[CQ-Contest] Maybe a better idea for certificates

[Don Field]

On the contrary, the problem will be in getting participants to accept the 
idea - I am amazed at how many IOTA contest participants expect certificates 
(or even plaques) for "winning" their country or other category that is in 
their imagination rather than the contest rules (we do mail certificates for 
recognised category winners, runners-up, etc.) - a certificate costs 
probably $3 to print and mail overseas from the UK, a plaque about $75 - in 
any other sport there would be an entry fee to cover such costs! Mailing out 
.PDF certificates would be much easier and cheaper.

But that raises another interesting point. When we have tried e-mailing 
results, etc. in the past, we find that between the time of the contest and 
the time of e-mailing, anything up to 30% of e-mail addresses are no longer 
valid (people constantly changing because of spam?) - that's a tough one to 
crack! So whatever system is adopted by contest organisers really needs to 
rely on any potential winners going to a web page to download their 
certificates rather than relying on an e-mail.

Don G3XTT
IOTA Contest Manager

On 8/4/05, VE5ZX <ve5zx at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > The method that I envision for certificate distribution eventually is to
> be able to access your results and then print your own certificate from 
> the
> contest sponsors website for those that are eligible.
> 
> Bruce Horn WA7BNM has developed something like this for the NAQP. I 
> received
> an electronic NAQP pdf certificate last month that was automatically 
> created
> and then I downloaded it. An example of a generic certificate can be seen 
> at
> 
> http://www.b4h.net/certs/
> 
> The technology is available. The problem will be to convince contest
> sponsors like the CQWW to use it. This will be a much more difficult 
> process
> since some sponsors have an established track record of ignoring the 
> wishes
> of its participants.
> 
> Syl
> 
> Sylvan Katz, VE5ZX
> Saskatoon SK
> 
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