About
PlusTab 2 is a debate tabulation software written in Excel and works in Excel 2007 or 2003. You cannot run it in the Mac OS. Instead, bootcamp to Windows if you have a Mac.
PlusTab 2 is based on Gary Larson's STA-XL (Smart Tournament Administrator - eXceL Version). STA (standalone version) was Gary’s program that ran for over twenty years built on the SMART database program. In 2002, Gary was notified that due to licensing issues he could no longer distribute the STA package for free. Gary then ported the program to Microsoft Excel and distributed it in the fall of 2003. Since then, STA-XL has been used to run numerous local, regional, and national championship debate tournaments.
In the summer of 2006, Jim Hanson, Whitman College, contacted Danny Cantrell, Rio Hondo College, about upgrading the user interface of STA-XL. By 2008 we had undertaken a massive overhaul of the interface and released STA-XL Plus 1.5.
Since then, based on the feedback of well over 100 tournaments run with STA-XL Plus version 1.5, we have made major refinements to STA-XL Plus. Since this version departs significantly from Larson's STA-XL base we decided a new name was in order - hence, PlusTab 2. As such, please do not contact Gary Larson with any questions regarding this version as we have made all the changes. Please contact us through this website for more questions or for more information. For help using the program check out our instructional material.
Version 2.2 reflects over 160 revisions based on user feedback as well as Jim and Danny's use of the program in Fall, 2009. It should create a very smooth experience for users running tournaments.
PlusTab would not have been possible without the tremendous dedication and work put into the STA program by Gary Larson. Both Jim and Danny thank Gary tremendously for the amazing program he has written. We hope these additions in PlusTab add to the great program Gary developed.