|
Was reading a response to a question over in the Gemini I forum that requested this forum was a better place to post. I was a little surprised to read that even though Gemini II is already shipping ..... it appears that the firmware and feature set is far from finalized. Just what is the status? How far away from finalization is the firmware and feature set? At what percentage of completion does the hardware exist? Is there a feature "roadmap" for the project? Are the developers still taking suggestions for the feature set. Is the development a closed community? I am interested in how the new hardware will integrate into the existing Gemini I solutions developed over the many years of Gemini existence.
Keith
|
Keith,
Good questions!
?
Was reading a response to a question over in the Gemini I forum
that requested this forum was a better place to post. I was a little
surprised to read that even though Gemini II is already shipping .....
it appears that the firmware and feature set is far from finalized.
Just what is the status? How far away from finalization is the firmware
and feature set? At what percentage of completion does the hardware
exist? Is there a feature "roadmap" for the project? Are the developers
still taking suggestions for the feature set. Is the development a
closed community? I am interested in how the new hardware will
integrate into the existing Gemini I solutions developed over the many
years of Gemini existence.
Finalized? Gemini II is the base for about another ten years of
development. This clearly set the priorities. The hardware had to be
finalized first. It is, and it has options for the future.
After the hardware, there comes a giant amount of code we call
firmware. Yes, this is not finalized, although the feature set is
already huge. If you are aware of the development of Gemini I from
level one to level four you know my intentions... to get the most out
of it to meet the user's demands.
Regarding the feature set and in this tradition, I enjoy any
suggestions for new features. There's so much possible that I have to
appreciate your suggestions... everyones imagination is limited. I'd
say, the users are ruling the development, as they did with G1 with so
much different kinds of use, and if someone likes to contribute some
nice pieces of C code, oh yes, please! BTW, G2 is a very open system
allowing to create your own web sites to control it.
There are some big landmarks on the roadmap. Alt/Az support is the next
one.
搁别苍é
|
Hi, To follow up on Keith's question: I am hoping to have a new G11 with Gemini II before the end of February. ?If I have the Gemini II, the quick start guide, and the manual for the Gemini I, level 4, could I use the mount? ?Basically, polar align the mount, do a series of star alignments, and have a tracking go-to mount? ?I have not used a Gemini I, but am familiar with german equatorial mounts, and how they work. Regards, Bob
On 2011-02-06, at 2:25 PM, Rene Goerlich wrote:
?
Keith,
Good questions!
?
Was reading a response to a question over in the Gemini I forum
that requested this forum was a better place to post. I was a little
surprised to read that even though Gemini II is already shipping .....
it appears that the firmware and feature set is far from finalized.
Just what is the status? How far away from finalization is the firmware
and feature set? At what percentage of completion does the hardware
exist? Is there a feature "roadmap" for the project? Are the developers
still taking suggestions for the feature set. Is the development a
closed community? I am interested in how the new hardware will
integrate into the existing Gemini I solutions developed over the many
years of Gemini existence.
Finalized? Gemini II is the base for about another ten years of
development. This clearly set the priorities. The hardware had to be
finalized first. It is, and it has options for the future.
After the hardware, there comes a giant amount of code we call
firmware. Yes, this is not finalized, although the feature set is
already huge. If you are aware of the development of Gemini I from
level one to level four you know my intentions... to get the most out
of it to meet the user's demands.
Regarding the feature set and in this tradition, I enjoy any
suggestions for new features. There's so much possible that I have to
appreciate your suggestions... everyones imagination is limited. I'd
say, the users are ruling the development, as they did with G1 with so
much different kinds of use, and if someone likes to contribute some
nice pieces of C code, oh yes, please! BTW, G2 is a very open system
allowing to create your own web sites to control it.
There are some big landmarks on the roadmap. Alt/Az support is the next
one.
搁别苍é
|
Hi 搁别苍é,
The Gemini-II rework of Gemini-I Levels 1-4, are those levels finalized other than any undiscovered bugs?
Thanks,
Gale
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In Gemini-II@..., Rene Goerlich <Rene@...> wrote:
Keith,
Good questions!
Was reading a response to a question over in the Gemini I forum that
requested this forum was a better place to post. I was a little
surprised to read that even though Gemini II is already shipping .....
it appears that the firmware and feature set is far from finalized.
Just what is the status? How far away from finalization is the
firmware and feature set? At what percentage of completion does the
hardware exist? Is there a feature "roadmap" for the project? Are the
developers still taking suggestions for the feature set. Is the
development a closed community? I am interested in how the new
hardware will integrate into the existing Gemini I solutions developed
over the many years of Gemini existence.
Finalized? Gemini II is the base for about another ten years of
development. This clearly set the priorities. The hardware had to be
finalized first. It is, and it has options for the future.
After the hardware, there comes a giant amount of code we call firmware.
Yes, this is not finalized, although the feature set is already huge. If
you are aware of the development of Gemini I from level one to level
four you know my intentions... to get the most out of it to meet the
user's demands.
Regarding the feature set and in this tradition, I enjoy any suggestions
for new features. There's so much possible that I have to appreciate
your suggestions... everyones imagination is limited. I'd say, the users
are ruling the development, as they did with G1 with so much different
kinds of use, and if someone likes to contribute some nice pieces of C
code, oh yes, please! BTW, G2 is a very open system allowing to create
your own web sites to control it.
There are some big landmarks on the roadmap. Alt/Az support is the next one.
搁别苍é
|
Gale
Rene has already answered this question. Please go back and see
message 68
Tom Hilton
On 2/6/2011 10:43 PM, Gale wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
?
Hi 搁别苍é,
The Gemini-II rework of Gemini-I Levels 1-4, are those
levels finalized other than any undiscovered bugs?
Thanks,
Gale
--- In Gemini-II@...,
Rene Goerlich wrote:
>
> Keith,
>
> Good questions!
> >
> > Was reading a response to a question over in the
Gemini I forum that
> > requested this forum was a better place to post.
I was a little
> > surprised to read that even though Gemini II is
already shipping .....
> > it appears that the firmware and feature set is
far from finalized.
> > Just what is the status? How far away from
finalization is the
> > firmware and feature set? At what percentage of
completion does the
> > hardware exist? Is there a feature "roadmap" for
the project? Are the
> > developers still taking suggestions for the
feature set. Is the
> > development a closed community? I am interested
in how the new
> > hardware will integrate into the existing Gemini
I solutions developed
> > over the many years of Gemini existence.
> >
> Finalized? Gemini II is the base for about another
ten years of
> development. This clearly set the priorities. The
hardware had to be
> finalized first. It is, and it has options for the
future.
>
> After the hardware, there comes a giant amount of
code we call firmware.
> Yes, this is not finalized, although the feature set
is already huge. If
> you are aware of the development of Gemini I from
level one to level
> four you know my intentions... to get the most out of
it to meet the
> user's demands.
>
> Regarding the feature set and in this tradition, I
enjoy any suggestions
> for new features. There's so much possible that I
have to appreciate
> your suggestions... everyones imagination is limited.
I'd say, the users
> are ruling the development, as they did with G1 with
so much different
> kinds of use, and if someone likes to contribute some
nice pieces of C
> code, oh yes, please! BTW, G2 is a very open system
allowing to create
> your own web sites to control it.
>
> There are some big landmarks on the roadmap. Alt/Az
support is the next one.
>
> 搁别苍é
>
|
Hi Tom,
I think 搁别苍é answered a slightly different question. Clearly any new features never seen in Gemini-I will be addressed in Levels 5, 6, 7, etc over the next 10 years or so. What I asked is whether there is any unfinished work replicating the features of Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. Probably they are all there, but it is also possible the product was released when L4 features were sufficiently complete to meet the needs of most users now and the remainder in the near future.
Thanks,
Gale
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In Gemini-II@..., "tom@..." <tom@...> wrote:
Gale
Rene has already answered this question. Please go back and see message 68
Tom Hilton
On 2/6/2011 10:43 PM, Gale wrote:
Hi 搁别苍é,
The Gemini-II rework of Gemini-I Levels 1-4, are those levels
finalized other than any undiscovered bugs?
Thanks,
Gale
--- In Gemini-II@... <mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>,
Rene Goerlich <Rene@> wrote:
Keith,
Good questions!
Was reading a response to a question over in the Gemini I forum that
requested this forum was a better place to post. I was a little
surprised to read that even though Gemini II is already shipping
.....
it appears that the firmware and feature set is far from finalized.
Just what is the status? How far away from finalization is the
firmware and feature set? At what percentage of completion does the
hardware exist? Is there a feature "roadmap" for the project? Are the
developers still taking suggestions for the feature set. Is the
development a closed community? I am interested in how the new
hardware will integrate into the existing Gemini I solutions
developed
over the many years of Gemini existence.
Finalized? Gemini II is the base for about another ten years of
development. This clearly set the priorities. The hardware had to be
finalized first. It is, and it has options for the future.
After the hardware, there comes a giant amount of code we call
firmware.
Yes, this is not finalized, although the feature set is already huge. If
you are aware of the development of Gemini I from level one to level
four you know my intentions... to get the most out of it to meet the
user's demands.
Regarding the feature set and in this tradition, I enjoy any suggestions
for new features. There's so much possible that I have to appreciate
your suggestions... everyones imagination is limited. I'd say, the users
are ruling the development, as they did with G1 with so much different
kinds of use, and if someone likes to contribute some nice pieces of C
code, oh yes, please! BTW, G2 is a very open system allowing to create
your own web sites to control it.
There are some big landmarks on the roadmap. Alt/Az support is the next one.
搁别苍é
|
Hi Gale,
I think 搁别苍é answered a slightly different question. Clearly any
new features never seen in Gemini-I will be addressed in Levels 5, 6,
7, etc over the next 10 years or so. What I asked is whether there is
any unfinished work replicating the features of Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Probably they are all there, but it is also possible the product was
released when L4 features were sufficiently complete to meet the needs
of most users now and the remainder in the near future.
I've not completely finished two features: PEC and modelling. There
were just too many things to do during the last few weeks that I had to
priorize higher for the user: simple flash methods for the user that he
can easily recover in case of failures while flashing new firmware;
more and customized information on the web pages and the HC, DHCP for
network settings and similiar.
PEC and modelling can't be simply ported from G1/L4. PEC is very
hardware dependent and I also prepared RA axis driving for high-res
encoders. For the modelling I need some clear nights to test it.
Even without these two features, I consider the mounts completely
usable, visual and for photography. There will be some learning curve
for the user anyway, and some undiscoverd bugs may show up. I think
that it makes sense to let these threads run in parallel. I'd like to
have the G2 delivered, because I'll have semester vacancies until end
of march... lots of time to concentrate on G2 and accompany the start.
If someone does not want his G2 delivered w/o these two features, he
should tell Scott, but I've made the upgrade process as easy and as
failsafe as possible. At the beginning I was a bit worried about
flashing, but now, after three years of development and flashing my
test boards several thousand time, I believe the manufacturer ;-)
搁别苍é
Thanks,
Gale
--- In Gemini-II@...,
"tom@..." wrote:
>
> Gale
> Rene has already answered this question. Please go back and see
message 68
>
> Tom Hilton
>
> On 2/6/2011 10:43 PM, Gale wrote:
> >
> > Hi 搁别苍é,
> >
> > The Gemini-II rework of Gemini-I Levels 1-4, are those levels
> > finalized other than any undiscovered bugs?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Gale
> >
> > --- In Gemini-II@...
,
> > Rene Goerlich wrote:
> > >
> > > Keith,
> > >
> > > Good questions!
> > > >
> > > > Was reading a response to a question over in the
Gemini I forum that
> > > > requested this forum was a better place to post. I
was a little
> > > > surprised to read that even though Gemini II is
already shipping
> > .....
> > > > it appears that the firmware and feature set is far
from finalized.
> > > > Just what is the status? How far away from
finalization is the
> > > > firmware and feature set? At what percentage of
completion does the
> > > > hardware exist? Is there a feature "roadmap" for
the project? Are the
> > > > developers still taking suggestions for the feature
set. Is the
> > > > development a closed community? I am interested in
how the new
> > > > hardware will integrate into the existing Gemini I
solutions
> > developed
> > > > over the many years of Gemini existence.
> > > >
> > > Finalized? Gemini II is the base for about another ten
years of
> > > development. This clearly set the priorities. The
hardware had to be
> > > finalized first. It is, and it has options for the
future.
> > >
> > > After the hardware, there comes a giant amount of code
we call
> > firmware.
> > > Yes, this is not finalized, although the feature set is
already
> > huge. If
> > > you are aware of the development of Gemini I from level
one to level
> > > four you know my intentions... to get the most out of it
to meet the
> > > user's demands.
> > >
> > > Regarding the feature set and in this tradition, I enjoy
any
> > suggestions
> > > for new features. There's so much possible that I have
to appreciate
> > > your suggestions... everyones imagination is limited.
I'd say, the
> > users
> > > are ruling the development, as they did with G1 with so
much different
> > > kinds of use, and if someone likes to contribute some
nice pieces of C
> > > code, oh yes, please! BTW, G2 is a very open system
allowing to create
> > > your own web sites to control it.
> > >
> > > There are some big landmarks on the roadmap. Alt/Az
support is the
> > next one.
> > >
> > > 搁别苍é
> > >
> >
> >
>
|
Sorry for the misunderstanding Gale.? I thought you was asking if
her was going to do any more work on the Gemini 1
Tom
On 2/7/2011 6:31 AM, Gale wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
?
Hi Tom,
I think 搁别苍é answered a slightly different question.
Clearly any new features never seen in Gemini-I will be
addressed in Levels 5, 6, 7, etc over the next 10 years or
so. What I asked is whether there is any unfinished work
replicating the features of Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Probably they are all there, but it is also possible the
product was released when L4 features were sufficiently
complete to meet the needs of most users now and the
remainder in the near future.
Thanks,
Gale
--- In Gemini-II@...,
"tom@..." wrote:
>
> Gale
> Rene has already answered this question. Please go
back and see message 68
>
> Tom Hilton
>
> On 2/6/2011 10:43 PM, Gale wrote:
> >
> > Hi 搁别苍é,
> >
> > The Gemini-II rework of Gemini-I Levels 1-4, are
those levels
> > finalized other than any undiscovered bugs?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Gale
> >
> > --- In Gemini-II@...
,
> > Rene Goerlich wrote:
> > >
> > > Keith,
> > >
> > > Good questions!
> > > >
> > > > Was reading a response to a question
over in the Gemini I forum that
> > > > requested this forum was a better
place to post. I was a little
> > > > surprised to read that even though
Gemini II is already shipping
> > .....
> > > > it appears that the firmware and
feature set is far from finalized.
> > > > Just what is the status? How far away
from finalization is the
> > > > firmware and feature set? At what
percentage of completion does the
> > > > hardware exist? Is there a feature
"roadmap" for the project? Are the
> > > > developers still taking suggestions
for the feature set. Is the
> > > > development a closed community? I am
interested in how the new
> > > > hardware will integrate into the
existing Gemini I solutions
> > developed
> > > > over the many years of Gemini
existence.
> > > >
> > > Finalized? Gemini II is the base for about
another ten years of
> > > development. This clearly set the
priorities. The hardware had to be
> > > finalized first. It is, and it has options
for the future.
> > >
> > > After the hardware, there comes a giant
amount of code we call
> > firmware.
> > > Yes, this is not finalized, although the
feature set is already
> > huge. If
> > > you are aware of the development of Gemini
I from level one to level
> > > four you know my intentions... to get the
most out of it to meet the
> > > user's demands.
> > >
> > > Regarding the feature set and in this
tradition, I enjoy any
> > suggestions
> > > for new features. There's so much possible
that I have to appreciate
> > > your suggestions... everyones imagination
is limited. I'd say, the
> > users
> > > are ruling the development, as they did
with G1 with so much different
> > > kinds of use, and if someone likes to
contribute some nice pieces of C
> > > code, oh yes, please! BTW, G2 is a very
open system allowing to create
> > > your own web sites to control it.
> > >
> > > There are some big landmarks on the
roadmap. Alt/Az support is the
> > next one.
> > >
> > > 搁别苍é
> > >
> >
> >
>
|
Rene, thanks for the response. No, I am not that familiar with the development of Gemini I. I came into use of the controller only in 2004 and have benefited from the stable feature set of Level 4. I have read the synopsis history of Gemini development so have some feeling from where it all started. The biggest change recently has been the development of the Gemini.net drive by Paul and the feature set it introduced. Good to know that with the new hardware that Gemini II is going to have the great capability of frequent updates. I am sure your were very frustrated with the EPROM limits of Gemini I at the end of its development.
Alt-Az!! Hmmmm! Very interesting. That would be a huge advantage to bring another whole group of Dobsonion mount users into the Gemini fold. With the existing solutions for that mount configuration, another controller entry into the market I'm sure would spur a big round of updates and innovation among all the players.
I am really stoked with the hardware updates on the new controller. I do think you are correct in your assessment that it gives you another ten years of development opportunities. Of course, new electronic component introductions are in the order of six month windows nowadays, but the general industry consensus of supporting hardware for 10 years after the end of production should likely still hold.
I will eagerly await development status posts here in the forum. I will try to give some input into what we want to see with the Gemini II feature set and participate with other forum members in discussions about where we want to go on the roadmap.
Again, thanks for keeping us all in the short loop.
Cheers, Keith
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In Gemini-II@..., Rene Goerlich <Rene@...> wrote:
Keith,
Good questions!
Was reading a response to a question over in the Gemini I forum that
requested this forum was a better place to post. I was a little
surprised to read that even though Gemini II is already shipping .....
it appears that the firmware and feature set is far from finalized.
Just what is the status? How far away from finalization is the
firmware and feature set? At what percentage of completion does the
hardware exist? Is there a feature "roadmap" for the project? Are the
developers still taking suggestions for the feature set. Is the
development a closed community? I am interested in how the new
hardware will integrate into the existing Gemini I solutions developed
over the many years of Gemini existence.
Finalized? Gemini II is the base for about another ten years of
development. This clearly set the priorities. The hardware had to be
finalized first. It is, and it has options for the future.
After the hardware, there comes a giant amount of code we call firmware.
Yes, this is not finalized, although the feature set is already huge. If
you are aware of the development of Gemini I from level one to level
four you know my intentions... to get the most out of it to meet the
user's demands.
Regarding the feature set and in this tradition, I enjoy any suggestions
for new features. There's so much possible that I have to appreciate
your suggestions... everyones imagination is limited. I'd say, the users
are ruling the development, as they did with G1 with so much different
kinds of use, and if someone likes to contribute some nice pieces of C
code, oh yes, please! BTW, G2 is a very open system allowing to create
your own web sites to control it.
There are some big landmarks on the roadmap. Alt/Az support is the next one.
搁别苍é
|
Hi 搁别苍é,
Thanks for the update on PEC, modelling, and the high-res encoders. Sounds like you have made a lot of progress since you are ready to test the modelling.
Gale
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In Gemini-II@..., Rene Goerlich <Rene@...> wrote:
Hi Gale,
I think 搁别苍é answered a slightly different question. Clearly any new
features never seen in Gemini-I will be addressed in Levels 5, 6, 7,
etc over the next 10 years or so. What I asked is whether there is any
unfinished work replicating the features of Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Probably they are all there, but it is also possible the product was
released when L4 features were sufficiently complete to meet the needs
of most users now and the remainder in the near future.
I've not completely finished two features: PEC and modelling. There were
just too many things to do during the last few weeks that I had to
priorize higher for the user: simple flash methods for the user that he
can easily recover in case of failures while flashing new firmware; more
and customized information on the web pages and the HC, DHCP for network
settings and similiar.
PEC and modelling can't be simply ported from G1/L4. PEC is very
hardware dependent and I also prepared RA axis driving for high-res
encoders. For the modelling I need some clear nights to test it.
Even without these two features, I consider the mounts completely
usable, visual and for photography. There will be some learning curve
for the user anyway, and some undiscoverd bugs may show up. I think that
it makes sense to let these threads run in parallel. I'd like to have
the G2 delivered, because I'll have semester vacancies until end of
march... lots of time to concentrate on G2 and accompany the start.
If someone does not want his G2 delivered w/o these two features, he
should tell Scott, but I've made the upgrade process as easy and as
failsafe as possible. At the beginning I was a bit worried about
flashing, but now, after three years of development and flashing my test
boards several thousand time, I believe the manufacturer ;-)
搁别苍é
Thanks,
Gale
--- In Gemini-II@... <mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>,
"tom@" <tom@> wrote:
Gale
Rene has already answered this question. Please go back and see
message 68
Tom Hilton
On 2/6/2011 10:43 PM, Gale wrote:
Hi 搁别苍é,
The Gemini-II rework of Gemini-I Levels 1-4, are those levels
finalized other than any undiscovered bugs?
Thanks,
Gale
--- In Gemini-II@...
<mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>
<mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>,
Rene Goerlich <Rene@> wrote:
Keith,
Good questions!
Was reading a response to a question over in the Gemini I
forum that
requested this forum was a better place to post. I was a little
surprised to read that even though Gemini II is already shipping
.....
it appears that the firmware and feature set is far from
finalized.
Just what is the status? How far away from finalization is the
firmware and feature set? At what percentage of completion
does the
hardware exist? Is there a feature "roadmap" for the project?
Are the
developers still taking suggestions for the feature set. Is the
development a closed community? I am interested in how the new
hardware will integrate into the existing Gemini I solutions
developed
over the many years of Gemini existence.
Finalized? Gemini II is the base for about another ten years of
development. This clearly set the priorities. The hardware had to be
finalized first. It is, and it has options for the future.
After the hardware, there comes a giant amount of code we call
firmware.
Yes, this is not finalized, although the feature set is already huge. If
you are aware of the development of Gemini I from level one to level
four you know my intentions... to get the most out of it to meet the
user's demands.
Regarding the feature set and in this tradition, I enjoy any suggestions
for new features. There's so much possible that I have to appreciate
your suggestions... everyones imagination is limited. I'd say, the users
are ruling the development, as they did with G1 with so much
different
kinds of use, and if someone likes to contribute some nice
pieces of C
code, oh yes, please! BTW, G2 is a very open system allowing to
create
your own web sites to control it.
There are some big landmarks on the roadmap. Alt/Az support is the next one.
搁别苍é
|
Keith Myers