[SD-User] Re: SD and my new Notebook

[Paul EI5DI]

Butch HL9DX said,

> I have the same problem with Windows 2000. Are we ever gonna get
away from
> MSDOS and make proper windows programs?

It's no accident that 4 of the 5 leading contest loggers are DOS
based.  That's because, for contesting generally, and CW operation in
particular, users need instant response with no possibility of
interruption from other programs or the operating system.

At present, DOS is the right tool for the job. I know of at least two
attempts to convert other DOS contest loggers to Windows.  One was
abandoned recently, and there seems to be no real commitment to the
other.  Why? - because the problems far outweigh any perceived or
actual advantages.

Of course, I would prefer SD to run correctly under the latest
versions of Windows. It doesn't because Microsoft has dropped support
for certain DOS features.  For the future I have two options.  The
first is to use extended memory (supported by Microsoft) rather than
expanded memory, which is not supported.  The second is to use
PowerBasic's Console Compiler, which will convert SD to a full 32-bit
Windows program - although it will look very similar to the DOS
version.

You don't see Windows programs for cash machines or supermarket
checkouts, they're simply not necessary or relevant.  For contesting,
there's always Writelog for anyone who has to have a "proper Windows
program".

Of all the accessories that contesters use, logging software is
probably the cheapest. Just compare the annual £15 charge for SD to
your average expenditure on radios, antennas, computers and other
accessories.  There's no such thing as a single contest logger that's
best in all respects, any more than there's one radio best in all
respects.  The difference is that almost anyone can afford a second
(or third) contest logger - even if you need a second computer (a 486
is fine for SD).

73,
Paul EI5DI