> 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,
dont put the pot-stirrers out of work!
-james
OSP #74
----- Original Message -----
From: Jerry Mouton <jerry@moutons.org>
> 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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