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TimeStamper Overview
Updated: 11/13/2014
Introduction
The TimeStamper program provides a flexible interface to time races and manage race results,
supporting timestamp capture of start, split, and finish times by unique bib numbers or by racer
name. There are real-time screen results as well as simple reporting to both file and printer. The
intended use is small races where chip timing is not available, or by individual coaches to keep
track of their racers.
We often have races where the starting order and start times change as the race progresses. This
program records timestamps by bib number or racer name, so it easily handles those changes.
Software/Hardware requirements
This program requires a Windows platform, typically a Windows tablet, running Windows XP,
Windows 7, or Windows 8. We have had great luck with the Samsung ATIV Smart PC 500T tablet,
successfully used in -4 F degree temperatures without incident (note: Samsung technical support
can only recommend using the tablet at room temperature). No guarantees on how hardware
performs in the bitter cold, when really cold we use a large hand warmer stuck to the back of the
tablet, just in case.
Remember: Computers can fail, still use pencil & paper as backup (see the install directory for
simple templates for paper backup).
Installation Notes
The default installation directory is "C:\TimeStamper". Subdirectories "Completed", "Templates",
and "InProgress" are created when the program executes for the first time. The "Completed"
directory holds all reports and the final timestamp data. Subdirectory "InProgress" holds "Save
Current Data" and "Save Current Results" timestamp data – automatically every 10 minutes during
a race or manually when the program operator makes that selection from the Results tab,
"Timestamp Data" category. This feature allows you to save data during a race as a backup in case
disaster strikes. Subdirectory "Templates" holds all of the "Load"ed races -- the file extension of
these files is ".TScsv".
Files installed with TimeStamper software:
-- File TimeStamper-Overview.pdf is this documentation file.
-- File TimeStamperProcess.pdf is a simple flowchart showing the steps required to use this
software.
-- File BlankTimingSheets.xls is a simple Excel template for recording times manually
-- File Example-BlankLineup.xls is a simple Excel worksheet to input racer information onto.
-- File Example-SEC JV Lineup Final-013113.xls is an example Excel spreadsheet (.xls) starting
list and corresponding comma separated file (.CSV) that is "Import"ed into the TimeStamper
software. File Example-GenericNameTemplate.xls is the same data separated by gender.
-- File ExcelFormulas.txt contains a few formatting and conversion formulas that can be used in
Excel. One example use is to change the milliseconds time in the racename-FinalDatayymmddhhmmss.csv timestamp file, converting milliseconds into a more useable format:
Whole seconds:
In 10ths:
=TEXT(F2/24/60/60/1000, "hh:mm:ss")
In 100ths:
=CONCATENATE(TEXT(INT(F2/1000)/86400,"hh:mm:ss"),".",F2-(INT(F2/1000)*1000))
=TIMEVALUE("00:"&INT((F2+1)/60000)&":"&MOD((F2+1)/1000,60))
Operation
The "Start Timer" button starts the stopwatch. The "Stop" it will stop the stopwatch. You do not
need to "Start Timer" when timing a race, the first "Timestamp" entered will automatically start the
clock.
There are six tabs to interact with the timing software: Admin, Start, By Bib#, By Name, Results,
and Notes.
Admin – Used to handle the start list data. The typical steps for most races are:
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Import a start list (.csv or .xls)
Verify the correct columns of data are identified
"Save" that start list to be "Load"ed later (.TScsv)
The “Load” button allows you to load a previously imported start list. The “Sync Data” button
opens a dialog box that is used to send and/or receive TimeStamper race data from another system
running the TimeStamper software. The “Export Data” selection is used to write the current
TimeStamper data to a USB drive.
Note that when you Import a start list it is ready to be used immediately (you do not have to "Save"
and then "Load" if you choose not to do so).
The initial start list requires at least a non-blank bib number column of data. TimeStamper manages
just four pieces of information for each racer: Bib, Name, Group, and Team. Your start list does
not have to use these field names, but does have to be identified by TimeStamper.
TimeStamper will attempt to find the fields, regardless of the order in the start list file. If the
imported start list contains a column labeled “Start time”, “Time back”, or “Time out” then the
following dialog box will be displayed:
If “Yes” is selected and that column has actual time values (i.e. “00:00”, “00:30”, “01:00”,…) then
those values will be used for the first timestamp for the corresponding racer. Select “No” to ignore
the column of data, hence no initial start time.
You must verify that the columns identified by TimeStamper are the correct columns of data for the
race. You may change which column of data is used for each of the fields by changing the field
number. Selecting a field number of “0” means that the data is not in the start list. Finally, the
“Save” button will appear allowing you to save the data in the TimeStamper “NTcsv” format.
Suppose the race start list looks like this:
When “Import”ed into TimeStamper the following dialog box appears:
2
1
3
1
The first record of the start list, the column headers Bib, School, Name, Category,… .
2
The fields (or columns) where TimeStamper identifies the data for Bib#, Name, Group, and Team.
3
A table showing the start list in the fields that TimeStamper identified.
We usually execute Excel to input and massage the start list data for a race and then "Save As.." to a
comma separated file (.csv) before importing into TimeStamper. However, if Excel is installed on
the same device then you can import the Excel (.xls) file directly into the TimeStamper program.
There is an example start list in the root directory of the TimeStamper installation (Example-SEC
JV Lineup Final-013113 with both the Excel and csv format). Note: You do not need to
Import/Save/Load a start list if you just want to keep track of bib number timestamps – just record
the bib number and timestamps (there just won't be names, categories, teams in the results).
Start – This tab is typically used when the actual start order of the racers matches the bib order,
when there is a defined start time for racers, or when there are “mass start” races, allowing the mass
start for each category of racer or all racers together.
Select the bib#(s) from the “Start list by” column, then either use the “Set Start” tab to set a defined
start time, or use the “TimeStamp” button on the “Start Racers” tab to record a “live” timestamp for
the racer(s).
Note that if there are imported start times or start times set manually then the operator must press
the “Start Timer” button when the actual race starts.
By Bib# -- This tab is the primary user interface, allowing you to enter bib number and record
timestamps. You simply enter the bib number on the keypad, then press "Timestamp" for an
individual number. If there are multiple skiers approaching the finish line, enter each bib number
on the keypad and press the "Next" button. Finally, select the bib number from the "Approaching"
list box and press the "Timestamp" button when he/she crosses the finish line. If multiple racers are
crossing simultaneously then select multiple bib numbers in the "Approaching" list box and press
"Timestamp" to record multiple Timestamps. If a bib number is NOT in the original start list then
you must enter the bib number, press "Next" and then press the "Timestamp" button. Thus, racers
without bib numbers in the initial start list can also be timed.
By Name -- This tab allows racer selection and timestamp by name instead of bib number. This
capability is for races & teams “small enough” where bibs are not required AND the timer knows
all racers. On the top of the screen is the imported/loaded start list by name. You can select one or
more names and then press the "TimeStamp" button to start the clock and record a timestamp for
those racers. You may also double-click the name, which copies the name into the Approaching list
box. If there are multiple skiers approaching the finish line, select each skier and press the “Next”
button (or double-click), then select the name from the "Approaching" list box and press the
"Timestamp" button when he/she crosses the finish line. If multiple racers are crossing
simultaneously then select multiple names in the "Approaching" list box and press "Timestamp" to
record multiple Timestamps. When recording timestamps by name, the racer name must be in the
initial start list.
Results -- Shows results and current information. The “Live Results” section shows real-time
results: "Elapsed" shows all racers that have a starting timestamp and at least one additional
timestamp; “Category” shows all racers with a starting timestamp and at least one additional
timestamp sorted by category; "Bib#" shows all “Import”ed/"Load"ed bib number assignments;
"DNF" (Did not Finish (yet)) shows racers with just one timestamp; "DNS" Did Not Start (yet)
shows racers with no timestamps.
The “Reports” section provides the capability to save results to a file or output to a printer.
The “Report by…” buttons write the current race information to the "Completed" subdirectory.
The "Print by..." buttons print reports of the current time stamps to a printer available to the PC or
tablet (direct connect or network). “Show Reports Directory” opens the Windows File Explorer to
the "Completed" directory, from which you could copy & paste to an attached flash drive in order to
hand the results to someone else. Note that the reports have time formats in hours:minutes:seconds
as text values.
The “Timestamp Data” section saves the raw timestamp data. "Save Current Data" writes a file to
the subdirectory "InProgress", holding the current start list and any recorded timestamps (in
milliseconds). The "Save Current Results" writes a file to the subdirectory "InProgress", showing
the start list and elapsed time. When the race is stopped both the Current Data and Current Results
are written to the "Completed" subdirectory.
Notes -- This tab is used to scribble notes or record short messages. We found it difficult to switch
between paper/pencil and tablet/pointer during a race, so we use the Notes page to write down
adjustments that need to be made to the final results. Examples: "I missed #123 coming in by 3
seconds" or "#123 -3" for short. "Extra Timestamp on 101", "155 DNF", or "It is darn cold". These
scribbles are saved in the "Completed" subdirectory.
Similarly, you can create audio recordings that are also saved in the "Completed" subdirectory.