[Dx4win] What is the future of DX4WIN?
John Pritt
radiotech at nycap.rr.com
Mon Nov 20 12:49:19 EST 2023
I absolutely love DX4Win and have since the day it was released. For my logging needs it is totally functional. I also think that the support is awesome thanks to Paul, Jim, Guy and the rest of the users.
John (N1JP)
> On Nov 20, 2023, at 12:28, Tim moore <redvalk56 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> David Perry (N4QS) certainly doesn't speak for all of us. I like the
> product just as it is and I think the support and updates are excellent as
> they exist today. I fully understand some may find issues with the product
> as it is, but they don't speak for or represent all of us . And of
> course, you're never going to please all the folks all the time in this
> diverse hobby.
>
> But since you wanted folks to speak up.....I am. I vote we continue as
> things are maintained today. Not that mine...or anyone else's opinions
> really carry any significant weight. The owners should of course do as
> they see fit to do. After all, it's their product to sell and maintain.
> Those who don't like the product can find another product more to their
> liking. Those of us pleased with the product....can continue using it.
>
> I could have/use any product on the market out there....and I chose this
> one
> ....with good reason. I like it just as it is.....
>
> As an Engineer with 45+ years in the IT industry and quite a few years
> working in software development, I appreciate the time and effort it takes
> to develop and maintain a product. And I have been involved with the
> effort of trying to keep a myriad of customers with diverse desires and
> requirements satisfied. It's a daunting task. I'll save for another day
> my discussion on Problem Reports (PRs) and Deficiency Reports (DRs) and
> Known Problems and Workarounds (KP&Ws) and Configuration Control Boards
> (CCBs) and racking and stacking customer desires/complaints.
>
> K4TK
> Tim
>
>> On Mon, Nov 20, 2023, 11:05 AM David Perry, N4QS <n4qs at vci.net> wrote:
>>
>> To all DX4WIN users:
>>
>> We really need Paul to do something. He promised the databases would be
>> available on the next update, but that was four years ago. I have been
>> asking for full integration with WSJT-X for years to no avail.
>>
>> This is a great program with a very active user base, but very little
>> commitment from Paul. I wonder if Paul would be willing to sell his
>> interest in the product to a group of users. We might all consider buying
>> him out and then forming our own development team and support group. We
>> could even make it open source to encourage more developers to get
>> involved.
>>
>> Paul, I think it is about time that you let us know what your future plans
>> entail. It is not fair to your loyal users to keep them in the dark and
>> not
>> provide any further development. We all scratch our heads and talk among
>> ourselves, but we just cannot figure out why you no longer want to support
>> your fine program. Are you bored? Have health problems? Lost interest?
>>
>> Bottom line, what would it take to buy you out? I would be happy to lead a
>> user group to see if we can do just that. I would not do it for any profit
>> motive, and my time and money would be provided for the benefit of all.
>>
>> In fact, if you were willing to talk I would suggest that we form a
>> 501(c)(3) to make it a non-profit venture. I personally think it would be
>> fun for the users to take ownership in the application. The biggest issue
>> is can we find users who have the technical background to support the
>> product? I have no idea what programming languages and database software
>> you use to power DX4WIN, but whatever you use is working great. Would you
>> want to continue to provide overall technical leadership or would you
>> prefer
>> to retire? All of these questions and issues would have to be discussed.
>>
>> Can you project your future revenue streams over the next three years? Can
>> you provide actual revenue over the past three years? If so, I am sure we
>> can monetize your financial interest in DX4WIN as it stands today. You
>> have
>> a great product that has stood the test of time over 25 years. I am sure
>> you would like to see it continue well into the future.
>>
>> I am a former partner with Deloitte & Touche and for the last 30 years have
>> owned and operated three family businesses. I am now retired, but I have
>> the background to help in such a transaction. My sole interest is to see
>> DX4WIN become more actively developed and supported for benefit of the
>> general ham radio community.
>>
>> Paul, please let me know via the reflector or privately if the time is
>> right
>> for you to discuss future options.
>>
>> I would also invite any other members of the user community to express
>> their
>> interest in joining me in forming a group to keep DX4WIN alive and as a
>> legacy to its founder. Jim, AD1C, would definitely have to be one of the
>> founding user group members. All if favor, say aye!
>>
>> I am sure that if we formed a user group, we would have many users who
>> would
>> want to volunteer their services to help with various aspects of
>> distribution, user support and development of DX4WIN going forward. We
>> would need volunteers to upgrade and support the website. Help with new
>> user installations. Help with ongoing product development, etc.
>>
>> If Paul can provide us with a price, we can then determine the best way to
>> raise the funds to buy him out. We could ask for donations. We could also
>> continue to charge modest amounts for new installations and updates -- but
>> only until the initial buyout amount has been paid off. Thereafter, we
>> might explore a donation based model just to raise enough money to pay for
>> ongoing administrative expenses -- if any. Again, our user group could be
>> creative and flexible as we work together to evolve the product overtime.
>> I
>> do not think this would be that big an effort to organize as long as Paul
>> thinks the time is right. Ultimately, it all depends on what Paul wants to
>> do.
>>
>> Paul, in the interest of your many devoted users, is this something that we
>> can begin to discuss with you?
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Dave, N4QS
>>
>> n4qs at vci.net
>>
>> Cell: 270.210.9912
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: dx4win-bounces at mailman.qth.net <dx4win-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On
>> Behalf Of sp5kp at pzk.pl
>> Sent: Monday, November 20, 2023 9:58 AM
>> To: dx4win at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: [Dx4win] FW: FW: QSL Manager editor not available.
>>
>> Guy,
>>
>> Thank you for speaking up on this topic.
>>
>> The AD1C databases are not updated automatically, but the user does it
>> manually:
>> Help, Check for updates, selecting which databases to update from AD1C.
>>
>> So what prevents the user from deciding whether to use the QSL manager AD1C
>> database or his own QSL info?
>>
>> When creating a new version of DX4WIN (v.9), you cannot block users from
>> using the existing very good features.
>>
>> Especially since these functions are available in the help. "Main Window:
>> File | Databases | QSL Managers"
>>
>> So many years have passed since the last update (ver 9.0.0.1259 - 2019)
>> that
>> this problem could have been removed and this function unlocked.
>>
>> Once again, I am asking Paul KK4HD to take care of this problem and in v.9
>> unlock the ability to IMPORT/EXPORT your own databases QSL managers (as it
>> was in previous versions) regardless of the import of AD1C files.
>>
>> Thank you in advance for quickly solving the problem.
>>
>>
>> Greetings from Poland.
>>
>> --------------------------
>> Vy 73!
>>
>> Krzysztof "Chris"
>> SP5KP, SN5N
>>
>> eMail: sp5kp at pzk.pl
>> web: https://sp5kp.pzk.pl
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: ON4AOI [mailto:on4aoi at skynet.be]
>> Sent: Monday, November 20, 2023 3:26 PM
>> To: sp5kp at pzk.pl; dx4win at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: RE: [Dx4win] FW: QSL Manager editor not available.
>>
>> Chris,
>> This is not an error in the software
>> But something that is left out for other reason For example automatic
>> updates
>>
>> Guy ON4AOI
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: dx4win-bounces at mailman.qth.net <dx4win-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On
>> Behalf Of sp5kp at pzk.pl
>> Sent: Monday, November 20, 2023 2:06 PM
>> To: dx4win at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: [Dx4win] FW: QSL Manager editor not available.
>>
>> Mike W0VTT,
>> Jim AD1C,
>> Paul KK4HD,
>>
>> Mike, you didn't understand the problem.
>>
>> I want DX4WIN v.9 to provide me with the following functions: DATABASES
>> Exprt/Import file QSL Managers (and not only address editing) - functions
>> that are described in the help "Main Window: File | Databases | QSL
>> Managers"
>>
>> I mainly want to be able to use the files of the national QSL office on my
>> PC, which I will be able to add to the files downloaded from AD1C and
>> import
>> the whole thing to my Dx4WIN installation
>>
>> Jim, thank you for your willingness to help, but my local information QSL
>> SP
>> Offices should not be in your database and therefore this suggestion does
>> not solve the problem).
>>
>> In previous versions this function worked and was very helpful. I have not
>> found any information anywhere why this function was blocked with the
>> message: QSL Manager editor not available
>>
>> I bought DX4WIN for the first time about 30 years ago (I started with v.4)
>> and I still want to use v.9 (only this error spoils the entire program). I
>> don't want to go back to old versions where this function works very well -
>> as described in the help "Main Window: File | Databases | QSL Managers"
>>
>> I'm reporting the problem here on REFLECTOR because I don't know who should
>> fix this error.
>> Once again, I would like to ask the person who programmed v.9 DX4WIN to
>> take
>> care of the problem and let me know when this error in v.9 will be fixed.
>>
>> Greetings from Poland.
>>
>> --------------------------
>> Vy 73!
>>
>> Krzysztof "Chris"
>> SP5KP, SN5N
>>
>> eMail: sp5kp at pzk.pl
>> web: https://sp5kp.pzk.pl
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Mike Cizek W0VTT [mailto:mgcizek at gmail.com]
>> Sent: Saturday, November 18, 2023 3:32 PM
>> To: sp5kp at pzk.pl; DX4WIN at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: RE: [Dx4win] QSL Manager editor not available.
>>
>> Hello Chris,
>>
>> Yes, it is different in v9. In the QSO window, enter the QSL manager's
>> callsign and press <CTRL-E>. type the address into the window that pops up
>> and select OK.
>>
>> ---
>> 73,
>> Mike Cizek WØVTT
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: dx4win-bounces at mailman.qth.net <dx4win-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On
>> Behalf Of sp5kp at pzk.pl
>> Sent: Saturday, 18 November, 2023 04:52
>> To: dx4win at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: [Dx4win] QSL Manager editor not available.
>>
>> Hello
>>
>>
>>
>> I have been using DX4WIN for many years. Currently v. 9.0.9.1259 in which I
>> have 370477 QSOs.
>>
>>
>>
>> I recently encountered this problem:
>>
>>
>>
>> I systematically update the databases from the DX4WIN website.
>>
>> But I also want to add my own QSL mangers as I did in previous versions, as
>> described in the help:
>>
>> "Main Window: File | Databases | QSL Managers" and there were no problems
>> with it.
>>
>>
>>
>> Unfortunately, when trying to enter (v. 9.0.9.1259):
>>
>> File, Databeses, QSL Mangaers I receive the following message:
>>
>>
>>
>> QSL Manager editor not available
>>
>>
>>
>> What is the reason for this?
>>
>> Maybe I have something configured incorrectly?
>>
>>
>>
>> Please help me.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------
>>
>> Vy 73!
>>
>> Krzysztof "Chris"
>>
>> SP5KP, SN5N
>>
>>
>>
>> eMail: <mailto:sp5kp at pzk.pl> sp5kp at pzk.pl
>>
>> web: <https://sp5kp.pzk.pl/> https://sp5kp.pzk.pl
>>
>>
>>
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