Re: FLdigi graphical face lift
Sorry for my English.
I think that the appearance should be modest, the interface is very intuitive and all this so that the program is fast and the processor burdens little.
For me, this speed and convenience of use counts.
Also "I love" Fldigi :)
Jurek, sp3rat
W dniu 21.01.2025 o?14:42, Greg Cheng - KC3SMW via groups.io pisze:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I¡¯ve been wondering how hard it would be to give FLDigi a graphical facelift.
I know the look of FLDigi doesn¡¯t affect its usage, power, or capability. But in an era of dark mode, themes, and modern design, I¡¯ve heard comments like, /¡°FLDigi is one of those old programs...¡±/ or even, /¡°It¡¯s on its way out...¡±/¡ªand I think it¡¯s purely because of how it looks.
In reality, w1hkj and the team update, enhance, and improve the program regularly. I love FLDigi, use it nearly daily, and teach others why it should be every ham¡¯s number one tool, in their digital tool box.
But hearing these comments makes me think a maybe a facelift could help change that perception.
I¡¯d love to hear your thoughts.
--
Pom¨®? Wojtusiowi w walce z autyzmem: KRS 0000252666. Cel szczeg¨®?owy: Wojciech Karg
|
Re: FLdigi graphical face lift
Hi Greg,
The look of fldigi comes from the underlying widget technology - FLTK. At the moment this does not have a dark theme. The UPS of FLTK is that it is fast and light (hence the FL part of the name), so does not waste a lot of CPU and GPU processing rendering fancy
looks. It is also highly portable and graphics rendering is one aspect where different OSs and indeed different windows managers require specific code making this requirement a lot more difficult to hide from the application developer.
That said, I also use FLTK as the technology for my personal logging program and have implemented a kind of dark mode where I have changed the default foreground and background colours, but it was by no sense a trivial mod as I had hard-coded colours instead
of using the default ones in a number of places. Also I found light text on a dark background more difficult to read at my age, so I don't often use it in dark mode.
As to introducing fancy styles of drawing the individual widgets, this will be more difficult to retro-fit into existing code.
It would not be impossible, but it would require a lot of effort for minimum gain.
73 Phil GM3ZZA
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I¡¯ve been wondering how hard it would be to give FLDigi a graphical facelift.
I know the look of FLDigi doesn¡¯t affect its usage, power, or capability. But in an era of dark mode, themes, and modern design, I¡¯ve heard comments like,
¡°FLDigi is one of those old programs...¡± or even, ¡°It¡¯s on its way out...¡±¡ªand I think it¡¯s purely because of how it looks.
In reality, w1hkj and the team update, enhance, and improve the program regularly. I love FLDigi, use it nearly daily, and teach others why it should be every ham¡¯s number one tool, in their digital tool box.
But hearing these comments makes me think a maybe a facelift could help change that perception.?
I¡¯d love to hear your thoughts.
|
Re: FLdigi graphical face lift
Almost everything colorful can be changed in the configuration dialog. I always change my U/I to a darker look.
?
If some FT8 person doesn't see the value in using FLDIGI, I doubt some pretty pictures are going to bring them around.?
|
FLdigi graphical face lift
I¡¯ve been wondering how hard it would be to give FLDigi a graphical facelift.
I know the look of FLDigi doesn¡¯t affect its usage, power, or capability. But in an era of dark mode, themes, and modern design, I¡¯ve heard comments like, ¡°FLDigi is one of those old programs...¡± or even, ¡°It¡¯s on its way out...¡±¡ªand I think it¡¯s purely because of how it looks.
In reality, w1hkj and the team update, enhance, and improve the program regularly. I love FLDigi, use it nearly daily, and teach others why it should be every ham¡¯s number one tool, in their digital tool box.
But hearing these comments makes me think a maybe a facelift could help change that perception.?
I¡¯d love to hear your thoughts.
|
Thanks Adrian :)
Great it's working for you now.
Interesting though that it needed both VC redistributables too.
As a thought, you might want to advocate for FTBCAT on the Crossover web site. I do for a couple of apps that I got going. Then you can add the tips to get an app going right on the app page. If you sign up as a Better Tester then you can get access to beta and nightly builds or Crossover too. You might already know that.
Rick Kunath, K9AO
|
Adrian,
?
You got me thinking about VB6 and I did see your unanswered posts in the forum.
?
But I did see this:
?
?
The post is old but it does say 24.0.4 was tested and it works. that's the latest version for Linux and what I am running.
?
I thought I'd post this in case it was of some value.
?
RIck
|
Thanks for that Adrian. This is extremely useful information.
I'm saving this offline.
RIck
|
Re: Andy's Ham Radio Linux version 26C has been released!
Andy,
Great script.... I had issues with pipewire (on Ubuntu), but fine
on Raspberry 4 and 5.? Have you identified the culprit?
73's,
Glenn
WA6BJQ
On 1/19/25 15:01, kb1oiq via groups.io
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi Everybody,
Version 26C is the most recent release to date of Andy's
Ham Radio Linux, and it is available now. Please go to
Files/v26c and download a copy of the GETTING_STARTED
document. These instructions will guide you. If you have
installed a previous version of AHRL, that's OK! Just
install this new stuff over the old stuff.
Supported flavors of Linux:
- Debian Live 12.7.0
- Ubuntu 24.04.*
- Xubuntu 24.04.*
- Kubuntu 24.04.*
- Linux Mint 22
- Raspberry Pi OS 5.5
Other Ubuntu derivatives MIGHT work. If you try it,
please let me know the results.
For more information:
Have fun and 73,
Andy
KB1OIQ ..
|
Re: Andy's Ham Radio Linux version 26C has been released!
'Tis a wonderful thing! Congratulations to Andy!
Should it be available on Distrowatch.org? It is a first stop to
find notable new Linux.
Pardon me if it has been added recently.
Doesn't do any harm to let the world know that Amateur Radio is
alive, well and progressing with developments like this.
73, KX4QC :)
On 1/19/25 18:01, kb1oiq via groups.io
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi Everybody,
Version 26C is the most recent release to date of Andy's
Ham Radio Linux, and it is available now. Please go to
Files/v26c and download a copy of the GETTING_STARTED
document. These instructions will guide you. If you have
installed a previous version of AHRL, that's OK! Just
install this new stuff over the old stuff.
Supported flavors of Linux:
- Debian Live 12.7.0
- Ubuntu 24.04.*
- Xubuntu 24.04.*
- Kubuntu 24.04.*
- Linux Mint 22
- Raspberry Pi OS 5.5
Other Ubuntu derivatives MIGHT work. If you try it,
please let me know the results.
For more information:
Have fun and 73,
Andy
KB1OIQ ..
|
Andy's Ham Radio Linux version 26C has been released!
Hi Everybody,
Version 26C is the most recent release to date of Andy's Ham Radio Linux, and it is available now. Please go to Files/v26c and download a copy of the GETTING_STARTED document. These instructions will guide you. If you have installed a previous version of AHRL, that's OK! Just install this new stuff over the old stuff.
Supported flavors of Linux:
- Debian Live 12.7.0
- Ubuntu 24.04.*
- Xubuntu 24.04.*
- Kubuntu 24.04.*
- Linux Mint 22
- Raspberry Pi OS 5.5
Other Ubuntu derivatives MIGHT work. If you try it, please let me know the results.
For more information:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/kb1oiq-andysham/files/v26c/
Have fun and 73,
Andy
KB1OIQ ..
|
You're welcome Fred.
And as you can see I am a huge Linux proponent.
So just get it going and look around. Try some apps. Stuff like Dave W1HKJ's stuff is all available (Fldigi, Flrig, Flcluster, etc.) and WSJTX is also, and so is GridTracker. So for FT8 and digital that's all there. QSSTV for SSTV is there. And the WSJT variations are all there too along with Hamlib.
I think logging might be the one thing you will need to investigate. Take your time and see what is there. You can do that on the web before you even install Linux.
And again, I'm not telling you not to use an emulator, just that it would not be my first choice and that it might not work exactly as expected or it might break someday.
The main thing is to have fun and get the right distro and then stick with it. Don't go distro hoping. Linux is mostly Linux. Any mainstream distro should have all the stuff you need. Look rather for a good mentor, locally if possible. That'll be important as you get going.
And ask many questions :)
Rick Kunath, K9AO
|
Oppps thanks Peter. Sorry I missed that you forwarded that narrative... Fred
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
well, rick, you are correct with stating, that apps run best in the OS they are compiled for, and the rest. BUT HDR is such a teenywheeny application compared to some decent games. and they all run almost flawlessly. (my experience)
peter, OE6PLD
--
Disclaimer: May be opened and read by the NSA, CIA, GCHQ, KGB, BND, and whoever else it may NOT concern.
Actually, that is *not* true. But it may be for HRD which I have never
used. So I'll give you that as a user of this app in Linux (at least
today that is true based on what you told us). And that is useful
information.
But certainly my 50+ years of (yes I really do mean UNIX) and Linux
software (and kernel) development and administration experience and
hardware development count for something. There are many applications
that "sort of" run in emulation. But not *all* run flawlessly.
That is faulty thinking based on my own experience. Applications always
run best on the OS they are designed for. Someone should not enter into
the thought that all Windows applications will somehow magically run as
they do in Windows under emulation in Linux. They may run fine, they may
run acceptably with acceptable oddities, or they may not run well enough
at all. You would have to test each one yourself on your distro of
choice and using your preferred emulator to see. And fully test all of
the features, not just the ones that you use most of time. Test the
hidden ones that you need occasionally. Do a full system test on it.
I stand by my advice that if someone wants to let go of Windows, then do
it. I think that is a good move. See if you can find applications that
will work for what you need natively under Linux if you can. And
remember that there is no guarantee that something that works flawlessly
under emulation in Linux today will continue to do so as the developer
migrates to other development environments or uses new tools. Real
Windows yes, emulators no. And Windows developers will migrate as
Microsoft moves on. I know this because as a Windows developer too I
have been through this many times as Microsoft releases new upgraded
development environments and tools and re-distributable packages.
I have a Codeweavers Crossover subscription. That a a commercial
emulator. And, many applications can still be run using that on Linux (I
advocate for several), but not exactly as they do natively under
Windows. Pretty darned good though I have to say. The trouble is that
the cost of that subscription over say a 5 year period will exceed the
cost of a brand new Windows 11 PC. So the thinking there about economy
just does not wash. It would be better and cheaper to just get the new
Windows 11 PC and be done with it. Stuff will just run. Now if you are
going to switch to native Linux applications, then the economy does work
out. And things will run generally faster and better for you. That's why
I use Linux daily. I use Codeweavers because in the cases that
applications will run under emulation I can save myself a boot to
Windows from Linux? or firing up a VM quickly to use them. But I do have
a full Windows install available too.
As to Ham Radio Deluxe, the developers themselves recommend running it
on Mac or Linux in a VM. That of course is *not* emulation for one
application, but is a way to actually run a Windows operating system
(complete) using the virtualization capabilities of modern processors.
This is a different thing from emulation entirely. So from the
developers themselves, I'd take this to mean that they would not commit
to support emulation working indefinitely, or well, or at all. If it
does, I guess fine. But there are no guarantees that such will always be
the case. Hence my recommendation to just get off of Windows apps if you
can and if you can't stay with Windows. If you do go the emulation route
understand that there is a possibility that someday the application just
won't work or work right under emulation and you'll have to move on to a
native Linux application that'll do the job anyway, or move back to
Windows then if you want to stay with the original app.
As to cross platforming something like HRD, this is not as easy as some
might think. If it was developed in a Windows environment using
non-cross platform tools then I'm guessing it'd be about a complete
re-write from zero (been there, done that). And that will probably never
happen. It would not make economic sense to the developer. If it was
developed with a cross-platform model initially, then it is a smaller
job to get it running on other operating systems. Not trivial by any
means though since the way things work across the 3 main OS platforms is
different enough in many cases.
But again, think of what is there now in Linux. Not what might be, and
see if that any of that works for you.
Rick Kunath, K9AO
-- de Fred W0SP
|
Rick... Thanks very much for the lengthy reply although (And I'll reread it) some of it was a little above?
my pay grade ? How ever it made a lot of sense. I suspect using programs that work natively in Linux
is probably The wisest solution...? Again many thanks..
Fred 73
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Actually, that is *not* true. But it may be for HRD which I have never
used. So I'll give you that as a user of this app in Linux (at least
today that is true based on what you told us). And that is useful
information.
But certainly my 50+ years of (yes I really do mean UNIX) and Linux
software (and kernel) development and administration experience and
hardware development count for something. There are many applications
that "sort of" run in emulation. But not *all* run flawlessly.
That is faulty thinking based on my own experience. Applications always
run best on the OS they are designed for. Someone should not enter into
the thought that all Windows applications will somehow magically run as
they do in Windows under emulation in Linux. They may run fine, they may
run acceptably with acceptable oddities, or they may not run well enough
at all. You would have to test each one yourself on your distro of
choice and using your preferred emulator to see. And fully test all of
the features, not just the ones that you use most of time. Test the
hidden ones that you need occasionally. Do a full system test on it.
I stand by my advice that if someone wants to let go of Windows, then do
it. I think that is a good move. See if you can find applications that
will work for what you need natively under Linux if you can. And
remember that there is no guarantee that something that works flawlessly
under emulation in Linux today will continue to do so as the developer
migrates to other development environments or uses new tools. Real
Windows yes, emulators no. And Windows developers will migrate as
Microsoft moves on. I know this because as a Windows developer too I
have been through this many times as Microsoft releases new upgraded
development environments and tools and re-distributable packages.
I have a Codeweavers Crossover subscription. That a a commercial
emulator. And, many applications can still be run using that on Linux (I
advocate for several), but not exactly as they do natively under
Windows. Pretty darned good though I have to say. The trouble is that
the cost of that subscription over say a 5 year period will exceed the
cost of a brand new Windows 11 PC. So the thinking there about economy
just does not wash. It would be better and cheaper to just get the new
Windows 11 PC and be done with it. Stuff will just run. Now if you are
going to switch to native Linux applications, then the economy does work
out. And things will run generally faster and better for you. That's why
I use Linux daily. I use Codeweavers because in the cases that
applications will run under emulation I can save myself a boot to
Windows from Linux? or firing up a VM quickly to use them. But I do have
a full Windows install available too.
As to Ham Radio Deluxe, the developers themselves recommend running it
on Mac or Linux in a VM. That of course is *not* emulation for one
application, but is a way to actually run a Windows operating system
(complete) using the virtualization capabilities of modern processors.
This is a different thing from emulation entirely. So from the
developers themselves, I'd take this to mean that they would not commit
to support emulation working indefinitely, or well, or at all. If it
does, I guess fine. But there are no guarantees that such will always be
the case. Hence my recommendation to just get off of Windows apps if you
can and if you can't stay with Windows. If you do go the emulation route
understand that there is a possibility that someday the application just
won't work or work right under emulation and you'll have to move on to a
native Linux application that'll do the job anyway, or move back to
Windows then if you want to stay with the original app.
As to cross platforming something like HRD, this is not as easy as some
might think. If it was developed in a Windows environment using
non-cross platform tools then I'm guessing it'd be about a complete
re-write from zero (been there, done that). And that will probably never
happen. It would not make economic sense to the developer. If it was
developed with a cross-platform model initially, then it is a smaller
job to get it running on other operating systems. Not trivial by any
means though since the way things work across the 3 main OS platforms is
different enough in many cases.
But again, think of what is there now in Linux. Not what might be, and
see if that any of that works for you.
Rick Kunath, K9AO
-- de Fred W0SP
|
I play WorldOfTanks without steam, just wine
peter
|
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I may just have to check that app out Pete. I played with it years ago
when Simon had it but not since then.
Are you running games under Steam? or emulation?
Rick
-- de Fred W0SP
|
I may just have to check that app out Pete. I played with it years ago when Simon had it but not since then.
Are you running games under Steam? or emulation?
Rick
|
I am running LOG4OM with wine
does all that online-sync stuff (eqsl, tqsl, qrz.com, ...) plus it has udp-receive for eg. gridtracker
peter, OE6PLD
|
well, rick, you are correct with stating, that apps run best in the OS they are compiled for, and the rest. BUT HDR is such a teenywheeny application compared to some decent games. and they all run almost flawlessly. (my experience)
peter, OE6PLD
-- Disclaimer: May be opened and read by the NSA, CIA, GCHQ, KGB, BND, and whoever else it may NOT concern.
Actually, that is *not* true. But it may be for HRD which I have never
used. So I'll give you that as a user of this app in Linux (at least
today that is true based on what you told us). And that is useful
information.
But certainly my 50+ years of (yes I really do mean UNIX) and Linux
software (and kernel) development and administration experience and
hardware development count for something. There are many applications
that "sort of" run in emulation. But not *all* run flawlessly.
That is faulty thinking based on my own experience. Applications always
run best on the OS they are designed for. Someone should not enter into
the thought that all Windows applications will somehow magically run as
they do in Windows under emulation in Linux. They may run fine, they may
run acceptably with acceptable oddities, or they may not run well enough
at all. You would have to test each one yourself on your distro of
choice and using your preferred emulator to see. And fully test all of
the features, not just the ones that you use most of time. Test the
hidden ones that you need occasionally. Do a full system test on it.
I stand by my advice that if someone wants to let go of Windows, then do
it. I think that is a good move. See if you can find applications that
will work for what you need natively under Linux if you can. And
remember that there is no guarantee that something that works flawlessly
under emulation in Linux today will continue to do so as the developer
migrates to other development environments or uses new tools. Real
Windows yes, emulators no. And Windows developers will migrate as
Microsoft moves on. I know this because as a Windows developer too I
have been through this many times as Microsoft releases new upgraded
development environments and tools and re-distributable packages.
I have a Codeweavers Crossover subscription. That a a commercial
emulator. And, many applications can still be run using that on Linux (I
advocate for several), but not exactly as they do natively under
Windows. Pretty darned good though I have to say. The trouble is that
the cost of that subscription over say a 5 year period will exceed the
cost of a brand new Windows 11 PC. So the thinking there about economy
just does not wash. It would be better and cheaper to just get the new
Windows 11 PC and be done with it. Stuff will just run. Now if you are
going to switch to native Linux applications, then the economy does work
out. And things will run generally faster and better for you. That's why
I use Linux daily. I use Codeweavers because in the cases that
applications will run under emulation I can save myself a boot to
Windows from Linux? or firing up a VM quickly to use them. But I do have
a full Windows install available too.
As to Ham Radio Deluxe, the developers themselves recommend running it
on Mac or Linux in a VM. That of course is *not* emulation for one
application, but is a way to actually run a Windows operating system
(complete) using the virtualization capabilities of modern processors.
This is a different thing from emulation entirely. So from the
developers themselves, I'd take this to mean that they would not commit
to support emulation working indefinitely, or well, or at all. If it
does, I guess fine. But there are no guarantees that such will always be
the case. Hence my recommendation to just get off of Windows apps if you
can and if you can't stay with Windows. If you do go the emulation route
understand that there is a possibility that someday the application just
won't work or work right under emulation and you'll have to move on to a
native Linux application that'll do the job anyway, or move back to
Windows then if you want to stay with the original app.
As to cross platforming something like HRD, this is not as easy as some
might think. If it was developed in a Windows environment using
non-cross platform tools then I'm guessing it'd be about a complete
re-write from zero (been there, done that). And that will probably never
happen. It would not make economic sense to the developer. If it was
developed with a cross-platform model initially, then it is a smaller
job to get it running on other operating systems. Not trivial by any
means though since the way things work across the 3 main OS platforms is
different enough in many cases.
But again, think of what is there now in Linux. Not what might be, and
see if that any of that works for you.
Rick Kunath, K9AO
|
Actually, that is *not* true. But it may be for HRD which I have never used. So I'll give you that as a user of this app in Linux (at least today that is true based on what you told us). And that is useful information.
But certainly my 50+ years of (yes I really do mean UNIX) and Linux software (and kernel) development and administration experience and hardware development count for something. There are many applications that "sort of" run in emulation. But not *all* run flawlessly.
That is faulty thinking based on my own experience. Applications always run best on the OS they are designed for. Someone should not enter into the thought that all Windows applications will somehow magically run as they do in Windows under emulation in Linux. They may run fine, they may run acceptably with acceptable oddities, or they may not run well enough at all. You would have to test each one yourself on your distro of choice and using your preferred emulator to see. And fully test all of the features, not just the ones that you use most of time. Test the hidden ones that you need occasionally. Do a full system test on it.
I stand by my advice that if someone wants to let go of Windows, then do it. I think that is a good move. See if you can find applications that will work for what you need natively under Linux if you can. And remember that there is no guarantee that something that works flawlessly under emulation in Linux today will continue to do so as the developer migrates to other development environments or uses new tools. Real Windows yes, emulators no. And Windows developers will migrate as Microsoft moves on. I know this because as a Windows developer too I have been through this many times as Microsoft releases new upgraded development environments and tools and re-distributable packages.
I have a Codeweavers Crossover subscription. That a a commercial emulator. And, many applications can still be run using that on Linux (I advocate for several), but not exactly as they do natively under Windows. Pretty darned good though I have to say. The trouble is that the cost of that subscription over say a 5 year period will exceed the cost of a brand new Windows 11 PC. So the thinking there about economy just does not wash. It would be better and cheaper to just get the new Windows 11 PC and be done with it. Stuff will just run. Now if you are going to switch to native Linux applications, then the economy does work out. And things will run generally faster and better for you. That's why I use Linux daily. I use Codeweavers because in the cases that applications will run under emulation I can save myself a boot to Windows from Linux? or firing up a VM quickly to use them. But I do have a full Windows install available too.
As to Ham Radio Deluxe, the developers themselves recommend running it on Mac or Linux in a VM. That of course is *not* emulation for one application, but is a way to actually run a Windows operating system (complete) using the virtualization capabilities of modern processors. This is a different thing from emulation entirely. So from the developers themselves, I'd take this to mean that they would not commit to support emulation working indefinitely, or well, or at all. If it does, I guess fine. But there are no guarantees that such will always be the case. Hence my recommendation to just get off of Windows apps if you can and if you can't stay with Windows. If you do go the emulation route understand that there is a possibility that someday the application just won't work or work right under emulation and you'll have to move on to a native Linux application that'll do the job anyway, or move back to Windows then if you want to stay with the original app.
As to cross platforming something like HRD, this is not as easy as some might think. If it was developed in a Windows environment using non-cross platform tools then I'm guessing it'd be about a complete re-write from zero (been there, done that). And that will probably never happen. It would not make economic sense to the developer. If it was developed with a cross-platform model initially, then it is a smaller job to get it running on other operating systems. Not trivial by any means though since the way things work across the 3 main OS platforms is different enough in many cases.
But again, think of what is there now in Linux. Not what might be, and see if that any of that works for you.
Rick Kunath, K9AO
|
Unix/Linux
?
Linux: Is considered to be "Unix-like". Likely the only thing to change will be the logging application, rest of the commonly used digi apps have Linux versions/binaries/source code available.
?
Unix/Mac: macOS is a Unix based system, and the most widely used commercial Unix OS I would think today. Similar to Linux, likely only need to change the logging application, rest have macOS versions available.
?
I tend to use which ever hardware/OS config best solves the need or use I have (based on what I have), so I have a bit of everything. For Ham radio I run an late 2015 27" iMac (5K display), the applications and their setup/config I have - even for non-mac there may be useful info there as much the configuration is the same.
?
Each to their own, we have a lot of choices, find the setup that works best for you :-)
?
Lonney
K1LH
|
Philip Rose, GM3ZZA
Drew, KG7YSX
Greg Cheng - KC3SMW
Glenn Jensen, WA6BJQ
Fred Hollendorfer, W0SP