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Unread 25-04-2007, 13:33
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gblake gblake is offline
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AKA: Blake Ross
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Re: [FVC]: Longer competitions

Quote:
Originally Posted by rswsmay View Post
  • Although this adds cost and creates the problem of integrating the data from 2 separate scoring tables, we should find a way to run 3-4 fields during a tournament. It would be a plus if this can be done from one scoring system rather than two. This can alleviate the problem felt this year not only by the championship event but also at all FVC tournaments.
You are the second person in as many days to express a wish list for the "scoring" software. Writing some new scoring software is not trivial (not a one-night job); but it is not hard either.

Using Java's Swing GUI I can take requirements from users (like you or Kathie K, or Skimoose, or...) cook something up this summer, run it through a few iterations of feedback and-field testing, and have it available by Sept. I am sure other folks can too.

At the end the source code would available for further refinement or customization by any local league or by a fresh set of eyes who could improve it for next season...
  • It could use two computers on a network if "integrating data from two fields" is needed.
  • It can use one computer into which someone types data from more than one field (sort of like putting the info into a single spreadhseet like this one(http://www.vexforum.com/gallery/show...467&catid=11)).
  • It can be connected to a computer kiosk equipped with a mouse and printer that teams use to print the match schedules, match results, lists of any team's opponents and allies, thumbnails of all the event participants, ....
  • It can be designed to drive one output screen, two, three or whatever with different windows on each.
  • It can do whatever our imaginations and time permit.
If an adequately large handful of the FVC movers and shakers want to create a list of requirements (features desired, inputs, output and output formats, and deployment configurations); then I am willing to write the code or share writing code that I would integrate.

There are two caveats
  1. I would not want to invest the time necessary to do this, see it get used in a couple of scrimmages; and then see it fall by the wayside because it has no path to becoming "official". I think "we" would want FIRST, or at least a decent fraction of the FVC APs, to say that they are willing to pick up a good result and adopt it for sanctioned events. For me, at least, doing this will be an exciting, rewarding and satisfying project; but only if it gets used for more than just my local Potomac Vex League scrimmages....
  2. If this proposed Java code had to send on/off signals to the current field controller, I would want someone else to supply a field controller software API that could be invoked by the Java code. My desire would be to separate scoring (all entered manually) and tracking match info from the simple but different job of controlling the field.
Who thinks this would be a fun off-season project that would be a great gift to the community? If I get enough positive feedback we can spin off a new thread and get down to business.....

Blake
PS: If whomever wrote the current code (I think someone at Wildstang might be the author(s)) is seeing this, maybe they feel the same way, and would enjoy converting it into a collection of open source Java that can be continually improved through contributions from the community?
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