Discussion:
[BitPim-devel] BitPim Help Clean-Up
Joe Pham
2005-09-24 04:22:49 UTC
Permalink
As part of moving up to version 0.8.0, we're cleaning-up the BitPim Help as much as we can. Though not perfect, as of version 0.7.36, the Help files are in pretty good shape and closely match the program features. To make it even better, please post any Help discrepancies you found, or any suggestions you may have. The goal is to incorporate all of your inputs into the next build, which is currently planned for next week.

Thanks for your support,

-Joe Pham


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Michael C.
2005-09-26 15:32:46 UTC
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Joe,

I'm assuming you are talking about the "Help" pages on the web
(http://www.bitpim.org/testhelp/). Don't forget the updated cable
pictures I've already sent you, and you probably will want to update the
list of supported phones (e.g., LG VX4650 is not listed).
Post by Joe Pham
As part of moving up to version 0.8.0, we're cleaning-up the BitPim Help as much as we can. Though not perfect, as of version 0.7.36, the Help files are in pretty good shape and closely match the program features. To make it even better, please post any Help discrepancies you found, or any suggestions you may have. The goal is to incorporate all of your inputs into the next build, which is currently planned for next week.
Thanks for your support,
-Joe Pham
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Joe Pham
2005-09-27 03:06:04 UTC
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Actually, I was referring to the buitltin Help, but thanks for pointing out thew web page help. We plan to update those as well.

-Joe Pham




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Michael C.
2005-09-27 22:49:54 UTC
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Joe,

I've finally been able to look at the built-in help. I noticed that the
LG VX-4400 does not have the Susteen cables listed as supported cables,
even though the VX-4650 has the picture showing both cables. Although I
have not tested any of the other phones (other than the VX-4400 and
VX-4650), I do not see why any supported phone listed on the Susteen web
site would not be supported by their cables with BitPim.

Mike
Post by Joe Pham
Actually, I was referring to the buitltin Help, but thanks for pointing out thew web page help. We plan to update those as well.
-Joe Pham
Roger Binns
2005-09-28 07:01:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by Michael C.
I noticed that the
LG VX-4400 does not have the Susteen cables listed as supported cables,
Ironically the very first cable I ever had was Susteen (with DataPilot
being the very first piece of software). I returned the cable not
too long after that. Susteen was the most unprofessional company
I had ever dealt with (I've even had email from the CEO!)
Post by Michael C.
I do not see why any supported phone listed on the Susteen web
site would not be supported by their cables with BitPim.
The rule of thumb we were using was only listing as supported cables
that developers actually have in their hands. That ensures we
know it actually works and imposes a filter on listing any old
junk. A developer would only have the cable if it was loaned
or if they spent their own money.

It also helps address the bigger issue of drivers. Many vendors
make it really hard to get their drivers, and almost all ignore
the existence of Macs and Linux.

So you can consider the listing of cables in the BitPim help being
those that definitely do work rather than those that could work.

I don't know how different Joe's new world attitude on this is.

Roger
Michael C.
2005-09-29 03:14:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Binns
I noticed that the LG VX-4400 does not have the Susteen cables listed
as supported cables,
Ironically the very first cable I ever had was Susteen (with DataPilot
being the very first piece of software). I returned the cable not
too long after that. Susteen was the most unprofessional company
I had ever dealt with (I've even had email from the CEO!)
I cannot speak for your issues with Susteen, but so far, I have found
them easy to deal with. The cables (yes, plural - I started with the
basic USB to Serial cable, and recently converted to there Universal
cable) have worked seamlessly with BitPim (at least on Windows).
Post by Roger Binns
I do not see why any supported phone listed on the Susteen web site
would not be supported by their cables with BitPim.
The rule of thumb we were using was only listing as supported cables
that developers actually have in their hands. That ensures we know it
actually works and imposes a filter on listing any old
junk. A developer would only have the cable if it was loaned
or if they spent their own money.
I would have to agree with this. I have bought all of my cables. I
wouldn't mind testing all of the Universal adapters, but I do not have
any other phones other than the VX4400 and VX4650.

It does appear, though, that the "brains" of the cable is in the USB
side of the Universal cable, and the "adapter" side is just that, the
adapter. It did not matter which adapter I used, BitPim still saw it as
being the same cable (same identifier).
Post by Roger Binns
It also helps address the bigger issue of drivers. Many vendors make
it really hard to get their drivers, and almost all ignore the
existence of Macs and Linux.
So you can consider the listing of cables in the BitPim help being
those that definitely do work rather than those that could work.
The Windows drivers are easily found at their web site:
http://www.susteen.com/drivers.htm

Unfortunately, you are correct in regards to the Mac and Linux
support.... Very little to none. :-(
Post by Roger Binns
I don't know how different Joe's new world attitude on this is.
Roger
As I said in a previous post, I'm not trying to say that Susteen's
Datapilot is better or worse than BitPim; to me, the two are
complementary. As such, I think it is wise to inform people that the
Susteen Universal cables may work with BitPim; that way, they do not
have to buy additional cables that are unnecessary.

Mike
Roger Binns
2005-09-30 04:59:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by Michael C.
I cannot speak for your issues with Susteen, but so far, I have found
them easy to deal with.
The company or the product? I was specifically referring to the company.
But on the product side their initial cable for the VX4400 truly
sucked and their phone module didn't bother putting the phone into
brew/diagnostics mode so it couldn't actually talk to the phone ...
Post by Michael C.
As I said in a previous post, I'm not trying to say that Susteen's
Datapilot is better or worse than BitPim;
This has nothing whatsoever to do with DataPilot and is entirely about
cables.
Post by Michael C.
As such, I think it is wise to inform people that the
Susteen Universal cables may work with BitPim; that way, they do not
have to buy additional cables that are unnecessary.
See the word "may" you used. That is the issue. There are thousands
of different cables that "may" work. The BitPim help only lists
cables that "do" work.

Additionally USB to serial cables are not recommended if the phone
supports direct USB. They are a lot slower and a lot more finnicky
as well as requiring drivers that are usually of poor quality.

Lastly you assume that phones you haven't tested should work well
anyway with serial connections. That is not necessarily the case
as it is increasingly likely the phone hasn't even been tested
with serial access. We really have no idea how flaky it is or
if there are any bugs (such as those plaguing the direct USB
interface on the VX4400).

Consequently it remains prudent to only list what we absolutely
definitely know for sure works.

Roger

Joe Pham
2005-09-28 01:50:46 UTC
Permalink
If you can verify that the cable works with your 4400, I can add its picture. I would only show pictures of cables that have been physically & functionally verified with specific phones.

-Joe Pham




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Michael C.
2005-09-28 02:40:28 UTC
Permalink
Joe,

It works with the VX4400; I had been using it prior to getting the
VX4650. That is why I gave you the picture with both.

Mike
Post by Joe Pham
If you can verify that the cable works with your 4400, I can add its picture. I would only show pictures of cables that have been physically & functionally verified with specific phones.
-Joe Pham
Joe Pham
2005-09-29 02:35:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Binns
I don't know how different Joe's new world attitude on this is.
It has not changed in my new world.

-Joe Pham




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