Help
My Bridge Club laptop has a copy of Richard Waugh's Round Timer on it, I recently replaced that laptop and I copied the Timer clock files across and it does not run coming up with the error message Component 'MCICONMENU.OCX' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered a file is missing or invalid. I went on-line and found a site with this software suggesting a free download and the setup file dowloaded had a virus in it.
Any suggestions on how I get the current copy running or get a new copy or get a reliable 'speaking' time clock that works?
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Round Timer / Clock Round Timer / Clock
#2
- Secretary Bird
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Posted Today, 08:38
Richard Waugh's Round Timer will not work on Windows 11. Unfortunate, that was a workhorse.
There are several alternatives - especially if you have a web connection. A quick search will (still) find them. Not sure of the "speaking" part.
I got annoyed, so I wrote my own replacement. It's *not* bridge-player friendly to install (but should be bridge-director friendly to use), because way too much malware is written with the same tools I would have to use to make a friendly installer. But if you know someone who understands "build a python venv for it and install the requirements", I think it's ready for at least beta test(*).
As far as "speaking" goes, check the readme for the sound folder.(**) It's "simple but flexible", and the same person who installed the python venv will easily be able to set up whichever of the basic sound sets you want to use. Or, you know, you could decide the person speaking has a horrible voice (or choice of phrases) and record your own.
(*) As in "it works. Fine. Multiple clocks from the same computer if you wish. The directors I've given it to have had no problems using it. But there are a couple of display bugs, no *automated* tests, and it still defaults to debug logging."
(**) Oh, and, I guess, "the main readme is old and out of date. Sounds do work, and have for 8 months or so :-)".
There are several alternatives - especially if you have a web connection. A quick search will (still) find them. Not sure of the "speaking" part.
I got annoyed, so I wrote my own replacement. It's *not* bridge-player friendly to install (but should be bridge-director friendly to use), because way too much malware is written with the same tools I would have to use to make a friendly installer. But if you know someone who understands "build a python venv for it and install the requirements", I think it's ready for at least beta test(*).
As far as "speaking" goes, check the readme for the sound folder.(**) It's "simple but flexible", and the same person who installed the python venv will easily be able to set up whichever of the basic sound sets you want to use. Or, you know, you could decide the person speaking has a horrible voice (or choice of phrases) and record your own.
(*) As in "it works. Fine. Multiple clocks from the same computer if you wish. The directors I've given it to have had no problems using it. But there are a couple of display bugs, no *automated* tests, and it still defaults to debug logging."
(**) Oh, and, I guess, "the main readme is old and out of date. Sounds do work, and have for 8 months or so :-)".
"Which is harder to find - a paranormal field agent, or someone competent who likes talking on the phone?"
"...You may return to your desk." "Thank you." -- Serena vs. Mr. Arthur, "Paranormal Helpline", EGS:NP
"...You may return to your desk." "Thank you." -- Serena vs. Mr. Arthur, "Paranormal Helpline", EGS:NP
#3
- hooked
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Posted Today, 08:39
Mike Rothwell has an excellent bridge timer available. It’s not free and it’s not round, but we recently installed it and love it! The players do too—well, maybe not the slow ones.
https://rothwells.we....com/timer.html
https://rothwells.we....com/timer.html
“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.”
"You need to play a lot of stuff these days just to deal with the stuff your opponents are playing" DBurn
"You need to play a lot of stuff these days just to deal with the stuff your opponents are playing" DBurn
#4
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Posted Today, 09:48
jillybean, on 2026-July-14, 08:39, said:
Mike Rothwell has an excellent bridge timer available. It's not free and it's not round, but we recently installed it and love it! The players do too—well, maybe not the slow ones.
https://rothwells.we....com/timer.html
https://rothwells.we....com/timer.html
Mike's software is available for free to EBU-affiliated clubs.
#5
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Posted Today, 11:28
jillybean, on 2026-July-14, 08:39, said:
Mike Rothwell has an excellent bridge timer available. It’s not free and it’s not round, but we recently installed it and love it! The players do too—well, maybe not the slow ones.
https://rothwells.we....com/timer.html
https://rothwells.we....com/timer.html
I saw that and that also wouldn't run for me. There's sooooo many bugs in these Timers/clock - why?
#6
- Group: Advanced Members
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- Location:Edinburgh
Posted Today, 11:46
jillybean, on 2026-July-14, 08:39, said:
Mike Rothwell has an excellent bridge timer available. It's not free and it's not round, but we recently installed it and love it! The players do too—well, maybe not the slow ones.
https://rothwells.we....com/timer.html
https://rothwells.we....com/timer.html
prescot_td, on 2026-July-14, 11:28, said:
I saw that and that also wouldn't run for me. There's sooooo many bugs in these Timers/clock - why?
Mike's timer runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and is used by the EBU at all major events so I don't think it is ridden with bugs. Mike has always been very responsive to requests for help.
What could be different in your environment?
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