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Web Version vs Desktop Version
Are you a bit confused on exactly what a "web version" is, and how it
differs from a "desktop version"? If so, the following information will hopefully
clear this up.
We have a "desktop version" of Fantasy Commissioner, and also a
"web version" of Fantasy Commissioner. The biggest difference is
the web version is run strictly from our server, where as
the desktop version is software that you install and run on your
computer. With the web version, you do
not have to install anything on your computer. Instead, you
access the software using your web browser. The biggest advantage
of the web version over the desktop version is that the
work-load of the commissioner is even less using the web version.
This is because, with the desktop version, the commissioner is the
only one who can use the software. With the web version, every
league member who has access to a web browser can use the software.
Your league will have it own web site, where all owners can enter their lineups,
pickup free agents, create reports, etc. Not only does it make the commissioner's job even easier, but because every person in the league can interact with the software, it will make
your league more enjoyable.
Even though the owners can enter their own starting lineups and free agent pickups,
the web version will prevent any "cheating" by your owners:
The commissioner can setup a deadline for entering starting lineups, and once the deadline
has passed, only the commissioner can modify the starting lineups. The commissioner can
also setup a deadline for submitting free agent pickups and he can indicate whether the commissioner
must approve all free agent pickups. Our FAQ page explains this in more detail.
Which version do we recommend you use? We think there are many
more advantages to using the web version instead the desktop version,
so we strongly recommend you use the web version. However, there are a few
disadvantages to using the web version, and we have listed these below.
The great thing is that both versions have nearly all the same functionality
and features, and almost all the menu items and report names
are the same between the versions, so no matter which one you use,
you will likely not lose any features. Plus, if you decide to use the
desktop version (or are already using it), and later want to start
using the web version, the learning curve will be very small since
the products are very similar. There are some feature in the desktop version that
are not in the web version. Those features are listed here.
Also, there are some features in the web version that are not in the desktop version.
Those features are listed here.
More answers to your questions about the web version can be found on our FAQ page.
Benefits
We have listed below all the benefits of using the web version instead of the desktop version,
along with a few disadvantages.
- Real-time Scoring - See the fantasy scoring of any fantasy team while the NFL games are in progress. Scores are updated every 1-5 minutes
- No need to download and install the software on your computer
- No need to download and install upgrades
- No need to download stats
- No need to upload, print, email, or fax the reports
- No need to create the reports
- No need to run a routine to calculate the stats
- All the owners can create custom reports
- No need for the commissioner to enter starting lineups, free agent pickups, and trades
- No hassles getting emails and phone calls with owners transactions or about entering the transactions incorrectly
- No need to worry about software problems because your hard drive crashed, a file was accidentally deleted, or another program installed on your computer overwrote required files
- No need to worry about losing your league data because of a hard drive crash or corruption of files
- No need to backup the software or league database
- We provide you with the web space
- Saves the commissioner hours each week. Time spent installing software, downloading statistics, printing reports, and distributing reports
- League results are done quicker, since you don't have to wait until the commissioner has time to calculate the results and create the reports
- Makes tech support easier since we don't need for you to send us your league database to see your league info when researching a problem or bug
- You can manage the league on any computer with web access, so you don't have to install the software at home and work if you want to run your league at both locations
- You don't have to worry if you have the latest version of the software
- You don't have to worry about having a slow computer since there is no software to run on your computer
- You don't have to worry if the software is compatible with your computer or operating system
- Automatic emails when a transaction occurs, so you don't have to waste time creating and sending emails about transactions
- No need to download the latest NFL rosters or add a missing NFL player
- Since it is a web application, web pages that contain reports will look much better than those generated with a desktop application
- Can link to other sources on the Internet (i.e. player info) very easily
- Can access your league from any computer with a web browser. So no matter where you travel to, you can still access your league
- All data is stored on a reliable computer and backed up daily
- Our servers are protected from hackers and viruses/worms via a firewall and anti-virus software
- We have redundant servers, so if there is a hardware failure you will not have any interrupting in accessing your league
- Removes the unfair advantage that the commish might have using the desktop software - he has instant access to over 20 customized reports
Negatives
- Could be slower than the desktop version, since you are dependent on your modem speed. However, if you have a fast Internet connection it will be as fast as the desktop version
- Web version does not have all the features as the desktop version, since the desktop version has been in production for six years (plus two years in beta) while the web version has been around for only three
- If our website goes down, you will be unable to access your league. Reasons that our site can go down include hardware upgrades, software upgrades, hardware failures, network failures, etc. We have invested heavily in hardware to prevent this from happening, but even major sites like ESPN has gone down for days because of upgrades or hardware failures. However, during the last two years, we have had 0% downtime
- Our web site can be inaccessible or very slow due to high volumes of users during peak times during the week (i.e. right after the final Sunday afternoon game ends). This can be because the servers can't handle the large volume of users and more servers are needed. Again, we have invested heavily in hardware to prevent this from happening, but we can't guarantee there will never be a problem. However, this year we only have seen a 5-minute period on Sundays were the server response is a little slower than normal
- If you have modem problems, ISP problems, telephone problems, power problems, etc, you will be unable to access your league. However, the commish can always make roster/lineup changes after the deadline if you are unable to get to the website and you notify the commissioner
- Web version costs more than the desktop version, especially if you run many leagues. However, splitting the price among all the league members comes out to about $9 per person
- Can do very little customization of web site compared to creating your own web site (if you are tech savvy and like creating your own website)
- When printing a web page, you can't have page breaks where the heading is repeated like you can when printing reports using the desktop version
- Some commissioners would rather manage everything themselves
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