[CQ-Contest] Post contest log massaging (the issue in a nutshell - maybe?)

[kr2q at optimum.net]

Here is MY 2 cents, not in any way to be construed as having anything to do with any
contest committee with which I may be associated.

Some entrants (aka "competitors") have lost sight of what it means to be a competitor versus
what it means to be the judging/adjudicating body.

Entrants compete during the designated period.  After the contest, IMHO, they should NOT
be reviewing their log with the intent of finding "errors" for the purpose of CORRECTING
them.

The role of the judges/adjudicators is to review the log and find "errors" and, as appropriate,
apply the mandated deductions and penalties, yielding an adjudicated final score.

Attempting to classify various logged elements as "typographical mistakes" is simply a very
slippery slope.  If you log, KKKRRR as a complete callsign, sure, that is very likely a 
"typographical error."  If you log KR2QQ (me), is that a copying error or a logging error?
More difficult to say.  If you work NV6O but logged N4BO (copying error), should the entrant
review some database or other knowledge base (cluster, other logs, or other ops) and then
somehow "determine" that was really NV6O and CHANGE THE CALL after the contest ends?

I am guessing that "most" of us would not have an issue "removing" KKKRRR from the log
 (nobody is going to get dinged for that as a NIL).  I am guessing that most of us (but not 
all), would say that correcting N4BO into NV6O is out-and-out cheating.

Solution?  If possible, "No post contest changing of anything in the log."  I mean really, how
many KKKRRR errors are there going to be?  Enough to alter the place of finish?  I sure hope
not!  For me, both of the "other" types were errors made during the heat of the battle and
should STAND as an included part of the log.  That is what is genuinely REPRESENTATIVE
of YOUR ACTUAL EFFORT as recorded DURING the contest...and for me, that is what should
count.  

So, in summary....
Entrants should compete DURING the contest.  Judges should adjudicate after the contest.

de Doug KR2Q