Band-aids on a Reactor

If you think that the Games Registration system was unfair this year, and in years past, you’re absolutely correct.

Its not supposed to be. Really, its not. But a minor software error has caused havoc on the data entry system for the last two years. And its all my fault. I wrote the code, I tested the code, and I didn’t envision how two parts were used by the data entry staff, which caused what I’m calling a “drug interaction effect”. So hours of data entry were wiped out in less than a second, not once, but several times this convention, and at DDC 33.

The Games Pre-reg system also came in for its share of errors – the good news is that we got over 200 pre-reg’s. That meant that we saved a lot of time at data entry. The bad news: some of the data, especially in session 4, was munged when I created the data files.

And in a third error, Mark and I decided to change a game number when I was laying out the convention book, and I forgot to change it in the Games Reg data files. So when the games were sorted and printed, game 412 was listed twice, and it wasn’t really the game 412 people thought they were signing up for. All the game numbers starting with 412 were off by one.

Small things, easily fixed. Three lines of code here, a couple procedural changes there.

A contrite and heartfelt public apology from me.

So, where do we go from here?

Unfortunately, I can’t change the past. I can’t get you into that game you used your priority slip for in session 2. I can’t undo two years worth of frustration.

But going forward, I’m going to put in those three lines of code that will prevent the “drug interaction”. I’m also going to haul the Game Reg computer over to June’s house and we’re going to re-enter the data from this convention and check the outcome by hand. I’m not going to touch Game numbers; Mark will control the Game Submission system, and give me a final clean download on the Thursday before the convention. And I’m changing how I enter pr-reg’s, so that the data files are created differently.

All I can say is: Yes, you’re right, the system had major problems. I didn’t want to admit it, even to myself, but it did. I’ve identified the problems and their solutions, and will ensure they don’t happen again.

Roderick Robertson
DDC Games Reg. Programmer