I’d like to start a brainstorming thread on ways to distribute the data we collect. History and experience (are they the same?) has lead to this list. What other solutions might work?
External to event
Point and click. - SOAP will serve up all data via the WWW. All [you] need to do is upload the data into our db via SQL insert/update commands over an ODBC connection. We’ll setup accounts for wash & gmcia data providers to insert/modify their records. Once data is there, just refresh your browser and -poof- you’re all set.
1-800-xxx-xxxx Adrian Wong had prototyped a VoiceXML setup with some of last year’s data. I’d like to find out if he or someone else in this community can take the lead in applying this cool technology to scouting.
Paging / Email SOAP is continuing its development of the real-time paging service that took place at Motorola Midwest last 2 years.
Local to event
Print out - Who wants to bring a color printer?
Share the Access file and/or Excel sheet. 1.4 MB Floppy may handle some things, but if we add pix and stuff we’ll need a LAN and FTP or Windows Filesharing. 8-port Switches are dirt cheap so this shouldn’t be a problem.
Intranet Hey if we’re bringing switches anyway, might as well setup a LAN w/ Local Webserver. SOAP will have such at IL and EPCOT for the digitized movies. Also we will provide 802.11b WAPs for you to hop on at IL and maybe EPCOT.
Would any utilize the phone method? I’m curious, since most people would probably use the Internet to pull results, or just go directly to your scouting booth.
However, if there is still interest, I’m willing to pursue it.
Intranet Hey if we’re bringing switches anyway, might as well setup a LAN w/ Local Webserver. SOAP will have such at IL and EPCOT for the digitized movies. Also we will provide 802.11b WAPs for you to hop on at IL and maybe EPCOT.
your thoughts?
KA - 108 **
Would 802.11b be allowed at the event(s)? I seem to recall last year’s manual saying no RF emmisions other than robots, and cellphones. We have an old StarLan hub (48-port IIRC) that we’d be willing to bring to Sillicon Valley, and Nationals. We could also bring a box or two for serving databases and what-not. Personally, I know PHP and some PostgreSQL, and am willing to help with the scouting system however I can. Let me know what is best!
Would 802.11b be allowed at the event(s)? I seem to recall last year’s manual saying no RF emmisions other than robots, and cellphones. We have an old StarLan hub (48-port IIRC) that we’d be willing to bring to Sillicon Valley, and Nationals. We could also bring a box or two for serving databases and what-not. Personally, I know PHP and some PostgreSQL, and am willing to help with the scouting system however I can. Let me know what is best! **
Yes, We used 802.11b at 3 regionals and EPCOT last year with mixed results. We asked FIRST first and they responded that it’s ok 2 use. Of course, who knows what this year’s rules might say? Of note is that 802.11b and X10 camera don’t play very nice together…
Hubs aren’t as good as switches (has to do with packet collisions and bandwidth sharing). Also if by ‘old’ you mean it doesn’t support 100Mbps than -yikes- :eek: that won’t be effective enough to handle a video/movie server. I think we’ll have enough hardware for EPCOT. In some locations it’s even planned to use fibre optic cable!
Serving up local pages is not really needed, unless there is absolut ly no way to connect to the Inet at an event. For those of you with a ‘plus’ series of Nextel phones, or newer, you are never more than a few mouse clicks away from connecting to the Inet…so far as you have wireless web in your service plan. It’s not super-fast, but does the job for the size of data we manipulate.