I've been working registration (among other things)
for 5 years or so. I do the web page, and have thought
a lot about doing online registration. I am involved
in automating the results process.
All this can be done. The hardware/software is
nearly trivial. But what's missing is a committed individual
to carry it out and make it work. People who are very
committed to autocross suddenly disappear, having taken up
new interests or moved. I'm pretty sure that the people who
were pushing online registration two years ago are mostly
gone with the wind. The simplicity of the required
software kind of misleads us into thinking it's a snap.
It's not.
My 30 years dealing with software applications has taught me
that there is no worse situation than to be dependent on
a software solution, but having nobody who really understands
it or is capable of changing or fixing it. Happens a lot.
Without a committed computer chief, one who will be at
EVERY SINGLE EVENT ALL DAY LONG, or have
co-chiefs who can cover the events 100%, it's doomed to
failure.. Consider what
happens if there is a computer failure after run group 1 has
started -- like a corrupted disk, or worse, a software bug that
eats registration records mysteriously.
Don't get me wrong -- it can be done. It just can't be done
without someone committed to give their all for two years
at least to get all the bugs out.
That's not me -- is it one of you? If so, then convene a
committee, come tell the SC about it, and make a system
that works. Keep the ideas flowing, but if they are ideas you have
for others to implement, nothing is going to happen.
Jerry Mouton mailto:jerry@moutons.org Laissez les bons temps
rouler!
----- Original Message -----
From: <Toy4speed@aol.com>
To: <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2001 8:36 PM
Subject: Informal Poll on "sort of" pre-reg. for autox !
> Hello Autoxers !
>
> Wanted to get an idea how many (if anyone) would be interested in a
process
> to speed up registration on site by confirming with me via e-mail your
work
> assignment, mailing me your $25 (made out to SCCA of course), so on site a
> separate line for
> pre-registered folks to show I.D. sign waiver, get wrist band, confirm
work
> assignment. Only checks accepted, but I suppose in the future we could
look
> at Paypal if the Steering Committee has no objections (enabling credit
card
> use).
>
> I'm guessing if we get the regulars preregistered (they usually know what
> work assignment they want), then at least 50 to 75 people breeze through
the
> reg. process pretty fast. No waiting for the line in case a newbie needs
> info on what class to be in, etc. We could actually spend more quality
time
> with the newbies and questions.
>
> Just a thought. Welcome suggestions/feedback/flames
>
> Don Lew
> Registration
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