The rationale for the purchase of o

The rationale for the purchase of our own computer and printer was not based on the costs of using the VTA service but only on the savings in time to the handicappers (myself and Tom Hood at that stage) and the ability to have results posted on the board in the afternoon of the race. In the winter of 1986 the General Committee approved the purchase of an IBM compatible Personal Computer with 640K of RAM and two floppy disk drives, a VDU and a printer.

It was evident from the outset that the computer could also be used to establish a database of all membership information such as that already operated by the VTA, but at a reduced cost, and with possibly wider applica- tions. Unfortunately, the cost of transferring the information on the VTA machine by disk to the Club’s new PC was prohibitively expensive and it had to be done, like most things around Westernport Yacht Club, with “volunteer labour”. Consequently, I started on the task of manually entering over 800 individual records,
with each record consisting of a membership number, first name, last name, phone number, address, city, postcode, boatname, boat type, division number and storage allocation. A few months later we had discov- ered many powerful features that we now had at our disposal. For example, we could now rapidly produce mailing labels, which opened the way for the Club administration to communicate very quickly with all the membership (such as through Westport Bound), or selected groups such as Cadet sailors, or those living in the Balnarring postcode area, and so on. Initially we retained the services of the VTA until we had the data- base working satisfactorily and until such time as I could demonstrate that our system was capable of produc- ing the annual subscription notices. This was accomplished, and for the last five years the Club has used its own database, computer and printer to produce the notices.

Bob Hibbins had been looking after the Club’s and members’ marine radio licences with the help of John Benwel,l who had established a database of radio records using the same software as the Club was now using for general records. I took over the radio database as a part of my function as Vice Commodore. We decided that it would be more efficient to incorporate all the radio information in the main Club database. This was achieved.

My biggest concern since the Club has maintained membership records on its own computer was that I was the only person who new in detail the operation of the database and how to maintain and update records. Hence we have now trained those who need these facilities to operate the computer and its programs’.


Staffing of Operations

On Sundays and holidays throughout the year it is necessary to appoint a staff of 15 or more each day to supervise and control various operations. Since the 1960s WYC developed the policy of involving as many as possible of all the members in these duties. Other clubs prefer to regularly use the services of a few who are undoubtedly greater experts, eg for the operation of patrol boats, radio, etc. The advantages of greater participation by as many members as possible brings the disadvantages of greater risks of damaged equip- ment, less expert operation, and so on. However as a result of good training, WYCs operations have been very satisfactory. Our method has the added great advantage that a wide group of members obtain a feeling
of participation, as well as valuable experience. Since 1967 ladies have been participating in race-box duties, radio operation, and crewing of patrol boats.

Rosters are therefore issued annually for the following functions on each day:


Duty Officer (overall supervision), Sailing Officer, Race Box staff (2), Radio Operator, Patrol Boat Skippers and Crew (2 boats, 5 members), Lunch and Afternoon Tea (4 ladies).

Results (Indonesian) 1:

Alasan untuk pembelian komputer dan printer kami sendiri tidak didasarkan pada biaya menggunakan layanan VTA tetapi hanya pada penghematan waktu untuk handicappers (diriku dan Tom Hood pada tahap itu) dan kemampuan untuk memiliki hasil yang diposting di papan di sore hari perlombaan. Pada musim dingin tahun 1986 Komite umum menyetujui pembelian komputer pribadi kompatibel IBM dengan 640K RAM dan dua floppy disk drive, VDU dan printer.Itu jelas bahwa komputer juga bisa digunakan untuk membangun database keanggotaan semua informasi seperti yang sudah dioperasikan oleh VTA, tapi pada biaya dikurangi, dan dengan applica-tions mungkin lebih luas. Sayangnya, biaya mentransfer informasi pada mesin VTA oleh disk untuk klub baru PC adalah sangat mahal dan itu harus dilakukan, seperti kebanyakan hal di sekitar Westernport Yacht Club, dengan "relawan tenaga kerja". Akibatnya, saya mulai pada tugas secara manual memasukkan lebih dari 800 catatan individu,with each record consisting of a membership number, first name, last name, phone number, address, city, postcode, boatname, boat type, division number and storage allocation. A few months later we had discov- ered many powerful features that we now had at our disposal. For example, we could now rapidly produce mailing labels, which opened the way for the Club administration to communicate very quickly with all the membership (such as through Westport Bound), or selected groups such as Cadet sailors, or those living in the Balnarring postcode area, and so on. Initially we retained the services of the VTA until we had the data- base working satisfactorily and until such time as I could demonstrate that our system was capable of produc- ing the annual subscription notices. This was accomplished, and for the last five years the Club has used its own database, computer and printer to produce the notices.Bob Hibbins had been looking after the Club’s and members’ marine radio licences with the help of John Benwel,l who had established a database of radio records using the same software as the Club was now using for general records. I took over the radio database as a part of my function as Vice Commodore. We decided that it would be more efficient to incorporate all the radio information in the main Club database. This was achieved.My biggest concern since the Club has maintained membership records on its own computer was that I was the only person who new in detail the operation of the database and how to maintain and update records. Hence we have now trained those who need these facilities to operate the computer and its programs’.Staffing of OperationsOn Sundays and holidays throughout the year it is necessary to appoint a staff of 15 or more each day to supervise and control various operations. Since the 1960s WYC developed the policy of involving as many as possible of all the members in these duties. Other clubs prefer to regularly use the services of a few who are undoubtedly greater experts, eg for the operation of patrol boats, radio, etc. The advantages of greater participation by as many members as possible brings the disadvantages of greater risks of damaged equip- ment, less expert operation, and so on. However as a result of good training, WYCs operations have been very satisfactory. Our method has the added great advantage that a wide group of members obtain a feeling of participation, as well as valuable experience. Since 1967 ladies have been participating in race-box duties, radio operation, and crewing of patrol boats.Rosters are therefore issued annually for the following functions on each day:Duty Officer (overall supervision), Sailing Officer, Race Box staff (2), Radio Operator, Patrol Boat Skippers and Crew (2 boats, 5 members), Lunch and Afternoon Tea (4 ladies).