Re: 2000 members, 15 cnc related programs?????

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Tony Jeffree <tony@j...> wrote:

> At 16:42 29/01/2002 +0000, you wrote:
> >The database is poorly thought out, should be separated into

several

> >data bases, by category (CNC controllers, Cad only, Cad and Cam but
> >NO controller, CAM only but NO controller)
>
> Hmm...so instead of 1 database you would advocate 4 separate ones

(and by

> the way, there is at least a fifth category, which has all 3

functions, for

> packages such as Supercam).

My categories were carefully thought out, keeping that particular
program and its capabilities in mind. I did not say that a program
could not be in more than one catagory, just that the functional
categories should be clearly demarked.

> Apart from the added inconvenience and
> confusion that this would generate

I think in fact that it would better clarify the tools available in
the software end of things. Right now Discrimintor is listed as tool
path software, Deskam and Lcam as CAD, and up until I requested it be
removed, VectorCam was on the list twice. Confused yet? I would
probably add a 5th category, but for other software that did not fit
into any of the Cad-Cam categories, like editors, calculators, gear
programs, translators, R2V, utilities, spread sheets,etc, etc, etc.

Also by making 4 seperate breaks between the controllers cads & cams,
the appropriate capabilities between the different packages could be
related. Such as which controllers have cutter comp, which ones have
continuous contouring, Dos, Linux, Mac, support G-code, allow
programmed changes in Feed rates, etc, same for CAD, CAM. This is
the only sensible way to present the information and any other way
becomes a meaningless hodgepodge of data without any knowledge or
wisdom imparted.

>, I can't see the difference in the
> information content between that & 1 table with a column (or 3 if

you

> prefer) that allows the category to be indicated.
>

That's because you have already done your homework and know the
differences. They DON'T make a difference to you. Your opinioins
are already formed and you don't need the table to help you get
started. For a new person to this hobby, it may make all the
difference in the world, between success and failure.

> Its a point of view. I doubt very much if Ballendo intended the

list to be

> either definitive or a complete selling document - more a handy

reference

> point & source of URLs so that people could get to the full selling

info.

That was/is already contained in the group links. Why bother if the
database doesn't provide anything more than a place to store garbage.

I think he is trying to collect data for his book.

> Personally, I think it is useful - and for companies like yourself,

another

> means of advertising (for which we don't even charge you)

My company is glad to participate in meaningful and useful sources of
info. This database is not and apparently will not be in that
category.

It was previously suggested (not by me) that a finer pricing
distinction be applied. This was summarily ignored and arbitrarily
dismissed and that only contributed more to the worthlessness of the
data.


Best Regards, Fred Smith- IMService

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