Re: [Tlf-devel] A crazy idea

[rein couperus PA0R]

Hi Nate, 

just want to react on your crazy idea...

On Thursday 07 August 2003 05:09, Nate Bargmann wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> I just discovered the list as the radio bug is getting a little more
> active as we head toward fall.  As a result I decided to see what was
> happening with TLF.  It's good to see the progress.  Now, on to my crazy
> idea.
>
> At my behest and perhaps others, Rein added the CT compatibility mode.
> I haven't done much with it as I still find things "wrong" like the
> screen layout.  So it dawned on me this evening to develop another UI
> that looks like the CT screen and utilizes as many of the CT keystrokes
> and commands as possible while still using the guts of TLF.  Looking
> through some of the current TLF source files it appears the current TR
> UI is very closely bound to what I would call the backend stuff,
> scoring, logfile, read config file, etc.  I don't think breaking all
> this stuff apart is a good idea until after TLF reaches 1.0.
>

I agree... Think of the current form of tlf as a "fast prototype". The only 
goal for tlf was to implement a "usable contest program for linux based on 
trlog look & feel as soon as possible".
And it is serving this purpose in a nice way I think. I am quite happy with it 
as it develops, but I am unhappy with the way it has been modularized.
The upside is, that I have learned an awful lot in the process.

The current development work going on in the background is targeted towards:
*  making the database framework flexible instead of rigid. No more fixed 
arrays etc... 
* making programming of weird contests as easy as in trlog
* separating the user interface
* make it "CT user proof" (you can't make it simple enough)

> If a clean seperation can be achieved, then there is no reason why an X
> GUI could not be built using the same TLF backend code.  

Actually, one of the targets on the far horizon of tlf is an X_GUI, and I 
would be quite happy to change the "guts" of tlf to enable somebody to 
connect a Writelog, N1MM or CT GUI (especially the CT GUI, as K1EA has 
changed into the freeware camp).

This would, however, require a long and intense specification round for the 
interface between guts and GUI's. 
I have done quite some work in standardization in industry (e.g. on the EU 
side of the MAP protocol suit), and I can tell you this will be a long road, 
which in principle is infinite in length.... But as I still have some 20 
years to live statistically, it might be done...

One pitfall is the variation in operating styles, features, philosophies etc., 
between the various programs. (If you ask me, tons of time has been wasted by 
sheer dogmatism, and by the wish of some people to earn money in the 
process). How are you going to catch all requirements in one spec? But maybe 
I am too pessimistic.

So let the volunteer(s) please stand up to write a first draft for an 
interface.... I am stand by to work on the back end modules....

> Someone may
> wish to write a Writelog clone or go off in some other direction.  Doing
> so would not require them to duplicate things like CW generation, the
> voice keyer mode (I think this is really cool), logfile maintenance,
> handling DX spots, Cabrillo output and so on.  In fact, I think it would
> be quite possible that different operators could use the UI they prefer
> during the same contest.  There would also be the option of different
> UIs in use simultaneously at a networked multi-op station.
>
> Am I dreaming too much?

The answer to this question is directly related to the amount of physical 
support we can raise.... TECHNICALLY, I CAN SEE NO BARRIER..., intuitively I 
think it won't be done because of lack of resources...

73 de Rein, PA0R

(Yes, the call has changed, the dutch authorities finally decided to allow 
4-letter calls!!)
(No, there is no relation to a popular contest program for windows!!)

P.S.: we will try to use CTwin at TS7N in November... No chance to convert 
some 15 operators to linux/tlf in the short time....

>
> 73, de Nate >>

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