Hi Gang,
?
In mid November, I shared this information:
?
Maybe, Lord willing, sooner than 2017?
?
Those of you that have been following along know that it has been my hope, prayer and plan to be able to jump back into the software full time, rewriting the nearly 50 programs for the latest operating systems, when I am eligible for retirement, which I thought would be in 2017. This is a huge job, as it took about 7 years to write the package the first time around.
?
There is a happy possibility that schedule may significantly accelerate. My employer has just announced an early retirement option. I qualify, barely, based on my years of service and I have expressed my desire to take the early out to my supervisors.
Naturally, there is a catch. For every person who is granted the early out incentive, a position has to be eliminated. My position can't be eliminated, because the functions I perform must continue, so senior managers will have to determine if another position that is eliminated can be applied to my retirement, understanding they will have to fill my position. In other words, can they promote someone into my slot and then delete the position vacated. I may not know until January or February if they will let me take the incentive.
I would love to be able to dive into N3FJP software full time next year. That would be wonderful! I am praying for God's will and I would very much appreciate all of your prayers regarding the possibility of this major life event.
----
?
Latest Update:
?
I was initially told by my immediate supervisors, who I like very much,?that my chances of being allowed to?take the incentive?were slim and none.? They appreciate what I mean to the bureau, don't want to lose me and aside from all?that, the functions I perform must continue.? However, in the last week or so, things have changed dramatically.? Long story short, a reorganization may wind up brining someone into our expanded bureau that will be able to perform most of my functions, so now the probability?of me being allowed to take the early retirement is?fairly likely!?
?
Guys, I can't tell you how excited I am about this!? It has always been my dream to be able to work from home full time.? The thought of being able to devote that time to something I thoroughly enjoy - writing Amateur Radio software -? is just fantastic!
?
It's not a done deal yet, my supervisors are trying very hard to talk me out of leaving, but the real concern is that the tentative reorganization plans will take another direction that precludes my ability to go.? That said, I am hopeful that effective March 1, 2012, I will be able to work on N3FJP Software full time!
?
?
Evolving Plans:
?
When it appeared that I would not be able to fully immerse myself back in the software until 2017, I assumed by that time a complete, .NET rewrite would be required.? It probably still will be, however, my software, written in VB6, is working fine on Win 7 when installed with Administrator privileges and preliminary reports for the next Windows?OS after Win 7?are encouraging as well.? With that in mind, it makes great sense to update the existing software to be more Win 7 (and beyond)?compliant, before I begin the huge, multi year rewrite task.
?
So, assuming the retirement incentive goes through, the first order of business will be to upgrade all the software for later versions of Windows.? Because I have to upgrade nearly 50 programs, this is no small task and I can't add too many items to this first list, but I would love to hear any suggestions that would be quick to code to go along with this list:
?
-? Cabrillo and ADIF files to be written to the ProgramData directory, or user's directory of choice (this is the most important item as Kim and I spend tons of time after every contest helping folks find their submittal files by clicking on the comparability tab with Vista and Win 7)
?
-? Monitors are wider, bigger and running at much higher resolutions than when the programs were written and the fonts aren't sizing up as cleanly as I would like.? I plan to spruce up the general appearance of the main form for?every program.? Since I have about 50 programs and all the state QSO party programs have two main forms, this will take some time as well.
?
-? Increase the prefix array size to accommodate Jim's larger country lookup file size.? This one is easy.
?
Note - I definitely plan to take a look at the Cabrillo output for new classes added since the programs were released, but that has to be done on a case by case basis, so it will be a subsequent release, as needed,?after this first round of updates.? I really want to get Win 7 compliant versions out as quickly as I can.
?
?
Those are the first items on the agenda.? If you can think of any other items generic to all programs, that won't be too massive to code, I'm all ears.? Once the programs are spruced up, I plan to turn my attention to upgrading specific programs as needed, possibly adding some additional programs to the package and then beginning the .NET rewrite.
?
Again, all this is contingent on my being allowed to go.? We are, above all, seeking God's will in this major life decision.
?
Thanks so much for your continued prayers and support.? Kimberly and I really appreciate it!
?
73, Scott
N3FJP
?
Serving the Amateur Radio Community with contesting and general logging software since 1997.
?
P.S.? I just set up a Facebook page for N3FJP Software here:
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
