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Press Release: TR and Log Windows Begin Talks

from [email protected]
Website: http://www.logwindows.com on May 7, 2001
View comments about this article!

CSS and N6TR begin discussions on Windows(tm) based contesting software.

Program would use TR and Log Windows technology for ease of use and powerful features.

Muscle Shoals, Alabama. 1 May 2001: Creative Services Software announced today they have entered into discussions with Larry (Tree) Tyree, N6TR to research the feasibility of incorporating both TR Log and Log Windows technology into a next generation contesting program.

"Looking into the future, we're seeing more and more hams getting into contesting.", said Rick Ruhl, W4PC, President of Creative Services Software, Inc. "Using the 'best of' technology from TR Log and Log Windows, it's a good base for a next generation contesting program with hooks inot our logging program for keeping track of awards and contacts."

"Partnering with Log Windows will allow the TR Log concept to become available in the windows environment." said Larry "Tree" Tyree, N6TR, owner of TR Log.

The DOS version of TR Log will still be sold by N6TR and the current distributors. The windows version will be developed, sold, and supported by CSS and its dealer network.

Hams use TR Log and Log Windows worldwide.

Log Windows is owned by SCO, Inc and is maintained by Creative Services Software.

Creative Services Software is at http://www.cssincorp.com
TR Log is at http://www.qth.com/tr
The Log Windows home page is at http://www.logwindows.com

Windows is a Registered Trademark of Microsoft Corperation

Questions and Answers about the CSS and N6TR press release:

Q: Does this mean that the DOS version of TR Log is dead?

A: No. The DOS version of TR Log will continue to be updated and enhanced just as it would have without this agreement. TR Log for DOS would only die if everyone decided the windows version was preferred.

Q: Will Creative Services Software take over the DOS version of TR Log as well?

A: No. The DOS version of TR Log continues to be owned by N6TR.

Q: How can I upgrade to new windows version?

A: Details still need to be worked out (after all, we don't have any software yet). The Windows based contesting module will be a separate program from Log Windows (you don't need Log Windows to run the program). The contesting module will interface with Log Windows to allow full data exportation.

Q: Will future TR Log DOS features be exported to the windows version? How about the other way around?

A: Some features (such as support for new contests) can move very easily from one program to the other. Other features will be more difficult. Essentially, they will be separate programs after the initial development.

Q: Who do I call for support of the windows version?

A: CSS will be supporting the program. There will likely be a separate mail list generated for the windows version, which can be used to ask questions.

Q: Does this announcement explain why TR Log wasn't at Dayton this year?

A: No. K5TR and N6TR previously announced their intention to take a year off from Dayton last August.

Q: Will there be any changes in the distribution of TR Log?

A: None are planned at this time. The TR Log distributors will continue to sell and support the DOS version. CSS will market and support the windows version.


Member Comments: Add A Comment
Press Release: TR and Log Windows Begin Talks Reply
Anonymous post on May 17, 2001 Mail this to a friend!
The task of re-writing all this in Windows is massive, and you have a long way to go before catching up to where WriteLog is now.

WriteLog is an excellent and adequate program, but it unfortunately copied the same basic ins/plus data entry methodology as CT and NA. In complex exchanges such as the SS, you still have to enter the number, precedent, call, check and section; all in separate fields. TR�s strongest and most advertised feature is its ability to parse this information out of a single string, giving the op the flexibility of entering it in any order. I�m sure this feature could be added to WriteLog much more quickly than a total Windows re-write of TR. If this were done, you would be toast (and you better pray your competitor never thinks of this).

Ideally, nobody�s existing user interface would be copied. The best features of all current contest programs would be integrated and enhanced into a new and distinctly different product that would be simple to configure, learn and use. Rather than have one field to enter the callsign and another for everything else, the entry can all be done in a single field. The horrid TRUE/FALSE configuration issues also need to come out, as well as the function keys that change their CW message depending on this, that and the other. In short, don�t copy the TR interface: simplify it.
 
Press Release: TR and Log Windows Begin Talks Reply
by W4PC on June 11, 2001 Mail this to a friend!
Emailed on the Log Windows and TR Log Reflector today:


Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey, here's the results and the
direction we are going to take.

This is the information is the results that was compiled after all the
abusive, condescending and childish remark comments from some of the surveys
were removed. Those survey's were not counted and that accounts for about
10% of the total number of survey's.

1. Is it technical feasible to do? This is an unequivocal yes. It is
possible to take technology from Log Windows and TRLog and move them into a
32 bit program, as well as doing a Ring 0 process based device driver to
handle all the LPT and DVK, etc., I/O based functionality.

2. What do the users really want. From the survey, many of you just want a
version of TRLog that will run correctly in a DOS Window under Windows
(mostly for CW or DVP keying) so you can multitask with TRLog and Windows
apps. Since the architecture of DOS and Windows doesn't allow this, it's not
possible, but it's what you want.

3. Many of you want every feature in TRLog into a TRLogwin on the first
release. Since Tree has been coding TRLog for a number of years, it would be
impossible to have everything TRLog DOS has in TRLogWin 1.0 in a reasonable
amount of time.

4. Tree made the comment, "I doubt many current TR users will really like the
windows version - at least at first". Since most software development looks
for 1/2 to 2/3rds of the initial purchases to be upgrades, it doesn't look
like the market is there. In fact, talking to many of you at Dayton, Atlanta
and Dallas hamfest, this is the case. Many of you don't want to upgrade or
have to pay for it.

Since it would take $100,000 - $150,000 to develop this product correctly and
the market seems to be saying they wouldn't embrace a Windows version of
TRLog, I've decided at this time not to begin the development of the product.
I will however, continue to watch the TRLog reflector for a time that may be
more 'ripe' for a Windows contesting program, that would be the best product
for it's market.

Rick - W4PC


 
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