EQMOD ~ Windows 7/Vista problem

[Takahashi]

Anyone else have this strange issue where, upon running EQASCOM, it reduces to the bottom left of the screen, and if restored to "full" window, just moves up the screen a bit, and intermittently (momentarily) flashes the normal narrow EQASCOM window? It's happening on my Vaio, in both Vista and 7 Pro.

[Takahashi]

Update : Chris (of EQASCOM fame) suggested a COMs failure somewhere, and that's exactly what it was. I'd added more USB cable length than I should've, effectively "losing" the mount.

All is now well.

Thanks Chris.

[flatfootsam]

Hi Ivor

Changing the subject slightly, how are you getting in with that digital readout thingy on your scope? Are you finding it useful yet?

Adrian

[Takahashi]

Hi Adrian,

Not much to report as yet, the weather here has been the worst I've ever known, for persistent cloud and extremely changeable patterns. Clear for ten minutes, then thick overcast for two hours, then pouring rain, clear again for 20 minutes, 60mph gales... it simply hasn't been worth the time and effort to get all my kit out to a viable location.

However, as far as the DDG functionality is concerned, from my limited use so far... not so great. It's fine for approximate ranges when doing visual work, but the little mechanical play there is in the focuser translates to huge amounts of disparity in real terms, even when the zero-mark is reset. I doubt anyone could trust such a device, specifically for photography, over visual checking when on-site. The worst aspect though, is that phosphorous blue backlight... who the hell thought that one up?!? Seriously, it will utterly destroy a 2-hour dark-vision accumulation the second you switch it on - it's that bright, and with no brightness adjustment. A thick layer of coloured acetate will be absolutely required if anyone intends to use this display.

[flatfootsam]

Hi Adrian,

Not much to report as yet, the weather here has been the worst I've ever known, for persistent cloud and extremely changeable patterns. Clear for ten minutes, then thick overcast for two hours, then pouring rain, clear again for 20 minutes, 60mph gales... it simply hasn't been worth the time and effort to get all my kit out to a viable location.

However, as far as the DDG functionality is concerned, from my limited use so far... not so great. It's fine for approximate ranges when doing visual work, but the little mechanical play there is in the focuser translates to huge amounts of disparity in real terms, even when the zero-mark is reset. I doubt anyone could trust such a device, specifically for photography, over visual checking when on-site. The worst aspect though, is that phosphorous blue backlight... who the hell thought that one up?!? Seriously, it will utterly destroy a 2-hour dark-vision accumulation the second you switch it on - it's that bright, and with no brightness adjustment. A thick layer of coloured acetate will be absolutely required if anyone intends to use this display.

Oh dear. Although as you said you havent been able to put it through its paces yet, it does seem to be a bit of a gimmick more than of practical use. Shame that what seemed to be a good idea turns out to be not well thought out, and if WO are going to use this as standard item, it could well tarnish their reputation as a high end scope manufacturer.

Thanks for your comment

Adrian

[skye at night]

Maybe instead of Windows 'viagra' 7 or whatever it is called you might think about getting a MAC...

After all the Mac user interface is what Microsoft are desperate to match and just cant manage ...

The more mac-power we have the more astro-power (and software) we may get....

Plus 'we look good!!!'

Every time you hear of a new windows issue... you can almost hear the 'worldwide groan' as folks fear their existing software not working or bugs and crash issues and incompatibility problems (just look at the posts re. vista and now windows 7) (note the return to a number rather than word to fend off immediate complaint and the fact that when they have to update it they can call it 7.1 rather than give it a change of name)...

I love a new version of Windows..

I can sit back and watch knowing that I don't have to deal with it myself!!! (even if I am a bit slack on the astro-software front)... but please do remember.... Photoshop was written for the MAC... Windows came later!!!

BTW..

I hope the digi thingy works out..

still waiting to hear how it performs if you set it for a later session.

Thanks

Steve

[Bambi]

The old adage of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" must be a M$ mantra, as they are constantly having to 'fix' broken OS's with new releases

That said they do have the market I'm afraid to say, not used a MAC since about 1990 but they were still miles ahead back then. Linux has become almost as easy to use as Windows these days and is free to boot.

[Marmite]

Good to hear you got your problem sorted out!

Regarding operating systems, I echo the sentiments of the Mac and *NIX users. Windows Vista Service Pack 3 (aka "Windows 7") may be an improvement on previous versions of Vista, but overall it's still not a patch on Windows XP, which itself is but the palest of imitations next to real, grownup operating systems, such as Mac OS or *BSD/*NIX.

Even my workplace's truly incompetent and slavishly pro-Microsoft IT department have announced they will not be "upgrading" to any version of Vista (including SP3/Win7), and have put in place a Mac/*NIX migration plan, after pressure from just about everybody and their dog!

Having said that, Windows XP (and the surprisingly not-totally-worthless Windows Server 2003) is the last OS from MS I personally will ever use, however grudgingly. Once my existing Windows-only apps cease to work with WinXP, I'll ditch them along with MS Windows forever, and switch completely to either Mac OS, *BSD/*NIX, or both, and with zero regrets.

Projects like EQMOD are so brilliant that it can only be a matter of time before the ports for other operating systems become available.

[Sam]

The only reason I still use windows is because EQMOD doesn't work with Linux. If I could use PHD Guiding, DSS, and Cdc all working with EQMOD I'd change the operating system in a heartbeat.

[Takahashi]

I'm slightly puzzled how this turned into a "shred Windows" thread... My problem was in going over the 5 metre USB limit. In keeping with the thread-diversion however, I've rarely if ever found a program I couldn't run in XP (after SP2), and that's rapidly becoming the case with 7. All my main astro-apps, i.e. all Canon stuff, EOS Movie Recorder, AMCAP, EQASCOM, Registax, PHD, Stellarium, StellariumScope, wxAstrocapture, DSS, Guidemaster... all work perfectly in XP and 7. I've only ever used Vista to test stuff with, and I can't stand it's bloated, ridiculously hardware-intensive "design".