August 21, 2005 13:46
I am in complete agreement that one would consider Windows alternatives if a good OS X solution cannot be found for a paticular region. The Mac OS X platform is great, but it's a tool and not the end all be all solution for everyone.
Chart data seems to be at the mercy of the politcal whims of a nations government. Taxes pay for much of the generation of the data, but the goverments continue to make exclusive deals with private parties to repackage and sell the data. I get a sick stomach when I read the word "dongle".
Even here in the United States the third parties who "re-sell" the chart data are not giving up the fight against the "free" NOAA data. They are lobbying hard to stop the practice of giving away the data the tax payer already paid for once. Already one legislative bill was written to try to stop public weather data being distributed without charge. Hopefully it will not pass.
Several Windows marine navigation applications require the use of their proprietary format S-57 data repackaged into a "SENC" format. With this type of brand lock-in you are now stuck paying and waiting for one company for chart updates. I have chosen to support more public formats "BSB" and "S-57" with GPSnavX and MacENC.
The reality is the Mac marine navigation software market is very small. I would be surprised if any major player got into it. I believe both GPSNavX and MacENC can go head to head against any comparably priced Windows alternative. At $59 and $99 respectively, both are an incredible deal. I would suspect, I also offer a level of support unmatched in the marine charting software industry, promptly answering emails seven days a week many times into the wee hours of the morning. I really do care if my programs work well for my customers.
So as someone famous said, "If you can find a better widget, buy it!!"
Chart data seems to be at the mercy of the politcal whims of a nations government. Taxes pay for much of the generation of the data, but the goverments continue to make exclusive deals with private parties to repackage and sell the data. I get a sick stomach when I read the word "dongle".
Even here in the United States the third parties who "re-sell" the chart data are not giving up the fight against the "free" NOAA data. They are lobbying hard to stop the practice of giving away the data the tax payer already paid for once. Already one legislative bill was written to try to stop public weather data being distributed without charge. Hopefully it will not pass.
Several Windows marine navigation applications require the use of their proprietary format S-57 data repackaged into a "SENC" format. With this type of brand lock-in you are now stuck paying and waiting for one company for chart updates. I have chosen to support more public formats "BSB" and "S-57" with GPSnavX and MacENC.
The reality is the Mac marine navigation software market is very small. I would be surprised if any major player got into it. I believe both GPSNavX and MacENC can go head to head against any comparably priced Windows alternative. At $59 and $99 respectively, both are an incredible deal. I would suspect, I also offer a level of support unmatched in the marine charting software industry, promptly answering emails seven days a week many times into the wee hours of the morning. I really do care if my programs work well for my customers.
So as someone famous said, "If you can find a better widget, buy it!!"
Scott Dillon
Sydney Australia
North Shore 38
CYCA
Sydney Australia
North Shore 38
CYCA