[WriteLog] Newbie observations (from the ex TR user)

[Bruce Ferry]

I ran the 10 M contest with the shiny new WL 10.37b. Coming from the TR 
world, here are my observations.

1. Writelog flawlessly read my radio - something TR has trouble doing on 
a consistent basis (no, it's not RF - it happens while receiving only). 
This is the primary reason I looked at Writelog in the first place so 
I'm happy here.

2. I found it annoying to have to manually clear the QSO entry window 
whenever I had a duplicate. This is something TR does much better in my 
opinion. Having to do ALT-W or CTRL-BKSP to clear stuff out put undue 
strain on my poor fingers and kept me looking at the keyboard all the 
time. I would REALLY like the option of clearing the QSO data 
automatically if it's a duplicate.

3. I found the bandmap a super aid. I found myself looking at the 
bandmap instead of the radio to see where I was on the dial. I don't use 
  Packet (unless it doesn't matter) in contests so what went on the 
bandmap was only what I put there. I eventually entered every call (and 
hit the spacebar) for everything I heard so I would see it on the 
bandmap and not waste my time listening for the call. This isn't perfect 
  (sometimes the owner of the frequency changes) but it did help. Item 
#2 above made this harder than it should have been.

4. I was very frustrated trying to get a reasonable window layout. WL 
just refuses to let me put anything above or below the QSO entry window 
even if it would fit physically. There seems to be some odd restrictions 
that don't seem to make any sense to me.

5. I really miss the score at least being SOMEWHERE on the screen even 
if you don't display the band summary. I use a laptop for the actual 
logging computer but since there is another computer right at hand I 
just networked them together and showed the band summary and rate window 
on that one. It turned out to be a usable solution with a bit of 
redundancy - which I fortunately didn't need.

6. I also found that the lack of "memory" about where windows are placed 
annoying. The multiplier window in particular.

7. I don't mind tinkering with INI files but a comprehensive guide to 
EVERYTHING in the INI file would help a lot.

--
Bruce Ferry, AK8B