In addition to Dave's post Philadelphia region implemented the network
version of autox/ts
Well we actually beta tested and helped debug it, the network database is
awesome,
We have 2 PC's at registration so when everything works there is never that
"LINE" at registration
Bar-coded drivers go in one line, non bar-coded drivers in the other, and
our registration people
Are wonderful they can set up their own computers connect to the database
We have a brother P-touch that prints out the bar codes and we can assign
them in any order we choose
This takes away the worry of the computer operator staging the cars. Just
as the cars pull into staging
You have the staging worker scan the car, now this makes his job very
important, he must not let cars sneak in line and not get scanned
It will muss up the works. But it is nice we don't have to run in car# or
class order so if "Gazoo"(tm) needs an extra 10 min to get his tow settings
Right it is no problem and with proper course design we can send a car every
20 seconds, this allowed us even with the teething
Pains of getting used to a new system to add 1-2 additional runs EVERY event
so we can have 150 cars and 6 runs if everything works 100%
The most amazing part is we run a split day format, so the registration is
running while the event is going on
There is no pause in the middle of the day for registration, all 3 computers
can hit the database without a hitch
Now the only problem we have run into is a budget for all the equipment 3
computers Lan cables Barcode scanners
Etc.. all get expensive
And yes training the operators is my major problem, the system is simple but
until you have palyed with it you can never know
I find myself being called to the truck often for problems that could have
been resolved with a 5 min crash course for all workers
But I am confident I can pull just about any driver from the worker pool and
sit him in front of the PC and run T+S with a short instruction
And as more people get comfortable with our system the smoother the events
run
Jeff Lloyd
T+S guy
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-autox@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-autox@autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of Dave Whitworth
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 11:42 AM
To: Mo Soar; autox@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Autocross results software
Here in St. Louis we are implementing AutoX T/S from Robb Gregg in Topeka.
It does have several features for tracking year end points, etc but we are
not using them as of yet since we started in the middle of the year. It
exports a text based file for the results that could be imported very easily
to a web page (or spreadsheet). We e-mail our results via an excel file and
that works very well. Our pointskeeper, Eric Buckley tracks all of the
points, index points, rookie points manually, and then e-mails the
spreadsheet out.
Now, my thoughts on actual field use of these systems: If you use the
automated time entry, you have to have a computer operator who is familiar
with the system and can concentrate well. A lot of "regular" T&S people
just can't do this job, they don't have the personality for it. In the
hectic T&S trailer, you have to concentrate on what cars are staged, not who
just finished and you have to filter out distractions from the announcer and
time logger. We use three people, a computer operator, a manual time logger
and an announcer and it *finally* works well.
There are also several other changes we had to make in order to use the
computer:
1) Our timing trailer has windows on both sides and a back door.
Traditionally, we had the back (open) end pointing towards the course, but
for the computer, it works better with the back end pointing towards
grid/start so the computer operator can see the cars in line
2) All cars must be clearly marked with number and class. We also have a
large lot, so we banned shoe polish because it is hard to see 1/4 mile away.
We now provide numbers/letters printed on 1/2 sheets of paper for
competitors to tape on their cars.
3) An error log. Keep a pad of paper handy to log problems so you can go
straight to the "bad" cars when auditing.
4) Radio protocol: It is more important for the corner captains to clearly
state cone count, car number, class. The old "+1 on the red car" won't cut
it.
Overall, the system makes results much easier to tabulate. WE now post
results after each heat, and can give out trophies within 10 min of the end
of the event. It also saves data entry on the pointskeeper end.
The hardest part is training operators. We started with 3 people who were
intimately familiar with the system (we "mock" timed a few events before
going live) and are slowly training new people one at a time. Like I said
before, it takes a certain personality to do this job, and not everybody can
do it. We have had people who could run a "manual" timing system by
themselves, but can't keep up with the computer! I don't see it a insult if
someone can't do it, we just find another job. It will take a while to get
a fell for the people involved.
Hope this rambling helps
Dave
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mo Soar" <msoar@home.com>
To: <autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 10:20 AM
Subject: Autocross results software
>
> I'm looking for your experiences with software for results entry for
> autocross. I'm not really looking for real-time scoring capability
(though
> I'd like to hear what those of you who use automated time entry programs
> think of them) but am more interested in the related "background" features
> - tracking SCCA membership numbers, mailing and email info, year-end
points
> reports, generating results web pages.
>
> Thanks,
> Maureen Soar
> Oregon Region SCCA Solo2 webqueen
> D Prepared Fiat X1/9
>
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