Mappers Beware

[DaveR]

YES the number (on the map) should be changed for each event as well as ( my understanding of their requirements ) sending the OCAD file before the event and paper copies as used by the competitors after the event to the map group

.. or else ?.

Good question, perhaps it will be as well "enforced" as the current system where with the MR2 form (you know, the one you always fill in and return with a completed map):

MR2
This contains the Map Registration Number plus other details supplied on the MR1 such as name of area and grid reference. These can be changed but BOF Office should be made aware.

This form is completed and returned to BOF Office when the map is printed.

With the MR2 you are asked to supply 5 maps ( at the smallest scale i.e. 1:15000). These are used for BOF Map Library (1) Map Assessment (2) British Map Library (1) Mappers corrections (1)

I've never sent paper copies of my maps in and I'm not about to send in paper copies of every course.

Hopefully this is just misinterpretation of someones silly idea and not a genuine edict from on high - either way it will be ignored as it so richly deserves.

[Big Jon]

Nothing about this has been received by me - a professional mapper, though maybe its the clubs putting on events that have been told - anyone able to shine more light on this?

[Clive Coles]

Just found this reference in the last set of map group minutes

M11/29 Map registration and assessment process
Maps printed for every event will carry the event registration
number that is currently available from the club/association
fixture secretary but will eventually be published in the fixture
list. Competitor quality maps (inc course) to be submitted with
event return for monitoring and quality assurance.

I guess this is why the event registration number now features on the fixtures list (there for anyone to read and quote when necessary).

I too have never submitted event maps to BOF after an event before ~ It may be a desirable requirement for level A and B events but for level C, D and all activites they must be joking. I note the last map group meeting was held on April 1st

[pete.owens]

I think it does make sense to register maps on a per event basis rather than a per map basis. The existing registration system seems to be geared to the old days when maps were printed off in vast quantities and used for many events with a growing list of manual corrections. A map registered in the system was of a particular survey and referred to a stock of identical items - as used by the competitor.

Now all our mapping and planning are done electronically, re-surveys can be more frequent and map corrections are incorporated into the map by planners on an event by event basis. Even if there are no cartographic changes, the maps will probably be printed specifically for the event with particular paper and printing quality and overprinted courses . Each event therefore has a unique map and all the map registration tells you is that at sometime in the past some part of that area was mapped by a particular individual. The map picked up by the competitor in the start lane may be a very different thing.

Even within our club, we have sometimes had problems keeping track of multiple electronic versions of a map so we have had to appoint a map coordinator to ensure planners are issued with the most up to date map with the latest corrections.

As other have said, I can't imagine what the map group would do when bombarded with dozens of maps from every local CATI event. However, they certainly ought to providing some sort of oversight for the quality of maps used at level A and B events and in order to do this they need to have physical examples of maps as used by competitors.

[EddieH]

And precisely how are this mapping group going to ensure quality assurance? There is no way it will happen.

If the members of the group appear at events so rarely that they cannot monitor general standards they are unlikely to have any useful input into an ever changing sport anyway.

[AndyO]

My thinking too, Eddie

The Planner and Controller for the race are responsible for ensuring that the map is representative of the area for the courses, and will arrange for any corrections to be made for the event. Someone who hasn't been to an area and looked at some detail with the map cannot possibly comment on the accuracy of the map. The quality of printing perhaps, but other than that it is just a picture, and meaningless to anyone but the competitor on the day.

[Clive Coles]

Quite agree Eddie and Andy ~ submitting maps for every event and activity that takes place is just not going to happen.

If we all did this the map group would spend all their time cogitating and disagreeing with each other as to what was good and where "could do better". They would never have the time to get out in the forest to see how each map related to the area. Sad, but perhaps that's how they want to spend their time.

For me the Controller of an event is best placed to advise on the suitability of a map. Where necessary, comments can be made before the event and amendments made. That surely is more effective scrutiny and quality assurance than asking a commitee to sit in judgement after the event has taken place.

We will however start to show the event registration number on our event maps. Perhaps some day someone from either the Map group or BOF will explain WHY this requirement is necessary.

[graeme]

Maybe someone should remind them that if they collect this stuff, they're vulnerable to Freedom of Information requests for copies .

[Scott]

Maybe someone should remind them that if they collect this stuff, they're vulnerable to Freedom of Information requests for copies .

BOF is not a public body under either the English (2000) or Scottish (2002) Acts.

[Mrs H]

well presumably this requirement has to be ratified by the events committee. hopefully common sense will prevail because providing copies of all the course maps at every event seems way beyond the map group's remit to me

[Wayward-O]

A previous dictat from BO central was that of the £2 reduction for BOF members should apply to events at all levels: clubs ignored this for local events and the requirement has now been removed.

If clubs do not send in maps for Level C and D events, what can BO do? Are there any relevant sanctions that they could possibly apply? Also, imagine having to explain to a would-be competitor that, although you still have one map remaining for their chosen course, they cannot have it because you need to send it to BO - or do you think that BO would accept a recycled map - mud, blood and all?

Given the discussion elsewhere regarding the future Levy structure for BO, do we really want BO central spending money on the admin required to collate, store and index for possible retrieval all of the maps that would be arriving each week? I'm sure that none of the funding from UK Sport, Sport England, etc. can be used for this.

[Red Adder]

Last year I produce around 50 schools maps - I agreed with Map Group that I would send a disk of jpgs. Surely if we are to have a central repository at least something as simple and modern as this is all that is required (unless BOF is having to conform to OS dictat). *

Anyone who has had to deal with previous Map Registration system knows that BOF couldn't efficeintly handle the very simple electonic database - let alone MR2s.
Storing tons of paper just to compare printers is an utterly pointless waste of time - you can almost predict the wording of the email in about 3 years when BOF explains that they had to dump the lot because they took too much time in and space.

* Actually I don't know why we bother with OS - with the advent of readily availible aerial photos I haven't used an OS map as a base in 10 years- about 125 maps worth.

[Mrs H]

On a different line, I was very surprised talking to the mapper for my urban event (March 10th - day before the midland champs down the road - put it in your diary now!) that mappers are not given some form of formal ID by BOF. With the growing amount of urban mapping on the go - would not some formal type of photo ID for accredited mappers be something useful for the mapping group to do?

[AndyC]

In discussion (over a frothing beverage) with one of the planners in the Midlands he recounted the day he was accused of being a paedophile while mapping an area that was also being used by schoolchildren. Being who he is he joined the search for the "paedo" with them and their teachers.

[Big Jon]

Formal BOF id - why should BOF get involved in this - a huge cost, administrative hassle and completely useless. The only time I have been challenged the school tried to speak to the Active Schools coordinator who had arranged for me to map their school, they wouldn't accept my photo driving licence as proof of ID so why would they accept a BOF ID card?