Table tennis software

[MK Chris]

Apologies to the non-techy amongst us, but I have a question about software. Now, as you may know, the ETTA have a piece of league / tournament administration software written in VB (I think). It's still linked to from the ETTA website here (http://www.englishtabletennis.org.uk/dyncat.cfm?catid=8586), but doesn't look like it's been touched for a long time updates-wise.

I currently maintain the Milton Keynes web site here (http://www.mkttl.co.uk/) (apologies for the self-promoting link.. I'll be putting a link to this place on our links page as soon as I get the chance). At the moment the database is a very flimsy flat-file system and it could be written a lot better. Basically, it was my first bit of Perl programming and it needs a rewrite. I am now (as and when I get the time) doing this rewrite, but it needs to be a lot more flexible, because I want it to have the option of being used for any league in the country that wants to (hell, why shouldn't the Americans, the French and everyone else be able to use it if they want to.. though that may raise some support issues, as I'm a one-man band and I work full-time.)

I'm writing it with the following in mind:


Support for a range of database systems, including MySQL, MSSQL, Oracle, SQLite and maybe some others.
Full permissions system, allowing different users or groups to complete different tasks and use different parts of the system.
RSS feeds/mailing lists for those who wish to subscribe.
Easy to 'install' with just a web browser.
Integrated message board and (optional) Guestbook.
Comprehensive stats, including league tables, player averages and doubles pairings stats.
Support for Cup competitions and tournaments, including Challenge Cup type competitions and league-run or standalone tournaments, handicapped or non-handicapped.
Support for both team events and individual events, doubles and singles events.
WYSIWYG text editor (that could take some time - I can see this coming after the initial release of the main site because the whole thing needs to be cross-browser compatible, and WYSIWYG editors generally aren't.. this could possibly be a Flash addition, though that means I'll need to learn ActionScript.)
Allow multiple leagues from one site.
Support for multiple seasons, which will allow for archived data from previous seasons.


There are various different handicap systems for cup competitions, that just I have seen in various local leagues, so supporting every single one of them could be an issue, though I'll try and make it as varied as possible.

Ahem.. this has been in the making quite a while and I'm not even close to finished yet, but I am keen to get it working... it'll certainly keep me busy!

[DaveR]

I have looked at the ETTA link and to be honest have not seen the disk or software concerned, so it would be wrong for me to comment either for or against it, having said that has someone or anyone got the disk to send so i can look at the piece of kit in question. The concept you are talking about Chris is certainly a worthwhile cause but as we all know a lot of leagues tend to be a little "slow" on the take up of new techy things. This is usually due to an age and historical effect but one that over the next few years will probably reverse given the fact things are constantly moving forward and members who are in younger administration will filter through the system. My comments are certainly not aimed at the good work administrators already do as this is sometimes a thankless job many if not all do free of charge!

The countless hours some admin put in is overlooked on a good day so maybe embracing the new software world will make things less of a burden in the future. I am interested to see anything thats developed in a working form as i haven't used the system myself yet.

[SteveJ]

I have looked at the ETTA link and to be honest have not seen the disk or software concerned, so it would be wrong for me to comment either for or against it, having said that has someone or anyone got the disk to send so i can look at the piece of kit in question. The concept you are talking about Chris is certainly a worthwhile cause but as we all know a lot of leagues tend to be a little "slow" on the take up of new techy things. This is usually due to an age and historical effect but one that over the next few years will probably reverse given the fact things are constantly moving forward and members who are in younger administration will filter through the system. My comments are certainly not aimed at the good work administrators already do as this is sometimes a thankless job many if not all do free of charge!

The countless hours some admin put in is overlooked on a good day so maybe embracing the new software world will make things less of a burden in the future. I am interested to see anything thats developed in a working form as i haven't used the system myself yet.

The administration process was and still is overlooked by lots of players but still expect everything to run smoothly.

Just an observation over my short years, i think all of us are guilty at some point of this but maybe some players wont agree with me on this one.

[Jayteebee]

HI MK Chris, I had a look at your website.. clicked on league tables and had a few other clicks around teams and players and thought it was great... I administer the bolton table tennis league website (not upto date at the moment busy with uni)... I would use your script I really like the interaction and the way you can call any team / player etc up and get the stats... well done... If you need a guinea pig... I'll have a go with it... I have a domain and webspace with mysql support.

Thanks

[MK Chris]

Thanks Jayteebee! As I say, it'll be a little while before I'm comfortable and confident enough that other people can use it, but I hope that stage will come!