MeOS Computer Operation

Revised November 2025

MeOS is the event management software used for most Orienteering ACT events. For Metro and Twilight Series events a series computer operator is responsible for operation of the event computer. For Classic Series events it is the responsibility of the organising club to identify a computer operator.

If you have any trouble/questions experienced MeOS operators include: Bill Jones, Tate Needham, Owen Radajewski, Paul de Jongh, Susanne Harrysson, Max Walter, Mica Walter.

Contents

Pre-Event Setup

In the days before the event:

  • Charge all equipment.
  • Prepare the MeOS event file, using the procedure below, or load the pre-prepared event file.

Creating the Event File (Before the Event)

These steps create the event file to be loaded onto the event computer. For most events this is done by the Series Computer Operator, Event Series Coordinator, or Office Manager for loading on to the event laptop – see Loading the Event File.

Events Without Season Passes

Import the event entry list:

  1. Open the MeOS program.
  2. Click ‘Competition from Eventor…’
  3. Select ‘Fetch competition data’ and select the event, events are shown in date order with oldest events at the bottom.
  4. Untick ‘Update Runner Database’.
  5. Click ‘Next’.
  6. Change the ‘First regular start time’ to a time prior to the event’s first starter (including any early starters). E.g. 9am for an event which starts at 10am.
  7. Change ‘Start method’ to ‘Free start times’.
  8. Do not import courses yet.
  9. Click ‘Fetch Data from Eventor’. This might take a minute.
  10. Click ‘Return’.

Events With Season Passes

This must only be done after season pass registration has closed (e.g. after 5pm on the day before the event).

  1. Import the Season Pass entry list:
    1. Open the MeOS program.
    2. Click ‘Competition from Eventor…’
    3. Select ‘Fetch competition data’ and select the applicable season pass “event”, it will be listed on the day of the year’s final event in the series.
    4. Untick ‘Update Runner Database’.
    5. Click ‘Next’.
    6. Change the ‘First regular start time’ to a time prior to the event’s first starter (including any early starters). E.g. 9am for an event which starts at 10am.
    7. Change ‘Start method’ to ‘Free start times’.
    8. Do not import courses yet.
    9. Click ‘Fetch Data from Eventor’. This might take a minute.
    10. Click ‘Return’.
  2. Import the Individual Event entry list:
    1. Download the event entry list from Eventor (administrator access required).
      1. Visit the applicable event page.
      2. Click ‘Edit’, then ‘Data exchange’.
      3. Click ‘xml’ next to ‘Export entries’, this will download the event entry list to the computer’s downloads folder.
    2. In MeOS ‘Competition’ tab:
      1. Click ‘Entries’
      2. Under ‘Entries’, ‘Browse…’ and select the Eventor entries xml file.
      3. Click ‘Import’, then ‘OK’.
    3. In the ‘Competition’ tab check that the event date is correct in yyyy-mm-dd format.

Importing Courses (All Events)

  1. In MeOS ‘Competition’ tab:
    1. Click ‘Courses’
    2. ‘Browse…’ and select the event course xml file exported from your course setting software.
    3. Untick ‘Add / update classes’ and ‘Create a class for each course’.
    4. Click ‘Import’, then ‘OK’.
  2. Assign courses to classes:
    1. Go to the ‘Classes’ tab.
    2. Select each class, one at a time and assign its course from the drop-down course list.
    3. Click ‘Save’.
  3. For classes with multiple courses (e.g. forking or loops):
    1. In the ‘Classes’ tab select a forked class.
    2. Click ‘Courses with Foks…’
    3. Tick ‘Use course pool’
    4. Add each applicable course to the ‘Courses of the leg’ list by selecting the courses/variations and clicking ‘Add’.
    5. Repeat for each class as necessary.
    6. Click ‘Save’.
  4. Check that courses have been assigned correctly:
    1. Go to the ‘Competitors’ tab.
    2. In ‘Form Mode’, select random participants and check that a list of controls is displayed in the course window.

Loading the Event File

These steps load the event file, including courses, onto the laptop, including all season pass entries and most individual event entries.

Setup event laptop:

  1. Connect the laptop to the internet.
  2. Open the MeOS program.
  3. Update the Eventor database:
    1. Click ‘Competition from Eventor…’
    2. Untick ‘Fetch competition data’, select ‘Update Runner Database’ and ‘Inkludera klubblosa’.
    3. Click ‘Next’. The update will take a few minutes.
  4. Load the event file:
    1. The MeOS event file will be provided by email to the organiser by the Series Coordinator or OACT Office on the evening before the event, after season pass registrations have closed for the week.
    2. Download the event file from the email and place it on the event laptop.
    3. In MeOS, click ‘Import Competition…’
    4. Find the relevant ‘.meosxml’ event file and open.
  5. For events without entry on the day, fetch any new event entries from Eventor after the final entry deadline:
    1. Open the competition in MeOS, go to the ‘Competition’ tab, and click ‘Eventor Connection’.
    2. Click ‘Fetch Late Entries’, it will take a few seconds, then click ‘Return’.

Setting Up at the Event – Event Series With EOD

These steps load individual event entries made up until the event pre-entry deadline and prepare the computer to accept QR code entries at the event.

Connect the laptop to the OACT wifi dongle or to your mobile phone hotspot for internet access and ensure it remains connected for the duration of the event; it uses very little data.

Fetch New Individual Event Pre-Entries

Individual event entries made after the season pass deadline need to be downloaded separately after the Eventor entry deadline (normally the morning of the event).

  1. Open the competition in MeOS, go to the ‘Competition’ tab, and click ‘Eventor Connection’.
  2. Click ‘Fetch Late Entries’, it will take a few seconds, then click ‘Return’.

Run the QR Code EOD Entry Script

These steps allow the computer to accept entries made via the QR code form. Note that the order of the steps is important, the script cannot be started before the internet connection or MeOS service:

  1. Open the competition in MeOS, go to the ‘Services’ tab, and click ‘Information Server’.
  2. Tick the option to ‘Allow Entry’, then click ‘Start the Service’. (You can name the service ‘EOD’ if you want to or just leave it blank).
  3. Run the script shortcut (‘EOD script shortcut’) on the laptop desktop. A command line window will open, keep it open for the duration of the event, just ignore it, no need to do anything. If it closes for any reason, just start it again via the shortcut.
  4. The MeOS competitor list should now update silently in the background with any new QR code entries every 10 minutes.

QR Code Entry Notes

  • The QR code entry form provides the option of renting an SI stick and directs them to the computer operator to allocate an SI number to complete the form. Entries cannot be submitted without a valid SI number.
  • People can make their entries via the QR code before the computer/script etc. are running, once running it will automatically load all entries from the preceding 12 hrs.
  • QR code entrants complete the entry form first and are then directed to a link where to make online payment (via credit/debit card, apple pay, or android pay). Unpaid entries are not processed.

Connecting the Download Unit and Splits Printer

  1. Plug in the SI download unit to the USB port.
  2. Go to the ‘Sportident’ tab, click ‘Automatic Search and Start…’.
  3. Plug in and turn on the splits printer. In the ‘Sportident’ tab make sure that the option to ‘Print splits automatically’ is ticked and the option to ‘Use runner database’ is unticked.

Displaying Results

Coming soon…

During the Event

Changing Participant Details

Changes may need to be made to participants’ SI numbers or course selections.
To change participant details:

  • On the ‘Competitors’ tab, click ‘Form Mode’. All entered participants are displayed.
  • Click on the name of a participant to view and edit their details. Make necessary changes and click ‘Save’. Course changes must be made by changing the participant’s Class not Course (changing the class automatically changes the course).

SI Downloads

When participants download there will be a pop up on the bottom right with the participant’s name and time.

Unpaired SI Sticks

If the downloaded SI stick is not paired to an entered participant an alert will appear outputting no time and stating ‘Manual actions needed’:

  • Click the alert, then ‘Save Unpaired Card’, this will save the download so that other participants can continue downloading while the issue is resolved.
  • Ask the participant’s name and check if they are in the participant list in the ‘Competitors’ tab:
    • If the participant is listed, correct/add the correct SI number, then click ‘Save’.
    • If the participant is not listed, ask them to enter via the QR code entry form including the correct SI number. They will be added to the participant list in MeOS up to 10 minutes after their payment has been made.
  • To print their splits, visit the ‘Competitors’ tab, find their name, and click ‘Split Times’ (under the Print heading).

Mispunches

If a download result states mispunch (MP) and many controls are listed as incorrect/missing:

  • On the ‘Competitors’ tab, double check the participant is entered to the correct class. For example, it is common for participants who have completed the Beginner course to be entered incorrectly in the Sprint class.
  • A and B course variations should be allocated automatically for Sprint class participants. Occasionally, this does not work, and the participant’s course needs to be manually changed to a different course in the same class e.g. from Sprint A to Sprint B.
  • Changes can be made in the ‘Competitors’ tab, click ‘Form Mode’. Click on the name of the participant to reallocate their course/class.

Failed Prints

Splits should be printed automatically upon successful download. If splits fail to print:

  • Check that ‘Print splits automatically’ is ticked in the ‘Sportident’ tab.
  • Check that the printer has enough paper and replace with a new roll when needed.
  • To print missing splits, visit the ‘Competitors’ tab, find the participant’s name, and click ‘Split Times’ (under the Print heading).

Verifying That All Participants Have Returned

It is important to verify that all actual starters have returned by ascertaining the list of actual starters and matching it to the download list.

List of Actual Starters

The MeOS entry list will not match the list of actual starters as not all entrants will attend the event or start their course. To find the actual start list, once starts have closed, retrieve the clear, check, and start units from the start.

Interrogate the check unit/s to import the list of actual starters:

  1. Open the SportIdent Config+ program.
  2. Remove and reinsert the SI download unit, or plug in a second SI download unit to continue accepting downloads while interrogating the check unit.
  3. Select the Com Port device at the top left. Set the connection to ‘Remote’ by clicking the ‘Direct’/’Remote’ box.
  4. Insert the ferrite rod in the SI download unit and place the check unit on it.
  5. Click ‘Backup’, the list of punches will now be imported from the check unit, this may take up to a minute.
  6. Click ‘Export current data view’. Save the CSV file to the desktop for example as ‘event name check unit 1.csv’.
  7. Return to MeOS. ‘Competitors’ > ‘Competitors in Forest’ > ‘Import Punches’, select and open the previously Saved CSV file.
  8. Set unit type to Check and apply a date filter for today’s date, this will ignore check punches from previous events.
  9. If multiple check units are in use, repeat steps 4-8 to import punches from each unit.
  10. Once all check unit lists have been imported, click ‘Set Status <DNS> for Runners Without Registration.
  11. The list ‘Runners, Status unknown, with registration (in forest)’ shows all participants with a matched SI stick who have punched a check unit but have not yet downloaded.

Unknown Cards

If a participant has not entered or has run with an SI stick that differs from their entry, they will not appear in the Competitors in Forest list.

To view these participants, click ‘List: In Forest’, the list ‘Unknown cards with registrations’ displays SI sticks that have punched the check unit but are not allocated to an entered participant and have not downloaded.

MeOS suggests owners of unregistered cards if there is a match in the eventor database.
There is no way of knowing for certain the actual identity of these participants or what course they have run.

At Course Closure

Inform the organiser of any remaining participant(s) who have not yet downloaded (the ‘Competitors in Forest’ list), including any unknown cards. Include the participant(s’):

  • Name
  • Course
  • The time of their last known punch (normally their check/start punch time or a control if Mesh-O is in use).

The organiser will first check the assembly area for the participant(s) or if there are any family members or friends waiting for the participant.

Participant Contact Details

If a participant cannot be found, the organiser will require the missing participant’s contact details (phone number and emergency contact).

There are three sources of contact information, depending on a participant’s entry method:

  1. The event’s Eventor entry list.
  2. The event series’ Eventor season pass entry list (where applicable).
  3. The entry on the day online spreadsheet.

These contact lists are available to Eventor administrators, series coordinators, regular computer operators, the OACT executive officer, and the OACT office manager.

At the End of the Event

  1. Save a backup of the event:
    1. ‘Competition’ tab, click ‘Backup / Save as’. Save the backup file to the desktop.
    2. Email the backup file to office@act.orienteering.asn.au.
  2. Upload the results to Eventor:
    a. ‘Competition’ tab, click ‘Eventor Connection’, then ‘Publish Results’.

Equipment Lists

Ensure italicised items are charged before each event.

Sprint Series Equipment

  • Laptop bag containing:
    • Laptop computer and charger
    • SI download unit
    • Splits printer and spare printer rolls
    • SI sticks for hire
    • QR code entry notices
  • Defibrillator

Metro/Twilight Series Equipment

  • Tub containing:
    • Splits printer and spare printer rolls
    • Box with SI start/finish/clear/check/SIAC test units.
    • SI sticks for hire
    • Defibrillator
  • Laptop box containing:
    • Laptop computer and charger
    • 2 x SI download units
    • 4G Optus Wifi dongle

Classic Series Equipment

  • Tub containing:
    • Splits printer and spare printer rolls
    • Box with SI start/finish/clear/check/SIAC test units.
    • SI sticks for hire
    • Defibrillator
  • Laptop box containing:
    • Laptop computer and charger
    • 2 x SI download units
    • 4G Optus Wifi dongle
  • Power bank

Live Results Setup

The live results service has been observed to make MeOS run slowly, freeze and, in the worst cases, crash entirely with the loss of event results. It is therefore no longer used at most events. If used, consider starting the service only after the last competitor has downloaded.

  1. Open Microsoft edge and go to the link https://liveresultat.orientering.se/adm/createComp.php
  2. Enter the competitions name eg. ACT Twilight 9 Cooleman Ridge.
  3. Enter the organiser eg. Orienteering ACT
  4. Enter the date and press the Create.
  5. Once loaded a long list of events will appear, find the event you just created and press the edit option. (Easiest way to find it is looking for the date). Edit the created comp and change to Public. Note the CompetitionID.
  6. Once the next page loads turn on the public button option and click save.
  7. Leave this window open and open a new Microsoft edge tab.
  8. Go to the webpage: https://melin.nu/meos/en/login.php 
  9. Click the login option and enter the username with: *********** and the password with: ***********
  10. Once at the new page enter the name of the event eg. ACT Twilight 9 Cooleman Ridge.
  11. Enter the competition id. This comes from the liveresult webpage you opened earlier, and it will be at the top eg. 18979.
  12. Enter a password for the event. This can be anything.
  13. Now go back into Meos, click the services tab at the top of the screen and click results on-line.
  14. Change the interval time to 30 seconds.
  15. Turn on the send to the web option and leave the URL.
  16. Enter the competition id and password you entered in earlier.
  17. Once this is done you can press the start the service option.