Who on this reflector actually thinks and believes there is a large
network of Beta testers that are testing version 2.0 software for
ORION I? I would agree there are probably a number of people testing the
Orion II. Call me cynical, but O I owners are going to be left twisting
in the wind. Oh sure they can take the latest 1.372 ( or what ever the
last release was ) and slap a 2.0 on it , but an actual an improvement
in the interface speed and and real bug fixes are probably not possible
due to processor limitations. Face it, O I was an experimental radio and
O I owners are the test subjects. O2 has the hardware that supports what
they said the radio could really do. My O I works except for occasional
crashes or lockups, but I will not be upgrading to O II. Actions speak
louder than words and I am waiting for that action that TT has promised
for O I owners ( actually I don't think TT has promised anything more
for O I owners, some people on the list just think O II technology will
fix O I defects. seems we have list members making promises for TT!!!)
Chuck
Also, I would contend that beta testing an Orion requires considerably more
technical expertise than testing a release of AOL's software. How many Orion
owners out there have spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, frequency counters,
etc., and know how to use them? How would the average Orion owner react to
significant problems with a beta test version? IMHO, not well.
Dick's Right. After all, how many Hams who spend $3000+ on a rig know how to
use, let alone own a frequency counter, or an oscilloscope? I'm sure these
tools are constantly being used by the valiant Beta Testers struggling
against insurmountable odds to evaluate the latest version of a software
upgrade on a hardware platform that will not be changed.
I certainly cannot speak for all "average" Orion owners, but I know that in
my life, when faced with significant problems, I have found that kicking the
dog, sucking my thumb, and hiding in the closet seem to help.
Thank you Dick for protecting me from myself. If I were a Beta Tester, I
might do something wrong, and have to do a Master Reset on the Orion, which,
without a spectrum analyzer, I would not have the technical expertise to
perform, and would have to send the rig back to the factory.
I propose that since Dick is clearly so much more qualified than the
"average" Orion owner, he implement and promulgate standards and practices
for Beta Testers. Of course, with such work and responsibility, I think we
should give Dick in the recognition he has so obviously earned. I think we
should all recognize him for what he is, a Master Beta Tester.
Paul Rubin N8NOV
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