[WriteLog] Re: Serial Numbers in Multi Operations

[M. Edward Wilborne III]

I disagree.  I think the problem is the lack of use of database technology.
Instead of using a database, such as mySQL (SQL server softare which is
free), the logging applications are "broadcasting" the same log information
to all the workstations which is in fact more network intensive than using a
database, and full of problems as we have all seen recently discussed on
this list.

If a database was used, then it could easily handle unique sequential serial
numbers with any number of workstations, since the serial number would not
be committed until the log transaction was written.  There is probably an
easy way to implement this with the current "logging technology" and not
even use a database.

I do agree that if serial numbers are basically not really used in the
contests, they shouldn't be required at all.

Ed
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ian White, G3SEK" <G3SEK at ifwtech.co.uk>
To: <writelog at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 10:50 AM
Subject: Re: [WriteLog] Re: Serial Numbers in Multi Operations


> bruce wrote:
> >Now, why can't Writelog handle this? It's networked and certainly knows
> >that there was another Q with the number it's using. It certainly
> >should be possible to handle this although it might not be easy.
>
> It is almost impossible to guarantee no duplicate serial numbers and no
> gaps... or at least, not without exchanging large amounts of fast,
> high-priority network traffic. Since that would risk the ability of each
> individual PC to service its own station, software authors quite rightly
> don't attempt it.
>
> They are also completely aware that it's a non-problem anyway, because
> computerized log checking doesn't actually care about accurately
> sequential serial numbers. The same applies to duplicate QSOs.
>
> The real problem is that the written rules for some contests are still
> pretending they *do* care about these things.  If anyone feels the need
> to complain, then complain to the organizers of those contests.
>
>
> -- 
> 73 from Ian G3SEK
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