Laptops

[Tiberius]

I debate varsity LD in central Indiana. I have always wanted to flow on a laptop but I am not sure if it is allowed does anyone know the rules of the NFL or the IHSFA regarding this.

[mcgin029]

Flowing rounds on a laptop in LD is a terrible idea. Judges do it because they don't have the burden of simultaneously flowing arguments AND flowing their potential responses to those arguments. The programs you'd typically flow in (like Excel) require key strokes to move between cels on the flow sheet; it would be very easy to screw up the flow if you were trying to both flow your opponent's speech and your potential answers. Also, it's much more difficult to flow symbols, arrows, etc. So regardless of what the rules are, I highly recommend flowing by hand until you're the judge.

Once you're the judge, you can do whatever the heck you want, 'cause you're the JUDGE. Boom.

[classof2012]

Flowing on a laptop as the judge can be a very smart idea. Sticking to pen and paper is probably a better option for debaters.

[Steven Adler]

Flowing rounds on a laptop in LD is a terrible idea. Judges do it because they don't have the burden of simultaneously flowing arguments AND flowing their potential responses to those arguments. The programs you'd typically flow in (like Excel) require key strokes to move between cels on the flow sheet; it would be very easy to screw up the flow if you were trying to both flow your opponent's speech and your potential answers. Also, it's much more difficult to flow symbols, arrows, etc. So regardless of what the rules are, I highly recommend flowing by hand until you're the judge.

Once you're the judge, you can do whatever the heck you want, 'cause you're the JUDGE. Boom.

Agreed. I scouted some rounds flowing on a laptop and you can go much faster, but I like the freedom and flexibility to do my own thing with writing responses.

[Ontology]

I don't like flowing on a laptop because I often copy and paste cards from blocks into one word document when giving my NR, for instance. Flowing on a different window on a laptop would mean I'd have to alt-tab back and forth which would be cumbersome and time-consuming

[swtfoley]

Judging: I flow with a laptop and it's one of the best things to happen to my judging. As Ontology knows, it helps me keep messy rounds straight.

Debating: I flow with a laptop and I don't have any difficulties. My preference is to flow by whiteboard since I can't seem to go fast enough on paper, but I haven't noticed any speed problems in keeping up and mapping responses on a laptop. Macros are your friends and so is a new symbolic shorthand.

Edit

To answer the OP, I don't think there are rules against it, but it's not always a good idea for debaters. Talk out the pros/cons with your coach.