Rob Boudrie

SSL is a pre-requisite for a secure website, but not in and of itself sufficient. Some sites (the Enos store, USPSA store, USPSA membership, `IPSC store, SVI, JP to name a few) run the site on a general purpose server and interface to a special "secure service" for ALL handling of the credit card - not even taking the number in on their server. Putting a SSL based cart (OS Comerce, etc) on a general purpose server that has ports other than 80/443 opened is a recipie for problems down the road. I'd guess that a fair number of stores use SSL to pick up their orders, but use plain old unencrypted FTP with the SAME PASSWORD to upload changes to the site. USPSA runs their charges through authorize.net. We use Americart.com for the store (Americart interfaces to Authorize.net), and directly interface to Authorize.net for the membership, classifier and nationals registration payments. Don't even think about building a direct Authorize.net interface unless you have some programming skill (you need to generate an MD5 hash) - but you can easily build a store using Americart.com and CoolCart.net to handle the processing (coolcart is a bit easier to use).

My personal thoughts regarding Single Stack : Single Stack Single stack was designed to be a home for out of the box 1911s. Although we wanted to make certain improvements permissable, the goal was not to provide yet another division where custom work became implicitly required. If the division evolves to the point where "A 1911 is a nice gun, but to really be competetive you need to buy a super expensive high-end 1911 with features you just can't put on your out of the box 1911", then the board will have failed in that goal. If you don't like this approach, I suggest your comments also let the board know if it's the goal that you disagree with, if don't think we are doing the best possible job of implementing the goal. Actions are best evaluated by seeing how consistent they are with the goal being pursued. Single Stack was deliberately introduced as a provisional divisoin with a trial period. This was done explicitly so we (a) would not have an implied obligation to continue the division if it did not work out, and ( we would be able to change divisional requirements without the constraint of "people have money invested in this division." Put simply, it's kind of hard to "mess with" a provisional division. Limited 10 I voted in favor of keeping it.

Linux is great for some things (you're using it to read this) and make a great second system (especially if you are use a 2 port KVM switch so you can use one monitor/keyboard/mouse on both). I keep an XP box as well as a Linux box running a duplicate copy of the USPSA web server as two of my development machines at home, and use XP in the laptop on the road. The Microsoft apps are so ubiquitous that you're always going to be playing catch up when you use a Linux box for any purpose other than a specialized system for designated tasks. Now that virtual machine technology is viable, there's always the option of running both on a single box. It reminds me of the old joke: A customer comes into the computer sotre complaining that an application does not run on Linux. The service rep loks at the box and says "See, here is says Windows 2000 or better". The customer replies "yeah, I know - Linux is better so it meets the requirement."

That's not the only mistake - the video closes with a suggestion to visit USPSA.COM. Fortunately, that's an alias for USPSA.ORG, and those viewing on-line will have already found the address .

It doesn't matter - I'm just curious. So far, USPSA seems to be the only organization that exists in the realm of 501©(3) with a member elected president and board of directors. I just want to know if we have company

Does anyone hav info available on the organzational structure? Is it non-profit, for profit, or unincorporated? Do IDSA members get a vote or is this another one of those organizations where only the founders get a say in the running of the organization?

Considering the new makeup of congress, I would consider anything less than 20 to be a woefully inadequate personal supply

I just checked the database, and we have the following prefixes: A - Annual B - benefactor CA - Charter Annual CAL -Charter Annual Life (CL members get a CAL number if they upgrade to life) CL - Charter Life F - Foreign FL - Foreign Life FY - Five Year FYF - Five Year Foreign HCL - Honorary Chaiman Life (Special prefix for Jeff Cooper) L - Life RD - Regional Director (you get this prefix and keep it if you serve as USPSA president) S - Danged if I know, but we only have one of these TY - Three year TYF - Five year [edit: Three Year Foreign, I believe]

Yes, but this customer also wants to be sure he is dealing an RKBA type. I do special projects on the side, but I don't take on "paid work" since my full time job keeps me busy when I'm not doing one of my gun related computer projects or USPSA business. This looks like an ideal chance for some technoweenie to code up the $$ for a gun on the side.

#1: The revolver rules to which you refer were PROVISIONAL - it was printed right on the rulebook. These rules were represented as PROVISIONAL specifically so that changes could be considered without the implied burden of not changing the way things had "always been." #2: The .356TSW issue occurred many years ago when a previous USPSA president declared that claiber to be limited legal while he was attending an Area Championship. This statement was made outside of the official process, and should never have been presented as an official USPSA position. USPSA has subsequently tightned up the procedures for issuance of "official rulings" on equipment, and we now have a defined process for "formal rulings". When mistakes are made, we try to learn from them.

He's one of us, but this brings up an interesting story - Years ago, a local was trying to put a gun club out of business (he eventually succeeded when the gun club ran out of $ for the lawyer). Before the club ran out of money, the club's attorney asked the other side, during sworn deposition, if he had hired or arranged for an individual to join the club for the purpose of obtaining information from membership meetings. After hearing "you have to answer the question", the plaintiff answered "yes."

I am not expressing disappointment you did not fly to Atlanta, but I was hoping a local member would be able to come over to the hotel to watch and report it to the forums. When the minutes come out, the time of motions to enter and leave Exec Sesison, if any, will be reported. Anyone can then calculate the percentage of time spent in exec session. Believe it or not, sometimes BOD meeting occur without any Exec Session. Opening up business negitiation strategy planning doesn't work when you 15,000 members and it only costs $40 to join. I'm sorry not everyone agrees, but if USPSA is negotiating a sale or purchase I do not want the planning sessions to be available to the party on the other side of the negotiation table. I doubt if would have served USPSA's interest if a Google could have found "The USPSA Lot is listed for $X, but the board has instructed the Executive Director to accept any offer of at least $Y." I don't remember any explaination previously offered as to how we could have disclosed this in open session while effectively exercising our fidiciuary responsibility to the membership.

Are you suggesting that we allow members to observe: Discussions regarding financial terms offered by various nationals venues, as well as the incentives/discounts offered by the communities looking to host said events even before we have received all bids? USPSA bought a lot years ago, did not build, and eventually sold the land. Should the board have permitted anyone with a membership to view the discussion where Dave Thomas was given direction as to what size offer was sufficient for USPSA to accept? Should discussion of personel and staffing matters be open? If the board needs to discuss possible litigation - either as a potential plaintiff or defendant, should discussions regarding the matter be open to members? If USPSA is discussing sponsorship or royalty arrangements with a vendor, should those talks be public before the deal is done? The answer to the above question is either "YES" or "NO". If the answer is "NO", the issue at hand is "what should be kept in exec session?". If the answer is "YES", how do you suggest dealing effectively with business and legal matters? Things change over time. When I was elected, meetings were closed - period. One of my goals was to open them up - which happened, although it took a couple of years. Despite that, NOBODY took advantage of this opportunity in Atlanta. Compare this to other shooting organizations (SASS, IDPA, TSA) that not only have closed board meetings, but do not even permit "members" to vote. There are a number of things USPSA does to maintain accountability: Elections are run by an independent CPA firm (costing thousands more than a do-it-yourself election), and we have a full audit every year where the external accounts show up at HQ for a week or so to go over the books - right down to checking reciepts against expense reports.

Board meetings are closed under the bylaws unless the board adopts a policy to open them to members. BUT.... we have adopted such a policy. All a member has to do is contact Dave Thomas 30+ days in advance of the meeting to reserve a seat. Seating is on an "as available" basis. The hotel conference rooms we rent always have room for a few observers, but if 100 people sign up we're not going to re-book the room - that's why you need to make reservations with Dave Thomas. I have never seen executive session used for items other than when such confidentiality is clearly justified: salary/performance reviews of staff, disciplinary matters, industry negotiations, and financial negotiations are the only ones that come to mind at present.

I tend to wonder about anyone other than a one person ebayer using PayPal for their funds collection (Brite Strike uses Paypal for their on-line store).

The common reason for 9 round magazines for ban states is tolerance. Manufacturers are not taking a chance that tolerance stackup on the parts, spring compression, etc. will let you squeeze in that 11th round in the magazine.

Sure Fire will discontinue supply to any on-line vendor offering their product for less than full retail. But, they are the only flashlight company which repeatedly signs on as a major sponsor of USPSA matches which is a huge plus.

There are many wonderful places in the US. Unfortunately, it does not appear you will be visiting one of them.

Not only that, but IL law specifically grants localities the power to pass any gun laws they wish with no pre-emption at the state level. There are even towns that banned handguns with absolutely no grandfathering (Oak Park and Morton Grove come to mind).

Chicago has had a ban on civilian posession of non-registered handguns, and has not accepted civilian registration for handguns since 1982, so I doubt you'll find much.

1/2" groups at 100 yards with iron sights - no wonder you're sponsored.

If you have a Colt bushing with three prongs, it means opne of the prongs has broken off

There National Association of Shooting Ranges (which I assume is a branch of the National Shooting Sports Foundation since they share the same address) lists a bunch of noise consultants at http://www.rangeinfo.org/supp_cons.cfm One of these consultants, Erich Thalheimer, is a USPSA member and was in charge of noise (or perhaps, in charge of quietness) on the most expensive public works project in US history (the Boston Big Dig). I've seen a draft of one of his reports for an outdoor range which include a topological map style plot of noise contours. He can basically produce any analysis you can afford .

Non again, please...

Check out www.fsguns.com which is a bit north of Boston and open on Saturdays. They don't carry IPSC gear, but a small shop with an incredible density of stuff. Persons buying guns generally have to wait in line to fill out the 4473. If you visit, say hello to Holly whose generally in the back room but will come out if you call her.