23-09-2015, 10:23 PM
So, I have been thinking about this today. Apart from the urge to drive down to Robins house and leave the kit with him telling him to go on and do it himself, I thought it might be a good idea if people actually knew what Dave and I have to do for each tournament we are at, this is obviously on top of the other duties we do. If someone is wanting to get involved, then I'd rather they knew before, not like when others have asked before and found out what is involved and said no thanks.
A person doing this is going to need three things. A laptop (which will need to be set up with the software and drivers. Chess Scotland do not have their own, all the laptops we use are mine), a wireless scanner (I have 3, one on my phone and two I use in my day to day job), a car to get the kit to the event then back to storage after and optionally a projector (again I have one).
Firstly, you need a background in IT and know how to troubleshoot issues.
So take the Scottish as that was the last tournament I was at.
In the week before, the laptops being used need to be prepared. That involves making sure the software is on and up to date. FTP details need to be checked and a folder set up on the server for where the games are going to be transmitted to.
2 complete sets of batteries need to be recharged, we use 48 for the 8 boards rotating every 2 days. So thats 96. Batteries (plus a spare set in case one set fails).
On the day of the tournament, you are going to be one of the first there. If everything goes well it is going to take an hour to set up, I can do it quicker but to be honest, I have done that many tournaments I can troubleshoot very quickly. If not you are easily looking at 2 hours +
First job is to get the boards onto the tables along with pieces and clocks. Set the wireless transmitters up but don't switch on.
Set up laptop and receiver and check you have internet connection, you are not going to get very far without it.
Set up and connect the antenna. Ideally above the level of the boards.
Check the spectrum for the zigbee channel that the boards are set to, if it is congested, change the channel in the receiver using the dip switches and flash each transmitter to change the channel (make sure you have a laptop with a serial port for doing this!)
Switch on the transmitters and check to see if the boards are reporting in. If they are good you can go to the next step. If not, use the wireless scanner and check the area around the board looking for aps and other sources of interference. If all fails, move the board to an area that works.
You will have 8 boards connected now. You now need to identify each board and where they are. Fill in the section on the software.
Enter the players details and add the pairing,
Set the boards live making sure that you have ticked the box telling it to upload.
Set up the alternate displays so people on Ipads can see the games
Play starts, you then have to monitor the boards (we use a tablet so we can look at the position on the table v what is on the web). Any transmission errors need to be worked out so that the game transmits. It could be that a piece has been placed where it can't work out which square it is. Occasionally you can get a dead spot on a board (the board will then need recalibrating after, not a fun task!)
When a game finishes, check the scoresheet for any mistakes and correct as necessary. Complete the game on the software (this kills the transmission for that round from that board).
When the round finishes, rinse and repeat.
Finally the tournament finishes, Everything has to be packed up carefully and put away in the boxes and bags, then transported back to storage. You are normally one of the last to leave.
I have simplified bits a little but that is a good overview of what I do at a tournament. I am also arbiting and taking photos.
I have also left out connecting to TVs and projectors.
For using wired boards, it is even more complex
Putting this in a bit of context. Dave and I spent a day setting up the Commonwealth and a day packing up. We took a good couple of hours after play has finished at the Scottish with the 16 or so boards we had this year. One of the reasons I prefer the wireless boards, no wires!
So if this hasn't put anyone off, then David C and I would love to hear from you and we will happily show you how it all works at one of the Super 8 tournaments.
I do this because I enjoy it, but understandably I get annoyed when I see people complaining because I was not at the first 4 tournaments this year, 2 because I was not asked to and 2 for personal reasons. The boards will be back in use again this year and will be a feature at the Super 8 Tournament. For the record, I don't drive. I have to rely on others to help me transport the kit. Thankfully there are no shortage of volunteers for that.
A person doing this is going to need three things. A laptop (which will need to be set up with the software and drivers. Chess Scotland do not have their own, all the laptops we use are mine), a wireless scanner (I have 3, one on my phone and two I use in my day to day job), a car to get the kit to the event then back to storage after and optionally a projector (again I have one).
Firstly, you need a background in IT and know how to troubleshoot issues.
So take the Scottish as that was the last tournament I was at.
In the week before, the laptops being used need to be prepared. That involves making sure the software is on and up to date. FTP details need to be checked and a folder set up on the server for where the games are going to be transmitted to.
2 complete sets of batteries need to be recharged, we use 48 for the 8 boards rotating every 2 days. So thats 96. Batteries (plus a spare set in case one set fails).
On the day of the tournament, you are going to be one of the first there. If everything goes well it is going to take an hour to set up, I can do it quicker but to be honest, I have done that many tournaments I can troubleshoot very quickly. If not you are easily looking at 2 hours +
First job is to get the boards onto the tables along with pieces and clocks. Set the wireless transmitters up but don't switch on.
Set up laptop and receiver and check you have internet connection, you are not going to get very far without it.
Set up and connect the antenna. Ideally above the level of the boards.
Check the spectrum for the zigbee channel that the boards are set to, if it is congested, change the channel in the receiver using the dip switches and flash each transmitter to change the channel (make sure you have a laptop with a serial port for doing this!)
Switch on the transmitters and check to see if the boards are reporting in. If they are good you can go to the next step. If not, use the wireless scanner and check the area around the board looking for aps and other sources of interference. If all fails, move the board to an area that works.
You will have 8 boards connected now. You now need to identify each board and where they are. Fill in the section on the software.
Enter the players details and add the pairing,
Set the boards live making sure that you have ticked the box telling it to upload.
Set up the alternate displays so people on Ipads can see the games
Play starts, you then have to monitor the boards (we use a tablet so we can look at the position on the table v what is on the web). Any transmission errors need to be worked out so that the game transmits. It could be that a piece has been placed where it can't work out which square it is. Occasionally you can get a dead spot on a board (the board will then need recalibrating after, not a fun task!)
When a game finishes, check the scoresheet for any mistakes and correct as necessary. Complete the game on the software (this kills the transmission for that round from that board).
When the round finishes, rinse and repeat.
Finally the tournament finishes, Everything has to be packed up carefully and put away in the boxes and bags, then transported back to storage. You are normally one of the last to leave.
I have simplified bits a little but that is a good overview of what I do at a tournament. I am also arbiting and taking photos.
I have also left out connecting to TVs and projectors.
For using wired boards, it is even more complex
Putting this in a bit of context. Dave and I spent a day setting up the Commonwealth and a day packing up. We took a good couple of hours after play has finished at the Scottish with the 16 or so boards we had this year. One of the reasons I prefer the wireless boards, no wires!
So if this hasn't put anyone off, then David C and I would love to hear from you and we will happily show you how it all works at one of the Super 8 tournaments.
I do this because I enjoy it, but understandably I get annoyed when I see people complaining because I was not at the first 4 tournaments this year, 2 because I was not asked to and 2 for personal reasons. The boards will be back in use again this year and will be a feature at the Super 8 Tournament. For the record, I don't drive. I have to rely on others to help me transport the kit. Thankfully there are no shortage of volunteers for that.
"How sad to see, what used to be, a model of decorum and tranquility become like any other sport, a battleground for rival ideologies to slug it out with glee"