Interesting, never saw those problems here over the last 10 or more years.
But we are simple users and follow the instructions, and do not try anything
outside the box. No problems with the N1MM networking but I cannot say the
same with Microsoft networking- hi.
73
Chet, N8RA
-----Original Message-----
From: VHFcontesting [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf
Of Marshall-K5QE
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2012 5:02 PM
Cc: vhfcontesting@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Contest logging program
Hello All....we used the N1MM logging program for our DXpedition to DL88.
Worked fine as we were a single user on a single computer. The window for
the packet cluster was very nice. HOWEVER, I have seen someone spend hours
trying to get the Multi-User thing working right.
If you can get the setup right and the thing actually works, DON'T EVER
CHANGE ANYTHING.
In my opinion, it is a very poor Multi-User program. In an IP network, all
the computers(nodes) must have a unique IP address. It would seem that fact
should be enough, but it is not. It does not seem to know much of anything
in a network. You have to assign it names for all the computers. Heaven
help you if you later change them or give the same name to another computer.
The names that you assign to each computer do not seem to be related at all
to the name that you must assign each computer when you load Windows. I may
be wrong here, but I think that you can have a computer with the name
BIGBOX1 in N1MM and a completely different computer assigned the name
BIGBOX1 as its Windows name.....AAAAAAaaaaaaRGH. I am not sure what other
information you have to provide.
I also have issues with how N1MM handles its databases. Note I said
databases, since it seems to keep one on each computer. Somehow, it
supposedly synchronizes all of this mess together. I have seen the results
when one computer in a network goes down for a while. Sometimes, it can be
re-synchronized....sometimes not.
When there is something wrong, N1MM will spend (almost) all its time putting
error messages on the remaining computers. You can have a good run going
and you start getting these incessant error messages. Of course, when one
of the error message comes up, it "breaks right in" and what you were typing
is suspended. So you get WA7 typed into the data entry area and then you
have to deal with a stupid error message. Well, by the time that you deal
with the error and get back to doing data entry in the window, you have lost
a lot of time. Just about the time that you get the contact typed in
properly and are ready to hit ENTER, the silly error message comes back
again!!!
I used to be a Database Programmer in another life and another galaxy far,
far away. I wrote multi-user database management programs consisting of
literally hundreds of menus, programs, and modules that all worked perfectly
in a Novell network. The unbreakable rule of database management was that
you should have ONE copy of every database and everyone should read and
write to that one copy. This prevented having several copies of a database,
scattered all around, and all different with no way to get them straight.
Immediately, some database guru is going to jump up and say that the above
is "old hat" and that no one does it that way anymore. OK, Fine!
On the other side of the coin, N1MM is used in the Multi-Multi network
version in a lot of places. It must be a basically workable system, after
you get the setup right. So it can be made to work.
I use the N3FJP Network version for all my VHF contest logging. You only
have to tell that program where the database is located(using the Microsoft
notation) and everything immediately works. I would bet that you could Map
a drive letter(say V:) to the location of the data base and then tell all
the other computers that the database was located at V:{database name} and
the program would work. I have not tried this, but I do believe it would
work. Since I don't do HF contesting, I have no experience with the HF
programs available in the N3FJP suite.
Contest logging programs seem to be like cars. Some love the Prius, some
hate it. Some like Corvettes others can't get into the cockpit.
You pays your money and you takes your chances(and yes, I know N1MM is
free). Your mileage may vary.....whatever.....
73 Marshall K5QE
On 10/15/2012 11:09 AM, Chet S wrote:
> Ken,
>
> Yes, I've used it here for years for all contests including multiops,
> HF and VHF. No problems, really like it. Don't let the huge amount of
> features scare you off, you don't have to use them all and there are
> some nice quick start guides available for it. Just give yourself some
> time well before the contest to get familiar with setup and use.
> Subscribe to the Yahoo group and you will usually get a quick answer to
questions.
>
> 73
> Chet, N8RA
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: VHFcontesting [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com] On
> Behalf Of KA2LIM Ken Kent
> Sent: Monday, October 15, 2012 11:47 AM
> To: Packrats@mailman. qth. net; VHF Contesting
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] Contest logging program
>
> Are any of you using N1MM logging in a Multi environment for VHF
Contesting?
> If so, do you like it, why or why not, ie: ease of setup, use,
> networking, and would you recommend it?
>
> The current program we are using has a glitch and the developer just
> keeps putting me off on a correction until sometime next year.
>
> Please answer to me direct. Thank you,
>
>
>
> Ken
>
> KA2LIM
>
>
>
> Patriotism: Supporting your Country ALL THE TIME; and, your government
> when it deserves it.
>
> An armed citizen is a free person,
>
> an unarmed citizen is a slave
>
>
>
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