Folks, My recommendation to those who have legacy applications and hardware to support is to obtain a computer and a copy of Windows 2K pro and put it on a computer that will be used in the ham shack (dual boot if you have to). Most DOS programs will run in the "DOS-box", and it will support most USB devices as well as 'legacy hardware' like serial ports. Win2K Pro is a solid operating system even though it does not have all the "whiz-bang" GUI features of XP and Vista, but it can operate without all the extra glut and just keeps 'slugging along' with no problems.
73, Don W3FPR Julius Fazekas n2wn wrote: > Ron hits it on the head... It all depends. > > Most of the problems seen here have to do with legacy hardware and software, > or non-Microsoft software. I'd say by far there have been more issues with > Vista Home versions than Vista 64. > > The major problem for Hams is legacy items. Part of that debate is seen here > often with the USB/Serial Port discussions on the K3. > > It all depends on where your interests lie. Some activities are more cutting > edge than others: SDR, GPS related and contesting (if you want to be > competitive anyway). > > There are still a lot of people happily using DOS based programs. Technology > doesn't sleep and change is the only constant. > > Happy 4th to all! > > 73, > Julius > > > Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > >> Julius wrote: >> >> I like my HP Laptop, found one that still had a serial port with XP on it. >> >> Vista has been nothing but a pain on all the computers I've used it on so >> far. >> >> ----------------------------------------- >> >> That's an excellent example of how experiences vary. Over the past year >> I've >> swapped two of our three business pc's for new machines running Vista. >> One, >> a Toshiba notebook, runs Vista 32 and the other, an HP mini-tower desktop, >> runs Vista 64. >> >> Both machines run a wide variety of applications used in data analysis, >> modeling, publishing, writing and graphics development. >> >> Neither Vista machine has caused any problems at all. They both work day >> after day like a good, dependable tool should. >> >> Obviously Julius' and my experiences demonstrate how results vary widely >> according to the specific environment, and that's *very* important to >> understand in modern Hamshacks. >> >> I will say that, because our machines are critical to supporting our >> clients, I don't quibble about updates. Upon upgrading a machine or an OS, >> important software that has a new version available is updated >> immediately. >> Also, our machines are configured to automatically download and install >> every Windows update. >> >> I wholeheartedly endorse Julius' suggestion to avoid being an "early >> adopter" of a complex new product if you want a stable system, especially >> new products from a strongly market-driven company like MS. >> >> As more and more Hams tightly integrate their computers with their >> stations, >> having a known, stable, and dependable computer, with correctly-assembled >> interfaces and proper cabling is essential for a reliable station. >> >> Such Hams are really the modern "homebrewers", building a complex >> communications system out of a variety of components that is electrically >> quiet, RF- efficient and reliable. As long-time homebrewer who started >> with >> vacuum tubes in the 1940's, I believe that what Hams do today assembling a >> complex station is often as demanding as the work of many Hams decades ago >> who assembled their own receivers and transmitters. >> >> Ron AC7AC >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> >> >> > > > ----- > Julius Fazekas > N2WN > > Tennessee Contest Group > http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/index.html > > Tennessee QSO Party > http://www.tnqp.org/ > > Elecraft K2/100 #4455 > Elecraft K3/100 #366 > Elecraft K3 #1875 > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.13.2/2214 - Release Date: 07/02/09 > 05:54:00 > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
