Agreed, thats why without sufficient evidene we do not penalise.

Meaning of Board

Well, ever since the internet started, online discussion areas were called Bulletin 'Boards'.  Yet, the early internet was not made of wood, was it?

I don't think leaning on Webster's 22 year old definition of board being a plank of wood is really a strong argument against digital notice boards.  A notice board is a notice board, whether physical or not.

As for 'deliver', 'location', 'in writing I really believe that their meanings can, in today's day and age, all fit the digital 'technological' (modern?) era.  (Although, there are clearly people who seem resistant to those evolutions - as seen in this and previous discussion threads.)

In short, I think now that physical notice boards are 100% replaceable by a good online system.  I think it is an inevitable progression too. Technology doesn't go backwards.

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Evolution of Board

In the beginning, there were only physical notice boards.  A simple communications system.  Jury Sec walks to the 'notice board' with paper and pins/tape/magnets.  Done.  Then there were hybrid systems.  OAs were sceptical of jumping fully into digital, so it was baby steps.  They said, "What if the internet goes down?  People don't know how to use the system! How will we keep records?"

Slowly though (over eight years here), OAs edged forward through the Ages of Boards.

1.  Physical Notice Board Only
2.  Physical Notice Board with repeated Online Notice Board. (N.B.  This always came with an SI saying 'no redress' if the online one was not updated.)
3.  Two Notice Boards - Equal Physical and Online Boards!!!  Dumb idea.
4.  Online Notice Board with repeated Physical Notice Board. (Same but opposite SI for no redress if the other was not updated.!)
5.  Online Notice Board Only

(Which stage describes you and your club best?)

It was interesting watching OAs (and some competitors) resist, but slowly change from one stage to the next.  To be honest, Stages 2 - 4 were a nightmare.

Now, I would say most events I am involved in now have fully converted to fully digital jury/race management.  Phew!  Some may run 'paper options', but event those are rarer.  Others are toying with messaging apps as a notice board (I don't necessarily like that).

Along the way, bugs and issues needed ironing out, but that's evolution, right?  Nowadays, more people have phones and they are getting smarter and smarter, the internet is more stable, digital comms are more sturdy and acceptable, development and user interfaces are more usable, and the kids of today especially, are better at typing than writing!

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Don't get bored - Keep moving forward or get left behind!

I firmly believe that evolution is unavoidable.  Thus, I think it is a little futile to resist to any great extent.  However, I absolutly think that the rate of change is important too.  The change to modern systems must not alienate people used to older systems, because that will also cause problems.

So, it's ok to have paper protest forms at the 'Nipper Masters' event!!!  Eventually, the last Nipper will sink along with the need for paper forms.  At Foiling Moths Worlds, I think you could get away with an all-digital system.

All I ask is that the NOR/SI point to one single place (digital or physical) where a competitor can find all information and perform all tasks relevant to the event.

My 2 cents!

Hey Mike .. just a bump-reminder to give us your thoughts. - Ang

Warren .. found it.  I haven't visited it since 2021 so it is what it is.  Just to be clear, it was just a simple compilation of all the rules that we should check ..  to see if there was need of a change to those rules (if allowed by RRS 86). 

Spreadsheet: Rules that use Start and the rules those rules touch

There are 2 sheets .. one was based upon the terms .. the next was sorted by the rule.   Anyway .. it was just a WIP worksheet to get a scope of all the places we should look if an NOR/SI approach was used (as apposed to the WS DR). - Ang

Rule J2.1 (4) requires the sailing instructions to state the order in which marks are to be passed and the side on which each is to be left. 

In the diagram below:

The race committee has two courses A and B.

If course A was signaled. Mark 2s is not a mark that begins, bounds or ends the leg of the course and can be touched and passed on either side. Mark 2p is not a gate mark. 

If course B was signaled. Mark 2s is a mark that begins, bounds or ends the leg of the course and cannot be touched and must passed to starboard. Rule 18.4 does not apply. Mark 2p is a gate mark.