[UK-CONTEST] Win-Test

[Simon Pearson]

Quoting Don Field:
> Actually, what we probably need, platform-independent-wise, is a Web based
> logger, XML-based, that could therefore lend itself to single-op, multi-op,
> single-site, multi-site, etc, etc. Could run directly on the
> contest-sponsor's server, and results could be out in next to no time after
> the contest. Anybody starting to develop anything less than this nowadays is
> really so 20th-century!

Great idea Don and these ideas have been discussed amongst us 
young 'ens before... But I wonder if and when such a system 
will be implemented? XML would be ideal but perhaps a more 
simple method (that could be introduced in the not too distant 
future) may be utilising PHP with a MySQL back-end, like Royce 
suggests.

Having a web-based system is a bonus for all... It opens up 
all sorts of possibilities, most of which won't be realised 
until such a system is implemented and in place. It would, of 
course, be reliable (as long as the web server stays up) and 
more importantly, cross-platform. No more log crashes. I 
personally know of a few Linux users who have to boot into 
Windows to log QSOs! (*sigh*) I guess the only program you'd 
have to run is something to control the CW/voice keying and 
CAT control... The only problem I can see with that set-up is 
if the web browser has the focus (and thus the program which 
controls the CAT and CW/voice keying will lose the focus) then 
hitting the F-keys to send messages will not work. Unless 
someone can find a way of implementing it into the Windows 
shell, but then we are not talking cross-platform....

With a web-based system, like Don/Royce suggests, it could 
actually be very exciting as there could also be the 
possibility of seeing real-time scores from competitors. Quite 
a motivator (if you're 'near the top'). There is also a chance 
of being able to see the frequency of stations in real-time.

As each station's logs would be stored on the remote server, 
the log checking could be very fast and results could be 
posted very soon after the contest date. There'd be no need 
for any hard work for the contester in question (an added 
bonus for non tech-savvies) as the logs would be stored in the 
[MySQL] database which the contest organisers would, of 
course, have access to. The other advantage is that *all* 
competitors logs would be available making log cross-checking 
very easy and near instantaneous. No more 'missing logs' from 
stations which I know causes some contest organisers headaches...

The only disadvantage of such a system would be the 
requirement for Internet access by the competitor. Quite a 
task if you're contesting from a portable location or indeed 
operating in a country where Internet access is unavailable, 
slow or darn right expensive.

Anyway, a very interesting idea, and I hope a system like the 
one described will be with us in the not too distant future.

73,

-- 
Simon Pearson
/// M 0 C L W