TWL: Re Laptops and Navigation Software
Arild makes the point that you can only use one keyboard at a time which
whilst obvious does not really address the problem we all face.....
space! Personally I have always been a techy believing in electronic
navigation but when fitting out Sally Lillian I decided on proprietary
navigation equipment against PC. Sure I connected my laptop into the
network but for secondary use only. But what we all want to achieve,
well me anyway, is the ability to take a mobile solution of all my
computing needs with me wherever I go so consequently all the software I
use gets piled on because it so convenient. What is the big question is
why do all these other programs appear to work OK with each other on the
machine but Nav software gets so prissy?
Either way I agree with Arilds view on built in redundancy so the logic
is to have 2 or more computers, but then you get stuffed with the chart
supplier's paranoia of copyright protection systems and running mirrored
systems gets complicated for seamless transfer in the event of failure
of the primary.
I believe solid PC navigation has a while to go yet.... in leisure craft
anyway.
Michael Slater
Sally Lillian
Trader 54 Sunliner
Falmouth UK
Joe Engle and I agree to disagree on this one. I have had no problems
using commodity PCs, currently a Toshiba Tecra 8100 and an old StinkPad
390X. I'm running new DNC (Digital Nautical Chart) code (CAPN) along
with everything else on both machines.
XP Pro doesn't care what type of code it is executing and does a pretty
good job of keeping tasks from stepping on each other. If you have ME on
your system, get rid of it. WIN 2K was very stable, XP Pro is even
better, 98 SE is adequate, but not great.
I regularly back up my files, one machine to the other, over my wireless
LAN while using both machines (one on the bridge and the other on the
helm) for navigating. I also switch over to "Street & Trips" for fun to
watch the little icon of the car moving up the waterway. I have a
little Deluo USB GPS I use with Streets & Trips when I rent cars.
I spent 38 years in Information Technology, live aboard full time, and
put on over 5,000 miles per year. "Your mileage may vary..."
Regards.....
Phil Rosch
Old Harbor Consulting
M/V "Curmudgeon" Marine Trader 44 TC
Currently Moored in Cocoa Beach, FL
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't
do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away
from
the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.
Discover." - Mark Twain
-----Original Message-----
From: trawler-world-list-bounces@lists.samurai.com
[mailto:trawler-world-list-bounces@lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of
Michael Slater
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2003 3:50 AM
To: trawler-world-list@lists.samurai.com
Subject: TWL: Re Laptops and Navigation Software
Arild makes the point that you can only use one keyboard at a time which
whilst obvious does not really address the problem we all face.....
space! Personally I have always been a techy believing in electronic
navigation but when fitting out Sally Lillian I decided on proprietary
navigation equipment against PC. Sure I connected my laptop into the
network but for secondary use only. But what we all want to achieve,
well me anyway, is the ability to take a mobile solution of all my
computing needs with me wherever I go so consequently all the software I
use gets piled on because it so convenient. What is the big question is
why do all these other programs appear to work OK with each other on the
machine but Nav software gets so prissy?
Either way I agree with Arilds view on built in redundancy so the logic
is to have 2 or more computers, but then you get stuffed with the chart
supplier's paranoia of copyright protection systems and running mirrored
systems gets complicated for seamless transfer in the event of failure
of the primary.
I believe solid PC navigation has a while to go yet.... in leisure craft
anyway.
Michael Slater
Sally Lillian
Trader 54 Sunliner
Falmouth UK
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-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Slater
Subject: TWL: Re Laptops and Navigation Software
Arild makes the point that you can only use one keyboard at a time which
whilst obvious does not really address the problem we all face.....
space! >>>>> snip<<<<<
Either way I agree with Arilds view on built in redundancy so the logic
is to have 2 or more computers, but then you get stuffed with the chart
supplier's paranoia of copyright protection systems and . . . >> snip<<
I believe solid PC navigation has a while to go yet.... in leisure craft
anyway.
Michael Slater
REPLY
Perhaps I should explain in detail.
My reason for mentioning only using one keyboard at a time is because I do not
have space.
My desk is the size of a small chart table found on a typical sailboat. I live
in a 37 footer.
Laptops have the screen and keyboard imbedded into the case. Two laptops use
up twice the surface area on a desk.
I have recently found the shuttle computer which is smaller than a shoe box.
Two of these take up the same volume space as one mini tower.
Because the keyboard and screen are only connected by a cord, the computer boxes
can be located anywhere, including under the desk surface; in a cupboard, or on
the other side of the bulkhead.
Since I can only use one keyboard at a time, I connect to both computers with
a selector switch.
Thus, one screen and one keyboard serves for both computers.
The switch can accommodate up to four computers.
This piece of hardware predates the network concept of a LAN.
The point being, I reserve one computer for critical stuff and the other for
playing around. If it crashes or locks up, so what?
The critical functions are preserved.
As an additional bonus, the shuttle computer cost about a third or less what a
comparable featured laptop cost.
In addition, if I choose to upgrade to a brighter or larger screen or a wireless
keyboard, I only replace the one thing, not the whole laptop.
The shuttle computer, like most desktops, can be upgraded piecemeal as the
technology improves.
Laptops do not have as much flexibility and you are locked into one
manufacturer.
For those with more money but less space there are computers which are no
bigger than a car radio, uses low power and runs cooler than a laptop.
These are made by AR Engineering and are specifically treated to resist
moisture.
Several other companies also produce very compact, low power consumption
computers.
BTW, the main difference between PC navigation and what the commercial ships
use is the fact they use a dedicated stand alone machine for a single
function.
Some run on Windows, others run on UNIX or even Linux but the key feature is
the stand alone aspect.
Cooling, redundant power source, special ROM for a fast boot up and such are
also included.
We have discussed these aspect on the list in the past. All of it is available
for a typical PC.
The key difference being the dedicated, stand alone single function nature of
the ECDIS console.
It is our insistence on multi tasking on a single computer which causes most of
the problems encountered by the recreational user.
Cheers
Arild
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