[Ham-Mac] What I don't like?

[Michael L. Sinclair]

What I don't like, Chris, is investing in hardware, specifically USB 
I/O interfaces, only to find out that the software is very inadequate!  
Only a poor example of 'paid for' work in progress, literally, Beta 
Release software.  Software I now feel I was duped into buying from a 
very nice presentation web site, with excellent examples of the Beta 
Release software performing under very obviously ideal conditions.  And 
now, my $89.00 yearly subscription to support the 'poorly paid 
programmer' has run out.  Nah!  No more pay!  You're fired Chris!

And, just for the record Chris, I have written you before regarding 
questions about ACARS performance, etc.. You never responded, or you 
responded with a very generic, go away 'end user', 'you bother me', 
type response.  After all, that ACARS stuff is a non-Ham related issue 
anyway, right?

All right then, since one of my special interests is ACARS, then let it 
be know that MultiMode's continued poor performance in ACARS is just 
pathetic.  Even when one is setting very nearby an Up Link site.  Who 
cares about MulitMode's functionality and feature set, likes or 
dislikes, when the packet decoder fails to even minimally perform.  And 
yes, I bought your recommend iMic hardware.  And others!!  Sorry Chris, 
but you asked!

Chris?  Just look at the old AirNav Decoder, version 1.0.  And note 
this Chris!  They only asked for an update payment at version 2.0!!!  
You understand?  When an improved decoder was released with several new 
overall features were added!!!  Fact is Chris, there are several 
'freeware' PC applications out there that are so simple, yet, stomp 
MultiMode in performance.  Why, just look at the new ACARSD work in 
progress.  The source code is available to all!!!  Wow!  Very 
Impressive!  And it's developing freeware Chris!!!  And just imagine 
this Chris?  The programmer is volunteering his efforts to this very 
serious hobby.  Oh, I don't think he's getting paid enough!

Just think fellows?  What would Ham Radio Packet applications be like 
with the ACARSD 'packet engine' running?  WOW!!!  I have never seen 
such a simple "hardware less" package recover packet data from what I 
can barely hear in the receiver noise floor!!  Awesome!  We need this 
in HF Packet Radio!!!!

Then Chris, your HF FAX and SSTV performance is worse than any other PC 
package, [especially in sync functionality, no mode detect, and slant 
timing], than all of the freeware software that I have ever tried.  And 
I have tried most if not all!  Boy, have I lost a lot of time in front 
of MutilMode here!  It's really sad Chris, to have lost all those great 
SSTV pictures transmitted, only to realize that some pathetic, simple, 
tiny little PeeCee piece of freeware, setting side by side Multimode, 
was receiving them all with ease.

Nope!  Even as bad as the PeeCee with Windows OS platform is today, 
with software like SkySweeper Standard around, I myself use the 
Professional edition, SkySweeper out performs MultiMode hands down in 
every aspect that I could possibly desire.  And with no additional 
hardware investment required!!  Fact is, the over all total investment 
in hardware and software is much less in comparison.

Yes, SkySweeper is, as Chris implied, complex software.  [Actually, on 
much closer inspection, it's really not!]  And MultiMode is certainly 
not of that caliber.  Okay!  My whole point in starting this thread in 
the first place was to inspire people like Chris, paid well or not, to 
make MultiMode for the Macintosh platform comparable if not better than 
the PC counter parts / competition.  Well, Chris says, 'it's not 
practical at this point'.  He doesn't get paid enough apparently.  
Okay!  Well then, I guess we'll have to resign ourselves to the fact 
that the Apple Macintosh platform will never attain these levels of 
performance.  Done!

And now, to add insult to injury, we have the ridiculously simple MP3 
file, oops no it's really actually an application, Trojan Horse in the 
community.

Nah!  I have already built an SFF XPC.  Just for SWL & Ham Radio Work.  
Ahhh, contentment!  :o)

Be encouraged Chris.  It's about much more than what we get paid!  Our 
pride!  Or how much money we have in the bank!  It's really about 
dedication to the cause.

Certainly, Quality, Performance, Functionality and Reliability is not 
directly related, (contrary to what the the greedy may demonstrate), to 
what the programmers get paid!  Or how many copies of the software are 
out there in use!!!  Only the really greedy, like Microsoft, demand 
money for Beta Testing their software.

Apple is / well...  once was, a perfect example of that.  Things have 
certainly changed at Apple haven't they?

Build a really great Multi Mode Decoding Software Product for the Mac - 
you'll be paid more than enough programmers!

Enough said.  Period!

Have a great Easter!  Everyone!
--
Michael
WA7RCQ Monitoring from Gold Beach, OR USA 42 25' N 124 25' W
ICOM 756 Pro, Yaesu FT-847, AOR-5000 +3 w/aRFive
AOR-8000, AOR-8200, MVT-7100, Alinco DJ-X2000
M-8000, Code 3 Gold Professional, SkySweeper Pro