[Elecraft] KDVR

[Phil Hystad]

I think we all need to remember that features are approved and added by Elecraft,
not by users.  However, I bet a lot of the features that we like in the K3 come from
user suggestions or from similar sources (dialog on other forums?).

I think that the freedom to suggest a new feature should be paramount on this
forum.  Of course, so should the freedom to vote "No" on a new idea.  This is all
information that be used by Wayne and Eric in choosing things that might be
included someday.


73, phil, K7PEH
P.S. A programmer for 45 years


On Jun 2, 2010, at 7:55 AM, Vic K2VCO wrote:

> On 6/2/2010 4:02 AM, Gary Gregory wrote:
>> It never ceases to amaze me when a suggestion comes up to "add" a
>> feature that has some practical use, we get a variety of opinions to
>> the contrary and yet I think we all forget that nearly all added
>> features come with the choice of on/off so that those of us wanting a
>> feature added can use it and those that don't want it can turn it off
>> and maintain the status quo.
> 
> As a software developer myself, here are some reasons that I disagree:
> 
> 1. Every feature requires code space, which is in short supply.
> 
> 2. The menu interface is already complicated and adding more switches makes it worse. I've 
> talked to new K3 users who are overwhelmed.
> 
> 3. If a feature is implemented at all, it must be implemented cleanly, in a way which fits 
> the general user-interface and operational philosophy of the device. It can't have hidden 
> 'gotchas', etc. It isn't a good argument for doing something fundamentally inconsistent to 
> say that "you can always turn it off".
> 
> 4. Once a feature exists, it has to be supported. Some 'features' and implementations 
> thereof can have a large impact on the volume of support calls.
> 
> 5. Programmer time is very expensive and limited. Just because something has 'practical 
> use' to the four operators out of 10,000 who want a particular feature does not mean that 
> the two guys who have to make this work should spend their time on it, especially when 
> there are things that 1,000 operators could use.
> 
> These are just some of the reasons that "because it's possible" may not be a good reason 
> to do something!
> -- 
> Vic, K2VCO
> Fresno CA
> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
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