More on new site Design-> Virtual Contest System

[shamim]

Now that a new site is being designed, I would like to request one issue.

The site acm.sgu.ru has a virtual contest provision. That is on a later date, one could attend a contest, but only in a special mode where submissions from actual contest will be simulated as they were submitted in the actual contest. The effect is one would get the impression that they are participating in the actual contest.

Because of global time differences, it becomes impossible for some to attend a particular contest at the real time. But to test how they would have done in the actual contest, this virtual contest system would be very helpful.

I hope the authority will look into this if it doesn't cause any trouble.

[TanveerAhsan]

I second Shamim's opinion.

If it does not slow down the judge then the idea may be considered. And there should be a limitation on how many virtual contests can be run in parallel (2 or 1). But in the current configuration only one contest can be run, I think.

Another point: whenever we tell about something new, the issue of the limitations of the judge machine comes forward. So, we should all try to contribute in upgrading it.

[sumankar]

excuse me for butting in ... but er dont you think the fact that once
the contest problems are posted in the problemset section I can check out
the problems from that place and then hit the virtual probs section
and well the point is lost ? I havent been to the site shamim mentioned
but do explain to me how this issue is/might be resolved?

i can think of a very complex situation : for each user then you
have to create a view of the problemset(which is open now) whereby
his view is updated in only two modes :
1) either he chooses the virtual contest(say 'a'), whereby he gets to see only the problems of the contest 'a' he wants to participate in and not the ones that were held after 'a' (say 'b', 'c' ...etc)

2)o/w his view is updated to the contest he wishes to skip and solve
in his own time(the others remain hidden)

forgive my ignorance if what I have put up makes no sense at all
regards
suman

[shamim]

Well the virtual contest is only for someone to see how they would have done in the contest, so even if the problem comes in the Volume, it would not matter because the interested person will not look into the problems before attending the virtual contest.

For e.g, there will be a contest tomorrow which will start at 11:00 PM, accroding to my local time. Now the permanent record of the contest will be the actual one. If A virtual contest can be arranged by some one loging in( the way it is done is acm.sgu.ru), then he will see a simulation of the actual contest, but this time his submissions will be updated. The record of this contest will not be stored in the database as this is not an actual contest.

I understand that this would put a lot of pressure on the system, but if some other guys are running it, then there should not be much trouble in implementing it.

[Tahseen Mohammad]

This is surely a good idea. But the judge's health may be of concern.

But if they can do it..... well that's another feather of glory in their hat
and we all know they have many.

Good luck to uva TEAM with this one.

[Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman]

I also think that virtual contests will be a very good ad-on to this site. But should it really be possible considering the current condition at the judge & its poor performance during contests? Anyway, from my point of view, If the judge system upgrade is possible (though I must confess that there is not the least sign of that by now) then the administrators should seriously think about providing this provision.

[BiK]

I was not aware of the virtual contests option at acm.sgu.ru but when I read the post here I got excited. I think that this is a briliant idea which gives an incredible opportunity for self-training and self-education. For my own preparation and for the preparation of the thousands acm-ers here such an option would be of enormous value.