Duplicate Events and a new Event Delete Tool

Several users have reported accidentally creating duplicate events.  This is generally created by incorrectly using the browser's back button during the initial step of Create a New Event. 

If you create an event, and then hit the back button, it will re-start the event creation process. Although most browser give a warning that the document has expired and ask you to confirm that you want to repeat the action that was preformed earlier.

As a simple fix, you can now delete a duplicate event from the event console.  Simply click on the trash icon at the top of the page

And follow the instructions to confirm the event delete action. 

This will support a soft delete of the event, so if you accidentally delete the wrong event, we should be able to recover it for you.  Note that this option is only available with club level "super-user" admin account credentials. 

My.RegattaNetwork - New Tool for Entrants in Regatta Network Events

You may have noticed advertisements for my.regattanetwork.com on our home page, event sites, calendar pages, and elsewhere.

My.RegattaNetwork is a new event management system designed specifically for entrants. This system brings together all the tools to manage all of your registrations into one convenient, secure location. It includes:

• Current Registrations - A complete list of your current events with:
  • Payment status
  • Links for payment or receipt
  • Links to upload documents
  • Links to your event site
• Calendar -
• A listing of future events near you
• Streamlined registration process that pre-populates your form with information from your My.RegattaNetwork account.
• Past Events -- A complete record of your events with
  • Links to the event web site
  • Links to the results for the event
• Crewbook
  • Listing of any crew that have registered with you
  • Integrated email console to send them reminders
• File Manager - Keep track of and easily link to your registrations:
  • Rating Certificates
  • Medical Forms
  • Waivers
  • Insurance forms         

New Tool for Crew Registration

For events with flexible crew sizes -- Off Shore, Handicap Events, Distance Races, etc, that still want to capture crew information, we have introduced a new tool to simplify the capture of this information. By enabling the Crew Size question, the system will automatically add the appropriate number of crew applications to each registration. You still have the option to minimize the crew application to capture just first and last name.

Or, if you enable the full crew application you will capture name, address, phone, email, etc. with the option for the entrant to email their crew to complete the forms.

Note: Using the Crew Size option will not show the entrants missing crew as "pending," so for one design or junior events with fixed crew sizes it is still recommended that the crew size be set with the registration fee for the class.

New Event Site and Notice Board Options

Today we are rolling out two new event options.  Several clubs have a dedicated website or their club website for their events rather than use the automatic event site generated when you create an event in Regatta Network.  You can now add the URL for an event site (other than the Regatta Network site) during event creation or through the Edit Event Information console.  Simply enter the URL for the event site in the field labeled  "Event Site Link," and be sure the include the entire web address including the http://www. for your site.  (Tip:  If you copy the URL from a browser address bar, most browsers will automatically add these to your link.)

Also, we're now providing the option to select either the expanded online notice board or the standard notice board during event set up from the first tab of event creation or the Edit Event Information console.  The expanded notice board gives you a separate section for Documents, Notices, Hearing Schedule, Hearing Decisions, Protest Time Limits, and an email Scoring Inquiry form and an optional section for On-the-Water Penalties.

Any document uploaded to your event is automatically added to the documents page. Notices, Hearing Schedule and Decisions, and Protest Time limits are managed through the existing notice board console.  And the scoring inquiry generates an email inquiry to the email addresses listed in the scorer and PRO fields of the Edit Event Information console.

New Club and Event Level Users

As experienced users of Regatta Network know, in the past we had 3 basic users - the Club Admin or "super user" with access to all aspects of all events within their club, and Event Admin and Event Scorer users with access limited to specific events and functions.

Today we're rolling our an expanded User functionality for both Club and Event users.  As the Club Admin, you can now assign the following additional club level users for your club:

• Admin, 
• Principal Race Officer (PRO) 
• Scorer,
• Protest Committee/Jury Secretary

These club level users will have access to all events for your club, but will only have access to those specific areas necessary to complete their tasks.

Also, we're introducing two new levels of event users

• Event Level Admin, 
• Event Level PRO (New!) 
• Event Scorer
• Event Level Protest Committee/Jury Secretary (New!)

These users will have access only to the event or events assigned to them, and again, only access to the areas necessary to their specific tasks.

Setting up these users is easy.  Simply add their name and email to either the Club Information page from the Club Management Menu on the screen left menu, or from the first tab of the Edit Event Information console. 


When you save your changes an message will be sent to the email address provided with a notification that they have been assigned a specific for your club or event.  If it is the first time they've been assigned as a user, the email will include instructions on how to log in with their email and an assigned password.

If they've been assigned as a user on another event for you club or another club, they will receive an email notifying them that they have been granted access to a new event.

For more information, please watch the video here.

Regatta Network Calendar State Search

To make searches for your entrants easier, we've added a state search to the calendar on www.regattanetwork.com.  Simply click in the box labeled "Select State", and click one or more states to see just the events near your home.

Click here to give it a try now.

Introducing free 3D Regatta Replays from RaceQs.

Regatta Network is proud to introduce raceQs, a free phone app that creates 3D regatta replays. 

The sailing app from raceQs is a free phone app that turns a smart phone into a GPS tracker.  The app records detailed information about your race and automatically creates a 3D Regatta Replay animation. RaceQs.com replays are a great way to improve sailing performance or simply to enjoy the race again. The setup process is really simple, for both you and your sailors. All your sailors will need is a smart phone, and the FREE raceQs app for iPhone and Android.

After running raceQs' app during the race, sailors can watch a 3D replay of  the entire fleet, online.  The replays are based in Google Earth, so permanent marks, city front, and landmarks are all visible alongside the animated sailboat fleet.  Many clubs have had great fun playing the replay on a large TV at the awards party, adding a whole new dimension to the tactical discussions and post-race protest negotiations. 

For more information visit http://raceqs.com/regattas/

Scrolling Results for an individual race.

Several clubs have requested a scrolling version of the single race scores for all fleets in their series.  This allows the results from a single race to be displayed on screens or tv's around the club.  To accommodate this request we've added a link to the custom links section of the event console. 

By default the link is set to race 1, so to display the detail of another race simply edit the number following the "&race_num=" at the end of the web address in the URL toolbar.  The scroll speed is set to 1, if you would like the page to scroll at a faster pace, simply change the value following "&scrolling=" to a larger number.  There is an example of this page HERE

Naturally, the Scrolling results page is still available that will show the complete results for the series or regatta.  

Deleting Events

One of the most asked questions is "How do I delete an event?"  The short answer is, "You Can't"  For the simple reason that if someone accidentally deleted a live or scored event, it would create havoc in the registration and/or results database.

The easy work around is to change the Event Title to "Delete Me" and shoot us a quick note, and we will be happy to delete it for you. 

Formatting Printed Reports

Several clubs have asked about changing the formatting of the printed reports generated by Regatta Network.  When these reports are generated as web pages the font size is dynamic and usually adjusted by the setting on each user's browser.  But when printing the report from a browser, the print function will often revert to the stated size of the font as defined in the css or html for the page, which appears to be about 10pt on the printed page.

However there are several options to enlarging the printed version of the page.

1. Using print preview in your browser, minimize the borders on the page, and print a test page or two. 
2. Not big enough?   Try changing the page layout from letter to landscape.  At the same time you may need to adjust the scaling on the page to maximize the font size.  Again, print a test page or two.  
3. Still not big enough?  All reports in Regatta Network are created as an HTML table, as such you can highlight the page with your mouse, and paste it into MS Excel.  Then you can adjust the font size, column width, page breaks, etc. without wasting paper. 

Remember, each browser and printer combination is a bit different, so you may want to experiment with different browsers to see if one combination works best for your event.  Also, it's important to use the print preview function of your browser or Excel, and to save paper. 

Who is Crew?

One of the most frequent questions we get from organizers is "How can I see the information from an in line crew registration."  As you may know, the crew registration follows the skipper/helm's primary registration, on subsequent pages. 

We have added a new feature to link directly to the crew registration from the Edit Event Entries pages.  Simply select the crew option from the show hide columns menu, and click on the crew members name.  No more paging through the registration pages to see the crew information. 

Expanded Console for Storefront Customers

We have recently completed a major enhancement to the customer console for Event Stores.  You can now select whether to view just the store customer, just the event entrants that made purchases through the store, or both.

We have also added the ability for the organizer to select the columns they wish to view, sort by any column or columns, and search for a specific record based on the customer or entrants name.  See video tour below.

Add Social Network Links to Your Event Site

We've added the option to link your event site directly to the Facebook and Twitter page for your event.  Simply add the links to the appropriate fields on Edit Event Information, and the media tiles will be added to the navigation bar on your event site. 

See example of these tiles in action here

New! - List Multiple Skippers/Co-Owners

At the request of several organizers and classes, event organizers now have the option to allow the listing of Multiple Skippers or Co-Owners on you event.  Simply check the box labeled "Allow Multiple Skipper/Owner Name(s)" to enable this feature.  

It will add a text box for the additional skippers to the registration form as shown below.  Multiple names can be separated by a comma, up to 160 characters.  Note that it will NOT add any additional email or other contact information for the entry, and will only list the name (or names) entered on the entrant lists and results pages.  

New Discounts for Membership Module Users

For sometime now, Clubs and Associations who have taken advantage of the Regatta Networks Membership Module have been able to host events on Regatta Networks that allow only current and verified members. Due to recent requests, we've added a new type of discount within the fee system that can be applied to only verified members, while allowing non-members to still register for the event. This is a great way to both encourage non-members to join your membership as well as reward your current members via discounted registration fees.

To activate this discount fee type, you must first setup your event to validate your association as well as allow non-members to register (Located in "Edit Event Information" under the 'Form Questions' tab) :

Now that you've enable Class Association verification with Non-Member allowance, you'll have access to your discount in the fee editor:

After the fee is added, registrants will be notified on the registration form that the discount applies to members:

What's This? Your Event's QR code!

Some of you may have noticed that we've added an event specific QR Code to all events. This code is a graphic bar code to take your potential registrants or registrants directly to an event page designed specifically for smart phones.


This page will give entrants fast access to your event's status (from the online notice board), the registration form, the current entrant list, results, regatta documents, etc. The event status is updated from the Online Notice Board so entrants can know instantly if you event is on schedule, postponed or abandoned by simply checking their phone.

Use the QR code image in your promotional materials - emails, posters, flyers and around the club house to let entrants connect quickly with your event. The QR code image can be downloaded from the Regatta Network event console in a variety of sizes to fit your application.

As always please feel free to contact us for a demonstration or with questions, comments or suggestions.

New Event Location Capability

As you may have noticed, in the past the location of an event was assumed to be the same location as the information on the Organizer's Club Information page. Since many event's were organized by a class or YRA with offices in a different location than the actual event. To help with this "dis-location", we've added an event location to all events. Simply list the address for the event and the event will be listed on Regatta Network and RegattaLink with the correct location.

Let Your Entrants and Their Supporters Give A Little.

Several times a year, we are approached by clubs or organizations running charity events. They've asked for a method to have their entrants reach out to their supporters to raise money for a worthy cause.

To answer this need, we've developed a Pledge console that let's supporters pledge a donation to the chosen charity to support the efforts of a specific entrant. The way the system works is simple --

• As sailors enter, they are automatically added to the pledge page.
• They can then direct their supporters to the pledge page to pledge support for their entry. And they are offered the opportunity to complete their pledge directly with the charity.
  
• The progress of each competitor is displayed on a pledge "Leader Board
• And as the organizer you can provide the charity with the contact information on all pledges, so they can follow up with a thank you or reminder.
  

To see the pledge system in action, please the CBS Charity Regatta on www.yachtclubdemo.com,
Or you can view the pledge form and tote board from the entry form here

Working With Waitlists...

For many youth events, capacity constraints and wait lists are a fact of life. Many facilities can only accommodate a set number of boats. Wait lists in the Regatta Network system are based on the number of paid entrants received for a specific fee. As a reminder, the Waitlist Limit is established when setting up the fee, and will allow entry into your event until the limit is reached.



Once that limit has been reached, and entrants are being actively wait listed, we recommend you revise the Waitlist Limit downward, say from 50 to 35 or 40. This will let you delete entrants that have to drop out and override the wait list status for entrants currently wait listed. Otherwise when you delete a paid entrant, the waitlist will open up for the public, and let anyone jump in line in front of the wait listed entrants.

Step-by-Step: To override the waitlist status for an entrant --
> Click "Edit Event Entries"
> Click on the entrants name
> At the bottom of the next page, click the check box to "Override waitlist for this registrant "
> Click button to Modify this entrant.
> Notify the Entrant either through the email console, or directly to edit their registration form.

Extend Your Wi-Fi Reach

We've recently begun testing a new High Power Wireless-N USB Adapter from Amped Wireless. This system combines a high power WiFi amplifier and a high gain directional antenna to extend the range of wirless connectivity up to 4x over normal. In many cases, this could extend the range of your laptop on the committee boat to reach a WiFi Hotspot at the club.

The unit is designed to allow you to connect to wireless networks from "extreme distances" and is weatherized for use on boats, RV's etc. The antenna connects to your laptop using a dual USB cable for maximum signal strength, or can connect using a single USB port for standard power and includes 26.5 feet of cable and a variety of mounting options - Wall, pole/mast, or tabletop.

Since it's usefulness depends on the environment at your club and RC boat (distance from the club, trees and other obstructions between the antenna and the WiFi hotspot, we are offering our test antenna on a "lend/lease" program for clubs to try it out before they have to commit to buying it. Basically for the cost of shipping both ways, you can test this system at your location to decide if it is a good solution for your club. Please contact Ken Taylor with questions or to arrange a test.