October 2014 - 9

FROM THE CEO
The American Contract
Bridge League
President
Phyllis Harlan
Chair, Board of Directors
Sharon Anderson
Chief Executive Officer
Robert Hartman
ACBL Counsel
Peter Rank
Chair, Board of Governors
Richard Anderson

Board of Directors
District 1 * Leo Weniger
District 2 * Paul Janicki
District 3 * Glenda Calkins
District 4 * Craig Robinson
District 5 * Sharon Fairchild
District 6 * Margot Hennings
District 7 * Bob Heller
District 8 * Georgia Heth
District 9 * Jay Whipple III
District 10 * Russ Jones
District 11 * A. Beth Reid
District 12 * Dennis Carman
District 13 * Suzi Subeck
District 14 * Sharon Anderson
District 15 * Phyllis Harlan
District 16 * Dan E. Morse
District 17 * Bonnie Bagley
District 18 * Claire Jones
District 19 * Donald Mamula
District 20 * Merlin Vilhauer
District 21 * Stu Goodgold
District 22 * Ken Monzingo
District 23 * Rand Pinsky
District 24 * Alvin Levy
District 25 * Richard DeMartino

ACBLscore update

I'm pleased to let you know that we are moving forward to provide timely
tournament results and prompt player results via text or email through what
we are calling ACBLscore Live. Beta testing of the system is set to begin at
selected sectional tournaments later this year.
Recent demonstrations give us confidence that we
are on the right track.
Progress on ACBLscore Live follows decisions
made earlier this summer to cease work on
ACBLscore+ and renew focus on our existing
ACBLscore software. Our goal is to extend the
useful life of ACBLscore by enhancing the venerable
system with new features and functionality to better
serve our Members and Clubs.
The decision to wrap up the ABCLScore+
development contract followed thoughtful analysis
and testing by ACBL's in-house team, as well as
District 20 Director Merlin Vilhauer, a software
developer from Beaverton OR, and District 10 Director Dr. Russ Jones, who
has multiple degrees in engineering and information systems and teaches IT
at Arkansas State University.
After sharing a detailed assessment with the ACBL Board of Directors, the
team recommended a fresh way forward, one that preserves the integrity of
our existing scoring software and uses newer technologies to improve it.
The Empire State Building stood as the world's tallest building for nearly
40 years. Though far from new, it remains an American cultural design icon.
Just a few years ago, its owners invested $550 million to modernize the classic building and make it more energy efficient and eco-friendly. In a similar
fashion, the ACBL has made the decision to modernize our trusted scoring
software.
Software development is a complex endeavor. Despite the good intentions and best efforts of all involved, several previous decisions related to
ACBLScore+ did not work out as planned, especially regarding time and
budget. Even projects managed with performance milestones can and often do
get off course. Reconstructing a classic, whether the Empire State Building or
ACBLScore, can be more challenging than it may seem.
Long-time employee Jim Lopushinsky, who created the original Pascalbased scoring program that our Members know and trust, is part of the ACBL
in-house team working to take our time-tested software to the next level.
ACBLscore Live is one of several updates in a series of new releases planned
for the coming year.

To contact your district director, address email
to district#director@acbl.org.
(Enter the district number where you see #.)

October 2014 Bridge Bulletin

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2014