[CQ-Contest] QST...A radical thought?

[Ron Notarius]

Ward (et al),

I would think at least part of your idea would be very easy to implement.

Just add a new line to the outputted Cabrillo file format.  Call it
something like "Send Results To:" (yes, I know this would be somewhat
shorter in actual implementation!).  Placing your email address on this line
indicates that you want to receive the .pdf results file when it's released.

In theory, when the Cabrillo file is processed, these email addresses are
harvested and stored in a database.  Then when the results, or for that
matter anything pertinent to the contest, are released, they are sent to all
the stored addresses in the database.  There would probably have to be some
data validation involved (in making sure the email addresses are valid, or
aren't to services that limit attachments, and so forth), and I think from
security standpoint, once the results are released, the database should be
cleared... but those are details for the devil to worry about.

By extension, once this is implemented, it should also be easy (should it be
desired and should someone wish to do the work) to set up a similar system
so that anyone who wishes results from a contest or any other activity can
opt in, or out.  Heck, I handle two club newsletter mailing lists on
eGroups, er, yahooGroups that way with a minimum of fuss!

Of course, why do I have the feeling I'm not telling you anything really new
there, am I?

73, ron wn3vaw

----- Original Message ----- 
> Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2004 09:31:02 -0800
> From: "Ward Silver" <hwardsil at centurytel.net>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] QST...A radical thought?
> To: "CQ-Contest Reflector" <cq-contest at contesting.com>
>
> > Perhaps the answer to this line score thing is to offer a QST
subscription
> > in two forms.  One would be the traditional hard copy in its present
> form.
> > The other would be an on-line version with expanded line scores as  well
> as
> > traffic reports and all the stuff the ARRL says can't be put in QST
> because of
> > page limitations.
> >
> > Prices would either be the same or would be cheaper for the on line
> version.
> >  To limit access of the on-line version, I'm sure the computer  geeks
> among
> > us have excellent ways to limit access to only subscribers.
>
> And this differs from the current situation how?  As I see it, you
currently
> get BOTH of these options from your current membership: QST in traditional
> form and access by members to the full and complete Web-based information.
> This includes the traditional format of writeup+line scores as a
> downloadable PDF document.  Members get access to complete information
while
> non-members get summarized information.
>
> > How this would affect advertising?  That's a good question, best
> addressed
> > by N0AX.
>
> Actually, I have little administrative input or knowledge of this sort of
> detail - I just write 'em and red-pencil 'em.
>
> > Everybody would be happy, the traffic guys, the little pistols, the big
> > pistols and maybe even the staff at headquarters.
> >
> > I am going to the Tampa hamfest tomorrow and mention this to the guys
from
> > ARRL who will be there and see what their thoughts are.
> >
> > Bill K4XS
>
> Here's an idea I have proposed that has not been turned down outright, but
> may require some software development (read, expenditure of tight $$).
>
> For every submitter of a log, give them the opportunity to receive an
email
> with a link to the downloadable PDF document with the complete results
when
> they become available.  Click it and get it.  Additionally, put a check
box
> on their membership account page that would enable them to receive the
same
> email whenever any results become available. (This wouldn't just be
contest
> results, but writeups on special events, emergency tests, traffic handling
> summaries, and so on.)  There are a number of ways to get the information
in
> front of the ARRL member.  It just occurred to me that this sort of link
> could also go into the ARRL Letter.  Put people one click away from the
> results and they will get read.
>
> It could be extended to the idea of sending an email to every ARRL member
> whose validated call appears in the final data base.  It's a "Simple
Matter
> of Programming" - the four most dangerous (and expensive) words in the
> English language.  Imagine - "Dear WX1XXX - thank you for participating in
> the ARRL's ABCD contest.  Please click [link] to receive a copy of the
> complete contest results.  We hope to see you in the next one!  For more
> information about contesting and contest organizations in your area,
please
> click [link]."  I ask you if that wouldn't be powerful to a 20-, 30-,
> 40-something ham that represents the next generation of contesting?
>
> Ooh - another good idea. (How much coffee *did* I put in the machine this
> morning?) Include a link to the log search engine so that the reader could
> go immediately to a sorted list that finds their call and shows the
results
> sorted by region, category, and score.  I.e. - Sort of a Super Check Line
> Score - "Click [link] to see your score."
>
> Bear in mind that the ARRL is (rightly) concerned about sending unwanted
> emails to members so would have to be handled correctly and with full
member
> approval of any automatic mailings.  Furthermore, none of this can
increase
> magazine costs - the money just isn't there.  However, a well-defined
> package of software tasks based on existing functions has a chance of
> getting done.
>
> Nevertheless, the mechanics of information distribution is sufficient that
> it would be easy to put electronic line scores in front of readers.  If
you
> absolutely have to have the printed page, so be it.
>
> 73, Ward N0AX
>