As someone who is intimately connected with the development of the Tempus Software I appreciate the opportunity of commenting here.
When development of the software first commenced there were three simple design criteria...
1. It should WORK. 100% reliably, 100% of the time. This is STILL not true of most of the other systems in use and I'm sure we've all been at meetings in the past when the "Timing System" was blamed for something. Obviously the software cannot control Power-Drops or Hardware Failures, but other than that an operator will not have any issues with system accuracy. We HAVE proven in the past that the previous system used by the majority of clubs in the UK could actually be INACCURATE in the TIMING. This was totally unacceptable obviously.
2. Ease of use. The operators of these systems, in general, use the software once a month. Not every day as some of us will with Word-Processors or Inventory systems etc. Therefore familiarity with the system would not be as high as with most pieces of software. The other available systems vary in their abilities, but without exception EVERY one of the system, operators that have switched to Tempus have been impressed with how simple it is to use.
3. To give COMPETITORS more information. Trackside displays like the one used at Rowrah, http://www.cumbriakrc.co.uk/news_290508.htm are becoming more commonplace and the extra information available to drivers at these meetings (when clubs make it available) via personlised Driver printouts is second to none.
These were the three development criteria. I believe we succeeded. "Live" Timing is something that was only recently taken on-board. This was taken from the ability to have PADDOCK Live timing on a club's Intranet. TVKC at PFI have recently upgraded theirs to allow any competitor to download PDF's of Race Result, Lap Time Comparisons etc immediately after a Race from ANYWHERE in the Paddock via WiFi. This is, as far as WE know UNIQUE anywhere in Europe or the USA !
The basic simple problem that exists is that the version of "Live" Timing everyone is "seeing" now is a pre-release System. There are problems with a connection dropping which will sometimes lead to a "Freeze" on the web Display.
Currently, SuperSport are the only company able to supply the ERS+ results displayed on UK Karting (which I am sure most people would agree is probably the best Results system available Worldwide!) and when the Official Release of Live Timing is made later in the Summer it will be to the same high standard. Standard SETTING in fact.
To criticise the Super-1 or any of the clubs trialing these systems is, in my opinion, totally unfair. We are working hard with the Clubs and Major Championships to provide a better experience primarily for Drivers, Mechanics and Club personell. Many clubs in the UK have made MASSIVE steps forward in the last 12/24 months as many competitors will testify with, as Mad4Karting said earlier, Automated Emailing, Colour PDF's of Race results and Championship-tables etc.
A Full Release Version of "Live" Timing WILL be made later in the year. Until then we are reliant on 100% good internet connections which Wireless Dongles etc just do not provide.
I hope this goes some way to explaining WHY the "Live" system is not, at present, 100% stable on the web. It will be. In the meantime, I would just ask that you, at least, respect that the Super-1 and progressive clubs are making efforts to "improve the show"
Pete
|
|
super 1 results by 'crawford' (25 Apr 2009 @ 18:04)
