CDSS Over-View

The CDSS has been designed to permit ease of use by those familiar with Carriage Driving and the basic rudiments of operating a computer running Windows. Since the calculation of scores in Carriage Driving is fraught with the danger of error (eg. all those multiplications by 0.2 of a commenced second), the user has to only enter the raw score or time — the system calculates all the penalty points and placings.

The accuracy of the results is totally dependent on the data entry, not the calculations of the scorer. As an example, the Section penalty points is the comparison of the Allowed Time to the Finish Time less the Start Time less any Held Times. Compound this where times are not all rounded to whole minutes, multiplied by the number of competitors, multiplied by the number of Sections, plus all the MO penalties to be calculated and the possibility of errors for the Marathon increases.

This system only requires the user to enter the raw times (or scores) as recorded by Officials on the Course. As part of set-up for an Event, Allowed Times are entered and with this data it will accurately determine the penalty. Therefore the chance of error is greatly reduced.

A competent user with an assistant will be able to enter all scores, print and post results quickly. Score sheets can be printed (preferably photo-copied) and distributed to all competitors at the completion of an event. It is ideally suited to events with a large number of competitors since errors happen when the pressure is on. Any delays in posting results can usually be attributed to confirming course errors or working through Rule interpretations.

A User Manual is included with the installation files. It is in HTML format (readable via any standard Browser) and will take a novice on a step by step explanation. It is stressed that a user should be familiar with the program’s operation before attempting to use as it is unwise to be learning in the heat of the battle. I can take no responsibility for mis-use as it has been successfully used at numerous events in the last few  years.