Discussion: Errors we have made

In the discussion about "Is North Always at the Top of the Map" Brian May kindly didn't mention any names when telling the tale of the sideways writing on the map that caused the kids to make 90 degree errors. But I'll fess up - it was at Barebones and it was me that did this. I was so proud of the wonderful layout I had created with the fancy sideways writing until Brian pointed out the problem and pride quickly turned to horrorfication.

But organizers are always making mistakes and I want to give a plug (again) for the Barebones Errors we have made webpage:

I'm not proud of the mistakes that we've made - though some of them are pretty funny (like when we had the download station programmed as "Clear") now that a bit of time has passed ;-) But I do feel it is important to be honest and open about the kind of mistakes that are made so we can learn how to avoid them in the future.

So have a look at our mistakes (you can even see a copy of the wonderfully laid out sideways writing) and see if the list helps you at all.

And what mistakes have you made that could be informative to other event organizers?

Thanks, Adrian. That is interesting to read.

A few of my more memorable epunching adventures:
1. US Champs 2000? Day 1: First big event with epunching. Not using start box, and I had imported all of the start times in the incorrect format: 00:09:00 instead of 09:00:00, so everyone had times many hours too long. Got a start box out there after people started downloading and the error was discovered, but a couple hundred people had already started, so all of the start times for them had to be manually changed. Was using a donated 2 laptop network, but only one laptop was working.

2. US Champs 2000? Day 2: Sent out a "start" box right away, but it was actually a Clear, so people were having to hold the epunch in the box the length of time it takes to clear. Figured this out after about 100 starters, and sent correct Start boxes out. This time, I had to read the Clear boxes for the Start times and manually enter those times, because the start time in the computer was still the 00:09:00 instead of 09:00:00. Again, all on one laptop while we were also trying to get people downloaded.

3. Local Manassas meet: used SI Config for one of the first times to program controls, and accidentally programmed about half of the controls, including the GO as Clear controls. I pre-ran, and was very confused why some of the controls were taking so long to turn on. I didn't download right away because I had to get things set up. Once I downloaded, it took me a little while to figure out why there was nothing on my card except the Finish.

We ended up sending everyone out after explaining to them that they would have to hold their epunch in a little extra at some controls. That night, I read all of the boxes and reconstructed everyone's splits. Only one person missed getting a time at a control.

Si Config has since changed it so it at least prompts you if you try to make a number above 31 as anything but a control. It will still let you program a Clear as 31+, but it prompts you first.

This is an awesome thread! maybe the list of errors should be sent to all the NA clubs, so useful.

and by the way, despite the fact that Brian pulled a 90 degree (thank GOd for that otherwise he would have made us all look like super slow pokes), that layout looks AWESOME!!!

we got the start times matched up to the wrong days on the bibs for the Scottish 6 Days 2007, oops! Lots of emailing later and don't think it turned out too bad...
and at the same event we were trying to print bibs on the day at the event, day 1 was in a sandy barn and the sand clung (via some static) to the bib paper which rendered the paper useless for the week as it wouldn't take the ink from the printer. 'bib' definitely became a dirty word that week!

'bib' definitely became a dirty word that week!

Reminds me of my one (and only) attempt at printing bids for a track & field event about 15 years ago. I printed a test on the color printer and soaked it in water. The ink did not run, so I decided to go ahead, which I really had to because I didn't have any other numbers. I was printing until 4 am the night before, after having to get more ink from an 24 hour superstore.

I finally got them done, and I was so proud of my efforts. However, on the event day, it rained like crazy, and the ink didn't hold up to rain water, so there were streaks down everyone's shirts. One woman still reminds me about this every time I see her.

Barbie, I believe the fact that I have made almost every imaginable epunch related mistake over the years is why I know how to fix all of the mistakes now. Kind of wish I had come by my knowledge less stressfuly, but I have always said I that I learn best "hands on." :)

Haha well Valerie it's because you're a genius that you haven't had a total disaster yet and you've been able to fix every mistake you've made. If it would have been me I would have started crying and everybody would have gone home from the event with no time or splits at all!
I need all the help I can get, haha! not that smart the Barbie

In January 2006, I set a sprint series event where I advertised 3 sprints for one entry fee. I wanted to fit the 3 maps on one sheet of 11x17 (inch) paper, and the only way I could do that was to print one clue sheet sideways.

Sharon Woods "South" map

It's shocking how difficult it is to use this map and clue sheet. Almost every control has a "SE-side" type modifier ( O. ), and having to do that 90-degree rotation just about makes your head explode. Normally, of course, the clue sheet is already aligned to the map so you don't even need to translate a direction; or it's somewhere else, like the back of the map or on your forearm, where it's separated and requires a glance at the compass to translate.

(Also, this is a pretty boring sprint by my current standards (too few controls). At the time I could only use about 25 or 27 SI controls, and the 3-sprints went in different directions from the start so sharing controls was not easy.)

Last year I linked two maps together (Rocky Ridge and Hilton Falls) for a 10K training event for an upcoming Salomon DontGetLost.ca Giant's Rib Raid. The north lines didn't line up from the two maps so I erased the north lines on one of the map sections. BUT I forgot to extend the lines on the other section so the printed map on race day had half of the map with NO north lines. Oops

It was odd that only 10% of the participants picked up on it though.

that's a good sign they were reading the map as opposed to just using compass bearings ;-)

I read an article once that said an expert carpenter was one who could fix his mistakes without the customer noticing. Valerie, that is why you are our SI expert.