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Q: I'm using a TimeMachine
to score a Swim-Bike-Run triathlon. How do I switch from
timing the Swim to timing the Run without stopping the clock?
A: There are 2 steps to do this:
Step 1)
Tap <Clear>, <Lane #>, <Enter>,
<3>, and <Enter>.
This makes select times go into the 3rd event.
Step 2)
Tap <Clear>, <Lane #>, <Lane #>,
<Enter>, <3>, and <Enter>.
This makes grip switch times go into the 3rd event.
Note: You must tap <Lane#> within
1.5 seconds after <Clear>.
If you are recording transition times, tap <5> instead of
<3>, (the Run is the 5th event).
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Q: If I need help,
can I call you?
A: Yes. I'm a self-employed computer consultant most of the time.
Lots of timing companies and individuals occasionally need assistance
when a race has caused them headaches because of unforeseen data
quality problems, or when they are using software or hardware that they
are relatively unfamiliar with. For example, one company needed to
convert a file from one format to another, and I handled it in less
than 30 minutes. Another wanted help with setting up for an event with
several waves of mountain bikers, and I was able to handle that in
about 2 hours. Another wanted help with configuring several laptops so
that they could network them for race registration.
For lengthy problems unrelated to quality issues with ElfScore for
Windows or SimpleScore
or TimeMachines,
I generally charge US$75 per hour, with a minimum charge of US$25. If
you are having problems with a race, you may need to ZIP the files in
the race folder and email it to me.
Of course, if you are calling to report a bug in ElfScore or
SimpleScore, or a problem with using a TimeMachine, I can't remember
ever charging someone to handle those problems, so feel especially free
to call and report those problems!
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Q: Do you help
RunScore users also?
A: Yes. I used RunScore before I developed ElfScore, and many
hundreds of RunScore users still use my RS-Tools, RS-Setup, DB2RS and
other programs. While I'm not quite as familiar with RunScore for
Windows, most RunScore users call me about issues such as setting up
for races, or creating a series of reports to handle some special award
system.
I generally charge
US$75 per hour, with a minimum charge of US$25. My assistance is
usually available on a first-come, first-served basis, with occasional
reprioritizing for emergencies.
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Q: How do I reset the TimeMachine
clock to 0:00 after a false start?
A: Turn it off, wait 1 second, turn it on, and tap <Clear> a
few times.
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Q: How do I retransmit times from a TimeMachine
during a race?
A: Tap <Clear>, <Setup> (repeat until
[RS 232 PORT] shows), then <Enter> 3 times.
If you're using ElfScore for Windows, you can make it retransmit via
the TM Control Center button. From any timing location form, select the
File|COM Ports menu option.
Note: You must tap <Setup> within
1.5 seconds after <Clear>.
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Q: I want to score races. What's the easiest program you
have for getting started?
A: My SimpleScore
program
($99), which is DOS-based, has helped dozens of people get into scoring
races. It's very
easy to use, yet can score triathlons, multiple road races and
cross-country meets. If you need a printing timer to collect times and
select times, check out the TimeMachine.
We use them.
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Q: Does ElfScore
for
Windows work with ChampionChip or Winning Time?
A: Yes. You need to have at least one (preferably 2) field
in your database called something like CHIP that is long enough to
store the chip ID, and a special file named BibChip.txt that stores
what chip ID(s) corresponds to each bib number. To assign the chip IDs
to each bib number in ElfScore, select Utilities | Maintain
Transponders | Import BibChip File.
To prepare for loading chip timing files for each timing location,
select Timing | Configure Locations, and designate each location for
which chip times will be loaded as
either a 'start', a 'finish' or a 'split' location. In addition, you
can
assign each timing location a code to designate which file it will get
its
timing files from.
You can also associate a start time with each timing location. This
time will be subtracted from all times processed for that location to
produce an elapsed time (since the start of the race). A location
marked as 'start' will keep the latest
time for an athlete, all others
will keep the earliest time.
Finally, to force ElfScore to auto-load
one or more chip timing files into a timing location, just get into
that location and tap [F7] once.
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Q: How do I download times from a TimeMachine
timer to ElfScore for Windows?
A: From ElfScore, select any timing location. Choose File
| COM Ports, select the COM port to use (usually 1 or 3), and then
select 'Open Port' and 'OK'. This makes ElfScore start listening for
data coming into the computer.
Next, on the TimeMachine, insert one end of the telephone cable in the
connection that says 'RS-232 port' above it. On the other end, attach
either the 9-pin or the 25-pin adapter to the cable, and then attach
this to the computer's corresponding serial port.
If this does not work, there are numerous other possibilities, such as
the TimeMachine buttons being programmed for the wrong locations, etc.
If you can't get it working, call Alan at 217.698.8600.
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Q: Setting up for races in RunScore is a pain. Is there a
way to simplify it?
A: If you don't have RS-Setup,
buy it ($50). ElfScore users can take advantage of the 13 or so
built-in ES_* directories, which have sample race setups for numerous
types of events (one race, two races, duathlon, triathlon, prediction
run,
marathon, etc.) as well as a folder for club administration (ES_CLUB).
ElfScore users can download the latest updates to these folders from
the ElfScore page of the web site.
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Q: How can I convert a dBase (DBF) database?
A: If you have ElfScore for
Windows,
just close the current event, choose File | Open, change the Files of
Type to dBase files (*.DBF), select the file and tap [Enter]. If you
are using Runscore, and don't have ElfScore, buy the DB2RS utility ($25).
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