September 12, 2007 19:41
My only gripe (and it's not with the software) is the power consumption running my MacBook with a small invertor. Almost as much as my refer...
I have the same problem. With the new versions of these programs, you can sleep the Mac by closing the lid, then open it up every 10 minutes or so to get a new fix. Power consumption is very low for most of the time (sleeping). Problem is that you have to remember to wake it up every few minutes to keep a good track file. I've been implementing using pmset command on the Mac to make it wake up for a minute (with MacENC running), then sleeping for another 5-10 minutes. Works in principle but still needs perfecting.
This could be built into MacENC directly as an option: the user could set the sleep time, and a new position fix would be taken automatically, even when the lid is closed. This could be disabled when the lid is open (i.e. the user is actually using the program for more than tracking). Another great use of this option would be to check positions at anchor with the anchor alarm set. Check position every 10 minutes or so - if nothing has changed, go back to sleep. But if the position has changed (dragging anchor) then the Mac would stay awake and alert the user.
Would other users find this useful?
I have the same problem. With the new versions of these programs, you can sleep the Mac by closing the lid, then open it up every 10 minutes or so to get a new fix. Power consumption is very low for most of the time (sleeping). Problem is that you have to remember to wake it up every few minutes to keep a good track file. I've been implementing using pmset command on the Mac to make it wake up for a minute (with MacENC running), then sleeping for another 5-10 minutes. Works in principle but still needs perfecting.
This could be built into MacENC directly as an option: the user could set the sleep time, and a new position fix would be taken automatically, even when the lid is closed. This could be disabled when the lid is open (i.e. the user is actually using the program for more than tracking). Another great use of this option would be to check positions at anchor with the anchor alarm set. Check position every 10 minutes or so - if nothing has changed, go back to sleep. But if the position has changed (dragging anchor) then the Mac would stay awake and alert the user.
Would other users find this useful?