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

[Michael L. Sinclair]

 > The smart way to do that would be to register MultiMode and press for
 > bug fixes enhancements etc.  <== Don's remarks.

Nope!  The overall most common statement from all those fellows that 
responded to me off list, privately, and thanks again to all, was the 
expression of frustration to Chris's support responses in light of a 
'Product for Sale Web Site' presenting a finished product that proved 
less than satisfactory to all competitive products, great or small, on 
all platforms.  BTW - (Wow!  That's a lot of SPAM email Chris!  (O.o)  
Now I feel really blessed!).

Now, I don't speak for anyone but myself here, but I too am really sick 
and tired of paying for Beta Testing efforts.

Obviously, privately, 98% of all fellows here agree, MultiMode should 
be a freeware project.  A work in progress.  All comments welcome.  
Donations accepted.  Encouragement needed.  Everyone happy!

It would really be different if Multimode were handled like ACARSD.  
Pre-release, make no bones about it!  All welcome to participate, 
dedicated test site / list / group set up for continuing development, 
all comments welcome, everyone coming up to speed, supporting each 
other, all observed and / or perceived bugs studied, and all new 
feature suggestions and requests considered, practical or not.  Then 
when the project is actually functional, actually works, proven, ready 
for release... we'll talk.  Even then?  It's a hobby!!!  Dedication to 
a small group is really the key here.  Not Greed.  Not Pay.

 > BTW, the current version of Multimode hasn't crashed for me - but some
 > programs - even those from Apple - do crash occasionally - that's what
 > bug reports are for.  <==  Don's remarks.

Really?  Especially lately!  Apple has begun to travel down the same 
road that made me leave the Wind Blows world in the first place.  Darn 
I hate Beta Testing someone's supposedly finished product.  For cash 
out of pocket?  Kind of makes the whole effort seem a little less 
credible and worth while!  Hey?  So, let's press on!  They'll patch the 
patch!  Right?  Maybe!  Eventually!  Nah!  I don't 'buy' it.

So, let's get together and build a better Macintosh software decoder?  
Let's start building a multiple mode decoder project that does it all, 
works intuitively, performs professionally, with a top notch GUI and 
all dedicated to promoting SWL &  Ham Radio on the Macintosh!  Not some 
individuals bank account.  No cash required.  No deceptions.  All in 
the name of and support of the hobby.

And please, let's all continue to encourage and support continuing 
development in Don & Chris's programming efforts!

However, I vote for competition!

Status:  Eight programmers now on board.  Five Hams, (who work as 
programmers professionally), two SWLs, (who also work as programmers 
professionally), one Top Notch Professional Instructor, (a Ham and 
former Apple Professional Programmer), and one real kindergarden 
student... me!  :oP  Now 4 Countries!  Volunteers all!  Time marches 
on......... Hey?  We all be frustrated enough in the past to be very 
seriously determined to make this happen.

Imagine? - A software defined input stage that automatically levels the 
raw input audio, with on screen limit and filter performance displays, 
sort of like a set of ""real time"" Smart VU meters, with a DSP buffer 
that washes the signal audio in several, automatically pre-defined at 
setup, passes, with the only limiting factor being your individual 
processor overhead and performance.  With Waterfall 3D FFT display, 
Auto Mode and Signal Detection and Identification, Self Adapting Signal 
Tuning Display Helps and Spectrum Scopes, focused for each individual 
mode, as well as open General Signal Analysis modes?  All in an effort 
to present the easiest carefree, just turn it on, plug it in, lets get 
busy, decoding you could ask for.  Sound good?  Four of these fellows 
have been working on this project all along.  For some time now.

No more lost time tweaking that darned slider to get something to 
hopefully work.  (>.<)  And no more, what was that mysterious red dot?  
(o.O)  No more, it shamefully looks like the old 9 inch monochrome 
Macintosh screen display.  Instead!  Fully Definable Color!  Aqua!  
Steel!  Meaningful!  Professional!  I can visually decode the CW right 
off the waterfall display.  Awesome!  Pick a favorite font!  Let's go!

Now... back to learning Code Warrior...this is great fun too!  :o)  
This Klingenfuss Radio Data Codes book.  Wow!

73's to All Ham and SWL Macintosh Users!
--
Michael
WA7RCQ@ARRL.net
Monitoring from Gold Beach, OR USA
42 25' N 124 25' W
CN72tk