Welcome to Pocket Team Timer

• This program will enable you to time various sporting events. It allows multiple runners to be timed simultaneously. It essentially enables you to act as several watches and recorders.


• The program uses a database of MEETS, EVENTS, ENTRANTS, and RESULTS. This database can be created by using the screens on the PPC or by using the database uploaded to a PC


• This allows the user to create entrant list, scan or filter data and results and load races the night before, using the convenience of the PC, download the races the night before to the PPC and open races at the meet, ready to go


• Last minute changes and result viewing is possible via the PPC

Creating Meets

The first screen is the MEET screen

• Select NEW from the Menu


• Type in the Meet name and location.
  It is important that meet names have no spaces, or use symbols ?/<+etc.


• Tap OK

Creating Events

Enter a meet by tapping on the meet name from the MEETS table box
An EVENTS table screen will come up

• Select NEW from the menu


• The LENGTH pull down box contains typical race lengths. But any length can be entered


• The LAPS box is determined by the length chosen or can be overridden with a user defined number


• LAP LOCKPUT creates a delay in the timers response to eliminate accidental double taps.The default is 2 seconds (2000 ms)


• Class presents three choices, Male, Female, and Mixed for both
•  (Additional groupings can be added  to suit specific grouping and sorting needs)
• These can be entered by user. M-F-M , FR, JUN, etc.  eg.
  


• The 1/10 second box will force the displayed times to MM:SS.s format. The default is MM:SS

Creating Entries

From the EVENT information screen Hit the ENTRIES button
Alternatively, from the EVENT screen, select EVENT > ENTRIES
An Entries list table will come up. This table allows entrants to be entered into the database

• Hit the NEW button and enter the information


• Note: It may be helpful to enter the first names in all Capitol letter. This will control how the names are displayed on the timing screen


• The CLASS box is the sex determinate.
  
• This will control how the races bring up entrants.
  
• A Female class race will only bring up Female runners for loading into the race.
  
• The CLASS box can also be used for other sorting based on user choices as from the EVENTS information. eg FR,JR, etc.
  


• All entrants can be entered this way. As the entrants are entered into the table the names are listed in the left display box


• Clicking the names will move them to the right box and load the race. The order of load is controlled by the order of clicking. This controls the order of the race entrants


• Note: Timing a race can be a very fast paced problem. As multiple runners pass it is difficult to keep up with entries. Grouping and ordering the race load can help. Faster runners at the top and so forth. The race order can be resorted by time during the race, by speed and time.
• It is helpful to create several blank runners.  Use names like ARunner,BRunner, etc. 
  
• Load several runners in a race in addition to the listed runners.
• At times it may be difficult to recognize all runners as they pass. 
  
• By selecting these Spare runners at those times, it may be possible to go back after a race and assign the captured times to the missed runners.
• The Record Button or Calandar Button #1(on Ipaqs) can be used to capture times also, 
  
• See NOTE A below,
  

Running Events

• Each MEET is created


• All EVENTS are created


• All ENTRANTS are created
  


• Each MEET is created,loaded with it's EVENTS and each EVENT is loaded with its ENTRANTS


• It is helpful to create all the MEETS of a season at one session. 
  
• The MEETS can then be loaded with EVENTS and ready as the MEETS arrive through the season. 
  
• The process of loading runners into each EVENT can be performed before each MEET. 
  
• The races are ready for race day.


• I find it helpful to remap a button to START the PROGRAM.
• Choose an available button!
  
• The CALENDAR  button and record buttons are controled by the PTT program.   See NOTE A below.
  


• Select the MEET


• Choose an EVENT

• DETAILS allow changing of race info. And defaults


• ENTRIES allow last minute changing of entrant list


• REPORT shows race results


• DONE will back out of the Event screen

• LIST uses List display screen, This is default


• COLUMN uses column display. The Column display shows all runners in columns that can scroll from left to right


• The LIST display will show two boxes of runners.
  
• The left box shows runners 1 thru 13.
  
• The right shows the last runner and down in reverse order.
•  Any number of runners can be displayed.
  
• This method helps in lap races where the faster runners may lap the slower and require the need for timing both ends of the talent simultaneously.
  
• The first runners and last will always be available on the screen.
  
• Scrolling up or down will show all Entries.
  
• Font changes will contol the number of runners in each column. 
  
• Smaller fonts will allow more runners.
• This display is more useful when lapping is a possibility. (Track Events)


• The COLUMN display will allow any number of runners to be entered.  It is possible to show as many as 30 runners on the screen at one time.  Scrolling to the right will allow even more.  This display is more useful when lapping is not likely.  (Cross Country Events)
  

• Fonts are fully customizable
  
  
• From the RACE screen select VIEW/FONT
  
  
• Fonts can be controlled for easy viewing.
  
• With fewer runners in a race the font size can be enlarged.
  
• With many runners, it is helpful to get as many runners on the screen as possible, this minimizes scrolling, so smaller fonts are helpful

• Timing is started by hitting the START button with the Stylus.


• Timing can be started by Pressing the Calandar(Button 1 on Ipaq) button OR the RECORD button.


• These two buttons enable start only for at the begining of the race. 
  
• After several seconds they become the LAP CAPTURE function(See NOTE A below)


• In the event of a false start,   STOP THE CLOCK
  
•  pressing anywhere on the screen will bring up a RESET context menu. 
  
• Selecting this will reset the timer to 0:00 and prepare for a quick restart. 
  
• This funtion is active for only 30sec after START.


•  As each runner comes by a time point his name is hit with the stylus. This action records a Lap/Split time


• NOTE:Race timing is difficult.
• Many times multiple runners are passing at the same time.
  
• t is helpful to group runners by talent to enable ease of recognition.
  
• It may be helpful to load several SPARE runners into the race.
  
• If a runner is missed or not recognized, enter him as spare and may be possible to figure out lost splits by comparing times after the race


• The lockout option will eliminate accidental double entries


• In the event of an error entry,
  
• Simply press and hold the blank area of the screen,
  
• A clear last entry command will appear.
  
• Hitting this will clear the last time entered.


• NOTE A:The RECORD/VOLUME button and BUTTON #1(Calaendar on Ipaq) when pressed, will START the clock, then
  
• During the race, they can be used to capture times only.
  


• Capture times as needed by hitting either button. 
  
• A number will apear in the top left tab of the race screen. 
  
• Each hit will add a number and a corresponding SPARE time.
  
• Hitting this number with the stylus will store the time and clear for the next lap.


• The times will be recorded as SPARES. 
  
• This will allow fast capture of times when 5 or so runners come by at one time. 
  
• This will allow you to reconcile the missing times/runners afterward. 
  
• ither a maual reconcilliation can be done or an automatic version is provided.
  


• Choose EVENTS/RESOLVE LAPS


• The screen will allow you to hookup loose times and runners with missing lap times.
  


• As the race progresses the black running icon indicates the entrants are still in the race.
  
• As each runner completes the race the icon changes to a red standing man


• Runners can be sorted during the race. By hitting the NAME title bar the faster runners are sorted by lap time.
  
• The sort toggles with repeated hits


• All runners completing the race will cause the program to stop the clock and save the results.
  
• If the race completes with non finishers, Hitting the STOP button will cause the race to be saved


• Selecting Event >Done command will cause the same action


• Selecting Event > Report will bring up a result table for quick viewing of results

Synchronization

• The program saves all RESULTS in PTT_RESULTS.cdb
  


• The file stored in the MY DOCUMENTS folder on the PPC
  


• This file and the database of all information can be loaded onto the PC and opened in a database or spreadsheet  program


• TEAM TIMER OFFICE will read and parse all data, stats and results from this file , It is date and time stamped and renamed with a .ptr extension.
  


• Data files are automatically transferred when the PPC is ActiveSynched with the PC MY DOCUMENTS/PTT/IMPORT  Folder
  

• From Activesync choose EXPLORE


• Drag to the desktop the  PTT.cdb file
  


• Note where the files are saved via the conversion dialog box


• Deselect the (Keep Tables Synchronized) box


• Deselect the (Overwrite) box


• Go to thte file and open.


• Follow conversion and renaming instructions.


• Open in a Database program.


• It is helpful to use the PPC for initial entering of MEET,ENTRY and EVENTS.
• The database  PTT.cdb file can then be downloaded to the PC and opened..
  
• It is easy to see the proper method of entering the data. 
  
• The entire roster and schedule can then be entered using a real keyboard and large screen.
  
• SImply dragging the file back to the PPC thru ACTIVSYNCE/EXPLORE, will load a full roster and schedule into the program.


• After moving to the PPC make sure the file is named PTT.  Rename or delete the old PTT.
  


• The database RESULTS.cdb, it is found in MY DOCUMENTS/PTT/IMPORT with a date,time.ptr file name.


• This file will open in a database program or a spreadsheet program


• DATA can be modified for any report needed.


• Race Results, Stats, Lap/SPlit times, History, can all be created, easily and clearly, from the results data
  

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