Manual Results Boards

[Freefall]

OK, we've had the discussion on electronic ones but anybody got good ideas for display of results on paper? I trawled through the Nopesport archives and the only helpful comment was from Mharky circa 2006:

"I thought about having a set of "BOF" results boards that could be used each year. Only problem wouldbe where to store them, and then getting them from that storage place to the BOC and JK organising teams..." [he also volunteered to do results if EUOC ever ended up running the JK]

For the JK we had 44 metaposts (pointy brown things that take a lot of effort to hammer into stony ground), 44 large posts and 20+ large thick wooden boards. There were 3 large containers of water carried around and numerous packets of wallpaper paste, brushes and buckets. Sledgehammers and the important white piece were also required. That's a lot of effort every day to move around.

Please someone advise us on how it is done at other big events and if it is lightweight boards, frames, plastic wallets or whatever let us know. Sometimes the wind blows in Scotland, sometimes the ground is stony (Day 4 Oban).

[mharky]

Apparently there is a "BOF" podium, as my mum used it for BNC. No idea where it lives for most of the year though. The 6-days company must have a their own boards.

[mharky]

Who ever did the British Sprint champs when it was on a small open hill with mine-workings on top (Ham Hill?) made a results board like the ones you get at internationals, where your name is on a long piece of plastic/wood, and then your time gets pasted onto it and you get slotted into position. Only good when there are a handful of classes, and only to display the top 20-30 or so, then normal lists for the complete results.

[andy]

The 6-days company must have a their own boards.

Which, I think, were those used at the JK

[Freefall]

Yes - I want to get rid of these Scottish 6 Day boards. We also have two podiums (podia?) which looked a lot better than the scruffy BOF one produced at York (coat of paint chaps?).

If boards it is how about lightweight plastic (like an Ikea chopping board so not too brittle) suspended from some sort of aluminium structure? Maybe the Elites can have their own very special magnetic board and moveable names? That's a serious suggestion by the way.

[Oldman]

Whatever system you develop, could I make a plea that there is scope to space out the various results. It's not unusual to be trying to see the results over people's shoulders 4 deep, while being jostled from the side and behind, usually because the results sheets are packed close together. And while I'm saying this, could the results printouts be labelled with larger print for the class or course number, making it simpler to find which printout applies to the race you're looking for, and for the sequencing of results to be more obvious.

[Domhnull Mor]

In the absence of better solutions, can we at least do away with the wallpaper paste? Many events I have attended over the years use map bags for simply slipping the paper into for display. In dry weather, the paper can even be reused to print updated results on the reverse side. Much simpler to post on the boards and no need for the bucket and brush

[NeilC]

And in wet weather it can be difficult getting the paper into the bags unless printed on thick/waterproof paper (like putting a wet control description sheet into a holder). Plus water droplets on the bag can make the results difficult to read. Pasting actually works pretty well. Square displays can be more stable than linear ones when it's difficult to get the supports in.

[Tatty]

THe BOF podia, as I used at the BNC, are small - they only big enough for 1 person - and are rather scruffy. Certainly need a revamp

[SteveE]

..... Square displays can be more stable than linear ones when it's difficult to get the supports in.

I would have considered for stability, a triangular format for the boards hinged on two corners could be better. Folded flat when not in use and securely staked to the ground in the centre when in use. Could the current boards be adapted? As regards paste etc, new style poster displays use snap-clip frames. These prefixed to the boards would aid fixing for the results and are reusable.

For the amount of effort in creating any solution (whatever it is), I think these should be held in central storage at BOF and be made available to Organisers of major events to make the most of any investment.

[Freefall]

We have storage space in the National Orienteering Centre for such stuff (by national that's Scotland of course) and are happy to lend out equipment for a small fee. This includes half a dozen 6x4 marquees, podia and other such stuff e.g. walkie talkies. Only problem is you need to collect and return.

[andypat]

NO thanks - I saw enough of those marquees on Saturday evening to last me a good while