GetScores.org FAQ

Q: What is GetScores.org?
A: GetScores.org is a web site created by Amateur Radio Operator Gerry Hull, W1VE.   The site is a portal to accept live Amateur Radio Contest Scores from contesting logging programs, and produce web output showing the real-time status of participating stations.  For information on what contest logging programs support livescores.org, see the Score Posting FAQ.   You can learn more about Amateur Radio Contesting by visiting Contesting.com.   To learn about Amateur Radio, visit the American Radio Relay League.

Q: If I post my score, will this give away information to my competitors?  Does this reclassify my submission?
A: The idea behind score posting is to provide motivation via realtime information sharing.  Over time, perhaps non-hams will begin to watch this information as a spectator sport.   You will NOT be reclassified by any known contest organization for posting a live claimed score.  The rules are already set for 2006 contests.   A recent post by Box Cox, K3EST on the CQ-Contest reflector, verifies that fact for the CQWW contests for at least the 2006 season.   Bob's email  states:

"Dear Fellow Contester,

The CQ WW Contest Committee is discussing whether use of real-time
contest scoreboards is likely to convey information about band
openings and profitable tactics to an extent that participants using
the scoreboards should be categorized as assisted. The 2006 CQ WW contest
rules have already been published and they will govern the 2006 contests.

We welcome your comments on this, and suggest the possibility of also
sending the comments to the CQ-Contest reflector so that others can
see them and possibly follow up.

Comments can be sent to live@cqww.com

73
Bob, K3EST
CQ WW Director
For the CQ WW Committee"

Please, send your comments to live@cqww.com, so that your voice is heard.
Voice your opinion on this new technology.  Discuss on the CQ-Contest reflector (join at www.contesting.com).


Q: What's the technology and ideas behind GetScores.org?
A: The web site has been built with Microsoft ASP.Net 2.0  using C# and VB.Net.   The database is SQL Server 2000.  The web server is part of a large server farm in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is connected to the internet with multiple, redundant very-high-speed backbones.

The original idea and posting xml dtd came from Bruce, WA7BNM.  XML dtd changes, lots of ideas, and feedback came from Tom, N1MM, and Dave, K1TTT.  Gerry, W1VE, coded this site, including web services, ASP pages and database backend.   The site uses both the http POST method or a SOAP-based web service to post scores.   The web service provides additional functionality as well.   See Web API.

Q: I am interested in seeing the results of ongoing contests.  Where do I go?
A: The URL to watch live scores is:  http://live.getscores.org or simply www.getscores.org.    Here, you will see the results of any ongoing contests for a 48-hour period prior to the current time.   The Getscores.org domain is actually redirected to my getscores.org domain.  That may change in the future.  If your browser produces an error, try http://www.getscores.org/livescores.

Q: Can I filter the results?
A: The live.getscores.org page features many filtering options so that you can watch only what you want.  Once selected, the filter settings are saved in a browser "cookie", and remain set for up to 7 days.

Q: What about score breakdowns?
A: Score Breakdowns are available.  Just click the checkbox.   If you display both the Basic Scores and Breakdowns boxes, you can click on a call in the General Area to go to that stations's breakdown. (The page will not move if the station is already in view.)

Q: Do test scores go away?
A: Essentially, this site does not know specific contest dates.  For each specific contest, the system keeps one database record for your score.   Each time you post a new score, it overwrites the old record.  So, if you post a test score using a test log, as soon as you start using your actual log, it will display the correct values.  Over time, the scores from any particular contest fall away from the results due to the timespan filter.

Q: How long do scores stay in the database?  Can we look at old scores?
A: Final Scores will stay in the database for up to 5 years.  An archive interface page will be provided in the future.   The score will be the last score posted at the end of a contest.

Q: What about an RSS Feed?
A: An RSS feed is planned in the near future.  Stand by for an announcement.

Q: I have some great ideas or suggestions for this site.  Where do I send them?
A: Suggestions are always welcome.  Please send them to suggestions@getscores.org.

Q: What is known NOT to work?
A: VHF contests and contests with three multiplier types (such as CQ-WW-RTTY; State/Prov+Country+Zone).  This will be fixed soon.

Q: I am having problems posting/accessing the site.  What can I do?
A: GetScores.org is a labor of love -- no compensation involved other than the fun of seeing this all work.  If you are having trouble with the site, please send along a note to support@getscores.org.  I'll attempt to address issues as soon as possible.

Q: What about the URL anyway?  When I'm watching scores, I see http://www.getscores.org/livescores?
A: Yes, this is true.   The www.getscores.org domain was chosen to provide a quick and easy-to-remember URL to get to.



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