About Front Line Computers Limited

FRONT LINE COMPUTERS LIMITED 1989

Thanks are due to CAMBRIDGE COMPUTER LIMITED for their assistance and advise also to RACING CAR COMPUTERS (Thomas Nunn) for writing the software and to Stan Sutherland's consultancy HELP FOR MANAGEMENT for devising the original idea and concept of EVENT CONTROLS.

Event Control System for the Z88

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These applications need 32K of either EPROM or Flash space.

 

Introduction

EVENT CONTROL SYSTEM is a ROM based application package for the Cambridge Computer Z88 portable. It was originally written as a Commentary Control System for commentating on motor rally events and to give the commentator up to the minute information on the positions of the drivers in their various groups and classes.

The EVENT CONTROL SYSTEM can be utilized for many types of events - indoors and outdoors and can easily accommodate up to 180 entrants. Its uses are varied:-

• Note pad and timing device for coaches in all kind of sporting activities.

• Motor sports events.

• Horse Trials and Show Jumping events. Cycle racing both circuit and road events. Canoe racing events. Etc. Etc.

In addition to sports uses the program can be equally at home in an office environment when required for such applications as Method Study, Time controlling of work control and processing applications and any activity requiring a stopwatch and note pad.

The EVENT CONTROL SYSTEM has been devised as a universal program which can be used for work and leisure activities.

Before using the software for a serious application it is recommended that some time is spent getting acquainted with the package to gain familiarity with the facilities available and to determine the best way to arrange the information required.

The manual should be read to appreciate the system fully and to avoid any mishaps at a later date when fully operational.

The package is a fully compatible application for the Z88 and allows all the machine's inbuilt software to be used while the EVENT CONTROL SYSTEM is running.

The standard INDEX, MENU and HELP facilities are available and the various editing keys can be used when entering competitors' names and details. If you are unfamiliar with the machine then it is recommended that some time is spent studying the relevant sections of the Z88 manual.

The CLOCK and the PANEL

It is important that the real-time clock reads the correct time as EVENT CONTROL SYSTEM has the facility to enter actual START and STOP times to evaluate elapsed time.

If necessary select the CLOCK from the index or with

T and set it to the correct time.

The default PANEL settings are suitable for most people but if you are particularly heavy handed when pressing the keys it may help to set the "Auto Repeat Rate" to a higher number than the default setting of 6, say 10 for example. If you are new to using a keyboard then set the "key-click" to YES and then an audible tone will be heard every time you press a key.

If necessary select the PANEL from the index or with

S and change the values.

Selecting ECS

EVENT CONTROL SYSTEM can be started from the INDEX using the cursor bar or can be selected at any time using 

W. If EVENT CONTROL SYSTEM has already been used it will appear in the SUSPENDED ACTIVITIES area of the index from which it can be re-selected using the cursor bar. There can be any number of EVENT applications running - the only limit being set by the available memory in the Z88.

Modes

There are two types of MODES used in this program :-

ENTER mode

This mode allows for all editing and inserting of competitor information (with the exception of entering START/FINISH TIMES and START/STOP CURRENT CLOCK).

VIEW mode

This mode allows for the viewing of all competitors' information and rankings. No editing is available whilst in this mode. (With the exception of entering START/FINISH TIMES and START/STOP CURRENT CLOCK).

SAMPLE SCREEN LAYOUTS

Competitor Information Form

 

Options Panel

This is the panel on the right-hand side of the screen.

View Mode

Enter Mode

Rankings Screen

Using EVENT CONTROL SYSTEM Program

From the APPLICATIONS MENU select EVENTS by moving cursor to highlight this and press

.

it will load immediately and the screen will show the software logos and Events Control System.

Restart application

This is where you start when selecting this command,

otherwise the competitor information screen appears and you are requested to

Enter title of event

type in the Event title (2015 RACE) and press

.

Change event title

If the event title needs to be changed later, this command is used.

This name is also shown as YOUR REF on suspended activities on INDEX

Open

The screen then asks

Miles or Kilometres

move cursor to select unit required (miles), and press

.

The next screen asks you to

Change distance

If the distance needs to be changed later use this command.

otherwise type in the distance in miles/kilometres (26.2) of the stage, course, track or total event and press

Next screen -

Load competitors

Yes No.

If you have already entered and stored a list of competitors, then select Yes

if you have no list of competitors then select No and after selection press

.

Selecting YES, the screen will request LOAD COMPETITORS