[Dx4win] What is the future of DX4WIN?

Tue Nov 21 10:52:23 EST 2023

As for satellite logging, I gave up on DX4Win, because of the lack of 
satellite names updates.

I use N3FJP ACLog to keep a separate log of satellite contacts. It is a 
lot less headache for me. Easy to configure the entry screen to show 
satellite info. Easy tracking dupes. Easy to keep track of the right 
'sat name' yourself and set prop mode 'sat' as LOTW needs.

DX4Win still does everything that I need for chasing DX on HF.

Ernie

On 11/21/2023 5:25 AM, Ricardo Navarrete wrote:
> In my case I'm not asking for an improvement, I don't care, I'm asking for
> a database update, satellites database is implemented into DX4WIN code. It
> doesn't read the information from any file or website that is the
> problem...... I don't know anything about programing code and I don't know
> how difficult is to implement it but for me and for many others working
> satellites it is very important to know which callsigns were worked on what
> satellite.
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> El mar, 21 nov 2023, 11:21, Christian Janssen DL1MGB <chris at dl1mgb.com>
> escribió:
>
>> 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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