Hi All,
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As many of you know, I am currently rewriting all my software in C#, so that we can be certain my software will continue to run past Windows 8. I've got a long way to go, but I've covered enough ground where beta testing will be a great help.
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Long story short, the development of my software the first time around was a multi year, iterative process, where I would add a few new features, we would test them, work out the bugs and move on, adding more features and additional programs over a long period of time. With the rewrite, it is everything at once and none of it has been tested! It is not even clear if the installer (which is also new) is going to behave as expected.
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It may seem on the surface like the functionality of what I've completed so far is pretty basic, but there is a lot more going on under the hood than even I remembered. Every line of code is new. Even the form sizing code for various resolutions (and the placement of controls to accommodate that) is all from scratch (and redesigned for better display on contemporary monitors).
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My plan is to create a template that will be the foundation of the rewrite of all my software (contesting programs and AC Log). It will be a lot easier to write the features and work out the bugs once and then modify the template for AC Log and each contest than the other way around, so I really want to get this right and I very much need your help to do that.
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If you are comfortable with experimentation?and would like to help me with that, I would really appreciate it!? Please download this beta.? It is very rough - not all the features are?coded yet, but most of the important ones are.? Please give it a try and see how many ways you can break it:
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After you install the software, you can launch it from the N3FJP - Affirmatech program group (I'm using a new Windows?program group for the rewrite to help users differentiate from the old and new versions).
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Right now the main form (and dupe checking) of this template is geared towards Field Day, but I left all the columns at the top and you can see all the fields on the Edit form (click More), so even if your only interest is AC Log or another contest, you can check it out and see the direction I'm headed with the fields I plan to accommodate.
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Here are some things to try:
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-??ADIF import and export (your can import your current log from AC Log).
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-? Sending CW, (see how the timing works out).
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-? Rig interface (make sure the program follows your rig as you tune around and click on DX Spots to tune your rig to the spot frequency).
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-? Really important - Try setting up on multiple PCs and updating a common data file, preferably with DX spotting going and while interfacing with your rig (have as many functions working simultaneously as possible).
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-? With multiple PCs set up, try the network display. messaging features and make sure the display shows the band changes of multiple clients.
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-? Try the DX Spotting features (and associated form sizing, which will be user customizable on all the programs).? See if after you close the software, you can log back in okay automatically.
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-? See if the DX spotting display returns the right countries (so we know my country lookup code is working).
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-? With DX spotting enabled, start another client on your network and see if you can get the DX spots VIA the lan.
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-? Try writing a 3.0 Cabrillo file.
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-? Try the File Save, Save As, Open?and New functions locally and across your network.
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-? Make sure duplicates are checked on entry (right now, set up for Field Day where Call, Band and Mode must match).
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-? Try removing duplicates by clicking File > Remove Duplicates from the menu option (right now, set up for Field Day where Call, Band and Mode must match).
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-? See how the forms display (I only have contemporary sized monitors here to test, but I'd like to accommodate old style monitors if possible).? If a form looks goofy (labels overlapping, etc.) please send me a screen shot and let me know what monitor display resolution you are running.
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Please let me know how you make out!? I'm really eager to hear your reports!
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You can either e-mail me direct, or if you like, you are welcome to join us on the N3FJP Software Development group:
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