternative, we could have a website to do the
> same thing in advance, sort of like pre-registration. The registration
> machine could print a barcoded label that we use to track the member
through
> out the day. Barcodes would be generated from your membership number, in
> fact, each member would be tracked by their member number to allow for
easy
> paper tracking. Barcodes would be a convience factor to assist the
merging
> of the DB on the registration machine, and the tracking and scoring DB
> located on a second machine in the trailer home.
>
> The tracking and scoring machine would be connected to the timing and
> scoring equipment to allow us to automatically track the timing for each
> run. The announcer or one of the trailer workers would just have to make
> sure to keep tell the computer when re-runs and timing issues arrise. To
> make it easier to enter the competitors into the timing and scoring DB, we
> make sure that it is the *drivers* responsibility to get their car entered
> into the timing and scoring DB. My thoughts on that are to require
drivers
> to stay by their cars while they are teched, then immediately after their
> tech is finished, the driver takes the card and (with the barcode) scans
> their entry into the timing and scoring DB, and then submits their tech
card
> to the current card sorter. This way we insure that people stay with the
> cars while tech is getting done, and we automate some of the hassle of
> getting organized between runs, at least that is the plan.
>
> The timing and scoring DB would also handle work assignments. I will
admit
> that this part of my proposal is a little thin. I have not thought this
> through in any great detail. Basically, if your not running, or if the
tech
> is done off grid or by the other propsed method (group 1 tech group 2
etc),
> you need to make sure that worker a) show up, B) sign in. The actuall
sign
> in could be done by a simple web page running off the timing and scoring
DB.
> By tracking the work assignments we could identify DNW entries during
> REGISTRATION, not when they are supposed to work... Just an idea...
>
>
> Any thoughts or comments are welcome.
>
> Chris
> #52 ESP
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-ba-autox@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-ba-autox@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Mark J. Andy
> Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 7:13 AM
> To: Bay_Area_Autocross_List
> Subject: RE: Preregistration and computerized timing/scoring
>
>
> Howdy,
>
> On Mon, 5 Nov 2001, Carl Merritt wrote:
> > Only one computer? That's not NEARLY a sexy enough solution, I thought
> you
> > were in MIS? ;-)
>
> Yes well, I forgot. EVERYTHING MUST BE WEB-ENABLED! :-)
>
> > A single DB server in the motorhome running on AC power (with a large
> enough
> > UPS to keep it up while the generator is refueled), driving a small LAN,
> > 802.11b wireless network, and then a bunch of iPaq wireless handhelds
for
> > registration, tech, grid, starter, T&S, etc...
>
> Actually, that'd be pretty slick, except I'd toss the iPaq stuff and just
> use laptops with wireless cards... Should be pretty reliable as well.
>
> Mark
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