January 24, 2009 12:45
I'm late in for this one.. (just got back from a week sailing in the BVI.) It appears that the debate over NMEA standards seems to have settled down.
<SYSADMIN HAT> I'd respectfully request that you all please avoid personal attacks or jibes in posts on this forum in future.
</SYSADMIN HAT>
Now, cometh the hour, cometh the pragmatist.. standards are there to be adhered to, and for a smaller software developer, I would imagine it's not economical to test with new kit from different manufacturers. However, from my rather limited understanding of NMEA 0183, it's been inconsistently adopted by different manufacturers for almost as long as it's been around, with Raymarine and Garmin all having their interpretations, so the standard isn't that standard after all. Which manufacturers follow it to the letter, without adding any non-standard functionality? Genuine question.
But from a commercial perspective, the old adage is that "the customer is always right", and if the customer's got Garmin or Raymarine kit, then to my mind any software developer should endeavour to provide some support for it. If minor modifications are required for each different manufacturer, and they can be implemented and tested within the user community.
In otherwords prioritise the technical standard, but adapt to the commercial reality of the marketplace when it makes sense.
<SYSADMIN HAT> I'd respectfully request that you all please avoid personal attacks or jibes in posts on this forum in future.
</SYSADMIN HAT>
Now, cometh the hour, cometh the pragmatist.. standards are there to be adhered to, and for a smaller software developer, I would imagine it's not economical to test with new kit from different manufacturers. However, from my rather limited understanding of NMEA 0183, it's been inconsistently adopted by different manufacturers for almost as long as it's been around, with Raymarine and Garmin all having their interpretations, so the standard isn't that standard after all. Which manufacturers follow it to the letter, without adding any non-standard functionality? Genuine question.
But from a commercial perspective, the old adage is that "the customer is always right", and if the customer's got Garmin or Raymarine kit, then to my mind any software developer should endeavour to provide some support for it. If minor modifications are required for each different manufacturer, and they can be implemented and tested within the user community.
In otherwords prioritise the technical standard, but adapt to the commercial reality of the marketplace when it makes sense.
Never knowingly overcanvassed!