From: root@mjbtn.jobsoft.com (Mark J. Bailey [ADMIN])
Subject: Re: AEA DSP box and me
Organization: JobSoft Design & Devel Co, Murfreesboro, TN
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1992 14:02:53 GMT

In <1657@idacrd.UUCP> n4hy@idacrd.UUCP (Bob McGwier) writes:


>I am constantly being asked `when will XXXXX be in the AEA DSP box?' or
>`when are you guys going to do YYYYYY?', etc.  I wrote all the DSP code for
>AEA that is in the DSP2232 and DSP1232 as of two months ago.  Please be
>advised that I no longer have anything to do with AEA.  My relationship
>with them has ended.  Should you be concerned that the author of this code
>is not supporting it, and wonder who is (especially if you have not purchased
>a unit yet) and would like to know who is responsible for the answers to the
>questions above, please direct them to AEA and not to me.  I do not even
>own a DSP2232 or DSP1232 and cannot support you in any way so for technical
>information on the units, please direct these inquiries to AEA also and
>cease bothering me with mail I have been ignoring anyway.

>Bob

I admire Bob for the time and committment he has made in producing the
software for the 2232.  I am sure that it is the best around.  But (and I
have experienced similar "parting of the waters" myself) if (as Bob 
describes above) he is no longer having anything to do with AEA, the 
implications that he makes about "concerns" are really bothersome to me!

As I said, it is no doubt the best available now, but all the additional
things that we have been asking if the 2232 would be able to handle down
the road are now (IMHO) uncertain.  I know that Bob is not the only one
that can program, but having been the sole (I assume) DSP programmer for 
the 2232, I would suspect that AEA is going to face a real lag time in
coming up to speed with another programmer that *knows* the code that BOB 
WROTE and has equal expertise in this field.

What I am driving at is that I *WAS* going to buy a 2232 (mainly because
I have great faith in Bob's ability).  But if he is no longer involved
and does not appear to be doing anything further with it, I am *VERY*
hesitant to invest THAT KIND OF MONEY to what is now an uncertain future.
What if a bug shows up?  What if whomever follows Bob on this project 
decides to "improve" on things?  In other words, I would no doubt buy the
2232 if the author of the code was continuing to improve it.  But I have
seen too many cases where a company develops something, then the
person(s) that develop that something for said company somehow get
"stirred up" and in the company's reorganization effort for said 
development, chaos results.  This would certainly scare me!

Now, the question is (and Bob your input is welcome - though not solicited
:-)), does one buy the 2232 or should I now (forbid) go with the 
L.L.Grace DSP-12 ?  It is cheaper (and maybe inferior), but at this point, 
I feel probably has a more certain future (or maybe I should 
say consistent).  

I don't know.  I am asking for your thoughts.  I don't have the money
for either units to "blow", so my invstment must be the wisest one!  Any 
input would be greatly appreciated!

Bob, sorry things turned sour.  Thanks for what you did manage to get
done!  I am sorry to see you off the project.

73's,

Mark

-- 
Mark J. Bailey, N4XHX                              _______/====X11====\_______
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