[Dx4win] What is the future of DX4WIN?

Tue Nov 21 05:23:21 EST 2023

Developers ? Which developers ?...
DX4Win USED to be perfect, but the so-called developers are just 
ignoring people who paid for the program... Not nice...

73
Paul F6EXV

Le 21/11/2023 à 11:20, Christian Janssen DL1MGB a écrit :
> Hi all,
>
> DX4WIN is also (almost) perfect for my needs. Sure, would love to have this or that little neat feature, but these are also not available from other logging programms.
>
> And one thing I like very much with DX4WIN that developers don't feel the need to implement EVERY feature EVERY user wants to have. So it remains a compact software with no glitches or running errors or data losses. And the UI stays the same I have adopted over the years. There is nothing worse when each second version comes in a complete new UI and you have to rearrange it as you are used to.
>
> Many thanks for the good work so far!
>
> 73s Chris DL1MGB
>
>
>
> Am 20.11.2023 um 18:04 schrieb David Perry, N4QS:
>> 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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