[DXBase] Wish List for DX BASE 2005 - VERY LONG!

2004年1月05日 21:58:04 -0500

At 21:28 05-01-04, you wrote:
>>15) How about a built-in voice keyer/sequencer?

>I don't need a voice synthesizer for ssb.
>Already have Writelog, Already have a out board DVK.
>I'm feared that the addition of a voice keyer would add serious size/speed 
>issue problems.

I wasn't referring to a synthesizer, just something that plays back 
existing WAV files at the press of a key, and sends them to the rig via 
something like RigBlaster. Right now I use a third-party program called 
Voice Key Express to do this. I have recorded about a dozen different WAV 
files of my callsign in different combinations of phonetics, a "thanks for 
the new country" WAV and a few others. I also have a whole slew of them 
that I use for contesting with N1MM Logger, which has this feature built-in 
and flawlessly implemented. If you're sitting in a Killer Pileup do you 
really want to go horse shouting your call for 6 hours (OK, I only run 100W 
and a dipole, so I probably have to shout for a lot longer that you 
<grin>)? Now, I just hit one of four keys in Voice Key Express and it sends 
my all different ways. That functionality built into DX Base would be a 
godsend.
The problem now is that in a pileup I may have both DX Base and VKE open. 
If I switch to DX Base to look at new cluster spots or to do other things 
while I'm trying to get the station at the pointy end of that pileup, I may 
accidentally forget to ALT+TAB back to my voice keyer and miss my shot at 
calling him at the exact moment at which I want to call.
> > 16) A Data Entry window. DX Base is indeed the best logger there is on the
> > market. However, its learning curve, especially for older operators, can be
> > very intimidating. I would like to see an option that would bring up a NEW
> > QSO dialog box that is easy for older operators to use in, for example, a
> > club setting environment. One keystroke (for example, INSERT) brings up the
> > box. You set the tab-field order on initial setup, and fill in the boxes
> > one at a time (with auto complete of name, location, etc, from an installed
> > CD-ROM). If you work the station whose call you enter in the box, you press
> > a button marked LOG IT. If you don't get him, press one marked CLEAR THIS
> > ENTRY (or CTRL + ENTER and ESCAPE keystrokes for those who don't like using
> > mice).
>I really can't see how the data entry can be easier?
>Type the callsign into the Callsign field and hit enter

That's what I'd thought too, until I showed a few members of my club here 
in New York City how to do this and they were absolutely bamboozled. For 
hard-core types like me, it's fine the way it is, and frankly I love it. 
For older or less-sophisticated (almost-computer-phobic) hams that some 
organizations have, it would be great to have a nice sized simple window 
that sits on top of everything for the sole purpose of entering new 
contacts. It disappears at the push of a key.
To get a feeling of what I'm talking about, try to download the free 
version of AALog (a small Russian logger that has a lot of really nice 
features). It's absolutely nowhere near as sophisticated as DX Base and I 
would never switch back to it, but in its own right, it did a few simple 
things very well. This, IMHO, was clearly one of them.
>In the past, I've presented them with a large wishlist.
>Realistically, I knew they couldn't/wouldn't implement them all.
>If they did there would be no reason to put our the next after version. :-))

Sigh. Such is the reality. But think of it this way...if everything that 
was suggested was implemented, I'm sure others' imaginations would be 
stimulated and even newer and cooler features would be suggested!
>I do agree with your Windows convention keystrokes, different ways to 
>delete something
>depending on the window is counter intuitive.

Yeah, the lack of standard Microsoft keyboard conventions is one of only 
two serious criticisms I have of DX Base; the other is the column orders 
and/or the inability to drag columns at will. I said in my original posting 
that I really do love this software and I only suggested these items with 
the aim of taking the best and making it better.
>You do know that if you MINIMIZE the vhf cluster window, it will hide at 
>the bottom of the
>screen behind a window and will remain that way forever or until you bring 
>it back
>manually.

Yes, that's what I do now, but it took a lot of what should have been 
un-necessary wondering in order to do it <g>.
>Lot of good ideas. I do think you missed one.
>Being the most anal backup guy in the world, there should be a hot key or 
>selectable
>automatic backup of important files and .ini settings.

Gahh! Yes. Absolutely. I'm equally anal about backing up, but since I back 
up to not only a RAID array but also nightly to tape and monthly on a Ghost 
image that I store off-site, I suppose that didn't come to the forefront in 
my wish list. You're absolutely right, of course. This should be a 1-button 
or even automated procedure that backs up to either a network location or 
floppy/USB/LS-120/ZIP media or to CD-R/CD-RW.
73 de Peter (W2IRT)
[email protected]
Please visit http://www.nyctrackbook.com for details of my book
Tracks of the NYC Subway 