You may send regatta data on floppy using the export feature, via snail mail, to the address found in the program in the about option.

990702

• When using the program under Windows (95, 98, nt) it must run in a dos box.
• If you just double click one of the .exe files - to "auto create" a dos box, then that individual file opens, but the dos box closes when the program tries to spawn to another module.
• You must create a dos box. Then from within that dos box you can run the program successfully.

990418

• Heads Up - Avoid These "Gotcha's".
• On some computer systems the finishing time entry feature which indexes the hour automatically when the number of minutes decreases does not work "as advertised" - it arbitrarily indexes the hours. This resulted from an unrelated fix which caused the program to use more memory, in turn causing the auto index to fail on some systems. If this feature gives you trouble, then don't use this option. In stead, use the Update Finishing Times" option to enter your finishing times. It functions identically, but you have to type in the hour from the keyboard.
• On occasion it is necessary to not score an individual race in a series. For example, the Race Committee decided not to score one race (somebody protested the RC and the Protest Committee agreed). For this reason a flag/switch was introduced which validates each individual race. This validation is performed when you enter the starting time and date for an individual race. However, sometimes it is omitted. To correct a race validation, go into the starting time entry and make sure the race is validated.
• There is also an option to blanket validate all races in the regatta. This is crude but effective. If you have trouble, hit that selection just to make sure.

981130

• The web site was modified to provide a better explanation for setting up and posting race results to the web.

980930

• Program was casually tried under Windows 98. It appeared to function without difficulties, but formal testing has not been performed. We do not, however, anticipate problems. Windows 98 came up with over 600K of low memory in its dos box without any tweaking (recall that the program requires as a minimum 575K of low memory!). This in marked contrast to Windows 95, which has typically required a third party memory manager (such as Qemm or 386Max or Max8) to achieve the minimum required low memory (the dos 6.2/6.22 memmaker works fine, but it is not included with Windows 95).
• The program was recently used to score a major regatta - 200+ entries. The program worked routinely and with no hassles. That regatta was to be scored by an individual who was accustomed to using his personal favorite scoring program - and, quite appropriately the philosophy that "don't fix it if it ain't broke" was applied. The Regatta Scoring and Race Management program was reverted to when the other program failed to deal with the number and complexity of divisions and scoring options in this regatta.
• The Regatta Scoring and Race Management program routinely does lots of things that other programs can't even dream of dealing with. Not only that, it is free! (for non commercial use - is there commercial use?)

971108

• The problem of phantom boats showing up in the time cards was tentatively identified, and dealt with during the "Verify Time Cards" operation. No guarantees, but we feel somewhat certain that the trouble will be history. If the mechanism by which they were generated is as currently thought, then they are weeded out of the system automatically.
• If anyone has a data set which shows a phantom boat (sail number 0?) which messes up the results, I would appreciate it if you could either send me your data, but better, run the data on your system again, using the updated version of the program, starting with "Verify Time Cards", and then the calculations and printouts, to see if the phantoms have gone away. Please let me know your findings.
• In the Calcutta regatta type the number of divisions is now automatically set to more than 1 division, so that the incorrect selection of one division cannot cause trouble when assigning boats to the individual fleets.
• The link to the on line PowerPoint demo was removed because the on line demo didn't work over a phone line. Nice idea, Mr. Gates, but not everybody has a T3 connection, and as long as the background has to be loaded every single time a slide is changed then, . . . . . The downloadable PowerPoint demo works just fine, and it is worth you while to download it.
• Also, don't underestimate the usefulness of the documentation. It really helps to get a handle on the program.

971003

• Discussion of scoring program requirements added to documentation site. See "Program Requirements".
• It was a brief for discussion at a Race Council meeting of the San Francisco Yacht Club three years ago, at a time when there were complaints about the scoring program when the vast majority of the problems were procedural, and not program related.

970927

• Introduction - demo - the intro doesn't work well enough over the phone line. Don't waste your time on it. The version which you can download works fine.
• Identified - but have not yet solved - a very frustrating bug. A modified entry can leave phantom time cards behind which will show up in results as 0th place for boat number 0. Trouble is that this changes the scores of all other boats, so it is serious. We thought we had this one licked forever.

  This occurs when an entry is modified. Probably only when the boat description is changed, if time cards already exist. We think it is when the sail number changes, but the boat ID does not. The boat ID is computer assigned, and you should never even be aware that it exists (sail numbers are not unique).

  To modify an entry, never modify the entry in entries. Only delete an entry or ad an entry. That way you are safe.

  • Remove the entry under entries.
  • Verify Time Cards - this removes any time cards for entries which no longer exist.
  • Add the modified entry as a new entry - it is now a new entry as far as the computer is concerned.
  • Verify Time Cards

  Once these phantom time cards are in the system the only way we know of to get rid of them is to delete all the entries, verify timecards (now they are all gone), and re-enter the entries.

  We're working on the problem, but for some reason or other it is quite nasty to get rid of.

970706

• Introduction - demo - added to web page.

970616

• Some documentation was revised. In particular the Program Description was updated.

970424

• Removed a warning flag, as it was causing a very unpleasant nuisance.
• It is the result of specific memory limitations caused by memory allocations on perfectly good computers.
• When the minutes in finishing time entry decrease the hour increments (but it doesn't ask for hour entry every time). When this happened, a flag warned of this. Now it increments without warning. The second finishing time entry option doesn't do this, and can be used if you don't want to download the revised version (but then you will have to enter the hours on every finisher).

970329

• Fixed a benign bug in penalty point base assignment.
• Improved the installation program. The program now initializes before the installer exits to the external program menu. There were some difficulties encountered because the old method apparently was confusing.
• Thanks to all for pointing out those bugs, and for giving me your feedback. It is that interaction which makes the program better.

970318

• Another 'gotcha' in division entry fixed.

970317

• An obnoxious bug which was accidentally introduced (when I did a quickie fix, and didn't properly test) was (presumably) fixed. It was in the new finishing time entry routine.
• Sorry about that . . . . .

970315

• The Committee Boat Forms, and Race Packet section has been streamlined.
• This section had developed sort of as needed, and had never been organized from a user perspective. It is now much easier to use.
• Let me know if you would like to see additional improvements in this section, or anywhere else for that matter.

970302

• This version has a number of little things smoothed out. It is not a major update from the 961229 version, and is not the thoroughly tested version which we have promised.
• Since there were some niceties fixed, we thought we would get you these while we are testing the version which we hope will be stable for this upcoming season.

961229-C

• Make that the middle of March - Sorry about that. (am still buried in that project with the (real) deadline).
• Have not received complaints about the current version, so you can probably use it without reservations. Will properly test and post a robust version in time for the pre-season.

961229-B

• Logic Flow and Program Architecture Diagrams added in the Documentation Section.

961229-A

• Make that the end of January. (have gotten buried in a project with a (real) deadline).

961229

• This is an interim version of the program. There were some nasty operational problems with version 961212. The version worked, but tried to keep you from doing your job . . . . .
• This version is not well tested, but appears to have sufficiently well overcome the problems of version 961212. You are well advised to change to version 961229 if you are presently using version 961212 or 961106
• Don't hesitate to use this version, but don't expect it to be flawless.
• Please let us know of any troubles you are having. We need the feedback.
• By the middle of January there should be an adequately tested version posted.

961212-B

• Expect a 'new and improved' version in the beginning of January.
• Keep using your old version, or download the version in the individual files.
• The problem with the current version is identified, but the fix runs the program segment out of memory, and the fix therefore is not quite that simple.
• To use the present version, you have to specifically set each finisher to 'Fin'. Just entering the finishing time doesn't automatically do that, as it did before.

961212-A

• We're having trouble with this version.
• In the process of adding the multiple input station facility, a number of check flags had to be changed, and these are giving trouble.
• For the time being keep the version you have. If you are having troubles anyway, then do change over now.

961212

• Some bugs fixed in the automated starting time and course length entry.
• On occasion using the automated race info entry didn't "take", and caused trouble calculating the elapsed times, and thus the corrected times. We believe the error was dealt with, but please let me know if there are any problems remaining
• A description of the ORCA optimizing time correction method was added. This document can be accessed at the end of the ORCA introduction, near the links to the graphs. This is a fairly complete description of what to expect from the use of ORCA time corrections. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and download the file. You will have a much better understanding of ORCA time corrections if you study this document.
• Download the Adobe Acrobat Reader free from: http://www.adobe.com This is well worth you while,

961106

• Starting time and course length entry has been automated. When you enter the starting time and course length for the first division of a starting sequence, the other starting times and the course length are propagated to all divisions. The races in the sequence are also automatically validated. Since usually a starting sequence proceeds without faltering and the course length for all divisions in a sequence is usually the same (yeah, right) this expedites the data entry materially. Then, if desired, the individual starting information can be modified.
• All previous race information entry methods remain as before, so you have complete control.
• In the Front Office section, aside from addressing envelopes, the program now also prints a list of phone numbers for skippers in a regatta.

960811-A

• Brief On Line Documentation added.
• Some (most) were having trouble getting going with the program. This should help.
• Be Sure You Re-Index All Files before you try to get anything to work.
• Be Sure You Prepare Time Cards before you try to actually run a regatta.

960811

• The course length during race information data entry now defaults to the previous course length when passing through the empty field.
• Effectively, if all divisions sail the same course, you only have to enter the course length once.

960810

• The export and import features work correctly now - famous last words - but it works for me . . . . .
• Fixed some other piddeley stuff. (No, we never did win a spelling bee).

960809-A

• The export feature works fine, but the import feature fails to identify the data files on floppy reliably, and/or to overwrite the existing files reliably.

960809

• An Export feature was added. You can copy the data files required for regatta analysis to a floppy. If you have trouble with a regatta you are scoring, you can send us your regatta data via snail mail. This will help us improve the program.
• Together with the new Import feature you can move regatta data between computers on which the scoring program is installed.
  Be careful not to overwrite (upon import) boat and class master files which are more up to date than the files on floppy! The regatta data files which you are importing will over-write existing regatta data files, which have the same regatta id (that is how the computer keeps track of regattas internally) as the regatta id on the floppy. Even if it is not the same regatta.
• You can selectively decline to over-write each individual file.

960730

• Sample data verified as it relates to the enhancement of the 960729 version. There should be no discernible difference in the operation of the program, and the regatta samples and their results.

960729

• Initially the program was designed so that division level 5 was used for automatic overall. Then at some point in the evolution of the program, level 5 was made available for normal use, and level 0 was used for automatic overall. Level 0 was there anyway, but not being used. This introduced no end of grief, as the changes were difficult to intercept in all parts of the code. Occasionally a bug would still appear which made division 1 (that is an id internal to the computer) behave funny (well, funny if you have a certain sense of humor).

  During entry verification any erroneous division assignments are detected and corrected. This now includes erroneous assignments in level 5 to division 1. When time cards are then subsequently verified, only proper division assignments generate time card entries.

  It should make quite a difference under those circumstances where the bug expressed itself.

960726

• Fixed the Web index which had trouble finding the automatic overall result index mark.
• A problem was reported that the first division physically in the division file may end up giving garbled results. The work around is to rename the suspect division as a turkey division. Then create a new division to take the place of the turkey division. Assign the entries to this new division as appropriate, and use this division in lieu of the turkey division. Although sometimes the turkey division may be deleted, it is probably better to leave it. Give the problem a name and put a leash on it, that way you know where it is, and that it is tied down. The results which appear to be reasonable, are not affected by the turkey results, nor is the data on the time cards affected. The garbled stuff develops during result calculation through the malfunctioning of the access to an index file.
• If you need a Regatta Overall, and the automatic overall malfunctions, select 'any arbitrary divisions' in regatta setup. Then create an overall division in a higher division level, and assign all the boats to it. This now becomes the regatta overall.

960725

• Minor formatting change to HTML result files.

960723

• Minor formatting change to accommodate Netscape Gold 3.02 beta.
• Formatting seems to work correctly with NS 2.x up, and NS Gold 2.x up.
• Formatting seems to work correctly with Internet Explorer 2.x up, with the exception of the centering of text which IE does not necessarily support consistently.

960722

• Benign but quite disconcerting elapsed time gibberish display anomaly fixed.
• This occurred when all elapsed times for all divisions were displayed together. The program tried to print the division name, and there was - obviously - no unique division name.

960715

• Minor cosmetic change of the HTML Web results formatting.

960713-A

• For about 6 hours the regatta.exe file did not extract the prepare.exe and the prepare.txt files.
• This problem was corrected on July 13, 1996 at 2300 pst.
• Sorry about that.

960713

• Creates an html file when no regatta results are selected for posting.
• When no regatta results are selected for posting, the program must still create an html file to go to so it can tell the sailer there are no results posted, and to let him/her return to the home page. It used to leave the sailer hanging in outer space.
• Some other minor stuff fixed.

960710

• The preliminary version of the web module has been added to the program. It appears to be working quite nicely, but only use 'under fire' will tell.
• The program automatically creates a set of html files, which, when uploaded (ftp) to your web page directory with your internet service (isp) automatically posts your results on the web. Each race for each regatta can be accessed by clicking on a directory entry. This directory is part of the program output, and is generated specifically for each upload. Duck Soup.
• Please let us hear any comments or suggestions you may have.

960707

• Two of our cyber-sailers finally provided us with an adequately corrupted entry file that enabled us to track down a particularly elusive bug. On occasion, not always, after deleting an entry (as a result of a duplicate entry, a wrong entry, or whatever) the program would leave a skeleton behind. This would cause phantom boats to appear in the results, usually winning (their corrected times were 0). These phantom entries could be eliminated fairly easily, but not always. In the worst case, all entries needed to be deleted, and then re-entered.
• We believe that this bug has now been dealt a crushing blow ! ! ! ! !
• Some other tidbits have also been cleaned up and streamlined.
• This version is not particularly extensively tested, but squashing that bug, in our opinion, makes it important to provide you with this update immediately.
• The web posting module is well on its way to being operational. It is working quite nicely, but is not yet ready for posting.

960531-A

• Added a download link to an introduction to the scoring program. It provides a good background of what the program is all about. It is well worth your while to go over it.
• The Intro runs on PowerPoint for Windows 95.
• If you do not have Win95 available, let me know and we'll post a 16 bit viewer as well.

960531

• When changing the regatta description to no longer permit higher level divisions to be used, assignments to those divisions are no longer valid.
• The program now purges any higher division level assignments and higher level divisions when they are no longer permitted. The problem of mysterious divisions appearing seems to have vanished.
• If you change your mind back, and re-permit higher level divisions, then the divisions are no longer available (they used to be in cold storage) and must be re-created. Of course, division assignments must be re-done as well.

960502

• The Class Master File update was modified to leave the light bar on the last modified class rather than have it reset to the first record on the selection list.
• When a new class is added, it is immediately available on the selection list. It is no longer necessary to re index before the newly added class becomes available.
• The class selection list uses the short class name to both select and index the class. Thus, it finds Etchells as Etchells, just as it appears in the selection list. No longer resets the light bar to International Etchells, where of course you didn't find it initially.

960325-A

• Some problems were reported extracting the files prepare.exe and prepare.txt. These problems have been addressed, and you should have no problems henceforth. If you had problems, just download them separately, as indicated below.
  
• Some requests were received to permit downloading of component files, rather than the single monolithic regatta.exe file. Although it is easier to download the monolithic file, when necessary because of unix transportation problems for example, it may be necessary to download the program in smaller components. Accordingly there is now a section added to the download procedure to permit this. You will need to download 5 files. These can be transported on floppies.

  The files are:

  • disk1 (1200K)
  • disk2 (1200K)
  • disk3 (1000K)
  • prepare.exe (100K)
  • prepare.txt (100K)

960325

• Some warning screens were removed. They were no longer necessary, as their reason for existence had been corrected earlier.
• An unnecessary option for race result calculation has been removed, for the above reason.

960317

It appears that when we lost our motherboard, the disk controller died too, and that the data transferred to the internet was suspect. (note that this is an understatement .....)

The decompression appears to be working properly now. You should have no problem scoring your regattas.

Sorry about that.

Additional info on March 19, 1996
• The decompression routine was recompiled and tested and appears to be working properly. However, we'll believe it when we hear from someone that they have successfully downloaded and decompressed and installed the program. Either way, please drop a note to :
  regatta@bigband.com

  ---

  Notes as of March 17, 1996

• Minor code change in division entry
• New try at decompression problem - if desperate, try adding extension .exe after files disk1, disk2, disk3. Then decompress by running them, and copying all files to an appropriate floppy.

960311

• Division Levels can no longer be changed. Division Levels are now selected before divisions are created. To change Division Level, first delete the division to change, then create a new division at the desired level. This prevents mysterious divisions from magically appearing, when some entries incorrectly still have assignments to non existing deleted divisions. You must reassign entries to the new division as desired.
  
• Beep added for alert conditions.
  
• Division ID removed from Division listing.
  
• Division replaces Class in scoring method selection menu. Classes are types of boats only. Divisions are scoring groups of boats which compete against each other. Do not confuse the two.
• Help selection added which covers program/user interface. Strongly recommend you print this out and keep as permanent reference.

960219

• First Alpha Posting on the Internet