[DogParkList] Whirlwind (long)
Don Agro
dagro at dogparksoftware.com
Thu Jan 8 18:51:45 EST 2009
Hi Scott,
On 8-Jan-09, at 6:25 PM, B. Scott Andersen wrote:
> 3. The current Cab-converter input is ADIF. I'm not sure if that
> will be the best choice after Don's rewrite. Instead, it might be
> better to simply access the relational database Don is using as a
> backing store for the log. I suspect the log will have columns
> similar to those identified as "fields" in the ADIF specification--
> but Don can also break out individual items if that makes sense. In
> short--some of the goofy things we've had to do to capture contest
> exchange data in the SRX and STX text fields may be better handled
> with the New-and-Improved MLDX and its database. If so, this will
> make Cab-converter that much better and contest submissions that
> much more robust. This is something that Don and I should work out
> at some point.
Yup - it is plain vanilla SQLite and can be read directly. It is very
powerful, scaleable and I am very pleased with the way it is working
out. I will send you sample .sql file when you are ready, but we may
be adding more fields as I read ahead :)
> As a side-effect of this, MacLoggerDX may also be able to achieve
> data interchange via ADIF with other contesting programs because our
> data layout will more closely mimic that used by those other
> programs. For example, the SRX_STRING is the only way we can
> currently capture TEXT fields. Yet, the ADIF specification has the
> following:
>
> CHECK - Contest check for ARRL sweepstakes
> CLASS - for Field Day
> CNTY - The contacted station's secondary administrative division
Already in MLDX ADIF Export.
> COUNTRY - obvious
> GRIDSQUARE - for VHF contests and Stew Perry, for example
> IOTA - Islands on the Air identifier for the contacted station
Already in MLDX ADIF Expor.
> ITUZ - ITU Zone of contacted station for CQ WW, etc.
> PRECEDENCE - for ARRL SWEEPS
> TEN_TEN - 10 10 number
In MacLoggerDX for Cocoa ADIF Export.
All good suggestions Scott, thanks.
> Right now we cram all this stuff into the SRX field as each contest
> demands. The ARRL CHECK string is particularly urksome. It would be
> REALLY nice to sort this stuff out so it went into individual
> columns and was captured at QSO time with some sensible and
> streamlined UI. Don is asking for our help on these things.
> Providing _meaningful_ help will be very hard work indeed! And,
> given the scarcity of resources on both Don's end and mine there are
> no guarantees that anything proposed will be implemented. Don takes
> a chance every time he spends a few days or a few weeks working on a
> particular thing or another that the effort will fall short, not
> gain acceptance, be ignored, or not help his bottom line. He's
> brave. We'll need to be just as brave working hard "on spec" (prior
> to any commitment) organizing our thoughts if we wish for them to be
> considered and perhaps implemented.
Sounds like a sensible approach. Adding a carefully thought out list
of data inputs, corresponding database fields and ADIF outputs is not
a huge task - picking the right ones and presenting them usefully is :)
The Contest panel belongs to the contesters. Within reason, I will put
there whatever makes sense to the majority of contesters.
> 4. I believe that there are two categories of feature requests
> contesters might
> push for:
>
> (*) Data entry and management during the contest
> (*) Data import, export, and processing post-contest
>
> The first group consists of database column definitions, data entry
> screen designs, and contest-specific logic.
>
> The second group consists of import/export to LoTW, eQSL, and other
> services, possibly the export of logs or log segments to HTML so
> that they may be published to the web, and robust interchange
> between MLDX and Windows-based programs through ADIF and its
> continually evolving standard. This second group of feature requests
> have a broad appeal outside of the contesting community and would
> help all MLDX users, not just the contesters.
I agree completely.
> Because the contesting part of the MLDX community is also some of
> the more heavy users, we should be expected to apply our extra
> expertise and insight into helping with the non-contesting-specific
> features as well.
>
> LONG MESSAGE. SORRY.
>
> I typed too long. Sorry. These are my thoughts except for one: Don
> has done an excellent job supporting the Macintosh community. There
> are other logging programs out there--even for the Macintosh--yet we
> don't flood these other vendors email boxes with ideas and demands.
> We continue to go back to Don because he continues to deliver. Thank
> you, Don, for your efforts. They are appreciated.
Thank you Scott.
73 Don Agro VE3VRW
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