Stewart,
I just downloaded your V1.5.7.2 update, and I am surprised and delighted !!
The update installed easily. The summits database took a few minutes to download, but it completed and updated perfectly, as far as I can tell.
I logged a new chaser contact, uploaded it to the SOTA Database, there were no problems, and the SOTA logs look perfect online.
I had not actually used your program until yesterday. I saw these threads here on the reflector, and when I saw the endorsements from K9IR and K5DEZ, I paid attention. These are two of the better, busy activators over here!
I downloaded and installed V 7.1, and when I started using it, I realized that it was already configured. I had installed an older version back in 2017! I had never learned to use it, and I had forgotten about it!
With the change to the new V2 database files, I found difficulty entering my logs directly into the database as I had done for years. I ended up re-typing several huge logs because of errors I made.
Most of my activator logs are large, and they are getting larger, because of the many chasers staying in their homes to keep away from the virus. I just cannot do perfect data entry.
I discovered I could no longer download a log for correction and upload it again, as with the old database, because of the format problems. Iām not the only one!
When I saw your announcement of your new updates, I jumped on it! I was able to get started and through the initial learning curve, thanks to your excellent instructions.
I made one tragic SAVE-AS mistake and saved one huge log over another, even with a warning from your program, my fault, losing the first log before I had uploaded in to the database. I had to re-type that one, but it was good practice!
I uploaded both huge log files to the SOTA Database yesterday, and they were accepted without any glitches. The S2S contacts went to the activator, chaser, and S2S logs perfectly, with a single upload of each V2 CSV file!
I read your warnings about where to enter the summit codes, etc., and since I log many S2S contacts, these comments are very relevant.
Hopefully others will take note of what I say here.
The new SOTA Database has pushed many of us to create and edit CSV files for upload, instead of directly typing them into the database. They actually advise us to do this for large logs - they are correct - but there is no path to follow, no clear instructions, alternatives, etc.
It seems to me that there should be a link from the Database to your website, so that others can find your useful program tools!! Your CSV editor is a game-changer for me. This is a good program, it works, and it even runs OK on my Windows XP machine!
Iām embarrassed that it took me three years to learn to use it!
They didnāt make it easy for you to continue to import updates from the summits database, but you solved that problem quickly. I didnāt expect that so soon!
Iām a lot better at activating than I am at logging and navigating through databases, and your hard work is a great gift in these frightening times we are stuck in. This is good news!
Thank you and 73!
George
KX0R