RE: [GSAS-board] Plant Auction

[Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com>]

On Wed, 5 Jan 2005, Bob and Judy Holmes wrote:

["Plan B"]
> I see such a plan as being low-tech, the way it was done before the current 
> computer-based system was developed. Those auctions were held back before I 
> joined, so I have no experience with them.

Here is the "old system":

Auctioneers, same as now.

Recorders: one person has a notebook with odd-numbered bidders, one per 
page, another even-numbered bidders.  They record the bid on the 
appropriate page, and hope that statistically the big bidders aren't all 
even-numbered.

The third recorder is basically the same as our "paper trail" person with 
the computer.  Their job is to just record each bid as it comes in, and is 
a backup for the other two to check.

Now the bitch of this is that we didn't do very well on splits before the 
computer setup, because it was not well-defined into the "system".  In 
fact, handling splits was one of the two reasons for going to computers 
(the other being the run-on-the-checkout at the end... you should have 
seen it WITHOUT having the totals automatically ready!) At one point I 
dealt with this by keeping all the split forms on a clipboard and 
hurriedly trying to find each split as it was called.  The auctioneer had 
to remember to call out the item number (often didn't happen).  But the 
numbers of splits has grown significantly since that time, so it will be 
tricky.

Forms: Bidder cards, split forms, blank stickers, three notebooks (instead 
of one), plus all the usual stuff (sharpies, bags, etc).

I will do everything I possibly can to be there.  I have actually been 
testing all the computers and scanners here, and will have everything in a 
box and ready to go.

> Computers: A request for members to volunteer their laptops, put out on GSAS 
> member and GSAS announce might be in order here. Technical details of what 
> equipment, cables etc. is needed would need to be included. Might be a good 
> time to ask for human volunteers also - auctioneers, baggers, runners, data 
> input etc.

What is needed are laptops with wireless LAN, running windows 2000 or 
newer if possible.  We will need about six in total.  I'd like to bring as 
few as possible...

  - Erik

--
Erik Olson
erik at thekrib dot com
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