Digi converter
This gadget is a nice alternative for those of you who are caught in USB-to-Serial hell.
You plug this gadget into your ethernet network, and into your timer or GAZ display. You then install the accompanying "virtual serial driver" software on your PC. Whatever virtual serial port you assign to your gadget (for example, COM9) works as-is with any serial port software (at least all that I've tried, including several different flavors of Skunkware, Hyperterminal, ProComm, and MiniCom under LINUX). Ultimately, the device allows you to send to and/or receive from a serial device across your LAN, and allows you to use the power of networking instead of futzing with the dreaded serial comms. Since all laptops come with ethernet these days, and few come with a serial port, this solution is the most ideal one I've seen. Until some of these prehistoric timing hardware manufacturers take a giant leap forward into the 1980's and rig out their timers with TCP/IP networking, this is the approach we'll all have to take.
Another cool aspect is that the gadget is, in itself, a server, so it can establish connections with multiple TCP/IP clients. So you can run two complete scoring laptops off of one time base if you so desire.
If the gadget loses power, or is accidentally unplugged from power or ethernet, it synchs right up as soon as it's plugged back in. This is sharp contrast to most USB->Serial converters, which, if unplugged ungracefully, remain dead when re-plugged and require a reboot.
It also works over a WiFi setup, so you can drive your GAZ (or whatever) wirelessly.
In a place like Vail, where the corporate network infrastructure runs down the Valley, you could - for example - run a GAZ display in Vail for a race being run over at Creek of the Beave. If you know IP networking well and are aware of configuring security, you could even use this gadget over the internet to run a GAZ or Daktronics board in Siberia or Australia for your race at Buck Hill (don't get any crazy ideas, Karnes!)
James Broder
Broder's Skunkware Scoring & Timing Software
http://www.skunkware.tv
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