[UK-CONTEST] Win-Test

[Don Field]

Simon/Royce

Thanks for the interesting responses.

The client/server approach need not make an Internet connection mandatory -
StarLog (3B9C etc.) works the same way, but both client and server can be on
the same machine if required. But it does allow networking as a trouble-free
option. So the best of both worlds. By all means use MySQL as the local
database, I was simply arguing that XML is a better format for e-mailing the
log (where that is still necessary). A truly network-aware logging program
will also do away with all those panics about "Do I have the latest
Master.data, do I have the latest scoring system, so I have the latest
multiplier file, etc?" - you'll always be using the latest one
automatically, linked to the sponsor's site, or wherever.

It WILL happen, and probably sooner rather than later. But, yes, as per one
of the earlier posts, there are probably only a handful of amateurs around
the world who can make it happen.

73 Don G3XTT

----- Original Message -----
From: "Simon Pearson" <m0clw at ftml.net>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 4:48 PM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Win-Test


> 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
>
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