Quote:
Originally Posted by kinetic
Mike,
I would just LOVE this idea to work.
I love the ATM spirit of sharing an idea and broadcasting it for
all to see.
Mel Bartels is one true example of the spirit of this concept.
.....edited for brevity....
Other people, quite openly, make money selling very close
copies of his concept. .....
I could contribute ...
I can program in VB and C .........
As far as open source ideas:
ASCOM is a great example. .....
If I were you I would go and research the ASCOM database and
platform before going any further......
Someone dreams up a function they want added.
Someone designs the 'smart box'
Someone adds the driver to the platform to 'welcome that device
on board'
Away you go....
Steve
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Thanks Steve for the very informative reply.
If this ever does gel into a DIY group project for IIS members, we'll count you as member #1
I'll take your advice and research the ASCOM approach, I use EQMOD and love it, although with our much smaller numbers here in Oz, I presume we would be aiming a lot lower in our expectations, but then again, the objective is a lot simpler as well.
Who knows, perhaps other astronomy groups may also wish to participate, it doesn't have to be IIS-centric, although that's where it starts.
BTW, my background is also in electronics, but as a bit of an old fart, I would expect the really bright ideas to blossom from the more recently-educated members.
A second major skill needed is the ability to design and fabricate the small bits of bracketry etc that may be required to affix motors, switches, etc to various types of scopes and accessories, etc. This is an area where I have absolutely no skills, but without these items, the end users are unable to achieve their goals.
Anyway, let's wait and see if there is sufficient IIS member interest to justify further dialogue, and if so we'll move on from there.