[helene_t]

Last week we ran a trial with an electronic scoring system. Each table gets an electronic scoring pad. For 100 Euro per table we can get wired scoring pads. Wireless ones are 140 Euro a piece.

It's reasonable convenient but I wonder if the costs could be reduced. Everybody has a Java-enabled GSM these days. They can communicate with a labtop via Bluetooth.

It shouldn't be that difficult to write a an applet that could turn a GSM into a scorring pad. Is this a good idea? Any computer programmers out there?

[mfitch]

the distance for bluetooth is very short - so is your idea to store the results in the phone until it's convenient to walk near the laptop? SMS is usually not free, but another, perhaps easier solution is to send an SMS with a message showing results.

Personally, perhaps because I'm paranoid, I like the table top solution best because everyone can see what is being sent.

[helene_t]

Yes, I thought of storing the results in the phone and upload the results after the end of the tournament (possibly also in the pause if provisory results are needed).

[blahonga]

I don't really like the idea. First of all, everyone doesn't have a java-enabled gsm phone. If i had one i wouldn't want to be forced to download software to it when playing duplicate bridge. I also think that all mobile phones should be turned off at the bridge table, for obvious reasons. The phone interface doesn't really seem ideal for entering scores. Overall i think that a dedicated scoring system would work better.

/Mattias

[jdulmage]

Senseless - we all know how to read and write, the computer does the rest of the work - all we have to do is play the cards.

Too much money and allows for increased cheating by using the devices to communicate.

[Free]

I think the bluetooth scoring method is a luxe we don't need.

- Now when playing on a clubevening, you can make a comparisson of what other tables did. With that scoring method it's impossible.
- In huge tournaments it might come in handy, but it will just cost too much for the organizers anyway...
- The only advantage is that you don't get typo's anymore, and that the endresult comes 5 minutes sooner on a clubevening (and around 15 in a tournament). Is it worth the price? NO!

I'm not impressed of it's capabilities. What's wrong with a little paper and pen to write down scores?

[helene_t]

You're right, this was a bad idea after all.

[hotShot]

Have you ever entered scores, into the computer? The worst part is of cause the the handwriting of some players. Furthermore often the contract given and the result do not match. Not to mention that every player has to ask how long it will take until the result is there. Maybe players don't feel an urge to have such a system, but TD's would like it a lot.

At BBO we enjoy Barometer tourneys, something that is not so easy to organize in a local club. Such a tool would allow to show some sort of temporary score, during the tourney.

It is not jet the time for such a product, but it will come, very soon.

[joker_gib]

Free, on Apr 10 2005, 09:59 AM, said:

and that the endresult comes 5 minutes sooner on a clubevening (and around 15 in a tournament). Is it worth the price?

Certainly not because people will go home after the results and won't spend their money at the bar !

Alain