Rob Boudrie

Postmaster - I never said the USPS job was easy. Despite the relatively common delays like 11 day "2 day" packages, I have never had them lose anything. My only real disagreement with the USPS is their assertion that their current 1/25, 1/16 and 1/12 rates of failure to provide the targeted level of service is good. The goal should be able to measure the service in nines (3 nines = .999, etc.). At present, nothing event meets the "two nines" criteria. Perhaps you can tell us - do you consider 1/25 missed deadlines on overnight mail a good level of service? Do you think this compares favorably with the on-time overnight record of Fedex, UPS and DHL overnight packages? On the plus side, the USPS is one government agency where all the employees seem to be working pretty hard. (And don't try to tell me it's private without explaining how a private company can print their own license plates, authorize selected employees to carry on commercial aircraft and have people prosecuted for offering a service that competes with the core offering).

The USPS offers more services, but falls down on several of the ones that have a direct private sector equivalent. USPS and Fedex both guarantee their overnight delivery (though, interestingly enough, USPS has more addresses to which they will not make such a guarantee), and Fedex will get it there the next day if you have it to a pickup center in the evening - USPS needs it at a post office by 10AM. Only one of these two services thinks "1 out of 25 late" is something to brag about. UPS will tell you the exact day a 2 or 3 day package will arrive. USPS will guess. Fedex and UPS online tracking is much more up to date, and contains more data regarding intermediate steps, than USPS on-line tracking. Only one service assesses a surchage if you want this tracking. Care to guess which . But, if your position is that part of the price we pay for universal service is a lower level of performance in other areas, I can understand the logic. That does not change the fact that the service is, indeed, at a lower level of quality. If I buy a gun for $X, I do not accept the premise that I should accept a lower quality for the money if the manufacturer selling me the gun is also busy making cheap guns and selling those as well.

USPSA announced: http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroo...08/pr08_049.htm Consider what this means: One out of 25 items on their "guaranteed" overnight service is delivered late. Care to guess what would happen to a Fedex manager if he claimed "1 out of 25 late" was good performance? One out of 16.7 items on two day first class service is delivered late One out of 12.5 items on three day first class service is delivered late And to think they acting like these performance levels are something to be proud of.

To what end? Illegal self-help retribution, or simply asking them to feel bad about it?

There are really three issues with any system: 1. Is it good enough to be useful? In the case of Peters program, the general consensus is yes. 2. Pricing issues 3. Platform If matches were well funded, a platform like the Iphone or Pocket PC would make loads of sense. One must also look at practicalities. Consider the nationals: 19 stages, masters, and a few spares means we need about 25 Palms to run the match. We've borrowed most of them, and have only bought 4 ($120) so we can replace any we break and give a "thank you" gift of an extra Palm back to each of the two clubs that have loaned us the units. Now, consider how far I would have got if I said "I need 25 iPhones (or Pocket PCs) delivered to the nationals MD several days before the match, and for use throughout the event". The real question is "how much life will one get out of a Palm application". My guess is at least a decade, since there are currently sold Palms that run it, and it's also possible to get emulation software that runs on the Pocket PC (www.styletap.com, $49.95 is one of several choices). If cheap Palms become unavailable, and there are no emulators for current generation products, I expect the vendor will move to meet the marketplace needs. But... at the present time, trying to sell it on a modern platform might be like updating EzwinScore so it only runs in 64 bit mode.

No, however, the MSS developer is a very competent individual and could easily add such support if the world leadership requests it.

And absolutely no proof they are the one that did it, unless it was with vehicle to vehicle contact or there is an uninvolved wittness.

I had an Area 7 application, shipped to a PO box, take exactly 14 days to me. A box of two slides, send "Priority Mail" from MA to TX in one of the USPS special two day boxes took 11 days, with no intermediate tracking info once it got to the major PO office near the destination. Rob

There is a lot of talk about what someone ELSE should do or fund but none of the critics are offering to actually do anything. Peter created this program on his own (actually he has a developer) with no funding from USPSA. All effort spent by USPSA staff has been fully paid for by Peter through an "unlimited for nationals use, forever" license granted in return for the addition of the EzWinscore integration feature. So, would one of you please step up and either write a program on the better platform, or provide funding for a developer to get started? This is very straightforward - set up a local Apache server, and write a PHP+MySQL database system to accept registrations from the palm transfer format, and generate palm transfer format input files to EzWinScore (MS weenies could use ASP+SqlServer). Then, all you have to do it get WiFi to each range; make sure every RO has a web enabled handheld; and keep someone on hand who is familiar with the nuances of each platform. It sounds cool, but I don't really think this is the kind of thing that is practical at matches. Just getting Wifi routers to cover an entire range could be a painful task, then you have to worry about supporting everyone's connection - and you've introduced a single point of failure (the server) that can bring the match to a standstill. It I thought this was viable, I would have already done it

While I have not spent time documenting the transfer files, the format is plain ASCII, not encrypted, and pretty easy to figure out. I'll even answer questions. I've told Peter that I will do absolutely nothing to undermine any of his property ownership in the program, however, I also told him that I will not add anything to EzWinscore for the specific purpose of preventing other people from interfacing their handheld scoring system to EzWinScore. I consider him a friend, but I represent the interests of USPSA and it's members, not AutoscoringSystems or any other vendor. If you are considering developing a handheld scoring program, you don't have to worry about having the rug pulled out from underneath you through the standard tactics (obfuscation, file format changes that are not required for any functional reason other than locking out third party vendors, cryptographic checksum, etc.) Peter's program took a very long time to develop since it includes much functionality not utilized when the Palm is used for "score collection", rather than match management or results calculation. I would guess that use with EzWinScore probably exercises less than 25% of the code. I know how to tell the difference between good and bad software, and this code is good. Under USPSA rules, handheld scoring systems for use with EzWinScore have to be approved by the USPSA president. I don't expect approval to be unreasonably withheld, but I would also encourage the USPSA president to not approve any new program for use at an Area Championship until it has a proven track record at local matches. So, if you want to develop a program for the Pocket PC, Tablet PC, Ipod or abacus, go right ahead. Once it's ready, you can announce it, and your pricing plan, on the Enosverse and chances are a new thread discussing your program will pop up. USPSA has never, at any time, considered spending this kind of money (or anything anywhere near it) on any kind of software. I would rate the chances of that happening right up there with the likleyhood of a USPSA contribution to the Brady group. I doubt USPSA will make funding such a project a priority since it's an optional "extra", and we have a backlog of mission critical projects to be completed. I think it's great that someone has stepped forward with a viable program and hope that the supply/demand equilibrium will sort itself out and it will become widely used - but, that's not my department .

Battery operated, $40 - I'll talk to Peter. It would be a lot of paper - regular sized sheets (or cutting from rolls), with two copies per shooter, but worth a look.

If you can identify hardware (scoring handheld and printer combo for a couple of $20s or less) that can do this cost effectively, please let me know.

Yes, this is still on for the nationals. Staffing, equipment, and logistical arrangements are all in place. The proper way to handle walk-ins is to configure several in EzWinScore, use them with a "Walkin" name in the Palm, and change the registration data in EzWinScore. The Palm Transfer window in EzWinScore contains an option to automagically generate walk-ins in blocks of 10 with two clicks (create and confirm). Manually adding a competitor to the registration in the Palm, and concurrently doing so in EzWinScore, is an inconvenient an possibly error prone process. The EzWinScore "missing scoresheets" page has a checkbox "remove noshows" which will mark all competitors without any entered scores as "removed from match", so removing the no-shows en-masse is a single step operation. As to financial support from USPSA: I do not expect handhelds will ever be mandated - even if the software were free, it's not going to fit every club's needs. If you have an opinion, relay it to your Area Director. I suggest doing so after the nationals as that will provide the ultimate proving ground for this system. Although I am a director, I will not be pushing for USPSA funding. I have free copies of the software for personal use, and for use at my home club, as part of the testing effort so it would border on a conflict of interest if I got up before the board advocating expenditure of membership funds. Besides, the real proof is convincing the non-technical membership and people on the board, not the computer weenies. USPSA would receive an escrowed copy of the source code in the event of any payment form USPSA (the "over my dead body without it" factor kicks in - but I know Peter agrees with the concept)

I use reading glasses, but I have never been unable to read the information I need from the screen of the IIIxe which from all I read is less visible than the M130. I've never been unable to verify a competitor number, time entered, etc. or had to accept anything on faith. That's definitely an issue, and I hope Peter starts a forum thread on the topic. USPSA has a license for the nationals as payment for adding the support for Palm scoring import to EzWinScore. This has already happened at Harvard Sportsmens in MA. You don't need on-site power to charge the units, and it won't help that much. If the unit is not charged at the start of the match you won't have time to recharge it between shooters. The bigger issue for me with rechargeable units is the fact that batteries get tired over the years and eventually don't hold a charge. This isn't a problem with a relatively new unit, but probably will be if you buy old one on ebay for short $$. There is a reason that Dell will not warrantee a laptop battery for more than one year, no matter what service plan you purchase.

The folks down under have delivered a new version that uses the Jones/McManus protocol for display of stage summaries. This will be tested at a local match and is expected to be the version in use a the nationals:

I expect it will also work on the newer Palms such as this one: http://www.palm.com/us/products/handheldsz22/index.html It's a question of economics. The old IIIxes are available for $25 or less each; new ones are $99 + tax, plus you have to deal with keeping the batteries charged. An area match needs about 15; a nationals about 25 (including the master and a few spares). A program that runs on the windows Pocket PC would require even pricier hardware.

Bad example - Kim Rhode is a rather well known name to those on this forum.

Thanks for the explanation. I will make sure that the manner in which this particular issue is to be handled is covered in RO training at the nationals. #1: We will have 2 stats people on duty throughout the nationals with golfcarts to roll in to the rescue in cases like this. This is easily corrected in the Palm, but beyond the scope of "basic RO training" that all ROs using the system can expect to have. #2: Absent the ability to have an on-site stats person summoned to your presence to fix it in the Palm, the appropriate action would be for the RO to write the hit totals down on your summary sheet and report the incident to stats so they can enter it into EzWinScore manually. No matter what the RO's do to fix any problem you have, make sure you get an RO-initialed paper stub sheet reflecting a score you feel is accurate. In the USPSA version of paper-scissors-rocks, a paper stub score (competitors get a carbonless copy, RO's get the original) trumps an electronically loaded score. Results stations at the vendor tent will be updated several times a day, and will include a "summary by competitor or member number" page to make it easy to check your scores. If you're concerned about lines, bring a wireless web browsing device (it will be a local web server, not internet access).

Ok George, you're on. See below . This one does indeed have it's limitations, particularly since we are using older Palms. All I can offer here is to encourage the ROs to make sure the shooters have a chance to see and verify the scores. As with paper, you can see individuals scores before signing your sheet but once it's signed, it's too late to claim "you fergut a hit". There are also some excellent implantable lenses for older eyes, but there isn't enough lead time before the nationals for installation and healing - besides, you've got another decade or so before you're at the age when those are generally needed. This is what George is referring to (and yes, the screen does scoll when a stage has more than 7 targets): I have emailed the developer down under asking him if he could prepare a new version that displays an "_" instead of the "0" on these lines. With a bit of luck, I'll hav ethis version in hand before the Harvard Sportsmen's match on August 10th, so we can run it through its paces before the nationals.

I'd be interested in hearing details, as well as what transpired when you told the range officer "I will not sign that scoresheet since it does not accurately reflect my performance on the stage".

If you want to get in before the opening bell, get an exhibitor ticket. If you want the vendors to take you seriously, get a retailer ticket.

The on-line ruling system is intended to provide THE formal process for issuing, and archiving, rulings that may be considered an official statement of USPSA. John Amidon offers opinions and answers questions from time to time, but if it's an important issue that could result in an issue (such as this basepad question), the appropriate mechanism is a formally issued ruling that becomes part of the record available to all match officials.

Obstacles: Organized oppostion from the gun banning groups - forcing the IOC to take a position on a controversial matter if they grant any recognition to IPSC. [Google for VPC Gold Medal Gunslingers] The UIT/ISSF position that IPSCs attempts for recognition by the international sporting community are to be opposed; their statement that any ISSF region electing an IPSC shooter as their representative will be de-affiliated, and that ISSF members shall not take part in practical shooting competition. Defeating the IPSC recognition request before the General Assn of International Sport Federations was a cover article in their newsletter, and they were particularly proud of squashing any possible competition for resources of influence in Olympic shooting. The IOC's postion that there is one organization representing all present and contemplated shooting events - the ISSF. The lack of big sponsor, media or ticket $ to make the controversy worth it to the IOC

It is easy to make a small fortune with a private shooting range. Just start with a large one.

Matt Mederios at the American Firearm School (www.americanfirearmsschool.com) might be able to give you some pointers. He's stuck far behind enemy lines in the MA/RI border, but runs a 6 lane 25 yard indoor range that always seems to have a wait in weekends - and a backlog of customers waiting when the 9AM-12AM USPSA match finishes up. Erich Thalheimer (thalheimer@rcn.com) is a member who runs a business doing acoustical consulting, and has done several sound studies for private as well as government ranges. In fact, I've been hired as a "designated shooter" on two occasions .