Re: [Ubuntu-hams] Contest logging project
* On 2012 29 Feb 11:30 -0600, Paula Keezer wrote:
> Nate, I thought I would share some thoughts with you on the logistics
> of building a logging program, contest or or otherwise.
Hi Paula.
> As the author of the very first windows based logging program back in
> 1989 (logview, rigview, hamview and packview) I can tell you that
> developing and keeping a logging program alive is a daunting task. I
> was able to maintain it until 1997 when y2k became an issue and the
> amount of effort for one individual to keep up with the changing
> demands of the community was simply to much. It was written in C and
> was one of the better offerings for both general logging and contest
> logging for its time.
Which is why I'm trying to guage the interest in collaboration before
giving up on this idea completely.
> Over the years I've looked at a number of contemporary programs that
> are feature rich to see if I could contribute and provide some of my
> expertise gained with 8 years of log program experience.
> Unfortunately, they all use rather difficult or under powered
> development environments. N1MM for instance, is a dedicated Win
> platform and to work on that code one would have to make a heavy
> investment in the latest win dev platform.
IMO, sticking with GNU tools and wxWidgets means the financial barrier
to entry is $0 and each is available for all popular platforms. Some
may argue that there exists no IDE for Linux. Perhaps so (although
there are several that make the claim), but I consider my entire desktop
to be the IDE. ;-)
> I've thought at length about how an open source solution might be
> constructed that could attract a large number of Hamix developers. As
> Martin, AA6E pointed out, it would be very important to split the
> effort into two projects: A frontend project and a backend project.
> Ideally, the frontend project would welcome anyone who wished to make
> a logging/shackcontrol/cluster user interface to participate using the
> language/development and perhaps even computing platform of their
> choice. The backend for logging/dxcc/prefix/callpartial databases,
> rigcontrol/rotatorcontrol/antennaswitch and cluster/telnet/packet/web
> should be in the form of services, preferably communicated through
> tcpip sockets or even better, a web api. Ideally this code should be
> fast, but if a standard socket or web api were used, it could be built
> in virtually any language and on top of any db platform and still be
> compatible.
Whew! Rig control is covered by Hamlib. But really, I didn't plan for
this project to cover any more ground than CT which I'm most familiar
with. To me that means maintaining a contest log and nothing more than
Cabrillo and ADIF export (let the other apps deal with LoTW/eQSL
uploads/tracking and the like). Things like cluster/bandmap support and
multiop stuff is long term.
My idea is to specify contests using a definition file for each event
and from that the program configures the entry/display fields and
scoring. As I see it, if done smartly the program doesn't need much
rewriting as contest rules change.
> I think an open source effort like this, where new comers can easily
> participate and add value to a growing body of code, would be an long
> term winner.
>
> I think the challenge is in defining the back end services so that all
> the features and functions could be easily extended while preserving
> backward compatibility and keeping it open so new developers can step
> in and fill in gags as time moves forward. The front end becomes an
> open field where anyone with a little programming knowledge and access
> to open source tools can build a new look and feel for the community.
Perhaps I see that as a bit too heavy of a solution? There have been a
few false starts of something comprehensive on the various ham
radio+Linux mailing lists over the years that have come to nothing. I'm
looking more in the direction of "do one thing and do it well".
BTW, I now have a mailing list at:
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/ctestlogger-developer
Later I'll upload my personal Git repository where interested parties
can take a look. The project page is at:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/ctestlogger/
I chose SourceForge as I'm familiar with it and they offer a Media Wiki
and PHP BB, both of which I've enabled.
Thanks for writing.
73, de Nate >>
--
"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true."
Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us
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