[RTTY] OT Computer Assistance

[Phil Duff]

Perhaps it's time to consider leaving the old parallel interface devices 
in favor of newer supported USB, Ethernet, and/or wireless interfaces.

Inkjet printers are available for less than $50 and laser printers for 
less than $100
that use USB and/or wireless connections.

There is good free open source (OpenOffice) word processing/spreadsheet/ 
etc. software that is supported for current major operating systems.

If the logging, rig or scanning software is unsupported on recent 
generation operating systems it's time to bite the bullet and consider 
upgrading to something that is.   Newer decent logging software can 
import your log using an ADIF file.

Get a decent USB digital interface (microHAM, etc.) for digi modes.

There will be some short term pain to move forward.  But your newer 
hardware and software should be supported for the foreseeable future 
without relying on outdated/unsupported legacy hardware/software.

Phil NA4M


On 11/22/2014 13:15, Phil Sussman wrote:
> I have been researching the replacement of the three XP machines here 
> in the shack
> and the results have been discouraging. None of my programs: word 
> processing,
> spreadsheet, logging, rig interface, and scanner programming is 
> compatible with
> WIN-7 let alone WIN-8.1.
>
> In addition, my interfaces for the printer(s) [non-serial, but 
> parallel] aren't USB compatible either! I currently have five serial 
> interfaces, but my two USB ports have yet to operate with serial 
> adapters. I believe this is because my USB ports are USB-1 type (just 
> plain old)
>
> Obviously, I do not have an unlimited budget to replace three 
> computers, two
> printers, all the software and still be unable to interface with my rigs.
> I've got a JRC JST-145 (interfaced with LOGic) and an ICOM IC-756 pro-II.
>


-- 
Phil Duff
Georgetown, TX