I would like to suggest a few changes to scorekeeping. A7b1) In case of a penalty, the judge writes down the result taken from the timer, and next to it the penalty ("+2", "+4"...). I think that this should also be followed by and equal sign and the new result. Example: 17.63 + 2 = 19.63 There is a also a problem with this rule: A7c) The competitor is responsible for checking the result on the sheet, immediately after the judge has written it down. Competitors often do not do this. I think competitors should be required to initial after any solve, not just if there is a penalty. This will reduce the number of competitors who do not make sure the time is written down correctly and hence increase the accuracy of results. The judge has to initial anyway, so it will not add that much additional time. Any thoughts on this?

Agreed to all. I think this is being done at most US competitions now, anyways.

agreed too I'll adopt this at our next competition

Agreed, especially with score format for penalties. This way there's no ambiguity. Also, there's nothing in the regulations about spreadsheet formatting. I know Ron can be very picky about formatting because everything has to be a certain way to be entered into the WCA database. The WCA delegates are just supposed to *know* how everything's supposed to go, but that's not always the case (e.g. at Denver Open 2008, Dan Knights had converted all the times to seconds when entering scores into the spreadsheet. Tyson and I had to help convert everything back that night). There should be a resource somewhere, maybe on the WCA website if not in the regulations, that goes over all the details on how to submit a properly formatted spreadsheet, and is updated with any new changes (e.g. when we started recording competitor gender and birthdates). Maybe have an example spreadsheet that tournament organizers can download and use.

[quote="Shelley":v26rzu0l]There should be a resource somewhere, maybe on the WCA website if not in the regulations, that goes over all the details on how to submit a properly formatted spreadsheet, and is updated with any new changes (e.g. when we started recording competitor gender and birthdates). Maybe have an example spreadsheet that tournament organizers can download and use.[/quote:v26rzu0l] Yeah, I feel Ron's pain since I have been doing this in the US since the summer. I could write some sort of checklist that outlines what needs to be done for correct formatting. Essentially, all I have to do is revise the list Ron gave me. Where would we keep these materials?

Thanks for the feedback. I added Bob's proposal to A7b1. I am thinking about making a WCA Wiki that we could use for information about lots of things, including how to clean up an Excel sheet for posting to WCA database. I wish I had more time... It is easy for me to create a wiki on the WCA site, I just do not have enough time to set everything up. Someone? Ron

I can help you fill in that info since I know what to look for in the Excel file. I am also on Christmas break starting Wednesday...

I can also help you, Ron.

[quote="Bob":7jxr94td]There is a also a problem with this rule: A7c) The competitor is responsible for checking the result on the sheet, immediately after the judge has written it down. Competitors often do not do this. I think competitors should be required to initial after any solve, not just if there is a penalty. This will reduce the number of competitors who do not make sure the time is written down correctly and hence increase the accuracy of results. The judge has to initial anyway, so it will not add that much additional time.[/quote:7jxr94td] I would still like to see this change in the 2009 regulations. I propose the current regulations (below) A7c) The competitor is responsible for checking the result on the sheet, immediately after the judge has written it down. A7d) If the judge gives a penalty, then judge calls 'PENALTY'. The competitor must sign the score sheet. A7e) If the result is DNF, then judge calls 'NO FINISH'. The competitor must sign the score sheet. are changed to the following: A7c) The [competitor verifies] the result of the solve [removed text], and signs the sheet with name or signature. A7d) If the judge gives a penalty, then judge calls 'PENALTY'. [removed text] A7e) If the result is DNF, then judge calls 'NO FINISH'. [removed text] Notice the resemblance of A7c to A7b: A7b) The judge writes down the result of the solve on a competition sheet, and signs the sheet with name or signature. I think this is important for the integrity of results.

Hi Bob, Do I understand it correctly that you want a signature for each solve, even if it is not a penalty? Ron

This is already the norm here in California, and really isn't difficult at all.

[quote="Ron":3slb7fz3]Hi Bob, Do I understand it correctly that you want a signature for each solve, even if it is not a penalty? Ron[/quote:3slb7fz3] Yes. This at least prevents the competitor from walking away before the judge has written down the time and should force the competitor to make sure the time written down is correct. It should also eliminate the possibility that a competitor says a time is incorrectly written because the competitor has even more of a responsibility of making sure the time is correct. Note that this does not guarantee the time will be inputted correctly to the computer, but it is a step in the right direction.

Note that you don't need an actual signature, just initials or something. The point is not to make the competitor spend extra time, but rather to make sure they approve that the solves were written down correctly.