SLSA Startline Manual/0.45.3

From SecondSailing

SLSA Start Line Instructions

Start Line Version

This document applies to 'SLSA Start Line' v. 0.45.3. For the current Start Line Instructions, see SLSA_Startline_Manual.

Set ID Before Regatta

NB. The Start Line no longer requires IDs to be set before a regatta; the ID is now optional.
NB. The Flying Fizz and other boats based on the Fizz sailing engine can subscribe to the WWC Setter's Race feature. In this case, a valid ID will be set automatically.

Before a regatta, skippers should set a valid ID for their boat. For the purposes of the SLSA Start Line, the boat ID should be appended to the boat's name field. If the boat consists of several parts (ex. a rezzable part and a wearable part), all boat parts must receive the same ID. A valid ID consists of the hash or pound sign (#) followed by a unique combination of two or three numbers, or of two letters and two or three numbers. For information on how to set a valid ID on your boat, consult the boat's user guide. Examples of valid IDs:

01AC
52KC
132
749MD

SLSA Sail Number Registry

If you plan to race regularly, consider adding your unique race ID to the SLSA Sail Number Registry:

http://slsailing.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3641

Start Line Operation

Issuing Commands via Chat

Click once on the central portion of the start line. The line is now ready to receive commands on the line's command channel (usually channel 33). The start line listens for further commands until the countdown timer has been started using the 'start' command.

Example: '/33 help' » Show the help text.

Issuing Commands via Menu

Click and hold on the central portion of the start line. A blue dialog box appears at the top right hand corner of your screen from which the most common settings can be accessed.

NB. To locate transparent start line segments, toggle 'Ctrl-Alt-T' on Windows/Linux or Cmd-Alt-T on the Mac, or go to "View > Highlight Transparent" to highlight transparent objects.

List of SLSA Start Line Commands

Each command consists of a keyword, sometimes followed by a parameter, as described below. Most commands are also available from the blue dialog box menus.

NB. Custom default values in the 'Settings' notecard override the default values described here.

"settings"		report current line settings
"time x"		set the countdown clock to x seconds (default: 240 seconds)
"numlaps n"             set the number of race laps (default: 1 lap)
"minlaptime x"		set the minimum lap time in seconds. minimum lap time intervals are used 
                        to ignore early line re-crossings such as penalty turns (default: 180s)
"ocstime x"             set the OCS interval to x seconds (default: 60s)
"dnstime x"             set the DNS interval to x seconds (default: 240s)
"racelimit x"           set the race time limit to x seconds (default: 7200s)
"ways (0/1/2)"		set line crossing direction (default: 2-way operation)
"color (1/0)"	        switch line color on or off (default: off)
"start"		        start the countdown clock
"results"		report the final standings
"reset"			stop and reset countdown clock
"locktime x"		set the lock time interval in seconds (default: 0 = disabled)
"unlock"		override the line lock feature (if enabled) to allow line manipulation 
                        by several users in quick succession.
"defaults"		reset line to default settings, The default settings can be modified by 
                        adding commands to the "Settings" notecard in the central line segment.
"use [name]"		use a notecard to change line settings. To switch quickly between several 
                        sets of line settings, add a new settings notecard to the central line segment 
                        and call it using this command.
"help"			display help text or dispense notecard with instructions

Minimum lap time

The minimum lap time interval defines the minimum elapsed time between crossings; a boat that crosses the line for a second time within the minimum lap time interval (and in the right direction of travel if applicable) will be ignored.

OCS time interval

The OCS time interval describes the time interval before the starting signal during which the line reports boats crossing onto the course side of the line (OCS). Boats that cross the line during the starting sequence but before the OCS time interval will be ignored; boats crossing the line during the OCS time interval will be reported as OCS. This feature can be used in conjunction with RRS Appendix L11.5. The default OCS time interval is 60 seconds (ISAF RRS Rule 30).

Example: For I Flag Rule starts (RRS Rule 30.1), use an OCS time interval of 60 seconds. NB. If the line crossing direction is set to 'both ways', crossings in any direction will be reported during the OCS time interval.

DNS time interval

The DNS time interval describes the time interval after the starting signal during which boats are able to start the race. If a boat crosses the line after the DNS time interval, it will be ignored. This feature can be used in conjunction with RRS Appendix L11.4. The default DNS time is 240 seconds.

Race time limit

The race time limit describes the maximum duration of a race. If the race time limit is exceeded, the clock resets automatically. NB. Race results can always be retrieved until the start of the next race.

Line crossing direction

The line's crossing direction can be switched between one-way crossings and two-way crossings. In two-way mode, the start line allows boats to cross the line in both directions. In one-way mode, there are two directions of travel to choose from: along the local y axis of the start line or against it. The current crossing direction is indicated by a small arrow located over the center segment of the start line.

NB. The line's direction of travel can be changed during the race if required; for example, the RD can flip the direction after the fleet has cleared the line after the start.

Line color

Line color acts as a visual aid when navigating at a distance from the start line. When color is enabled, the line segments change color during the countdown. When line color is switched off, the line segments are fully transparent.

NB. To locate transparent start line segments, toggle 'Ctrl-Alt-T' on Windows/Linux or Cmd-Alt-T on the Mac, or go to "View > Highlight Transparent" to highlight transparent objects.

Results

Race results can be retrieved until the start of the next race, i.e. a clock reset does not erase previous race results.

Group mode

The group mode setting can be used to restrict line operation to members of a group. To use this feature, the line's central segment must be set to a group first. When group mode is switched on, the line will only interact with avatars with the same (active) group tag. When group mode is off, anyone can operate the SLSA start line.

Lock Feature

After the countdown has been started, the start line can be locked for a variable amount of time. During this time, the line only interacts with the user who started the clock. The lock feature is designed to avoid accidental manipulation of the start line by others while a race is in progress. A lock can be cancelled at any time using the "unlock" command on the chat line. The lock feature is switched off by default.

Race Management

Starting a Race

Say or shout the 'start' command in the line's command channel to begin the race countdown.

The start line timer announces the count down to the start of the race within 100m from the central portion of the line.

The clock, where installed, displays the countdown and the elapsed time after the start.

The SLSA Start Line tracks each competitor during the race.

As competitors cross the line again, their lap number and elapsed time will be announced.

A competitor's total elapsed time and finishing position will be announced as they cross the finishing line.

The final standings can be retrieved using the 'results' command.

Settings Notecards

Changing settings using settings notecards

The SLSA Start Line settings can be changed in three ways:

using the dialog menu
using the chat commands described above
using a Settings notecard

To change a large number of settings quickly, add a new Settings notecard to the Start Line. Settings notecards should contain a list of settings similar to the chat commands described in section B, one command per line. For example, you could use notecards to define settings for regular events or to change quickly between different start procedures. Give your settings notecards short, memorable names for convenience.

NB. The default settings notecard has the name "Settings". If present, this notecard can be used to alter default settings.

Resetting to line defaults

The line can be reset to the default settings using the 'defaults' command. If present, the default "Settings" notecard will be read in at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. The line doesn't recognize my boat when I cross the line, what's up?

A. The line detects your crossing but ignores it for one of the following reasons:

1) The line is set to 1-way mode and you are crossing from the wrong side. In this case, the line will ignore your crossing. Check the Line settings and change them if necessary.

2) You are crossing the line outside the DNS (Did not Start) time interval. Example: if the line's dnstime interval has been set to +6:00 minutes and you cross the line at +0:08:56, your crossing will be ignored. The RD would score your start as DNS (Did not start) within the DNS time interval. Check the line settings and change the dnstime interval if necessary.

3) You are crossing the line outside (i.e. before) the OCS time interval. Example: if the line's ocstime interval has been set to -01:00 minutes and you cross the line at -04:26, your crossing will be ignored. This allows you to 'dip back' over the line without being called OCS. In the same example, if you cross the line at -00:06 before the start, the line will call you OCS (On the Course Side of the Line). Check the line settings and change them if necessary.

-- Happy Sailing !