Okay, folks...I'm organizing a comp that happens THIS SATURDAY so I'm hoping I get a response in a reasonable amount of time, as I got two dilemmas. 1. Stackmat modification: A cuber has a really good shot at getting WR on a particular event and he has a VERY particular quirk regarding the timer, specifically that he covers the flashing and blinking lights and the display screen so it doesn't serve as a distraction. One delegate has informed me that this is disallowed in competition. The closest regulation I can find is article 8a7, which states: "The authentic Speedstacks Stackmat timer (at least Generation 2) must be used for time measurement". While I don't disagree with the ruling, I'd prefer to have something a little more solid to back me up to keep things moving (I'd prefer to spend as little time on disputes like this as possible). Besides, just by covering it with a sticky note, does it cease to be a Gen2 Stackmat? If that's the case, does that mean if the Reset button is worn through, that it's also no longer a Gen2 Stackmat? (ridiculous, yes, but some people will wrench technicalities to their favour if they can) What is the official ruling on this? And should it be stated in the current 2011 regulations? 2. Outside assistance during pops: While acting as judge, I've forcefully given the order to otherwise well-meaning passerbys, "drop it or he gets a DNF" (probably violating article 7e in the process, but nobody complained) whenever a competitor had a pop that caused pieces to eject out onto the floor. Would this be under article A5b, "While inspecting or solving the puzzle, the competitor must not have any assistance from anyone or any object (other than the surface). Penalty: disqualification of the solve."?

A5b covers your first question as the object used to hide the display are assisting the competitor. I remember Ron writing about your second question, might have been on speedsolving, and his answer was something like this: If a spectator picks up a piece and put's it down again be request by the judge, then the attempt would not be a DNF as this really is no assistance. But you as an organizer should not be responsible for any decisions as this responsibility is held by the WCA delegate.