[Logic] Buckmaster callbook web site

Wed, 16 Jul 2003 08:37:00 -0500

You entire post is right on the money.

Gil, W0MN http://webpages.charter.net/gbaron
44.08N 92.512835W 1050'
Hierro Candente, Batir de repente

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
> Behalf Of K1UQ
> Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2003 6:46 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Cc: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Logic] Buckmaster callbook web site
>
>
> Dear Daniel,
>
> Thank you for a sincere explanation, as explained on the LOGic reflector.
>
> You proposed an IBCLS: "Internet-based callsign lookup system
> where for each
> lookup the LOGic program would submit to our server the callsign
> you want to
> look up and your registered HamCall callsign and password"
>
>
> Here are my thoughts about ICBLS use, with or without LOGic 6:
>
> 1. For contesting:
> (a) I will not and would not use an IBCLS, nor would I use a CD
> in my local
> CD drive. This is all about computer access speed during a 'test.  And for
> contests where I operate "Assisted", I connect to I-net for spotting and
> would not allow repeatedly switching URLs (spot to Buckmaster then back to
> spot).  Therefore for contesting, I'd only be interested in
> downloading the
> most recent data or obtaining a recent CD, to load an image on a hard
> drive, -which is my current practice. I copy the CD to hard drive.
> (b) I tend to use software other than LOGic for contests.
>
> 2. For non-contest operation:
> I would be interested in the following options:
> (a) Purchase-based - Purchase based allows for either CD purchase (current
> Buckmaster practice)or full image download purchase (new Buckmaster
> service).  For download option I am only interested in data - I have zero
> interest in maps, pictures, QSLs and other non-data often placed on CDs to
> fill them up.
> (b) Service based  - IBCLS option. Fee based. Most likely annual
> fee.  Data
> would have to be presented in acceptable format; in particular addressing
> fields for DX would need to print correctly.  Partner with LOGic
> to see this
> happens.
>
> 3. Cost:
> (a) Buckmaster has always been one of the most expensive services, if not
> THE most expensive.  As a result, I always purchased RAC and occasionally
> QRZd.  My only Buckmaster purchase was by "auction".  I don't see
> myself as
> a frequent CD purchaser due to cost, coupled with age of data - value vs.
> cost just isn't there.  For QSLs really needed, I always check the route
> different ways to ensure accuracy. Most often I ask the DX for
> proper route,
> and need no further info.
>
> (b) For the service-based option, a user will derive reasonably current
> information.  As above, the value needs to be consistent with current
> models.  I feel a service fee that exceeds the price to buy one
> CD a year to
> be excessive.
>
> 4. What would I pay for IBCLS?
> (a) $80 a year?   NOT A CHANCE. Outlandish. Unreasonable and excessive.
> (b) $50 a year?  Maybe, but definitely NOT every year. Maybe every 2 or 3
> years. Translates to $16 - $25 per year.
> (c) $40 a year?  Probably every 2 years. Translates to $20 per yr.
>
> Notice all the "As seen on TV" stuff that sells for $19? You can sell an
> American most anything for 20 bucks.  Now look at my 4a-4c
> comments. Pretty
> much the same, isn't it?
>
> Perhaps:
> 1 year =  Pay $30
> 2 years = Pay $50 (=$25 per year)
> 4 years = Pay $80 (=$20 per year)
>
> Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
>
> Regards,
> Bill Lawless  K1UQ
> Georgetown,  MA
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Daniel L. Bateman" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 16:16 PM
> Subject: Re: [Logic] Buckmaster callbook web site
>
>
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> >    My name is Dan Bateman, I work for Buckmaster Publishing, the company
> > that makes the HamCall CD-ROM.  As some LOGic users have noticed, we've
> > changed our callsign lookup website so the information is no longer
> > understandable to computer programs.  This was originally to keep
> automated
> > programs from harvesting information from our website,
> especially people's
> > e-mail addresses.  It's a known fact that spammers get many of their
> > addresses to mail to from automated programs that surf the web
> looking for
> > e-mail addresses.  The HamCall site with it's 160,000+ e-mail addresses
> was
> > a prime target, although we don't believe any significant
> number have been
> > harvested due to diligence on our part in watching server
> activity.  We've
> > also found that automated programs tend to put a large strain on our
> server
> > and bandwidth, they're not very polite and do several lookups per second
> > for hours or longer.  All that doesn't apply to LOGic, but it's part of
> why
> > we changed the way our server returns callsign data.
> >
> >    Also, thinking of the long-term, even though we enjoy our work on
> > HamCall and would like to be able to do it for free, it is our means of
> > support and we can't afford to give it all away for free.  A limited
> number
> > of web browser-based lookups is fine to demonstrate the completeness of
> our
> > database, but the enhanced functionality of actually supplying callsign
> > data to be parsed into fields and digested into a program is
> something we
> > feel we deserve to be paid for.
> >
> >    So where does this leave LOGic users?  The combination of a logging
> > program and HamCall is a great tool, but we realize that
> CD-ROMs are to a
> > certain extent out of date as soon as you receive them, even with
> HamCall's
> > ability to download monthly update files.  Hundreds or thousands of
> changes
> > are made to our database every day.  What we would like to propose is a
> > Internet-based callsign lookup system where for each lookup the LOGic
> > program would submit to our server the callsign you want to look up and
> > your registered HamCall callsign and password.  Our server would then
> > return the full data for that callsign, right out of the current master
> > HamCall database.  LOGic could treat these lookups just like
> lookups from
> a
> > CD-ROM, and it could save your login information so you wouldn't have to
> > type it in each time.
> >
> >    A password is included with each HamCall CD-ROM.  If you already have
> > one your current password would work just fine.  Otherwise the
> HamCall CD
> > can be had for  $50, or as little as $30 if you get one through our
> > auctions.  Both of these come with a password good for 6
> months.  For $80
> > you can get a CD with a password good for a full year of
> lookups.  In the
> > future we may offer an Internet-only subscription for a lower
> price if the
> > interest is sufficient.
> >
> >    I realize some people will never pay for what they can manage to get
> for
> > free elsewhere, even if it's not the most accurate or current data.  But
> we
> > believe that most people think it's reasonable to pay something for a
> > useful service.  Plus with the expenses of getting a QSL card up to a
> > dollar or two, good current addresses are important and should be worth
> > something.  We're interested in everyone's input and comments,
> and Dennis,
> > let us know if you're interested in the Internet-based callsign lookup
> > system.  It shouldn't be hard for you or us to implement.
> >
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > -Dan Bateman
> > http://hamcall.net
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > LOGic mailing list
> > [email protected]
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/logic
>
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