Compass Software

[Crash Gordon]

And the fact that you cant just change a code and upload...you gotta send
everything.

Their use of upload/download is also confusing...to me you upload to a
server, download to my computer,,,,opposite of what they have...minor issue
but I have to think everything if I'm doing it right (or look at the bottom
of the screen to confirm).



| Yeah, and when you get disconnected, loose the whole panel and have to
| redownload .. Arghhh. They still can do a whole lot better on the
| design, not to mention the database, seeing as alot of of users will
| have tons of accounts. Text files can be kind of slow also .. Id think
| MySql or even SQL server can do the job. But you need a decent PC and
| rock solid software.
|
| Mark Leuck, thats a great review btw
|
|

 

[Bob Worthy]

message Besides... He can always get product

"through the back door".

Didn't he already have some experience with that?

 

[Mark Leuck]

And the fact that you cant just change a code and upload...you gotta send
everything.

Their use of upload/download is also confusing...to me you upload to a
server, download to my computer,,,,opposite of what they have...minor issue
but I have to think everything if I'm doing it right (or look at the bottom
of the screen to confirm).

I think the global upload/download is a function of the panel not with
Compass since you can do sections with larger panels, If your like me the
download/upload issue came from BBS days where it meant the opposite of what
we do with alarm panels in fact the first panel I ever connected to I did
"download" without "uploading" first...

 

[alarman]

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

Just wanted to see if I'd read down this far, eh?
js

 

[Crash Gordon]

Yep.

Its a good thing the bottom of the screen is more descriptive or I'd wipe
out more panels than I already do!

Yes, I noticed the bigger panels you can be more selective in what you
update. But, pain in the but to download the whole panel (there I
go..upload) to have fresh copy (3 min) change one code, then have to reload
the whole panel again another 3 min.

Yah..I got in the habit of download upload a fresh panel copy everytime too.
Some of dem pesky clients actually RTFB and figured out how to change codes,
so's I gotta be careful i dont wipe changes out.



|
| | > And the fact that you cant just change a code and upload...you gotta
send
| > everything.
| >
| > Their use of upload/download is also confusing...to me you upload to a
| > server, download to my computer,,,,opposite of what they have...minor
| issue
| > but I have to think everything if I'm doing it right (or look at the
| bottom
| > of the screen to confirm).
|
| I think the global upload/download is a function of the panel not with
| Compass since you can do sections with larger panels, If your like me the
| download/upload issue came from BBS days where it meant the opposite of
what
| we do with alarm panels in fact the first panel I ever connected to I did
| "download" without "uploading" first...
|
|
|

 

[mikey]

And it's designed to run in Windows 3.1, gotta love those ancient 16-bit
applications.

Even so it's in my opinion the best overall downloading software available

Compass? Really? I use DSC and Compass. I have far more connection problems
with Compass. I find it a tedious POS to work with too compared to DSC.

 

[mikey]

Yep, my biggest beef too. That and never getting the test time right no
matter what I do.

 

[Mark Leuck]

Just wanted to see if I'd read down this far, eh?
js

Only way I can keep you on your toes

 

[Mark Leuck]

Yep.

Its a good thing the bottom of the screen is more descriptive or I'd wipe
out more panels than I already do!

Yes, I noticed the bigger panels you can be more selective in what you
update. But, pain in the but to download the whole panel (there I
go..upload) to have fresh copy (3 min) change one code, then have to reload
the whole panel again another 3 min.

I don't think it's that bad, Radionics RAM IV user codes can take up to 5
minutes

 

[Mark Leuck]

Unless it's a 15P you really can't set the test timer exactly although thats
a function of the panel not the downloader

 

[Mark Leuck]

Compass? Really? I use DSC and Compass. I have far more connection problems
with Compass. I find it a tedious POS to work with too compared to DSC.

I'm not commenting on things like that, I said overall it's the best in my
opinion. I too have seen DSC panels hold on far longer in bad phone lines
than Ademco however that bloated database of DSC has to go, its about the
only major gripe I have with the software.

 

[Nomen Nescio]

Crash Gordon said:

Yes, I noticed the bigger panels you can be more selective in what you
update. But, pain in the but to download the whole panel (there I
go..upload) to have fresh copy (3 min) change one code, then have to reload
the whole panel again another 3 min.

Yah..I got in the habit of download upload a fresh panel copy everytime too.
Some of dem pesky clients actually RTFB and figured out how to change codes,
so's I gotta be careful i dont wipe changes out.

It isn't always necessary to copy the panel. Remember that Compass will
tell you right away if the panel programming has changed. This is your
protection against not only subscriber code changes, but also techs
changing something at the keypad and not telling you.

The trick is to contact the panel before you make any changes in Compass.
If you get the warning message, you upload. Otherwise, you remain on line
with the panel, modify the program, save, and download.

Ademco seems to break the programming into blocks on the larger panels,
each of which has a CRC. So, you aren't really uploading the entire panel,
just checking the CRCs for each block and copying the blocks that have
changed. I assume on the smaller panels, it's quicker just to copy the
whole program rather than breaking it into blocks.

- badenov

 

[Crash Gordon]

I wouldn't know...I lost my dongle so I'm still using Ram 1 I think...thats
why I still have a 286 with DOS 6.0 running. Think Im gonna dump it soon, as
I hardly ram radx stuff anymore...my old radx stuff is getting old and time
for replacement anyway.


|
| | > Yep.
| >
| > Its a good thing the bottom of the screen is more descriptive or I'd
wipe
| > out more panels than I already do!
| >
| > Yes, I noticed the bigger panels you can be more selective in what you
| > update. But, pain in the but to download the whole panel (there I
| > go..upload) to have fresh copy (3 min) change one code, then have to
| reload
| > the whole panel again another 3 min.
|
| I don't think it's that bad, Radionics RAM IV user codes can take up to 5
| minutes
|
|
| > Yah..I got in the habit of download upload a fresh panel copy everytime
| too.
| > Some of dem pesky clients actually RTFB and figured out how to change
| codes,
| > so's I gotta be careful i dont wipe changes out.
|
|

 

[Crash Gordon]

I kinda tried that the other day, but musta done something wrong cause I
wiped out the guy's code. If you connect and you dont get a mismatch
error...then I can change the user code...save?...then send to panel right?
I "think" I may have messed up by Viewing Upload somewhere maybe?...maybe
thats how I unloaded the code.


| Crash Gordon said:
|
| >Yes, I noticed the bigger panels you can be more selective in what you
| >update. But, pain in the but to download the whole panel (there I
| >go..upload) to have fresh copy (3 min) change one code, then have to
reload
| >the whole panel again another 3 min.
| >
| >Yah..I got in the habit of download upload a fresh panel copy everytime
too.
| >Some of dem pesky clients actually RTFB and figured out how to change
codes,
| >so's I gotta be careful i dont wipe changes out.
|
| It isn't always necessary to copy the panel. Remember that Compass will
| tell you right away if the panel programming has changed. This is your
| protection against not only subscriber code changes, but also techs
| changing something at the keypad and not telling you.
|
| The trick is to contact the panel before you make any changes in Compass.
| If you get the warning message, you upload. Otherwise, you remain on line
| with the panel, modify the program, save, and download.
|
| Ademco seems to break the programming into blocks on the larger panels,
| each of which has a CRC. So, you aren't really uploading the entire
panel,
| just checking the CRCs for each block and copying the blocks that have
| changed. I assume on the smaller panels, it's quicker just to copy the
| whole program rather than breaking it into blocks.
|
| - badenov
|

 

[mikey]

ya well, it shows up on the schedules and I can change the time
and dnload (the whole damn thing) but no joy.
man, I don't know how you can do that day in, day out.
I get 2 hours of it and I'm pulling what's left of my hair out.

 

[moe]

any replies from the appropriate authorities concerning the BAss traitorous
espionage incident?

 

[Crash Gordon]

I find it relaxing...a welcome break from talking to nutjobs all day.



| ya well, it shows up on the schedules and I can change the time
| and dnload (the whole damn thing) but no joy.
| man, I don't know how you can do that day in, day out.
| I get 2 hours of it and I'm pulling what's left of my hair out.
|
| | > Unless it's a 15P you really can't set the test timer exactly although
| thats
| > a function of the panel not the downloader
| >
| >
| > | > > Yep, my biggest beef too. That and never getting the test time right
no
| > > matter what I do.
| > >
| > > | > > > And the fact that you cant just change a code and upload...you gotta
| > send
| > > > everything.
| > > >
| > > > Their use of upload/download is also confusing...to me you upload to
a
| > > > server, download to my computer,,,,opposite of what they
have...minor
| > > issue
| > > > but I have to think everything if I'm doing it right (or look at the
| > > bottom
| > > > of the screen to confirm).
| > > >
| > > >
| > > >
| > > > | > > > | Yeah, and when you get disconnected, loose the whole panel and
have
| to
| > > > | redownload .. Arghhh. They still can do a whole lot better on the
| > > > | design, not to mention the database, seeing as alot of of users
| will
| > > > | have tons of accounts. Text files can be kind of slow also .. Id
| > think
| > > > | MySql or even SQL server can do the job. But you need a decent PC
| and
| > > > | rock solid software.
| > > > |
| > > > | Mark Leuck, thats a great review btw
| > > > |
| > > > |
| > > >
| > > >
| > >
| > >
| >
| >
|
|
|

 

[Norm Mugford]

Honeywell and ADI have been notified of Mr. BAss's
stupidity.

I received a response back from them, that they will
forward my message to the local District Manager.
Who is aware of Mr. BAss.

Norm Mugford

 

[Mark Leuck]

No joy as in what? Does it not test when it's supposed to?

 

[Crash Gordon]

and...turn the modem volume down...forward the fones to ans service...and
program away!!


| ha ha good point
| aaand I can smack the monitor without worrying about it hitting me back
|
| | > I find it relaxing...a welcome break from talking to nutjobs all day.
| >
| >
| >
| > | > | ya well, it shows up on the schedules and I can change the time
| > | and dnload (the whole damn thing) but no joy.
| > | man, I don't know how you can do that day in, day out.
| > | I get 2 hours of it and I'm pulling what's left of my hair out.
| > |
| > | | > | > Unless it's a 15P you really can't set the test timer exactly
although
| > | thats
| > | > a function of the panel not the downloader
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > | > | > > Yep, my biggest beef too. That and never getting the test time
right
| > no
| > | > > matter what I do.
| > | > >
| > | > > | > | > > > And the fact that you cant just change a code and upload...you
| gotta
| > | > send
| > | > > > everything.
| > | > > >
| > | > > > Their use of upload/download is also confusing...to me you
upload
| to
| > a
| > | > > > server, download to my computer,,,,opposite of what they
| > have...minor
| > | > > issue
| > | > > > but I have to think everything if I'm doing it right (or look at
| the
| > | > > bottom
| > | > > > of the screen to confirm).
| > | > > >
| > | > > >
| > | > > >
| > | > > > | > | > > > | Yeah, and when you get disconnected, loose the whole panel and
| > have
| > | to
| > | > > > | redownload .. Arghhh. They still can do a whole lot better on
| the
| > | > > > | design, not to mention the database, seeing as alot of of
users
| > | will
| > | > > > | have tons of accounts. Text files can be kind of slow also ..
| Id
| > | > think
| > | > > > | MySql or even SQL server can do the job. But you need a decent
| PC
| > | and
| > | > > > | rock solid software.
| > | > > > |
| > | > > > | Mark Leuck, thats a great review btw
| > | > > > |
| > | > > > |
| > | > > >
| > | > > >
| > | > >
| > | > >
| > | >
| > | >
| > |
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
|
|