Tables v spreadsheets

robinph

To give the impression of this being a democracy, what should be changed for the soon to be created shiny new 1000 mile 2013 thread?

The majority of the fancy calculations that the current Google Docs spreadsheet does is down to the skills of rom, so thanks for that spreadsheet magic.

People did struggle with figuring out the GDocs initially, but that was a lot less compared to people screwing up the posts on the previous table threads which then just get worse the bigger the tables got. The main thing seemed to be vandalism, but that probably matched the level of times the table broke before. There are ways to stop the vandalism, but it needs people to have a Google account.

Suggestions on new things? Or shall we just get the elves to work on creating the same format again?

Will probably lock down the 2012 version to new edits around the 2nd January.



Anyone suggesting that we revert to tables will get a slap with a smelly/ muddy sock at the next cross country race.

Altreab

Spreadsheets the only way to go

Bludub

Spreadsheet for me.

JohnDozer

vandal-proof spreadsheet for me...

Dundalk

Spreadsheet

Would it be possible to add in 2012 mileage to give everyone something extra to motive them

Another idea...what about adding the county each poster is from to add a bit of spice and rivalry?

TRR

I say a 3 column table should be started that states your name and then 2 columns saying aye or nay regards the continuation of these new fandango google docs

martyboy48

I'd like a ta..... No sorry, I mean a spreadsheet
Previous mileage might be good as stated above.. I'd also be in favour of county but maybe that's just me bein nosey :pac::pac:

PaulieC

A spreadsheet is the best solution. One the prevents some random eejit from deleting about 10 other's details in December would be even better.

b.harte

An App.....
That's what is needed, an App....



A question for the spreadsheet whiz-kids;
Is it possible to just have a front-end / form to enter info, that way the main body of the spreadsheet is protected, by not being readily accessible.
I know there is/was a way to do it with MS Excel but not familiar with google docs.

/runs away

robinph

This years version has a page where you can only edit if you are signed into Google Docs so it is then clear who did what edits to that page and when. The other sheet where most people were adding their stats is open to editing by everyone.

I believe that it is possible to have each person with their own version of the spreadsheet that then links to a combined one with everyones details on so there is no way you can mess up anyone else's details, only your own. That would require everyone to have a google account though.

rom

b.harte: There is a very easy way, its called forms which are part of google docs that are easy to make and fill the data into a spreadsheet but what is to stop me pretending to be you ? The only way to stop vandalism is have a user authenticated and as many on here don't have or want to have a google account then it is not possible. I think no matter what people do in respect to authentication, authorisation and validation there is always a way to break things from my experience.

Regarding an app
http://venturebeat.com/2012/09/10/google-docs-editing-comes-to-ios-two-years-after-android/

b.harte

I just had a quick look at the forms on google docs.
There is little scope for user authentication, and it looks like it might be confined to a google account, I can understand why people don't wish to create an account / log in to edit.
What about creating a form and embedding it here, behind a log-in (boards account), same as you have to log-in to post, would that be possible and something that is permitted by admin?
ie: an open form, behind a restricted access post, that links to an uneditable (as in only accepts data from the form or admin involvement) spreadsheet. Access would have to be requested to the post.

I used a log in to the locked sheet for this year, I found it annoying that peoples details were being messed with so think some form of access control is a good thing, personally didn't like the table, found the thread got cluttered.

On a related note, fair play to everyone behind the scenes, it made the year interesting, thanks for giving us the spreadsheet to use, even with its problems.

rom

b.harte wrote: »

I just had a quick look at the forms on google docs.
There is little scope for user authentication, and it looks like it might be confined to a google account, I can understand why people don't wish to create an account / log in to edit.
What about creating a form and embedding it here, behind a log-in (boards account), same as you have to log-in to post, would that be possible and something that is permitted by admin?
ie: an open form, behind a restricted access post, that links to an uneditable (as in only accepts data from the form or admin involvement) spreadsheet. Access would have to be requested to the post.

I used a log in to the locked sheet for this year, I found it annoying that peoples details were being messed with so think some form of access control is a good thing, personally didn't like the table, found the thread got cluttered.

On a related note, fair play to everyone behind the scenes, it made the year interesting, thanks for giving us the spreadsheet to use, even with its problems.

There were lots of cases where people who were logged in broke the sheet last year so it does not solve the problem. boards.ie uses vbullitin and I don't think they they will give access to the user database for this The question is that with the revision history of a google doc spreadsheet is people breaking the thing that much of a problem. I would be of the opinion that don't fix it if it ain't broke

martyboy48

Jesus thanks a lot, have spent the last few days trying to educate myself on these new(to me) google docs/spreadsheets!!! My head is wrecked :D

No seriously, thanks At least I can say i've done something productive on the puther

BrokenMan

Reckon the spreadsheet is the way to go. Going to use the locked sheet this year though. Don't know why I didn't last year as I have a google account and use docs a lot.
Was a pain people vandalising the sheet as opposed to genuinely makIng mistake and messing it up.
Don't think there is any way around that though not feasible to force a google docs login on everyone even though you can still maintain anonymity if that's the issue.
Maybe a poll?
Locked only or locked and open?

Cabaal

Spreadsheets are the way to go but it needs to be more heavily restricted, three times my details were removed from the 1,000 spreadsheet which is very annoying

Personally I think just force everyone to create a google a/c if they want to use it (if they don't already have one)