WOC 99

[andy]

After spotting this earlier I'd like to get a bit of background info before considering it. I'd be interested to speak to a few people involved in WOC99, does anyone have any idea on who was involved from an IT perspective? (bonus points if you have any contact details)
I was hardly an orienteer in '99 so have no idea personally and there is very little I can find online other than this very interesting read! and a few other bits and bobs.

[Gross]

Dick Carmichael was technical director... I think.... but give Dave Peel a call at BOF to discuss.

The IT will have moved on about 1000 times from WOC 99....

[Paul Frost]

Have a look at the Final report and Final news letter for WOC 2008 for a fairly detailed bit about the TV and computing aspect.
It makes very interesting reading, a couple of numbers that grabbed my attention was the 72 man TV crew and the €520k total budget.

[Big Jon]

The Marsdens were involved heavily in WOC 99 IT, plus various other people whose faces I can remember but names have slipped.... age catching up

[DJM]

Others involved on the IT side were Tim Booth of BKO and Bjarte Dyngeland of Emit. But, as Gross says, things have moved on considerably since 99 and their experience is really not very relevant any more..

A major source of current information is given in the WOC Guidelines (http://orienteering.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/WOC-Guidelines1.pdf). Chapter 43 details equiment requirements, and IT issues also come into Chapter 9 (website and communications) and many other areas too. It's a huge job!

[Tatty]

Tim booth is still very much involved with IT. I would definitely contact him. He did the BNC for me this last weekend and is superb

[andy]

Others involved on the IT side were Tim Booth of BKO and Bjarte Dyngeland of Emit. But, as Gross says, things have moved on considerably since 99 and their experience is really not very relevant any more..

I think it's fairly obvious that technology has moved on but thank you all for pointing it out
What the people involved then have to say is very relevant, so thank you for all the names/contact details

[Paul Frost]

There are some bits about 99 and a chapter titled "Electronic Age" in the John Colls book "A Few Surplus Maps", the story of the Scottish 6 Days. Including a list of the people in the Central Organising teams that might be useful in tracking down past experiences.

[andy]

There are some bits about 99 and a chapter titled "Electronic Age" in the John Colls book "A Few Surplus Maps"

I keep meaning to get a copy but having to use paypay makes me feel ill so I haven't yet.

[Paul Frost]

Lynne Walker will have copies of the book for sale in return for cash (or cheques) at the St.Andrews Weekend, and you save the postage cost.

[Paul Frost]

Looking at the WOC guidelines mentioned above I saw this snippet in the section about TV and video production:

At the races an orienteer experienced in elite competition and TV production is needed who will work alongside the TV Producer – who needs to have a proven track record of making live-TV productions of orienteering

How many of these are there in the world, let alone Scotland!

[andy]

A major source of current information is given in the WOC Guidelines (http://orienteering.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/WOC-Guidelines1.pdf). Chapter 43 details equiment requirements, and IT issues also come into Chapter 9 (website and communications) and many other areas too. It's a huge job!

Thanks! I remember reading this last year. A huge job it may be but it is exactly what I would expect from a world champs. It's how it should be done.

My worry is that the infrastructure and pricing schemes for the following in the UK aren't up to the task:
mobile network
internet (especially in rural areas)
live tv production

I hope I'm wrong, or we're going to look very silly.

[Spookster]

My worry is that the infrastructure and pricing schemes for the following in the UK aren't up to the task:
mobile network
internet (especially in rural areas)
live tv production

I hope I'm wrong, or we're going to look very silly.

But presumably (I'm no expert) you can contract someone to put in temporary masts to improve the mobile/3G signal where you need it, and for live TV production you're not limited to UK companies.

[andy]

My worry is that the infrastructure and pricing schemes for the following in the UK aren't up to the task:
mobile network
internet (especially in rural areas)
live tv production

I hope I'm wrong, or we're going to look very silly.

But presumably (I'm no expert) you can contract someone to put in temporary masts to improve the mobile/3G signal where you need it, and for live TV production you're not limited to UK companies.

Absolutely, but this is the reason I've put the word 'pricing' in my comment. We've had a fair amount of dealing with BT through work and their pricing scheme for anything not covered by the OFCOM fair play rules (or whatever you call them) is absolutely extortionate. We mostly look at bandwidth but I'm guessing mobile phone masts etc will be the same (again, I may be wrong)

[AndyC]

Can I suggest that we only get better by stretching ourselves. Aspirations above that that can be achieved easily are to be praised.
Only problem is managing expectations and the catcalls when realisticly high but not "shoot the moon" goal are ettled for.