Debate Timer

A Mac based Python application for managing class debate timing.

Downloads
– Mac app and pdf instructions (just unzip on your local machine)
– Base files (for those who want to build on Windows or Linux – see instructions below)

Instructions for building from base files (if not on Mac)

Please note that I only currently have a Mac so have not tested these steps on Windows or Linux.

• download the base files and place in a new directory called “debate_timer” (or whatever) on your system
• open up command prompt and navigate to this directory (via ‘cd’ command and the relevant path)
• follow the steps described below for your operating system (courtesy of Claude AI):

Cross-Platform Packaging Steps

Windows (PC)

1. On a Windows machine (or Windows VM):

bash

   # Install dependencies
   pip install PyQt5 pyinstaller
   
   # Create executable (note the semicolon in --add-data)
   pyinstaller --onefile --windowed --name "Debate Timer" --add-data "bell.wav;." debate_timer.py

2. Output: Creates Debate Timer.exe in the dist/ folder
3. Distribution: The .exe file can run on any Windows machine without requiring Python

Linux

1. On a Linux machine (or Linux VM):

bash

   # Install dependencies (Ubuntu/Debian)
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install python3-pip python3-pyqt5
   pip3 install pyinstaller
   
   # OR for other distributions
   pip3 install PyQt5 pyinstaller
   
   # Create executable
   pyinstaller --onefile --windowed --name "Debate Timer" --add-data "bell.wav:." debate_timer.py

2. Output: Creates Debate Timer executable in the dist/ folder
3. Distribution: The executable can run on similar Linux distributions

Important Notes

Platform-Specific Differences

• File path separator: Windows uses ; while Mac/Linux use : in the --add-data flag
• Executable extensions: Windows creates .exe, Mac/Linux create files without extensions
• Cross-compilation: You cannot create Windows executables from Mac/Linux or vice versa – you need to build on each target platform

File Structure for Each Platform

your_project/
├── debate_timer.py
├── bell.wav
└── dist/
    ├── Debate Timer.exe     (Windows)
    ├── Debate Timer         (Mac)
    └── Debate Timer         (Linux)

The resulting executables will be completely standalone – users won’t need Python, PyQt5, or any other dependencies installed on their systems.