[UK-CONTEST] Re: Computer Logs

[Ian White, G3SEK]

Chris Tran GM3WOJ wrote:
>I think we can eliminate 'young' newly-licensed operators from the 
>group of potential contest entrants who would be discouraged by having 
>to log of a PC.   I work in education and there has been considerable 
>effort and allocation of resources over the last 10 years to make 
>(almost) every young person computer literate to a certain degree. This 
>process is accellerating every year.
>
>So, we've narrowed it down to middle-aged or older, newly-licensed, and 
>resistant to computer technology

That's not totally true. When you upgrade to computer logging there is a 
definite knock-back in operating efficiency until you can drive your 
logging program instinctively, so that it doesn't slow you down. This is 
a new skill to learn, with little relationship to normal computer or 
typing skills. And even if you already use computer logging, your 
contest program requires a whole different set of tricks.

Among more experienced contesters, some may still be resisting making 
the switch because it will inevitably mean a spell of reduced scores and 
reduced enjoyment.

For beginners, computer logging is one more new thing to learn along 
with all the operating skills, and it does make contesting harder at 
first. Also note that 'beginners' can include entries from clubs, who 
may be operating a temporary station as a 'fun' entry and don't have all 
their act together.

The more experienced contesters will eventually either switch or fade 
away, but there will always be beginners.

In both cases, the way forward seems to be for the rules to provide a 
gentle but insistent incentive to switch - but definitely not to refuse 
their entries.

-- 
73 from Ian G3SEK