Rob Boudrie

I have a separate storage area for all my powder containers EXCEPT the one corrently in the hopper. The container for that one goes on top of the reloading bench. No exceptions to this == no errors.

Vince is not nuts, but. we don't need a constest since USPSA has just accepted delivery of a professionally revamped look & feel for the USPSA web site. I am currently integrating this into the site, and expect to have it released by February 1. No, it doesn't have everything but it will, in my opinion, be a major improvement. I like all of Vince's suggestions except making me the sole judge of new stuff - I'll be glad to comment on integration issues, however, what the graphic look & feel has needed (and is getting!) is a "fresh approach" from someone without a history developing the old look - that provides for more original thinking, as well as the perspective from someone who thinks "graphics presentation" rather than "underlying data management." This is one of the reasons I took a largely hands-off approach during the development of this new version of the site. Remember the old expression "don't dump cigarette ashes in my toilet and I won't pee in your pool?" - I told the graphics designer something similar - "Don't mess with my interactive upload and database driven features and I won't mess with your graphical presentation." But, due to financial constraints, USPSA has not hired this person to maintain the site on an ongoing basis, so that falls to me. If you are going to suggest hiring a web designer, please mention if you would spend down USPSA"s net worth, or if you are prepared to identify specific new sources of real revenue (not vague hopes of more in the future) to pay for the hire. I will caution everyone not to expect everything on "Day 1" - I need to strike a balance between releasing this quickly vs. converting all look & feel presentations across the entire site. At first, the emphasis is going to be on the areas where we "sell" (so don't expect the look of the "members only'" page to be a big priority item until the rest of the stuffis done). USPSA's goals seems to have mirrored what Kimel suggested - designing the page with an emphasis on new prospects and improving its capabilities as a sales tool.

The Match Director's control panel provides the ability to reserve slots in specific squads to be assigned by the match directory only, an to "lock" a shooter into a squad so he cannot move himself (in which case the word "locked" appears by the competitor name). So, the Match Director will retain full authority over super squads, if the match chooses to implement this concept.

What would you look for in a full time web developer? Graphic expertise, or software development expertise for data management? These are *very* different skills - a pure graphics designer probably would not be able to add features like point series processing, classifier upload and squadding support. A development expert probably would not be the greatest gaphic designer in the world. There is no easy solution. And nobody has provided a solution on finding the funds to pay such a person .

What I will be doing for Area 7 is offering to send access codes for all shooters in a group to a designated contact if a group of applications are sent in together with a note requesting this service. This one contact can then resquad. The system is designed to not only let you squad yourself with buddies, but also "shop" for the squad you want. I also expect it will encourage prompt registration, as it will be driven by an enforced set of policies, sparing the match director stories "c'mon, you know me.... can't you do SOMETHING ... it's only one more in the squad... how about juggling some other people around so you can meet my request." We're talking about pure first-come, first serve. I am not handling intelligent automatic moves - if you need to get someone to move, you'll have to ask. Or, just get your application in early . There are very few shooters who do not either have web access, or a shooting buddy who does. But... each match will be free to set whatever policies it wishes. The system will allow the match director to assign shoters to squads, so a hybrid approach is possible.

The USPSA Store uses a commerical order processing system which sends out confirming emails. If you have placed an order and not received one, I can check; make sure it is in the system; and see what email address you typed in when submitting the order. The actual order processing is done by Americart (www.americart.com), a vendor which specializes in secure commerce. I used this service instead of the Miva Merchant commerce package on our server, as this approach allows me to leave the security issues to a firm which specializes in such things. The last thing I want to have to do worry about is potential buffer overrun bugs if I leave a database connection port open on the USPSA server; get a new version of SSH; etc. There are improvements coming to the look and feel - which were done by a professional. That suits me just fine, and my main priority is creating new data management features like classifier and score upload; self serve squadding; etc. One interesting aspect of the volunteer development is we have been able to figure out the utility of a feature after it's delivered. If USPSA were going to pay a consultant on a per-feature basis, we would have to justify the expense. I won't assign a probability, but my guess is that getting a purchase order approved to add a new feature like "self service match squadding" would be next to impossible. I would love it if we had pros to maintain the page, and I could work exclusively on new features and special projects. I am constantly having to choose which project to take on - and the choice frequently comes down to "make this look prettier" or "add this functionality." So far, functionality has won out on a fairly regular basis. Rob

For the record, I think both USPSA and IPSC are better off being affiliated with each other, particularly since we are once again working together rather than against each other.

The way to handle multi-day shoots is to describe the times in the match description (which you enter in a control panel, and which appears on the squadding page) something like this: You will shoott wo half-days Squads 1-10 Sat 9AM and Sunday 1PM Squads 11-20 Sun 1PM and Sat 9AM Then, you list each squad under it's starting time. If you have a "mix and match" approach rather than fixed pairings of times, they you would need to configure two matches "Bigmatch - A" and "Bigmatch - B" - and require the competitor to sign up for a slot in each. The system also allows the Match Director to reserve slots in a squad, and to lock specific competitors in a squad so they can't move (translation: Match Directors can manager super squads if they wish). The only part I have yet to write is access control granting "control access" to individual match directors - currently, full web page administrative access is needed to configure a match. Adding that is a 1-2 evening job, which I will do once the benefits of the system are proven with Area 7. One more thing .... the penalty for not using the system is having your slot assigned for you

Ok folks, time for my latest scheme. This time it's "self service" major match squadding, which we will be using at the Area 7 Championship in 2004. Once we get a paid registration, we will mail (postal as well as email) the competitor an access code to pick their own squad. A test match (which does not really exist) is up at www.uspsa.org/squadding It all goes well with the Area 7 test of this system, USPSA will me making it available free of charge to any major USPSA match.

USPSA is already incorporated, specifically as a 501( c )(3) IRS recognized non-profit. There are two issues with benevolant dicators: Money and, more directly relevant, SASS and IDPA do not have the benefits (and drawbacks) of a "membership based" organization. Members to not elect IDPA officers, and the territorial governors elected in IDPA serve in an advisory role.

Bart Simpson once said "I have a fondness for the classics". So do I. You can't go wrong with a S&W Model 41 if you want a really fine target grade .22, but are not springing for an "exotic." S&W offers a number of knock-off's which bear a resemblance to the Model 41, at far lower cost. A truly fine example of "thou getteth what thou payeth for".

I caution anyone against drawing unflattering conclusions regarding Frank Garcia's operation just because he needed a multi-year contract. Hosting the USPSA Nationals would involve investments on the part of the range, which would needseveral years of amortization to make sense. I really hope to find myself at Franks range in Florida shooting a USPSA handgun nationals one of these years. Who knows - it may actually happen. Rob

"Perhaps a one-year contract with option years would be in order...that would be my first thought right out of the box, of course." That is, assuming the vendor was interested in such a contract. As was explained in the open session of the Orland board meeting, such was not an option - nor was any term shorter than 4 years. The other points are well taken. A $10,000 host city payment for a 500 shooter match is $20 per head, or about $4.00 per person/day - so I don't think it should be an overriding consideration... especially when you are comparing it to "lower" support, not "zero support." My *personal position* is that the multi-year requirement is what prevented me from expressing support for the Garcia proposal at this time. Absent such a requirement, I would have encouraged our president to further pursue this location. The term "bribe" is a loaded word which carries with it a negative connotation, and does not accurately describe the situation. The use of the term in this context is like using the term "bribing a police officer" when you in fact gave a police officer money to influence hm to sell you his used car.

Regarding the PASA multi-year deal ------------------------------------------ #1: I did not personally vote for it, but it is the current situation and I fully support USPSA honoring both the letter and spirit of the contract. #2: At the time USPSA entered into the multi-year deal with PASA, we a. did not have a guaranteed place which would host our nationals absent a new deal and b. did not have any other multi-year deal to contend with. If USPSA did not have an existing multi-year deal, I expect that Franks's multi-year deal would be much more appealing. To assert is that not accepting the Garcia offer in the presence of another binding multi-year contract already in force is the same as accepting a multi-year contract is just plain inaccurate. Also, the PASA multi-year offer came with a committment of CASH support which is a valid consideration, so I will move on to that topic: Regarding the "cash support" --------------------------------- The use of the term "bribe" to describe money paid TO USPSA AND NOT TO ANY USPSA OFFICIALS is an insult. Yes, Quincy provides financial incentive. In addition, the PASA range fee is less than Frank requires. Polk County FL has a financial assistance deal as well, but it is not as appealing as the Qunicy deal (and I also think the FL deal could be improved upon by dealing directly with a selected match hotel). USPSA is the purchaser of a service. It is very reasonable to consider price when negotiating any purchase - in fact, the failure to do so would be downright irresponsible. That being said, the cheapest fee does not necessarily mean the lowest total cost of running the match after accounging for all income and expenses. My questions to Alex: 1. Do you think that USPSA should consider the cost when evaluating a nationals venue? 2. Do you think that money paid to USPSA above the board in a contracted and legal manner is a valid consideration? 3. How would you handle the financial problems and risks present with a concurrent contractual obligations to two ranges?

Be careful with office store safes - some are designed to protect documents in the event of a fire and contain a lining which captured humidity and releases it to cool things down. In fact, so even recommend you air out the safe on occasion to prevent the paper from getting soggy. The real "gun safes" of at least 10 guage steel are OK, but there are a few top of the line modes with 3/16" steel, and the Liberty Yaeger with two layers of steel. (Most also offer a degree of fire resistance). Even one of these "premium" gun safes is not a "Commerically Rated Safe". The common gun safe rating is "UL Residential security container." The mininum commercial "rating" is "TL15" which means someone with tools they can caryr by hand cannot cut a 4" hole in the safe in 15 minutes of continually running tool time. Add "TR" to "TL" and add torch resistance. "TX" includes explosive resistance. An "x6" suffix means "tested all 6 sides". So, a TRTL30X6 is rated against torch and tools for 30 minutes on all six sides. Rated safes cost more, weigh a lot more (often measured in tons), often have less interior room, and typically are overkill for a home environment (you spent a LOT more to protect youself against the last .001% of burgulars - it's not like you're going to get him by a member of SAVTA) In any case, if you own an angle grinder, torch, other metal cutting tools or endoscope they should be stored inside the safe. It's really bad form to supply entry tools to the intruder.

USPSA President Michael Voigt spent a considerable amount of time at the last board meeting briefing the board on the pros and cons of the various nationals options, including the Frank Garcia offer. I was personally impressed by what Frank has to offer, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Although I cannot speak for Michael or the board, one very important factor which weigned in my personal conclusion that Michael Voigt made the correct decision under the circumstances was Frank's requirement that USPSA make a four consecutive year committment to hold a nationals at his range in order for us to book it for the 2004 nationals. This four year committment would thus increase the amount of "lock in." If there had been no multi-year committment required, I would have been actively encouraging Michael to place the 2004 Handgun nationals in Florida, and the 3 gun in PASA. Michael went to considerable effort to evaluate all details, including arriving in Florida a few days before the November board meeting so he could visit Frank Garcia personally to discuss options, pricing, contract terms offered, etc. I would really like to see a nationals at Frank's place in a future year when we would not be faced with the problem of multiple overlapping long term contracts. Other factors which must be considered are the discount/subsidy available on hotels, as well as the range fee of each venue. But, in my opinion, the four year lock-in was the "biggie." The complications regarding two concurrent multi year contracts are an example of how you need all the facts to understand the context in which a decision is made to be able to criticize from an informed perspective.

The $10 deposit for a waitlist slot is refundable only if you are not offered a slot. If you accept a slot when offered it's fully credited to you entry fee. If you are offered a slot and turn it down, the $10 is not refunded. This was necessary because USPSA HQ spent a *lot* of time last year contacting people who signed up on the waitlist but did not accept slots. This was so prevalent that the only reasonable conclusion was that people signed up for the waitlist on a "just in case" basis without any real intention of going. The $10 is minimal, but should increase the quality of the waiting list. As a separate matter, there are cutoff dates and refund policies for cancellation of a paid registration, however, I would prefer to let USPSA HQ speak to the details directly rather than risk "getting it wrong."

Plain brown paper wrapper ... return address which does not indicate Glock or Gun ... adult signature required. No wonder the UPS deliveryman thought my wife was signing for a package of "adult" products.

Providing a designated unloading area is a significant safety improvement, as competitors will be standing, facing an impoact zone, with their entire concentration on unloading/loading (Be sure the rule encompasses reloading upon leaving). Many of the clubs in Massachusetts already have such a policy (sometimes it's "report to any RO who will take you to a berm to clear your gun" - and yes, I know that's technically not supportable by the current rules). Despite a bad reputation and absurd limitations on what you can buy (no 1911 unless the name begins with an "S" - S&W and SVI only) carry permits are widely available in most communities and good statewide in MA. Absent such a rule, competitors will need to unload "discretely", which often means while seated in their car - ackward postion to unholster, no specific impact zone, etc.

Just remember, when there is a banging on the door and someone yelling "Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms", the approrpiate response is to yell "Great, another delivery!"

I recently saw the one of the locking lugs sheer off the barrel of a Glock 23 at a USPSA match. The shooter knew I am on the Glock certified armorer's list, so he gave me the barrel and the broken off lug and asked me to "give it my best shot." 7 days later I had a new barrel returned by Glock after sending in the old one - no protracted correspondence; no demand for proof of purchase date; no question about loads (factory at the time of the incident); no offer to sell me a barrel at a discount (as I have heard of another gun company doing when their stuff breaks). Just a replacement barrel shipped immediately, at no cost, and without any difficulty. The barrel had a replacement series serial number (L##### in the case of barrels, which is how you tell it's a factory replacement and not a swapped out barrel from another gun, in which case it would have ZZ### or ZZZ###, where Z is any letter, for the serial number). Well done Glock.

OK Michael, here it is... The incident Michael refers to was at a Home Depot when my wife, kid and myself were stopped when the beeper when off when we had one trowel and two tubs of driveway sealer in a shopping cart. Usually, I'd let things slide, but the clerk was a bit rude and started going through my property (the store did not own it any more since I had already paid for it) without asking, and was visibly offensive to my family. Using my best RO bearing, I politely but firmly stated "I do not consent to remain here on a voluntary basis, but I will not resist if you are placing me in involuntary custody. Am I being detained?" She told me to wait while she called someone, to which I responded "Perhaps you did not understand - I am not consenting to remain voluntarily and will leave right now unless you inform me that I am in custody. Am I your prisoner or am I free to leave?" The entertainment ended when the beeper stopped and she decided to leave. Let's just say the clerk would have been a bit surprised by the initial safety formalities if the local authorities were summoned to the scene . And if WalMart or any other store ever demands I empty my pockets, I'll offer to remain by the entrance peacefully while the real police are summoned. I'll leave being a sheep to the Democrats and liberals.

The AWARE Inviational will be held August 19-22 in Morissville, VT and will be hosted by the Green Mountain Practical Shooters - details at www.gmps.ws Just ask Phil Strader if you have any questions about the quality of this match.

If you follow the link in my post you can read the entire text of the MA law, which uses the term "license or permit." I would like to emphasize a particularly important point relative to visiting ANY state with firearms. The law does not delegate authority for match directors to decide what the law means, and any match official who claims to be able to issue their own "official interpretation" should be viewed with suspicion. I strongly encourage any competitor visiting other states to check with "official sources" (such as state run web sites or the actual text of the law), and not be satisifed with "so and so said it would be ok." If you want to know what Massachusetts law says on the matter, please follow the link in my post - do not rely on my abbreviated description, which has no official bearing and is not legal advice.

Fortunately, Massachusetts General (MGL) Chaper 140, Section 131G provides an exemption for non-residents who posess a license issued by any state, district or territory which does not issue licenses to felons or drug users to enter the People's Republic of Massachusetts for the purpose of a handgun competition. (see http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/140-131G.htm for the offical Massachusetts state web site on the topic). If, on the other hand, you feel a need to carry concealed while visiting MA you would need a temporary non-resident license to carry firearms which costs $50, and you *might* have in time if you apply ASAP. The state is pretty good about issuing these, but it backlogged on the record checks for all firearms licenses. If you want an application, write to "Firearms Records Bureau, 200 Arlington Street Suite 2200, Chelsea MA 02150" and ask for a "temporary non resident license to carry application". The "temporary" refers to the fact that it is a one year license, unlike the 4 year license for residents. The Area 7 Championship staff will be sending out an individually addressed confirmation letter or postcard to every competitor in advance of the match, so out of state residents will have "written verification" they are registered for this match. Competitors are also advised to have a locking device on the gun (which is much easier than getting into the finer points of exactly when it's required, since you're never prohibited from putting one on a gun in transport). Rob Boudrie USPSA Area 7 Director