vent frustration with USFA web site

[Philistine]

Originally posted by Prometheus
I may be incorrect, but I was under the impression that a law passed that made digital signatures legally binding.

Presumably this would include liability wavers?

Digital signatures are valid in most commercial transactions. Whether they would be sufficient to constitute liability waivers of minors is not completely clear cut (and adds another layer of identification to the process).

But you are somewhat missing the point. Insurance companies are very conservative. Regardless of whether parental electronic signatures on waivers are effective or not, the risk is there that it would be challenged. All it takes to eliminate this risk (however slight) is a requirement that all waivers be in writing.

While this may cause some inconvenience to the fencers, quite frankly, the insurance company doesn't care, and it's not so inconvenient that the USFA is likely to pull their business and shop around for another carrier that will accept them.

--Philistine

[oiuyt]

I buy all my chess gear from uscf they have the best prices and they still make decent profit off what they sell at very competitive prices.

I agree. Back when I played competitive chess a fair amount of what I bought came from the USCF as well. In fact they make nearly as much from this source as they do from membership fees ($1.9mil vs. $1.8mil).

The uscf makes every bit of their finacial data available online, why cant usfa members see where the money goes and vote on spending or at least have the chance to complain about it.

This is a very good point. They already have the documents which they mail to BOD members, Section Chairs, etc. Why NOT have a section on the website where they get posted. Send an email to the National Office requesting it. If enough people do that it's likely to happen. Voting on it members get to do indriectly through their representatives on the BOD. Complaining^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H Advising their representatives about it they SHOULD be able to do as well. :)

The usfa needs a fulltime staff

The USFA HAS a fulltime staff. 9 people IIRC. Could more effort be spent on coming up with and implementing the types of ideas that you're suggesting? Clearly. I wish that they DID have an easy way of getting input (*cough*reading fencing.net*cough*) and took the time to use the feedback to improve the USFA and the website.

Yeah, what's you're point? How different is that from the state of affairs now? If you screw up any part of the registration system you are SOL and wasted all of your money.

Except that you've done it with time for them to get the problem fixed. Oops, forgot to sign the waiver? Fortunately my registration packet included a "hold" notation and explained what I was missing. I can now fax that in and I'm all good. Phew, two more weeks to spare. It makes a HUGE difference.

I think that lots of really good ideas are being suggested here. Forwarding the best on to Michael Massik along with the suggestion that someone at national office should be regularly reading fencing.net seems reasonable. It's not like the aim of the national office is in any way adversarial to the typical or average fencer. If they hear a good suggestion which they can do and that fits into the limited resources I'm sure that they will adopt it. But they do need to get the feedback before they can take that step.

-B :)

[veeco]

Originally posted by oiuyt
Forwarding the best on to Michael Massik along with the suggestion that someone at national office should be regularly reading fencing.net seems reasonable.

Hehe... I'll take that job please!

[oiuyt]

In case it's useful to anyone reading the thread, the USFA Information Systems Committee consists of:
David Sapery, Chair (also volunteer webmaster)
Alex Latzko (provides services, I believe the hosting of the server)
George Masin
Jeff Altbush
D. McCormick (I assume this is Dan McCormick, writer of XSeed tournament software)
M. Courtney

These would probably be the best people to send suggestions to.

-B :)

[epeemike81]

Originally posted by magma
okay, let's stay on the subject

LOL!!!!!

Priceless!!!!

-m

[Inquartata]

Yes---that admonition should be used as the dictionary definition of "irony"!