Home of the
Show Management System
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Home of the Show Management System |
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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Questions About the Versions of the
Q: What are the differences between the Demo Version,
the Professional Version and the District Director's Version?
A: The Demo Version is a fully functional Demo of the
Professional Version that shuts itself off after 60 days. Two months
should be sufficient time for you to try the system out and assess its
potential.
The District Director's version is for someone doing only NBHA
District Shows. It does not support other racing sanctioning or formats
not needed by NBHA District Directors.
The Professional Version supports
a wide variety of sanctionings, rules and formats.
The Super Show Version
combines the Professional Version PLUS support for NBHA Super Shows in a separate
database.
You can upgrade from the Demo to a full version by calling
Sandune Data Systems (719-378-2320) for an upgrade key.
Q: What happens to my data if I forget to upgrade in
time?
A: Nothing. Your data becomes inaccessable until you
upgrade.
Q: What about the Super Show Version?
A: The Super Show Version which supports NBHA Super Shows is
now available as an upgrade option under v4.2.
Q: Why is the
a
subscription with an annual fee?
A: Experience with the DOS version of the
has
shown that the pool of potential users is relatively small, yet the complexity
of the software and the constantly changing rules by the various sanctioning
organizations, plus the requests from users for additional features, show that
the will
continue to need updates and changes. The annual fee helps assure that
the will
continue to be supported, updated and improved.
Q: What does the
cost?
A: The Free Demo can be downloaded from this site or ordered on CD for $10 (p&h). Deductible from order.
The Directors Version 1st year subscription costs
$199.95 with a $10 annual renewal.
The Professional Version 1st year subscription costs
$299.95 with a $25 annual renewal.
The Super Show Version 1st year subscription costs
$399.95 with a $50 annual renewal.
Questions About the use of Electronic
Timers
Q: Do I need an Electronic Timer to use the
?
A: No. Run Time input can be done manually at any
time, including when the Run Time is coming from the timer.
Q: Which Electronic Timers can I use?
A: The Barrel Racer supports
FarmTek,
Pegasus and SportaTrak
Timers.
Q: How do I know my timer is working?
A: Plug you timer into the computer's serial port (most use
the DB9 serial port - newer laptops use the USB port with a USB/Serial
adapter). Then go to the
's Main
Menu "Timer" and select "Eye Test" from the sub-menu.
Pegasus & FarmTek Timers can be tested using only the base unit,
although an Eye Test with the eyes attached is recommended before each race.
Q: My Timer is plugged in, but the Eye Test doesn't show
that it's working. Now what?
A: First, double check that the
is
looking for the right timer; each unit sends a different signal. Go to
the Main Menu "Utilities" then select "Set Up Defaults"
from the sub-menu followed by "Electronic Timer Set Up". Follow
the prompts to assure that the
is
looking for the right timer on the correct COM port. You will be returned
to the desktop to re-initialize the Eye defaults whether or not a change was
made.
If the timer still doesn't work, check that
the cables are correctly attached. Also check that the cable is a serial
cable and not a null modem cable.
Q: How do I know which COM Port to use?
A: Win98/ME - Right Click on the My Computer icon and select
"Properties" from the menu. Click on the Device Manager Tab,
then the "+" in front of "Ports ". The avaliable
COM Ports will be listed.
WinXP - Click on
"Start", then Right Click on My Computer and select
"Properties" from the menu. Click on the
" Hardware" tab, then the "Device Manager" button.
The available COM Ports will be listed.
If the timer is plugged directly into
the computer, you may have to try each port listed to find the right one.
If you are going through a USB Serial Adapter, the adapter should be
identified showing the port. (Note update/patch issued
12/15/03 increasing the number of COM ports for USB Serial Adapters.
Users of versions prior to 4.1t are urged to upgrade to add this
capability & fix some other items.)
Q: I'm already using the FarmTek Display/Scoreboard.
How do I plug in the computer?
A: Go to your nearest Radio Shack® and pick up a
#42-2570 Stereo Headphone Y Adapter. Hint: Don't tell
them you're using this with a computer application or they'll try to sell you
something else that doesn't work.
Q: My New Laptop Computer doesn't
have a Serial Port. What do I do now?
A: You will need a USB Serial Adapter -- often sold as PDA
Adapters.
The Belkin USB Serial Adapter
Model #F5U109 works fine. If you are using v4.1m or earlier, you need to
upgrade to the newest version to reach COM Ports beyond COM4. In our testing the IOGear Model #GUC232A did not work with the
timer or other communications software
Questions About the Time/Race Data Entry
Window
Q: I pressed the "Run Barrels" button before
the Rider started the Run, but nothing shows on the computer until the
clock is stopped. Is something wrong with my setup?
A: No. We would love to be able to display "live
time" on the computer, but the electronic timers do not return a starting
signal or a running time signal that the computer can use.
Q: I forgot to press the "Run Barrels" button
before the Rider started the Run. What now?
A: The "Run Barrels" button can be pressed at any
time before the Rider stops the clock. See previous question.
Q: Somehow the Rider's time came in wrong from the
electronic timer. What now?
A: If the "Time OK" button has not been
pressed/clicked yet, click on/press the "Re-Enter Time" button, then
press the "Home" key to position the cursor for keyboard entry of the
correct time. If the "Time OK" button was pressed/clicked, see
the following question.
Q: The Rider's time was entered wrong. What
now?
A: Click on the "Run Data" tab, Scroll up to the
Run needing corrction, Click the "Edit Run" buttton, make the
correction(s), then Click the "Save Edit" button to save the
change(s).
Q: The Rider hit a barrel and it wasn't recorded on the
computer. What now?
A: See the above question. Be sure when Editing to
change ALL fields and check boxes that need changing. The Time Penalty or
DQ for Barrels hit will not be automatically handled in the Edit.
Q: How do I handle a Re-Run?
A: Press the "Jump Run" button and respond that
there will be a Re-Run when asked. Note: When you are ready for the
Re-Run(s), Click on the "Full Order" tab, then Return to the
"Timer" tab, and Quit to the Main Menu. When you return to the
"Race Data Entry" window, the Re-Run(s) will be next up.
Q: I don't know what happened, but the system's
"Drag" indicator is out of sequence. What now?
A: At the next (actual) Drag -- Quit to the Main Menu.
When you go back into the Race Data Entry Window, the Drag indicator will
be reset.