[TenTec] OT Computer Assistance

Sat Nov 22 15:02:02 EST 2014

You don't seem to realize that there are those of us who cannot do that.

If you had said "If possible, avoid Windows", then I probably would have agreed.

I promised my XYL for about 10 years before I retired that when we retire, we shall switch to Linux.
Well we retired, but I took a part time job in the industry and going pure Linux under the circumstances would have been ludicrous.

Keyword here is "middleware".  

There is no such thing as a rule that is right for everyone.
We must always "think" before we react.

I still say, "if" I ever fully retire, I will switch to Unix. (Linux)
We'll see.

73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt am Main)

-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Clayton Brantley via TenTec
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2014 6:04 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] OT Computer Assistance

AVOID WINDOWS PERIOD !!!!!!  

Clayton N4EV

      From: Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP <Rick at DJ0IP.de>
 To: 'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment' <tentec at contesting.com>
 Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2014 10:09 AM
 Subject: Re: [TenTec] OT Computer Assistance

Phil,

You have dug yourself into a pretty deep hole.

The printers MUST go. PERIOD. 
It's painful perhaps but the time has come.

My pain in migrating to Win7 was, I had to finally give up my Palm Pilot.
:-(
You get over it.

Carl's tip on "32-bit" Windows 7 is important.
You'll stand a much better chance of getting old software and old interfaces through (thru adapters) to work than with 64-bit.

AVOID Windows 8.
AVOID Windows 8.

For logging software, I would migrate to a new logging program immediately.
Surely your existing software has a means of exporting the files in one format or another.
Initially, look for a freeware logging software that can import whatever format your old program can export into.
You can always migrate the software again to a more comfortable program at some later date.

Personally, I prefer to purchase off-lease professional (business) computers rather than the new stuff in Best Try.
It is not only cheaper, it also usually lasts longer than new consumer products.
HP, Dell, and Lenovo all have business lines of computers, in addition to the consumer products they sell in the retail outlets.  They are built with "Tier-1" components and their build quality is usually better than that of their consumer products "Tier-2" components.  

Most larger cities have at least one store dealing in off-lease computers.
They also have 2nd hand monitors and even printers (with USB) at a reasonable price.
This helps save a lot and you always get a short guarantee, so if you do encounter an initial problem, you can exchange the device.  This is less risk than buying something used on ePray.

I would consider keeping my newest XP computer for one more year, just in case I discovered I had forgotten something.
That way there is still hope for recovery.  Just store it in the closet and hope you don't need it.

73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt am Main)

-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Phil Sussman
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2014 2:16 PM
To: rtty at contesting.com
Cc: tentec at contesting.com
Subject: [TenTec] OT Computer Assistance

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.

Any helpful suggestions welcome.

Thanks ES 73

de Phil - N8PS

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