black boxes S/W was Re: dumb black box

Ian,

(snips,inserts below)

>has anyone looked to see whether its possible to just 'break into'
>EMC and use all its front end stuff with just a
>different 'steppermod' or 'freqmod' type of output file? If so, that
>may influence the way the 'black box' could be designed and might
>save a lot of work on the software side.

I am pretty sure this is what Jon E and Matt S are pursuing. And it
is DEFINITELY possible for others, using EITHER the smart or dumb box
approach...

>I suspect that defining the computer output format is the key to
>pushing the project forward.

Yes. The first 'dumb box' format is already determined (by Mariss'
design which demands a certain way of working. Not a bad thing. Just
stating a truth)

The 'smart box' is looking for a command set and protocol...

>> At this point it is like a city whose council has two proposals to
>> consider: An airport and a rail station. Both will bring desired/
>> needed goods to the citizens. Both will require input from the
>> city. Both will take a lot of work until the results are available
>> TO the citizens...

>Having worked for a local council for 32 years and being very close
>to the decision making process for much of that, I sincerely hope we
>do not take this as a model! In my experience, decisions of this
>type are never taken on any kind of sensible basis and are usually
>based on incorrect information!!
>;o) Ian

I actually chose that analogy because it bears some resemblance to
what we have here! In the hope that if we realise up front 'the
committee nature' of the group, we might avoid some of the pitfalls...

Hope this helps.

Ballendo