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Subject: TWL: Re: Nav software recovery
From: Jerry Finsen (gfinsen@XXX.XXX)
Date: Wed Jan 02 2002 - 09:45:48 EST
> >On a Mac OS computer, it is a simple matter to place an alias to the
> >program in question into the start-up folder located in the system
> >folder. That program will then launch when the system is restarted.
You can do the same thing in windows. The START button has a StartUp
folder where you could put your nav program icon. I just tested it with
both Maptech and The Capn, both work just fine.
Not a bad idea! I may try that next time we take off.
> >Whether the program will start back at the same place it was is not
> >clear and may be a function of the program and how it is set up to
> >initialize. If it is properly set-up, it should return to the same
> >window it left.
Both of the above programs did.
> But how long does it take for the computer to reboot
> and get back up running. <snip snip snip>
> My old DELL took 4 minutes 20 seconds to start up and required four
> separate operator interventions ( key press or mouse clicks)
4 minutes. Wow! My machine boots in about 1:15 (two year old, mid
level home Dell running W2K Pro). That is with a logon screen (which I
could probably disable on the boat), anti virus software, firewall,
printers, music, backup and God only knows what else. Most of that stuff
doest NOT run on my boat machine so I would expect that to boot a bit
faster. I will time it next time I go down.
Add another 30 seconds to load the Nav Software (966 base charts with
probably another 500 or so chart updates, with all the photo and topo
charts from NY to FL) and I am up and positioned.
> ... That is a
> long time to be blinded.; 2600 feet at 6 knots.
You are right about it being longer than one might like. But one
shouldn't be blinded by it. Annoyed? Yes. Inconvenienced? Yes. But not
blinded. I would like to think that I am not going to get my self into
a position where I am going to live or die (or run aground, or ...)
based on the performance of a single piece of navigation equipment. I
always have the appropriate paper chart on the nav table. I advance a
3M sticky pointer to current position every 15 minutes or so while under
way. If I loose one piece of nav equipment, it's annoying. If I loose
everything, I may not be a happy camper, but I am prepared. Offshore,
the 3M stickies go in the drawer and the No. 2 pencil, parallel rules
and offshore nav log book come out. Nav-101 is the best way to deal
with potential problems.
Oh yea, my notebook is configured to replace the main computer in an
emergency. Back up GPS is pre installed. Sextant, Current Almanac,
plotting sheets. --- Belts, suspenders AND Velcro.
Want fast boot?: There are many chart plotters that do exactly that.
Garmin has several. Unfortunately, most of those machines use vector
charts. Those charts are no where as good (IMHO) as the BSB type raster
charts.
Dedicated raster chart type machine: Northstar has two systems that use
the BSB format raster charts. This is a fully dedicated chartplotter.
Simpler to use but I don't know about boot time. I do know people that
are quite happy with one of these.
> Writing sub routines, macros and auto start batch files is for
computer
> geeks, not boat drivers.
Amen to that! Fortunately, none of that is necessary. Anyway, the Geek
union would frown on the practice.
> My point being that a navigation tool should not require the user to
> know
> anything apart from navigation in order to use it.
In an ideal world you would be true. In an ideal world, all fuel is
pristine and we never get any grunge in our tanks ... and we don't have
to know how to change filters and bleed the system. And so on... All
the systems on our boats require some base level of understanding if
they are to be depended upon.
Off my soapbox.
Happy New Year
Jerry
m/v "Capella"
KK48 Whaleback
Retired (but still practicing) Geek.
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