[WT-support] Proposed new interface for SO2R operators

[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

Resending ... original version rejected due to attachment size limits.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bob Wilson, N6TV <n6tv at arrl.net>
Date: Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Subject: Proposed new interface for SO2R operators
To: support at win-test.com


On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 10:14 AM, Clive Whelan
<clive.whelan at btinternet.com>wrote:

> Sadly the major bug in auto-duping when using ESM in S&P mode means that
> these have yet to be realised for me.
>

For reference, Clive is talking about Task
#254<http://flyspray.win-test.com/index.php?do=details&id=254>
.

I had to use N1MM for the first time in the California QSO Party this last
weekend, because Win-Test still does not support it.

Though N1MM has its own unique issues that will keep me on Win-Test for
quite a while, I'm convinced the SO2R style that N1MM implemented is more
natural than what I've tried to use in CT, TRlog, or Win-Test.  Moving the
data entry focus automatically allowed me to do Alternating CQs and log
interleaved QSOs on two bands at once with a minimum of key presses, at peak
rates over 250 QSOs/hour on CW (stressful but doable for brief periods).
Without a way to simulate Caps Lock or Shift, I don't see how to achieve
this with Win-Test.

Also, as I've mentioned before, I think the "Secondary Radio" window is just
too confusing to the brain because sometimes it represents the rig on the
"right", and sometimes it represents the rig on the "left".  The left/right
screen position should always match the layout of your radios and what you
hear in your left and right ears, but that is not the style of Win-Test
today.

Instead of the secondary radio window, I propose an option to expand the
main logging window so that it has two identical columns instead of just
one, with Radio 1 always on the left, and Radio 2 always on the right, and
it just stays that way.  They key bindings could work the same as they do
today.

The proposed new main logging window (when Advanced SO2R is selected) is
shown here <http://www.kkn.net/%7En6tv/ProposedNewSO2RMainLoggingWindow.PNG>,
with the 20m rig on the left and the 15m rig on the right.  The full log is
duplicated in both columns for ease of editing any prior QSO.

Advantages:
Left/Right rig always matches Left/Right columns
Keystrokes are the same as today
Editing prior QSOs in either column is very convenient, no need to jump
between screens (better that N1MM).
Dupe/Mult messages would appear below left column or right column, as
appropriate

Disadvantages:
Uses more screen width (but it is a background window that you can cover up,
and modern screens are very wide these days)
Duplicate info adds a bit more screen clutter (but it is useful clutter)

I'd like to know what other SO2R operators think of this proposal.  Doesn't
it seem more natural than what we have today with the secondary radio
window?  I'm not proposing we eliminate the Secondary Radio
Window<http://docs.win-test.com/wiki/Menu:Windows#Secondary_Radio>completely,
because it displays useful info.  Just remove the white data
entry area at the bottom and replace it with what I've illustrated above.

73,
Bob, N6TV
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