[UK-CONTEST] Sequence of a typical Contest exchange

[David Ferrington, M0XDF]

I should have explain more, I don't own the software, merely a user  
(paid upgrade), but the software owner (Dogpark Software) asked for  
input, then someone spec'd the contest input fields layout and tab  
order. I've got involved trying to be constructive on perhaps a more  
usable tab-order etc. And I agree completely with all your comments.

I'd prefer to use Mac software, but I guess you can't beat a specific  
contest logger like Minos or SD.
-- 
The universe is like a safe to which there is a combination. But the
combination is locked up in the safe.
-Peter De Vries, editor, novelist (1910-1993)

On 24 Jan 2009, at 21:23, Paul O'Kane wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Ferrington, M0XDF" <M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk>
>
>> Would people please comment, I'm in 'discussion' with software
>> developers (cocoa version of MacLoggerDX is in beta) and we seem to
>> have a differene of opinion as to the order of an exchange.
>
> The best way to do the job properly is to use developers
> who are also experienced contesters.  Otherwise, they may
> not readily accept advice given - they will have their own
> preferred methods of data entry, and will not be aware of
> the many nuances which might affect the number of fields,
> their sequence, and what shortcuts are appropriate - or
> not.
>
> General-purpose loggers and contest loggers have little
> in common - there are too many conflicting requirements.
> Experience in one may not be relevant for the other.
>
>> Then I reply with
>> Sent RST -> Sent S/N -> Sent text  --> Log it
>
> There is usually no need to tab between fields you "send",
> as they are all pre-filled by the software.  You skip them.
> You do have to allow for the fact the user will often enter
> received fields in a different sequence - and sometimes the
> callsign will be the last to be completed.
>
> It seems to me, and I have no axe to grind here - especially
> in relation to Mac loggers, that you may not be ready for
> this project if you are not completely confident, in your
> own mind, with the answers to basic contest-logging issues
> such as the order of the exchange.
>
> Will your developers still have enthusiasm for the project
> after the first 3 or 4 years, never mind the first 13 or 14?  :-)
>
> 73,
> Paul EI5DI
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