[UK-CONTEST] LOTW Beta-Testing open to everyone

[Doug Roberts]

Yes Tim,

It _is_ "only a test", but it is the last one before they go live.  A 'beta
test' is basically a way for the software author to say, "Well, I think it's
finished, folks - what do you think of it?".  Taking part in a beta test is
a great chance to get a feel for how a program works, and to say what *you*
like/dislike about it - and possibly influence the full release.  (Plus, you
can make mistakes of your own, under no pressure at all!).  No good
whingeing after the program is released!  The more people who take part, the
more meaningful the test will be.

As for having to upload again in 60 days, well the process is really not
difficult.  When I think of how many QSLs I've sent for (at 2 envelopes,
plus card, plus $1, plus postage each), spending an hour of my time to sort
out electronic QSLing would have saved me a great deal of money!

I was really pleased to find that not long after I'd successfully sent my
log, I was able to go to the website and find that several of my QSOs had
already been confirmed against logs uploaded by others.  It was almost as
much fun as 'working a new one', then going and finding myself 'in the
log' via their DX website log-check!

73, Doug G0WMW


----- Original Message -----
From: Tim Makins, EI8IC <contesting at eircom.net>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2003 8:13 AM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] LOTW Beta-Testing open to everyone


| Hi - I make no claim of any knowledge about this, but just wanted to say
| that on the DX-Chat reflector, someone mentioned that this is only a
test -
| after 60 days they will delete all data, and you will have to upload again
| once the bug-free version is finalised. HTH.
|
| 73s Tim EI8IC
| www.qsl.net/ei8ic/
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