PocketTimer

Chapter 2: Recording Times

Starting the Timer

When you start PocketTimer (once it has been licensed; see Chapter 1) you'll see this screen:

We'll discuss configuring the timer in Chapter 3, but for now we'll assume it has been set up correctly, and you're ready to start timing. To start the timer, tap on the Start button (!). The Start button will now change to read Record, and you're ready to start recording times once the finishers start arriving.

Hot tip! Like the buttons on most computers, the Start button in PocketTimer only activates when you lift the stylus up, not when you tap the pen down. Starting the timer by moving the stylus down and then up is therefore a two-step, slow process. For extremely accurate timing (in our experience, within 0.02 seconds or so), just before the start of the race (like when the countdown begins), tap the stylus on the Start button and hold it down. The button will "invert" (turn to white letters on a black background) to indicate this. When the gun goes off, lift the stylus (in most cases, your arm will naturally jerk back at the start anyway) and the timer will start.

Stopping the Timer If You Make a Mistake

There is no button to stop the timer, because we don't want you to do this accidentally. However, suppose there is a false start in the race, or you simply press the Start button too soon. Here's what you need to do:

Tap on the Menu button (the one which is permanently silk-screened on the window) in the lower left of the PalmPilot screen. This menu will appear:
Tap on the Stop Timer menu option. A dialog will appear asking you if you are sure; tap on OK.
The Start button, which was labelled Record, is now labelled Reset. Tap on Reset to reset the timer. The button should now once again be labelled Start.

Recording Times

During the event, the PalmPilot screen will constantly display the elapsed time and the current pace. As a racer approaches the finish line (or other location where you are stationed), you can enter the bib# of the racer in advance. You do so by tapping on the large number buttons on the screen. For example, if racer #458 is approaching, tap first on the 4 button, then on the 5 button, and then on the 8 button. As you do so, the bib# you are entering will be displayed. When the racer crosses the finish line (or other line), tap on Record and the bib# and time is captured. The "place" is incremented so it is always displaying the place of the next racer to pass. The bib# is erased and the timer is ready for you to enter the next number.

At times, the density of racers will be such that it is impossible for you to record all the bib#'s. In this case, you skip the step of entering the bib#, and only use the Record button to record the time by itself (the bib #'s can be filled in later). The software will record your taps as fast as you can enter them, which is approximately ten taps per second, so when a lot of racers approach, forget about looking at the bib #'s, and just concentrate on counting the racers so you can record the correct number of times (although if you miss one or more, that too can be corrected later).

Also, if you cannot read the bib# (or the person doesn't appear to be wearing one), just tap on Record, and record the time for that finisher.

As you can see, there are a number of other buttons on the screen which you can use when you are entering information. None of these are absolutely essential, but they may come in handy in certain situations. These are:

Uncertain #: If you think you can read the bib#, but aren't absolutely certain, you can record it as an uncertain #. After entering the number (by tapping on the number buttons),but before tapping on record, tap the Uncertain # button. A ? will appear just to the right of the Bib# in the display, to indicate that you aren't sure. If, before you tap on the Record button, you suddenly become certain, tap on Uncertain # again and the ? will be removed. Remember, if you can't read the number at all, don't bother to enter it, just tap on Record to record the time without any bib# number at all.

Backspace: This button erases the last digit you entered.

Clear: This button erases the enter number you are currently in the process of entering.

Show: This button will take you to a display of the recorded information which will be discussed in Chapter 4. Unless there is a large gap between racers, you should not press this button while the race is in progress.

Swap Last 2: Sometimes it will happen that two racers are approaching the finish line. Enter the first number, then press Record, then the second number, then Record. However if a last minute sprint to the finish surprises you and the second racer passes the first, after you have entered both numbers you can press Swap Last 2 to reverse the order of the last two finishers. If you don't catch this, don't worry, it can be corrected later.

Del. Last Time: It is possible that you might hit the Record button by accident. Another thing that happens is that someone finishes, you press Record, and then you realize the person was a "bandit" (a person without a number who wasn't really entered in the race). If you realize this immediately, before anyone else has finished, tap on Del. Last Time to remove that time from the list of recorded finishes. If someone else is coming, don't worry, it can be corrected later.

Stopping the Timer At the End of the Race

At the end of the race, tap on the Menu button and select Stop Timer. The Record button changes to Reset. Do not press the Reset button until you have saved the results (unless you don't want to save the results).