On 04/12/2017 05:34 p.m., Libor Holous OK2ZO wrote:
Dear Scott..
Look.. As I said, experienced smart operator will get the call correctly..
The others can repair it in their logs anytime later.
The experienced, smart operator will. The problem I encounter is the
embarrassingly large number of operators that are inexperienced, not
smart, or both. These problems get compounded by the large number of
operators that are still using the early-version FT8 software that will
not sequence properly when working some unfortunate, hapless schmuck
like me who is stuck with a compound call.
It's not your
problem.
Actually, it is, because I can't 1) get all those operators out there to
learn how to use their software, 2) increase their
intelligence/awareness level to a reasonable standard, or 3) teach them
that, just because their "About" window says they are using says
"1.8.0," that doesn't mean that they're using the largely bug-free
general release version, rather than a thoroughly bug-ridden early
development release candidate version that they downloaded and installed
from that obscure web site in Outer Slobbovia, or haven't updated since
they first heard about FT8 and downloaded it from Joe's site when FT8
was first announced.
The net result is that I end up aborting about one QSO in five, because
the other guy either isn't sequencing properly or does something
unexpected. Most often, he's not sequencing properly because he is
using a development version that doesn't handle compound callsigns very
well.
N.B. JOE: I really wish Joe would put up a note on his web site about
that - because the vast majority of people not involved in software
development don't understand and have absolutely no clue about how
software version numbering is being done these days. It would be
extremely helpful in getting those folks to upgrade their software. The
note should be placed near the download links where it can't be missed.
Here is the wording I would suggest:
"NOTE: If you are using software that was downloaded from this or
another OFFICIAL site prior to October 28, 2017, you are using a
development version, even if the version number shown on your software
is "1.8.0." As many of the development versions (designated with -rc1,
-rc2 or -rc3) have bugs that can cause operational problems on-air, you
should update to this version as soon as possible to prevent problems
on-air. There is no guarantee that software downloaded from unofficial
or unauthorized sites is current."
73,
Scott Bidstrup
TI3/W7RI
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