[UK-CONTEST] Beta Testers Wanted

[Callum m0mcx]

All,

I am aware that you may not believe that software development of the
standard you may normally be accustomed to in commercial products may be
sitting right under our noses. 

I have previewed James's work (in this case, "iHam logger") and can verify
that the quality and styling is at a world-class standard for a beta
product. Yes, James was originally my student, however the tables have
turned over the last few months. The only reason James is not an M Zero is
that he's professionally too busy as a founder (and currently) R&D Director
of a 50-man software company. What encourages me is that his personal
commitment to producing a modern logging product is the only thing that
competes with the product that is currently being delivered to his own
business customers. His vision for the future in ham radio (amateur radio)
is extremely futuristic and pushes boundaries that I believe many here will
find very extremely interesting in the months and years that follow. 

James, as a typical professional software entrepreneur, will no doubt be
embarrassed or otherwise concerned at my endorsement of him personally and
his skills. I did not tell him that I would produce this statement. I am
also aware that James and I are both of the more modern licensing structures
(M3 brigade) that occasionally means that G3s, G4s etc distance themselves
from us. Please don't. I know we didn't pass the RAE but this does not mean
that Foundation students can't produce either amazing contest results - or
in James's case, amazing software - and indeed, just amazing operators.

It seems to me that James is clearly motivated to deliver a product that
will soon compete at least on a head-to-head basis with the likes of N1MM -
if not with all the current products currently on offer for single station
through to multi-multi and distributed multi-multi style operations
including DXpeditions. In time, I know this will also be a CW and Digital
mode compliant contest and general logger. If you have the abilities and
have the time to Beta-test each of his releases and add value to him in the
form of quality feedback, I know he will be keen to make this work for you. 

I apologise in advance for this resounding admission of admiration, respect
and endorsement of James's commitment to the UK amateur radio community but
we have yet to see the best. I encourage you to take a keen interest in his
developments.

Regards,

Callum McCormick
http://www.m0mcx.co.uk/ 


-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Thresher
Sent: 13 January 2009 19:41
To: uk-contest at contesting.com
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Beta Testers Wanted

I am currently looking for people to participate in what will initially be a
Closed Beta release for some new logging software that is under development.

The software is designed to make use of the capabilities of more modern PC's
and is primarily aimed at contesters (although not at the expense of general
logging or special event logging). It is currently designed around phone
operating however more specific capabilities relating to CW and Data modes
will be added as the development progresses.

Although it is still in Its early stages the software is now at a point
where I believe it is ready for testing by a small selection of the Amateur
Radio community outside of our small group that originally conceived of this
project.

Radio support is quite limited at present  but if you wish to take part in
the beta testing and have a radio that is not currently supported this would
also be beneficial as we will be able to expand the radio's currently
supported.

As beta testers we would like people to not only test the software in
general usage but also provide feedback and suggestions on its features, so
often people suggest great ideas for the developers of the existing range of
logging software and these get ignored, this is not our intention.

The goal of this project is to ultimately produce a world class logging
program that will not only provide people with the "edge" in contesting but
also function as a general purpose logger too. This is not a commercial
venture, the software is free and will always remain free.

If you are interested in taking part in this initial small closed beta
please contact me directly.

(If you are familiar with VB.NET and would perhaps like to get involved in
the development I would also be interested, many hands make and all that :))

Thanks

73 James M3YOM
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