Race Log for Sailboat Racing


 
 
 

Overview...

Race Log is designed to manage the registration process and scoring of one-design sailing regatta's.  It provides up-to-date, on-going standings for a whole season of one-design sailboat racing.  Results are easily printed, emailed, or published to the internet.  Registration includes PC based and internet based. Network fleet files can be stored and shared among remote race managers. Conforms to the new Racing Rules for 2005 - 2008 ( including Tie Breaking, New Penalty Codes, Scoring Penalty).

Feature                                                   Shareware   Version        Pro Version
Unlimited number of fleet files        
Unlimited number of Racers        
Unlimited number of Races        
8 Scoring Methods        
Tie Breaking        
Publish Results to Internet - 3 folders        
Publish Results to Internet - 15 folders        
Regatta Registration & Reporting        
Archive Fleet File        
Import External Data        
Online Registration with Paypal or mail-in        
Download online registration data        
Network Fleet Files        
Nag Screen        
Technical Support        
Deliver Race Log CD        
     

Regatta Registration
On-Line Registration
Network Fleet Files
Import External Data
Scoring
Publish Results to Internet
Racing Rules Support (2013 - 2016 Rules)
Technical
Enhancement List

Regatta Registration and fleet management...  

  • Use Race Log to enter sailor data for your seasonal fleet or regatta - the sailor data is then ready for entering Finishes
  • Sailor data can be entered directly into Race Log registration screen, or you can set up On-line registration. Sailors register for and enter data for the regatta on the internet. The data is then downloaded directly into Race Log.
  • Keep track of all personal and sailing information for fleet members (name, address, phone, email, local contact, birthdate, gender, sail number, class, division, membership, boat name, regatta payments, comments for extraneous information such as T-shirt size, Class membership, National Association membership, and much more).
  • Create reports include mailing labels  (2 column, or 3 column Avery - #8160, #8161), active scoring sheets for the Race Committee, detailed fleet lists, registration status report, Payment reports..
  • Create your own customized reports - save and reuse your report layouts
  • Save Event information such as Race Committee names, Event location, dates, etc.
  • Search and Sort the fleet data by any field for easy management of large fleets.
  • Unlimited number of fleets, sailors and racers.  See the new Documentation with screen shots for more detailed information.
  • Automatically invoke the "Racing View" when you are ready to enter Finishes and calculate Score results. 

On-line Registration...

  • Capture the same information as described above in Regatta Registration, and do it on-line
  • Sailors enter all the above data on the internet. This saves you the effort at the busy regatta check-in..
  • Data is then downloaded directly into Race Log.
  • All the reports, mailing labels and scoring features described above in Regatta Registration are available.
  • On-line Regatta Registration form can be created, customized, and uploaded to internet from Race Log setup screens.
  • ELB Software will assign you a folder at the Race Log website where you can direct sailors for on-line registration, so you don't need your own website -- www.racelog.com/register/YOURREGID. This must be assigned to you by ELB Software. Send a request email to elb@racelog.com. (assigned by ELB Software to prevent unauthorized use - - this is different from the user assignable "Results ID").
  • Optionally accept on-line Registration payment using PayPal. This is more than a simple "Buy Button". The Paypal processing is implemented with all Paypal features to ensure identity and a successfull transaction including Paypal's "Instant Payment Notification", IPN feature. This allows a back-end database or file to be updated with data from successful on-line registrants, and later downloaded into Race Log.
  • Detailed instructions are included for setting up a Paypal Merchant account. All HTML for Paypal processing is generated automatically by Race Log, with customization screens for entering your Paypal "Email address" (your account id with Paypal), Paypal "Identity Token" (generated for you by Paypal when you set up IPN), and Regatta event information.
  • Paypal is an optional payment feature. Regatta Fee payment can also be accepted by mailing in a check. Race Log setup screens allow you to enter Mailing Address, and other Regatta information for this option.
  • Online Registration features are accessible in Registration View only.

Network Fleet File.. 

  • Manage a fleet remotely with a shared fleet file. This allows geographically dispersed regatta managers to enter race data and create score reports using the same fleet file stored on the internet.
  • A Network File ID is assigned to you by ELBSoftware which sets up a folder on the Race Log website where your data is stored -- www.racelog.com/netfiles/YOURNETFILEID. Send request to elb@racelog.com. (assigned by ELB Software, and not publically visible to prevent unauthorized use - - this is different from the user assignable "Results ID").
  • Any number of fleet files can be stored here for sharing with other regatta managers.
  • This is also a handy place for sailing clubs to backup their fleet files, since they often get lost as scoring responsbilities move from person to person each season.
  • Network Files are accessible from both Registration View and Racing View.
  • "Check in/Check out" capability is not available so be careful to not over-write someone elses work on network fleet files. Will be available and sent to customers in new release.

Import.. 

  • Import data into Race Log from other sources - spreadsheets, other scoring programs, any file
  • Data can be - csv file (created from spreadsheet), comma delimited, "anything" delimited
  • Race Log Import screens allow you to specifiy what delimiter is used, whether Quotes are used to separate fields, and whether there is a Header record.
  • Since there is a variable number of Race Finishes in a Race Log file, you can specify how many Races to import. Some import files may have only Registration data for example and no finishes. So in this case you would select "0" races. The number of Races selected for import has no effect on entering additional finishes later in Race Log data entry screens
  • Import accessible from Registation View only.
  • Drag and Drop to create Import Map
    • Import file must have same number of fields in each record, empty fields are OK
    • Quoted fields can have a delimiter within field - "Smith, Ralph" - comma is ignored in this quoted field even if it is the delimiter
    • No "escaped" delimiters, or escaped "Quotes" allowed
    • Ability to save the Map to a file.

Scoring... 

  • No limits on number of Racers or number of Races, or on number of fleets.
  • Compare this year's standings to last year's standings. You can have several fleet files and scoring reports open at the same time.
  • Its easy to change Scoring Methods. Determine the best scoring method for your fleet: Compare results using several scoring methods.
  • Supports the following scoring methods as outlined in "Yacht Race Scoring" by F. Gregg Bemis:
    • Low Point Method
    • Low-Point Averaged Method (as described in the latest US Sailing "International Yacht Racing Rules").
    • High Point Method
    • High Point Average Method
    • High Point Fixed Method (pre-set high score for win)
    • High Point Fixed Average Method
    • Bonus Point Method
    • Squares of 40 Method (for Snipe's)
  • The following scoring options are automatically calculated to determine fleet standings. Each scoring method can be fine-tuned by your Race Committee to explicitly control:
    • Throwouts percentage, or number of races
    • First Place points (.75, 1, or any other number)
    • Penalties for DNC, DNS, DNF, DSQ, OCS, BFD, DNE, RAF, RDG, SCP, ZFP.
    • Determine whether penalties are added to number of Entrants, Starters, or Finishers.
    • Determine whether DNC's are counted in score calculation
    • Minimum participation requirements for each race to determine whether a race will be scored
    • Minimum participation requirements for each sailor to determine Series eligibility
    • Minimum score for a sailor who is disqualified or who did not sail in a specific race
    • Points can be manually overridden to compensate for redress, etc.
  • Enter Finishes by Drag'n Drop, or have Race Log prompt you for each Finish.
  • Error checking is performed to ensure the above options are satisfied, and to check for scoring inconsistencies, such as duplicate finishes or missing finishes, or finished higher than participants.
  • Insert Penalty or missing finishes - Race Log will automatically adjust other finishes - this is big time saver for large fleets
  • Divide fleet into separate Divisions and/or Classes  
    • Break out by selecting Top Finishers
    • Bread out by selecting from the "Class" or "Division" field ( score "Junior" division or "Red", "White", and "Blue" division separately
  • Accurate, complete, and automatic Tie-breaking through all finishes
  • Team Racing - automatically extract separate TEAM SCORES from race results to create TEAM Standings.
  • Score Selected races as opposed to whole fleet file of races. Easily keep track of season standings and specific weekend standings without re-entering fleet data.
  • Create your own View with screen and report formats - specify which Fields you wish to view
  • Optionally identify Thrown out races in score report, and show total points before and after throwouts.
  • Many additional capabilities such as sorting data, searching data, viewing results before printing,  saving multiple copies of score data


Publishing / Printing Results...

  • Print - Format report directly to printer, provides control over size of font, automatically formats with bolded titles and column headings.
  • WordPad format - creates print file and then opens Windows WordPad ( the lite version of a Word Processor which comes with Windows ) - document can be edited and then Printed using WordPad Print functionality.  The print file can be distributed by email.
  • HTML format - creates print file, previews output in internet browser format.  Report can be printed from here, or automatically published to web at click of a button.  Race Log users can create a UserID.  This becomes a folder on the Race Log website where results are upload.  The results are available to anyone on the internet at http://www.racelog.com/results/youruserid.  This eliminates the need to find your busy computer guru to upload results for you.  The print file created can also be republished or emailed to others.
    HTML format (web format) reports can be combined into a single report by dragging and dropping report files. Multilple Division's or Classe's results can be viewed as one report.
  • Email score results directly from Race Log. When viewing your score report in HTML format you can click the "email" button to fill in the email details. The currently opened report will be emailed directly.
  • Comprehensive Documentation with Screen Shots  
  • Developed by Computer Professional who has been an active sailor in Sunfish, Thistle, Tartan 10 and other Class sailing.

Race Log's support for the new rules as specified in "The Racing Rules of Sailing 2013-2016" - Appendix A - Scoring

  • A1 - required number of races - Race Log allows specification of minimum % of races sailed
  • A2 - throwouts - Race Log can specify a % to throw or a specific number of races to throw
  • A4 - Low Point and Bonus Point scoring methods - Race Log also supports Low Point Average, and several variations of the High Point scoring method
  • A4.1 - Bonus Point Method - supported
  • A4.2 - Penalties - supported, and also customizable
  • A5 - Scores determined by Race Committee - Race Log allows a great deal of flexibility in setting penalty values, and allows "over-ride" points to be applied
  • A6 - Changes in Place - Race Log automatically re-sequences when inserting penalties into a finish sequence, also re-sequencing is not done for "over-ride" points
  • A7 - Race Ties - Race Log allows for actual points to be entered which can be equal to the finish of another boat - see "over-ride" points in Documentation
  • A8 - Series Ties - fully supported in Race Log since version 3.3, and upgraded to 2013-2016.
  • A9 - Series Longer than Regatta - You can specify whether a penalty is based on number of starters, finishers, or entrants
  • A10 - Redress - Redress can be given by entering "over-ride" points to one decimal place
  • A11 - Scoring Abbreviations - The new penalty codes are supported, in addition to fleet files containing the old penalty codes or abbreviations
  • Rule 89.3(b) - a DNE indicates a non-excludable (non throw-out) penalty - supported
  • Rule 69.1 (B) (2) - DGM, Disqualification for Gross Misconduct under Rule 69.1 (B) (2), not excludable - supported

 


Technical...

  • Windows XP, 7, 8, 10 
  • 21  meg disk space to install
  • access to internet required for upload function

Upload / Publish Results to Internet....

  • Automatic upload of results to internet - hosted at Race Log website - users can select a User ID which creates a personal folder on the Race Log website.  Results can be uploaded to internet at the click of a button.  

    Check to see if your desired UserID is available.  

    Select your User ID from the "Options" menu in Race Log (either the Registration View or the Racing View).  Your User ID can be selected, and your folder at the Race Log website will be created during this transaction.  You must be connected to the internet during your Race Log session.

    Uploading or your race results is done by selecting the "Web Format" on the "Print" screen.  When you attempt to upload, Race Log assumes you are connected to the internet. If not you will get an appropriate error message.

    Your uploaded results are viewable on the internet at "http://www.racelog.com/results/youruserid".  The print file created by the upload process has a extension of ".htm", and is saved in the \Rlog\reports directory on your computer.  The file can be printed again, uploaded again, and emailed to others.  This file can be uploaded to other websites as well.

    If you have entered an "ISAF ID" for any of your racers, their name will show up on the results report as a "link" to the biographical information they established at the International Sailing Federation website ( www.sailing.org ).

    The Shareware version allows only 3 results reports to be uploaded since you will have up to 3 folders and User ID's.  The next time you upload to a folder you will overwrite your previous upload to that folder.  You can upload as many times as you wish.  The upgrade to the Pro version allows 15 folders each with a unique name..

    If there is a connection problem when you attempt to upload, just try again.  The Race Log website is hosted by one of the many commercial web hosting companies.  The hosting company, not ELB Software, is responsible for maintaining adequate performance and availability. 


    Most Recent Enhancments to Race Log

Race Log 3.8 (4/04/2016)

  • Upgraded internet access capability for Results Upload, Email Results, Network Files, and more
  • Fixed bugs for Race View.
  • Im Fixed bugs with Extract function in Registration View
  • Restored Reports to Registration View

Race Log 3.6 (4/30/08)

  • Added ability to 'email' score report directly from the Report view in Race Log. You can access this from the Reports/Upload window
  • Improved usability of Reports window, and Upload window
  • Fixed Upload bug in Pro version relating to setting up and using of UserIDs.
  • Improvements in Registraton Version - Can open a new registration file, or
    can create a new registration file when another registration file is open. User
    will be prompted to save and close the currently opened registration file.
  • Same behavior is added when Converting a file after importing. The imported file will be
    opened automatically, with a user prompt for saving and closing the current file.
  • Fixed appearance and usability of Menu buttons across top of screen.
  • Added DGM (Disqualification under rule 69.1(b)(2); not excludable) scoring code
  • Fixed problem with printing sailors with ISAF ID

Race Log 3.5 Build 13 (9/18/06)

    • Fixed loading of a "Map" file in the "Import External File" feature (Registration View). The saved Map information was not being displayed. Now the saved Map is properly displayed when Opened.
    • Added ability to see previously used "Report Files" when printing score results to a file (Racing View). This makes it easier to reuse existing report files, and to save separate reports before uploading to internet.
    • Fixed long standing problem when printing to "Web Format" which is used when uploading results to internet (Racing View). The HTML used to generate the Table was missing a few HTML tags. The reports printed fine, however they could not be "cut and pasted" onto another html file because of the improperly formatted Tables. Now score reports can easily be "cut and pasted" to combine multiple reports into one Upload file. This can be done using any HTML editing tool.
    • Added ability to "Combine" multiple result reports into one report for printing or uploading to internet. (Racing View). This allows for combining mulitple Divisions or Class results into one single report. Each report is generated separately, then can be easily "combined" by dragging the files you want to combine. A "preview" screen allows for reviewing the content of the files, and also preview the "combined" report. This features requires that reports be generated with this build (13) or later due to improper html tags mentioned in above item.
    • A "Save As" function has been added to the report preview screen for web format reports.

Race Log 3.5 Build 11 (6/30/06)

    • Completed all Online Registration capabilities including complete Paypal integration and setup, and ability to easily customize Online Registration Form without requiring knowledge of HTML, and automatic upload of Form to internet.
    • Network Fleet Files - Added ability to Open/Save/Share fleet files on internet.
    • Added ability to save the Import Map defined in the Import External File process. The map can be reused.

Race Log 3.5 Build 9 (3/3/06))

    • Added ablity to Import external data into Race Log fleet file format.

Race Log 3.5 Build 6 (2/11/06)

    • Added ability to "Use" a UserID (for publishing results to net) which has already been established on the Race Log website. Formerly this was a problem for new installations of Race Log, where a UserID was already established on the internet but could not be accessed by the user of the new Race Log installation.
    • The above capability is coordinated with the new ability to "Create" a new UserID at the Race Log website, and then capture it in Race Log via the "UserID" menu selction (in Registration View, or Racing View).
    • Easier access to the "Upload" function (for uploading Results) from a button on the Menu Bar in Racing View.
    • Open existing Results Reports directly form new Menu item and Menu Button for viewing, printing and uploading. Does not require a fleet file to be opened as previously required.
    • Shareware version now supports 3 "UserID's" for upload results reports, Pro verions supports 15.

Race Log 3.4 Build 5 (6/30/05)

    • Added "Squares of 40" scoring method. Basically same as High Point Fixed Average, except the points are squared before calculating the place. The default Top Points is 40, however you can enter any number you wish. This method is used by the Snipe class.
    • Added ability to capture existing UserID (for uploading race results). Sometimes a reinstallation of Race Log loses the connection to a particular UserID. Now you can capture an existing UserID on the screen where you Create one. Make suer the ID you capture is actually yours.
    • Fixed bug of occassional lost record.
    • Can now have up to 3 UserID's with the downloaded Shareware version of Race Log.

Race Log 3.4 (4/20/2003)

    • Stability enhancements
    • Usability enhancements - more buttons on menu bar, easier access to Race Log functions
    • Display currently selected Score Method on button bar
    • Throwouts can now be used for High Point scoring methods (High Point, High Point Average, High Point Fixed, High Point Fixed Average)
    • Improved appearance of results reports  -- optionally add shading to every other listed sailor ( for Web format, and Direct to Printer format), and option to print borders on Web format
    • Improved control over report width 
    • updated tie breaking now in Shareware version (previously only in Pro version)
    • More fixed width Fonts available for printing reports, and for screen display

Race Log 3.3

    • Fixed Tie Breaking so US Sailing can specify Race Log's "complete" support of 2001-2004 Racing Rules.  Tie breaking now conforms to US Sailing's interpretation of Tie Breaking in situations where multiple boats are still tied after applying A8.1, and partially untied after applying A8.2, with a confusion as to then applying A8.2 or A8.3 on the remaining unbroken ties.  This has been corrected.
    • Configure Tie breaking method - the Pro version allows user to turn on or off the para A8.2 process for tie breaking.  US Sailing is discussing elimination of A8.2 from the tie breaking rules (as of 6/1/2002)
    • Downloadable version is now fully functional and freely distributable - Shareware. No limits on number of Races, Racers for Fleets.
    • Users can now create their own User ID's and subsequent folders on Race Log website for uploading race results.  Shareware version allows 1 User ID and folder, upgrade to Pro version allows 5 separate User ID's and folders.  Multiple folders allow for separate results hosting of your club's multiple racing classes.  This new User ID creation is done within the Race Log session as long as you are connected to the internet.  Formerly the User ID creation had to be requested of ELB Software.
    • Added Archive for saving registration and fleet data for later re-use.  Users can extract from and add to Archive using extensive selection criteria.
    • New "Drag'n Drop" method of entering Finishes.  Drag from Entrants list to Finish list to create results for each race.  Finishers can also be re-sequenced by simply dragging Finisher to new position on Finish list.  Penalties can also be insert into list causing subsequent re-sequencing.
    • Support for the new "ISAF ID" from the International Racing Federation.  For more information see www.sailing.org
    • The upgrade to the Pro version of Race Log includes documentation in the new Microsoft eReader for the PC format.  For more information see www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/pc.asp
    • as of 6/19/2002 - fixed problem with blanks or spaces in filename, and fixed problem of opening Archive in Racing View (a message now stops you from doing so), and fixed intermittent "Access Violation" when creating new fleet files in Racing View..
    • as of 8/22/2002 - fixed problem related to record disappearing after editing data in Racing View.
    • as of 9/01/2002 - added menu item under "Window" in the Racing View to open the "Upload Window" where you can open existing "*.htm" files for uploading.  This provides easier access to the upload function.  Previously you had to go through the "Print" functions in order to get to the "Upload Window".

Race Log 3.2

    • Completed support for new Rules 2001-2004 -- 1) Tie Breaking, 2) New Penalty Codes, 3) Scoring Penalty
      • Tie Breaking according to Rules - Appendix A8.1, A8.2, and A8.3
      • New Penalty codes described in Rules - Appendix A11
      • Scoring Penalty as described in Rules 30.2 and 44.3(c) ( for Low Point Method only )
    • Fleet files with the old Penalty codes will still work, they will be interpreted and printed out as the New codes.
    • Added more intelligence to Re-sequencing done by Race Log when using the "Insert Penalty/Finish" dialog box, plus support for new Rules
    • Added more intelligence to "Enter Finishes" dialog box to allow for entering a penalty, then continue with next Finish without Race Log getting lost, added
      "Reset" buttons to make it easy to find the next Race to enter, and to find the next Finish to enter for any selected Race
    • Significant performance improvements: 1) when loading the Registration View, and 2) when scoring (90 seconds down to 2 seconds for large fleet file).

Race Log 3.1

    • added more fields to the grid display on the Registration screen so can sort by these additional fields such as "Measured", "Age", etc.
    • added new Report to Registration View to print and summarize Payment information
    • added more intelligence to the "Insert Penalty/Finish" screen in the Racing View to handle any insertion.
    • added audible "Beep", and "Red" colored messages when error is encountered on "Enter Finishes" screen in the Racing View
    • added ability to Sort in Racing View by clicking on Column Headings in the Racing View
    • added visual queue that Column Heading is active when mouse passes over Column Heading in the Racing View.
    • Throwout the "earlier" finish or penalty when throwing out duplicate finish or penalty, (previous versions threw out "last" 

Race Log 3.0 Enhancements

Complete re-write of the "Racing View", also referred to as "Standard Race Log".  This is the former "DOS" based  part of Race Log.  It has been completely re-written for Windows.  It operates conceptually the same as the previous version with full screen editing of fleet data, and the ability to have multiple fleets, divisions, and results opened at the same time. The many improvements and enhancements include....

    • easier to use, easier navigation between screens and functions
    • more visually appealing
    • accepts "long" filenames, same as any Windows application
    • single screen for selecting Score Method and associated options such as bonus points, penalties, throwouts, etc
    • improved method of changing screen format (full control over which fields appear on screen and report)
    • keep track of finishes as you enter them when using the Enter Finishes dialog box in case you get lost when entering large amounts of data
    • easily fix results by inserting a penalty or corrected Finish - Race Log will automatically figure out how to properly re-sequence the previously entered results
    • change Font type, Font color, and Font size of screen, and on reports
    • improved Printing - three print options integrated into Race Log - Direct to Printer, HTML Format, WordPad format - no more exiting Race Log to customize print format.
    • control over Font type and size for reports - useful for printing large fleets across a single page


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site last update on 04/04/2016