R.H.Campbell said:
Cripes Mark, what does that say about all the other downloading software. It
can't all be bad....
RHC
Even so it's in my opinion the best overall downloading software
available
This is the way I look at it
Compass = Old 16-bit program developed for Windows 3.1, incredible database
as far as finding panels by type, revision of that type, phone etc and the
database itself is not that big, mine had over 200,000 accounts that took up
maybe 300 megs. It also covers every panel Ademco/FBI/Apex made in the last
15 years. The unattended upload capability is incredible
DSC = 32-bit Windows program, very nice interface, easy to create an
account, templates are awsome, the ability to download only parts of
programming that were changed in incredible and I do like the way it handles
modules however the database is a bloated mess, I have I guess 30,000
accounts (its a guess because unlike Compass you have no way of finding out
the total number of accounts) and the frigging database is 6 GIG's! Get over
100 or so accounts in a folder and it CRAWLS, the only way around that is to
create more folders, can't search the database for shit. No support for
other modems unless you get the beta patch and even then most of the modems
in that don't work. I also find that for some reason under XP half my
computers can't call the older 1550/2550/3000 panels because it can't
properly initialize the modem, works fine for 1555/5010/4020 family tho).
DSC needs to include all the old modems from DLS-1 by default and make one
nice big database instead of saving each panel in 4 individual files which
is why it's so slow
DSC = The old DOS software worked fine in Windows 95/98 but on most of my
computers is slow updating the screen under XP and half the time can't
initialize the modem
Napco = Big piece of shit interface, looks like someone from the 70's on
acid designed it although it is getting better, still can't do
MA1008LKDL/1010LKDL/2600 panels which to me is kinda stupid. At least they
added the 1000e/1008e in the last update which helps. Doesn't look like you
can search the database very well.
Paradox = Windows software that only works full screen which is annoying,
confusing interface, stupid arrow to select uploading or downloading,
doesn't support Esprit panels, I have no idea how well it does with a lot of
accounts since I almost never deal with the brand.
GE/ITI = Toolbox which works okay until you get a hundred or so accounts in
the database then it crawls, Why they haven't figured out how to
arm/disarm/check status with it is beyond me.
GE/ITI = Enterprise which is the new stuff and at the moment only supports
Allegro/Simon 2/Simon 3/Concord Express panels is awsome once its up and
running but still buggy as hell and far too complex for someone to setup on
a local machine Excellent search capability and the database is tiny
compared to everything else, mostly because it uses Microsoft's SQL server
software.
GE/Caddx = I like this software, search capability is very good, database is
small, seems simple to use. Painfully slow uploading alpha keypads but thats
caused by the panel not the software, has never crashed on me however it
doesn't support older Caddx panels like the 8000/9000 series.
HAI Home Automation = Simple and really only designed for a few accounts, I
haven't played with it much
Radionics = RAM IV Windows based, works well but slightly crappy search
Radionics = Ram II DOS based that doesn't work at all in XP, didn't work all
that well in 95/98
Now the fun ones
AT&T 8300 = DOS based yet works well under XP, no database just individual
files for each account
AT&T 8000 = DOS based, works under 95/98 but locks up after a minute under
XP, no idea why
Linear DVS = Windows based, works okay, no searching the database at all
since it uses individual files for each account. Entire program locks up for
over a minute if you try aborting a call, they just added the ability to
upload an event buffer (?)
Linear CP-90 = Dos based, worked like shit in Windows 95, doesn't work in
XP, can't even save an account...good thing they finally killed off that
panel, runs full screen and don't even try switching to a different screen
or it locks up the display
C&K = ....uhhh the less said the better
Moose = The disks make a nice buffer between panels in a boat anchor chain,
keeps em from banging into each other as they settle on the bottom of the
lake
I could go on and on but the problem as always is less than 5% of alarm
installers upload their panels and the industry isn't going to invest
millions in software development for that tiny number and thats why compared
to other Windows programs the stuff we use is crap
)