Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Timerthing?
- Timerthing is a free solution for anyone who wants to run a timed event or series of events, and only requires a smartphone to work. It is based around the concept of scanning a QR code presented by participants as they finish the event, but can also be used to add 'unknown' finishers to be allocated later. A useful secondary feature is the option to add your emergency information to allow quick access for anyone (or just event organisers) who scans your QR code.
- How do you get a QR code?
- You just need to sign up for a free timerthing account, then click on the 'my account' icon (a small circle with your first initial in it) at the top-right of the home page. You should see a QR code image on the page with instructions for how to print it out.
- Do you need my personal information?
- No. The only information you need to give is a working email address and the name you want to show up on timerthing results pages. Emergency information about you (emergency contact, medical conditions, etc) is entirely optional but recommended, although some event organisers might insist on having this before participation in their event.
- How does this generally work then?
- An 'event' is set up by an organiser('owner'), which can then be run any number of times by any number of participants (eg a weekly run in the park). The results of this are then visible on the home pages of the owner/coordinators, and any user who completed that event, along with the date and their finish time. Results can be downloaded if required. Owners can invite users to become coordinators so they can help run their events, and finishers who hadn't registered before the event can later have their result added to their account if they wish.
- Where are my results? Do I have to search or register for anything?
- Your results are all recorded automatically when you are scanned by an event coordinator - there is no need to search or register for an event. After the event has finished, your results should appear in the "My Results" section of your home page, from where they can also be downloaded or deleted.
- How does the emergency contact thing work?
- When creating an account, or at any later time by going to your account information page, you can add emergency medical and contact information. An event coordinator will be able to read this information if they scan your QR code in an emergency situation. If you tick the checkbox, you can enable anyone with a smartphone and an internet connection to have access to the information you've provided by scanning your QR code, rather than just event coordinators - a really useful feature for when you are at other events etc
- My results haven't shown up straight away - what's going on?
- Finish times are in temporary storage until the event is ended by the coordinators, so you will only see your data on the home page once this has happened. If you are still waiting a long time after the event has finished, it's best to let your event coordinator know so they can investigate.
- Where do I find my QR Code or User ID?
- These are both on your Account Information page, which can be accessed by clicking on the circle (containing your first initial) in the top right of most pages. Clicking the QR image will download it to your device so you can either show it on screen or print a physical copy to bring with you.
- How are events arranged?
- Any event needs to belong to a location (eg “Joe Bloggs Park”), users can have a maximum of 2 locations. You can then add events to this location (eg “2k run”, “Egg & Spoon race”), users can have a maximum of 5 events per location. Once set up, you and anyone you have invited as a coordinator for that location can start and manage that event/s.
- How do I set up an event?
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If you have already added a location, skip the first step:
- In the “My Events” section of your home page, click “Add”. You can enter a name for the location, confirming it by entering your password. The location should now show up in the “My Events” section.
- Under the “Events” heading, click the green plus symbol to add an event by giving it a name. That's it! You're done!
- How do I start an event?
- Once you have created your location and one or more events, click “Event Timing” from the home page, this opens the event timing page in a new tab/window. Click on the name of the event you want to start to open the timing controls. When you're all ready to start the clock, press “START”, more controls will appear and a stopwatch showing the elapsed time. If you change your mind about starting the event, click “Leave event”.
- How do I add finishers when they cross the line?
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If they have a QR code: Click “Start Scan” to open the scanner using your device camera (you may get a pop-up request to allow camera use the first time you do this). Use the view finder to point your camera at the QR code - scanning works best at around 30cm, don't try to get too close. They should now be added to the finishers list, initially with the placeholder “getting name…” until their name is fetched from the server. You can leave the scanner open if you want, but can close it for convenience if there will be a delay before the next finisher.
Note: if a number of finishers arrive at once, we've found it easier to tap each one in as an "Unknown Finisher", then scan them in at leisure as they find their QR codes. - If they do not have a QR code: Simply click “Add Finisher” and a new entry with the name “Unknown Finisher” will be added to the list. You can leave this as it is, or tap on the name and edit it, pressing return or clicking outside the box to save the edited name. See a separate FAQ for how to assign an unknown finish to someone who later has a QR code.
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- Everyone's finished, how do I stop the event?
- Click “End Event” (sneaky, eh?). This should send any remaining information from your device to the server, and trigger every other attached timing device to do the same, so long as they still have an internet connection. Anyone using other devices to time the same event DO NOT need to click the “End Event” button, it should happen automatically.
- When do the results show up?
- The event data is saved to long term storage as soon as all devices being used for timing the event have finished uploading their data. If the results aren't appearing, have all coordinators open the event timing page for that event (but don't actually start a new event) - this should ensure all devices have uploaded their data and allow the event to finalise properly.
- Can more than one person time the same event?
- Yes. So long as they have been added to the location as a coordinator, they can sign in, go to the event timing screen and click on the event as usual. A message should pop up letting them know they are being added to an already running event, then the timing controls should appear. Every few seconds the devices sync with the server, so any finisher scanned in on one device will soon show up on any other devices attached to the same event. When one coordinator ends the event, this will also end the event on the other devices after a few seconds so long as they have an internet connection.
- Can I time more than one event at the same time?
- Yes. Whenever you click “Event Timing” a fresh tab/window is opened. Each tab can be used independently to start different events. Switch between them to scan finishers or make edits as usual, then end each event separately before closing the tab.
- Do I need an internet connection?
- Yes and No! If you are using a single device and your internet connection is rough, you can open a 'manual timing' event from the sign-in screen, which will allow simple timing and downloads a spreadsheet of the results, but does not add the data to a location. For proper event timing, an internet connection is needed. If connection is lost during the event, this should not cause a problem, but a good connection is important for starting and ending the event properly. If necessary, leave the event timing tab/s open until you can connect to the internet again before ending the event.
- What does “Leave without ending” do?
- If you have more than one coordinator scanning people at the event, one of you may want to stop scanning (perhaps to go and do a different job, start tidying up etc) but you don't want to end the event yet. Just closing your browser leaves your device attached to the event, potentially with important finisher information, which means the event cannot be ended until you open up that event's timing controls again - not ideal as no-one gets their results until the event is ended. By clicking “Leave without ending” any coordinators can detach from the event, ensuring all data on their device is uploaded before they go.
- What goes on with 'unknown' finishers?
- If anyone finishes your event without having a QR code to scan, you can add them by clicking “Add Finisher”, and they will show up with the name “Unknown Finisher”. These are editable by clicking on the name box, but can also be assigned to a known finisher if they subsequently find their QR code by tapping the QR symbol next to the name box. On ending the event, these finishers remain “Unknown Finisher” in the event results screen, where they can still be renamed, assigned to known users, or deleted.
- What if I don't want to be the event owner anymore?
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You have two options, both of which are not reversible!
- Delete the event - this would delete all finisher data associated with the event too, so all users who ever took part will lose those records unless they've already downloaded them manually for safekeeping. Do not do this unless you're sure! The "Delete Location" button for each location you own is in the "My Events" section on the home page, and requires password confirmation before taking effect.
- Transfer the event to another user - leaves all data intact, just transfers the adminstrator rights over to someone else. Click the "Transfer Owner" button in the "My Events" section. You will need to have the User ID of the person you are transferring to.
- Someone finished as "Unknown", but now they have their QR code - what do I do?
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- If the event is still going on - tap the QR code symbol of the unknown finisher in the results list - the scanning window will open and you can scan their QR code.
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If the event has finished - open the event results from your "My Events"
section of the home screen. Unknown finishers will have buttons allowing
you to edit them. Tap the
icon, then you can either type their User ID in the text box, or tap the "Scan" icon to open the camera and scan their QR code.
