R15 Challenge, 31 October 08

[jbom1]

Sorry, previous post edited to specify that Richie wants this.

[Going Underground]

Evening Z1? Not ideal for pub after though...

I want to do a challenge during the day really as I am on leave that week..... something to kill the boredom of half term...

Hmm :S I'm reluctant to spend anymore holiday though as I haven't much left! Maybe could do an afternoon halfday if you really tempted me...

1/2 a pint of mild

[Going Underground]

My partner for darts

[joy54]

If I understand correctly, you also want each envelope
to contain a different selection of stations?

No sir not I, the current format works very well and if it isn't broke.......

I think it would be interesting with a new format but certainly not to adopt it for all R15s just for a change! The current format yes has worked well but "variety is the spice of life", someone has to think of these new challenges and try them out otherwise we'd all be waiting months on end for our next Full Network. Obviously if it is a failure it will never be done again but if its a success whos to say it can't be a yearly thing.

[Soup Dragon]

Here's the perennial R15 question: How are you going to generate the list of stations and produce copies for each player or team without seeing it yourselves?

Let me make it clear that I won't be attending this challenge as we are short staffed and I can't afford the time off work at the moment. However if you are looking to do the Variable R15 with different teams doing different stations, then why not actually take two or three actual hats rather than hypothetical hats.

You would simply have....
Hat 1 containing pure Zone 1 stations (i.e. not Z1/2)
Hat 2 containing Zone 1/2 and pure Zone 2 stations
Hat 3 containing Zone 2/3 stations (think there are 11 of these)
You then physically draw the stations before the start of the challenge and everyone has an entirely different set of 14 stations to visit. Everyone draws the same number from each hat, say 5 from Hat 1, 7 from Hat 2 and 2 from Hat 3. (does that make sense?)

Alternatively if you want to randomize this even more you could bring a fourth hat which gives you a variety of combos of which hats you draw from i.e. 4/8/2 or 7/6/1 or 8/5/2 etc...

That could make it really fun as each team takes it in turn to pull it's stations out of the various hats.

[joy54]

That would seem to eliminate most of the issues about one team getting a string of stations close toegther and one getting a string of stations at either end of Zone 2. It also gives the likelihood that in the Zone 2/3 stations at least one or two teams would get the same station as well. I wonder whether Hakan could make a computer program to do something like that.

[Soup Dragon]

It also gives the likelihood that in the Zone 2/3 stations at least one or two teams would get the same station as well.

That's not what I had in mind, once you've drawn your station it doesn't go back in the hat, so therefore Team A could draw Bromley by Bow and Turnham Green, whereas Team B might get easier ones like Archway and Hampstead.

It would be entirely random and no two teams would end up with any duplicated stations.
I believe that there are 131 Z1/2 stations (can't be bothered to count), so using this method you could not have any more than 9 teams (depending on how you split the stations into hats).

[RichieG]

If I understand correctly, Richie wants each envelope to contain a different selection of stations? (EDITED for clarity)

As I mentioned in a post above, and edited my original post to mention, I did suggest that an alternative idea based on an R15 would be to have a different fifteen stations,but for the occasions of this it might not be worth it, especially given the negative response to it so far! (sorry to embolden the text, I just think this needs clarification!)

(Note to self, use two different topics to make two different points!)

If people are wanting to do the variation of an R15 (can't remember what I called it before, something like Dr. 15?) then that's fine; if people don't want to then that's also fine. As a TC n00b anyway, this would be my first experience with any form of challenge so whatever it is will be fine :p

[Going Underground]

Crikey Antony that a lot of hats and pieces of paper

[Root]

Here's a novel way of getting the list of stations into the competitors' hands without them being able to look at it until they are supposed to:

Get the person who generates the list to send simultaneous text messages to all the competitors at the scheduled start time, or when they get the "we're ready" signal from the competitors (if they are running late or something).

It'd only cost ten to twelve pence for each message sent, which is comparable to the price of paper, ink and possibly envelopes and postage that have been incurred in the past.

[Root]

It's funny how many of our members (myself included) have the know-how to write a R15 selection program.

Geeks, us? No...

[al]

Hmm yes. I'm beginning to resent my geekiness, yet I seemingly can't turn my back on it! :O

Embrace the geekiness!!!

Anyway, I did initially express interest in this but since then a challenge on the 8th November has (I think) been proposed instead on another thread. Is the November one still taking place? If so, I will probably go for that instead, especially as my shift pattern has changed at work, and Fridays are currently not good...

[Soup Dragon]

Hmm yes. I'm beginning to resent my geekiness, yet I seemingly can't turn my back on it! :O

Embrace the geekiness!!!

Anyway, I did initially express interest in this but since then a challenge on the 8th November has (I think) been proposed instead on another thread. Is the November one still taking place? If so, I will probably go for that instead, especially as my shift pattern has changed at work, and Fridays are currently not good...

Yes Al, we have the Z1/2 challenge taking place on Saturday 8th November.

[Going Underground]

I'll only be out if it's a non-R15 event as I fully think there's too much of a good thing, and R15s I am really enjoying at the mo! Going to stick to the Saturday ones methinks.

I am happy to go with any other suggestions for the Friday, with the R15 coming up in Dec. something else would be fine for 31st Oct ....... your thoughts are welcome.....

[Going Underground]

If we can get the definitive new Snake my then, maybe we could do that rally style?

That is a great shout Now we need help from our grand computer master Hakan