OWH's Tips For Slot-Web Geeks:
How to Post Race Reports Online Using Microsoft Excel
by Paul Kassens

Hey fellow frustrated webmeisters! Here's a cool way for us slot car racing wanna-be-web-wiz types to "cheat" and make the race reports a lot easier to post online using MS Excel 97!

I believe you need to be sure that the HTML conversion options are installed. These are not all included in the default installation, so you might have to use the installation program again (it remembers what you already have, and lets you add stuff).

Take a look at the latest PNW IMCA race reports for an example at:
PNW IMCA Race #3

It's not as pretty as the older ones, but it sure was easier.

Here's a few tips for an easy method for posting race results this way:

1) Type your basic race results onto an MS Excel spreadsheet. Use column headers for place, name, laps.

2) Select the race report info cells, and "save as HTML". Then use the "Internet Assistant Wizard" to guide you through. Select the range, and pick "create an independant HTML document..."

3) Pick a name that makes sense, and save it in the folder where you you have your web site stuff (this is important for the adding graphics & pics in the next step). It must be in the same folder where your pictures and graphics will live, or in the same "relative location" as it will be online, or it won't know where you hid the graphics.

4) Now open up your favorite HTML editor, or if you don't have one, Netscape "Composer" will work fine in a pinch, and is included free with recent versions of Netscape Communicator. Simply open Composer from the Communicator menu, the open the HTML page you just made with MS Excel.

5) Next, pick a few spots where you want to add pictures, and right mouse there, then select "add row". You can paste in your pictures there. Add another row and you can even add captions, names, or random insults below the hapless victim's mug shots.

6) If you want to get fancy, you can right mouse and select "Page Properties". Then you can change the background color, page title, and all that cool stuff. You can now dress it up with a Logo at the top, and a link back to your home page at the bottom.

7) Upload the whole bundle - HTML page and pictures, to your web site. I try to keep each race report in it's own folder with it's own pictures in it, mostly 'cuz I'm anal. Now be sure to add a link to your race report on your home page, so your racing buds can get all excited over seeing their mugs online. Everyone gets their 15 minutes, remember?

This is actually a whole lot easier then it sounds typed out here. The internet wizard gizmo is a big help. The little talking paper clip guy can get anoying, however, and should be shot. ;-)

Be sure to send me your (non-profit) slot car organization's URL, and I'll include it on the OWH Slot Car Links Page in the Clubs & Orgs listing at:
OWH Links Page

Have fun, and happy racing!!!

Paul K.
That Old Weird Webmeister