[FADCA] Digital and Emergency Planning

[bud Thompson]

Deltona
Saturday Mar 2 0655EST

Hi, All -

I suggest this thread not be about LINUX vs. Windows/MS, etc. We can start
one if needed, (please include me) but this particular thread (the best one
we have had in years on FADCA!) is confusing enough as few have much
previous knowledge about the Winlink 2000 (WL2K) and Airmail system and
programs.

That said, I'm glad to see we have some LINUX folks available when I need
some help on some other projects here one of these days!

This topic started when Russ had a problem with telnet he could not solve
with Windows bud did solve with LINUX - but he was working on some ideas for
supporting emergency communications with digital stations in the Last Mile
(where there is no wire line connection).  I brought in that I was working
on (promoting) the use of the Airmail terminal program for tactical
operations which, when tied in with the WL2K system for which it was
designed, would let us make the Internet/telnet connection.  My point was,
and still is, that for emergency planning, we will have far too few
(trained) hams to participate than we might need, and a greater number of
them will be more familiar with Windows-based programs than with LINUX.

In most cases, plans for emergencies include the use of laptops -whether
user- or government-owned, and so far as I know there is not a complete
system in Florida where the laptops are ready to go for ham use with LINUX.
We will have enough of a problem successfully promoting the use of ham
digital, much less an OS that folks don't now have. I know in Seminole
County where we now have ten county-supplied laptops and TNCs, my suggesting
we move to a LINUX-based OS would not meet with positive results.

If somewhere in the transfer chain outside the Last Mile other operating
systems are employed because they are "better" , that is totally transparent
to the ham operating his/her laptop in a shelter.

The thread we have going -Emergency Support Using Digital in the Last Mile -
is a good one. I suggest we keep it to this without regard to computer
operating systems.  If there is another scheme available other than
WL2K/Airmail - bring it on.

In this regard, I really appreciate that Rick, KN6KB and possibly Jim, KE6RK
have joined in on the comments. They are part of the WL2K development team
and will keep me honest in my discussion of how the system may be employed
for our purposes

- Bring it on.

73,
bud Thompson, N0IA