[Logic] Buckmaster callbook web site

2003年7月16日 07:45:59 -0400

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ドル a year? NOT A CHANCE. Outlandish. Unreasonable and excessive.
(b) 50ドル a year? Maybe, but definitely NOT every year. Maybe every 2 or 3
years. Translates to 16ドル - 25ドル per year.
(c) 40ドル a year? Probably every 2 years. Translates to 20ドル per yr.
Notice all the "As seen on TV" stuff that sells for 19ドル? 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ドル
2 years = Pay 50ドル (=25ドル per year)
4 years = Pay 80ドル (=20ドル 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,ドル or as little as 30ドル if you get one through our
> auctions. Both of these come with a password good for 6 months. For 80ドル
> 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
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