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A small suggestion to improve AQT target...

Started by FastFinger, July 02, 2011, 06:40:41 PM

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FastFinger

July 02, 2011, 06:40:41 PM Last Edit: July 02, 2011, 06:43:53 PM by FastFinger
Okay - I know I'm new here and don't have a lot of cred or standing (if any at all), but I do have a suggestion.

When at my PA weekend I had a great time, especially shooting.  But scoring the targets was not the highlight of the weekend.  Math was never that fun for me.  Now the scoring numbers aren't that large, and it's not like we're solving non-euclidean problems, but I think there's a way to streamline the scoring process.

Scoring the hits is straight forward, and entering the stage totals is quick enough, but now comes the bump...  The stage totals need to be added together to ge the total.  Traditionally when I need to get the sum of a few numbers I would stack the numbers one over another in a column, that's the way we're pretty much all taught.  But the current layout of the AQT target tabulation area has stage 1 & 3 in the stack on the left, and adjacent to that column is another column for stages 2 & 4, with the field for the total beneath them.  Because of that layout the work flow has a slight kink in it.

That kink can be easily eliminated by reformatting the layout just a little bit...



This way the stages are all in one column and adding them up may be just a tiny bit more convenient.  I see this as potential upside with no downside. 

HOWEVER there might be some traditional reason, or emotional justification, for the current layout - if so please forgive my ignorance and let's pretend this thread never existed.

MODS - This is probably in the wrong forum, please move if needed.  For some reason I don't have privileges to to start threads or even reply in most of the other forums - probably set that way to keep me from posting annoying threads like this one.

Mark Davis

#1
July 02, 2011, 07:36:40 PM
Such a simple improvement.
Such a good improvement.
Now lets hurry up and use the ten bujillion qualifing targets out there to make room for  the new ones!

sparks1

#2
July 03, 2011, 01:19:59 AM
I just do 'em in my head... the way I was taught.  O0
Integrity is easier to keep, than to regain.

The Truth is that teamwork is at the heart of great accomplishment. 
(John Maxwell)

ItsanSKS

#3
July 03, 2011, 06:20:36 AM
I agree with the original post that the way the scoring lines are set up leads to a 'workflow issue'. 

That there are literally millions of these targets in use means that any change in printing would still take a year or more to trickle down.

Do I think we should change them, as outlined above?  Yes. 

Will the changes be immediate?  Nope; a year, at best, before we see new targets.

In the interim, I just stack the numbers up, above the lines for stages 2 & 4. 

"Those who would trade an ounce of liberty for an ounce of safety deserve neither."

"To save us both time in the future... how about you give me the combo to your safe and I'll give you the pin number to my bank account..."

POP

#4
July 03, 2011, 09:17:48 PM
FF, you have a great idea.  Although, like sparks I just do'em in my head, even that gets to be fun when we get distracted while scoring targets and lose our place (well, I do  **)).  Yours is not an original idea but, you have thought it through further than I have seen to date.
Therefore, you are in charge of effecting the change.  ^-^
It would take a while for us to see it on the line, but, if you don't start, we never will.

I look forward to seeing this change.
POP
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I can explain it to you but, I cannot understand it for you.

I'll keep my faith, my family, my church, my liberty, my property, my money...oh, and my guns. You can keep the CHAINS. (Triskele)

FastFinger

#5
July 04, 2011, 03:27:04 AM Last Edit: July 04, 2011, 03:29:06 AM by FastFinger
I'd be honored to help with target redesign.

True, many people sum up the figures in their head, especially those who are used to target shooting, but not everyone is that proficient at even simple math, compounded with unfamiliar surroundings and tasks it may be the last strand of straw.  At my event about half the people there Saturday did not return Sunday.  There are probably as many different reasons for that as there are people who skip day 2.   But as a first timer trust me there's a lot to process, plus there might be a level of disappointment and/or frustration.  For some people the math task might just be another small hassle that makes sleeping in on Sunday the more attractive option.  I believe every small change that makes the event less stressful, intimidating, or uncomfortable will result in more folks returning another day and eventually earning the patch.

 

Mark Davis

#6
July 04, 2011, 11:15:14 AM
In my area where instructors are limited, whenever scoring targets  shooters are always asking questions and making comments.
Sparks, scoring a target is no problem and the mental math no sweat.
But coupled with pressure and constant interruption many errors have surfaced.
This change can only be for the better, and I look forward to it's implementation.
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