TrackBrain.com Offers Palm Software For Track & Field Coaches

TrackBrain.com has developed software for Palm PDAs that helps track coaches coach better including Multi Runner Split Timer and DecaScorer.

(PRWEB) February 18, 2004 --Over the last two decades, advancements in computer size and technology have helped a widening group of professionals do their jobs better in both the office and in the field. From medical operating rooms to space shuttles, computers have left the desktop and gotten hands-on with hand held computers known as PDAs, handhelds and Palms. And now track and field coaches can take advantage of technology to be better coaches, as well.

This year, TrackBrain.com has released a series of software programs for the Palm operating system that aid the coach on the track and in the field. With titles like DecaScorer, Multi Runner Split Timer and T&F Converter, TrackBrain.com has empowered the track and field coach.

To be honest," says company founder and college coach Scott Simmons, I developed these programs because I wanted them for myself. I had problems and these programs were the solution."

Take for instance, Multi Runner Split Timer, which Simmons, the 2002 and 2003 NAIA National Cross Country Coach of the Year, claims was necessitated by often times having more than five runners in the same distance race.

I needed a way to be able to get splits for all five runners," he says, and that took five people. I knew there had to be a better way." And Multi Runner Split Timer was born. The program allows a coach to use any handheld device as a stopwatch. Seven of the devices buttons are designated as the clock" for each runner. When runner A completes a lap, the coach presses button A, all the way up to seven runners. Try that with any old stopwatch.

But the best part of it, Simmons claims, is that the PDA records all the splits and stores them in its memory. The coach then simply syncs the PDA with his computer and all the data is digitally transferred for cutting and pasting, saving and sending.

Our most difficult development, however," he said, was the DecaScorer." Simmons took the official IAAF formulas for the multi-events, and created software that could convert performances into scores for the coach in the field. The DecaScorer program is so versatile, that the coach can score a decathlon and heptathlon at the same time. No more flipping through tables and pages," he said, now its all computerized."

Other software titles include T&F Converter that helps a coach instantly convert metric distances into English in the field. The program also converts 55m performances to 60m, and vice versa, as well as 1500m to both the 1600m and the mile.

TrackBrain.com also offers XCCounter, which allows a coach to score" a cross country meet at any point in the race. At the mile, two mile or finish, the coach will know how many points it will take to win.

All TrackBrain.com software titles operate on any handheld device that uses the Palm OS operating system such as the new Palm Zire, Palm Tungsten and Sony Clies. PDAs are available at most electronic stores for under $200 and the TrackBrain.com titles can be purchased online at www.TrackBrain.com

For questions about TrackBrain.com, contact Coach Simmons at simmons@minotstateu.edu
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