Electronic score keeping ???

Bob Johnson

Bob Johnson

Well-known member
Since the topic of electronic media has come up I have another idea that many will say is way ahead of the times. I am an apprentice judge with MAFCA. I have judged at a couple of regional meets. It seems to me that the use of paper judging sheets can cause problems. When the judging is done outdoors paper sheets have been known to blow around and could get lost. There could be problems or extra time taken to add up scores. The 5000 point system can be confusing when converting back to the 500 point system.

So, and don't everyone jump on me too hard, why not use electronic score keeping? Each team is given a spreadsheet with the tables for each car for their areas. They enter the scores into the spreadsheets as they judge the cars. When they are done their scores are transferred to a master computer and the totals are done automatically. When the judging is done a printer can print out individual scores if they are requested. Or better yet the scores can be put on a CD and given to each car owner. An even more advanced (outrageous) version would be to use an Iphone type application that would provide "Real Time" acquisition of the scores :p


Bob (ever pushing against the inertia of the way it has been)



Bob
 
At the last couple marc meets I judged at there was a spreadsheet used to tally the individual area scoring sheets. I'd stay with paper for the areas. That gives the chief judge the opportunity to better review the area scores, and check for discrepancies as the scores are transcribed to the spreadsheet...fwiw,jm
 
Mostly typos, if there is a particularly low score with out comment, or lack of information re: reasons, missing scores. It could be done electronically...fwiw,jm
 
Well, because there is other information (why points were deducted, deduction codes, and notes) that is needed to be documented, --and due to the infrequency of adjudication (once a year), the paper method is probably the best method at this time just because of the time factor. Based on the teams I have been on, the eraser is often the judge's best friend because while trying to focus on the car, a note or score is often times placed on the wrong line of the judging sheet, and after a few moments later when the error is noticed, an eraser is used to make corrections.

Maybe it would be prudent to say to all of you that are reading this, unless you have ever served on a judging team during fine-point competition, try to be careful in forming opinions as you may form the wrong opinion in your mind on how things actually happen.

,
 
Brent,

Everything you noted can be handled in an electronic form. There are electronic erasers :D. In addition automatic checks can be performed such as "red flag" tests, requiring comments under certain circumstances, ...

However the biggest problem would be the comfort factor. Many judges and entrants would not be comfortable with electronic judging. I believe that electronic judging will take over. But I can not say if it will be in 10 years or 50 years from now.


Bob
 
The comfort level is a big factor, for sure.

So lets see. $35 dollars is too much for dues. Kill the cash cow by making the RG&JS free or $30 on line. Purchase 48 laptops/ipad whatevers at $800 each (min) to use twice a year (one for each club for totals, one for each of the 23 areas). Add open office to each (free). Maintenance for each $??. Digital only magazines (shift printing costs to the member for articles wanted). Convince volunteers that two 8 hour video conferences are a good thing.

Just being devils advocate...free. Some of the above is possible...fwiw,jm
 
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