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| Reviews Summary for DXBase 2000 and later versions |
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Reviews: 53
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Average rating: 4.6/5
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MSRP: $99
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Description: Professional Logging Software for MS Windows 95/98/2000/NT
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More info: http://www.dxbase.com
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You can
write your own review of the DXBase 2000 and later versions.
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K1ZYW
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 15, 2007 05:19
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REVIEW UPDATE3
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this great program for 5 years and just updated it to the latest version (2007)
The prgram was easy to import all data and the programmer was ther to help me thru it...
A great program and does everything I need including running both my MK V XCVRS flawlessly
A great value and I recommend this prgram without reservation..
Ken K1UM (EX K1ZYW)
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W9OL
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 18, 2006 10:25
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Cleanest interface and GUI I've used.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've been a user of DXB for many years.
It has the 'cleanest looking' GUI in my opinion.
You can customize your screen to your special interests.
There is usually a new version with user suggested features each year.
A fee is required to purchase the new versions but older paid for versions can be used forever.
DXBase has an extensive data report system that can be customized to your like.
It's a 'data junkies' dream.
Everything you ever wanted to know about who you worked, when you worked them, if you need to work them is a just mouse click away.
I use DXBase to design a qsl "label" that prints the qsl info DIRECTLY onto my preprinted card which saves on the price of labels and postage.
DXB can also print the return addresses sae and the outbound envelope, again directly to the envelope avoiding the cost of labels.
The DXBase reflector offers quick support.
Try it, you'll like it!
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K4EQQ
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Rating: 3/5
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Mar 7, 2006 05:35
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A Never Ending Supply of Bugs
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've used DX Base since ver. 2001. Every year I've paid my upgrade money and every year there are either new, never before seen bugs. I must admit I'm not a power user and don't tap the full capability of DX Base. I've found in one version (2004? maybe) that the IARU region was incorrect for certain callsigns - great, just great. The fix was to manually correct it. The tech. support response was to wait for the new version, thank you very much.
I then decided to try N3FJP's suite of programs, many of which I won't use. The AC Log ver. 2.8 & 2.9 is very intuitive compared to DX Base. I will not be upgrading to DX Base 2007 and future versions. Also, recognize that AC log does NOT have many of the features that are contained in any version of DX Base. It's just that for my purposes, I don't need that "gold plated ratchet set" of special tools.
Also, for me at least, DX Base is a CPU resource and memory hog. My PC almost stops (swimming in molases) when doing anything in DX Base.
So AC Log here I come - free upgrades for life if you buy their CD containing all their programs. I must say the interface is slightly less professional than DX Base, but then the cost is much less than DX Base.
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WR1H
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Rating: 0/5
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Mar 7, 2006 04:51
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Look elsewhere
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I am very disapointed in the whole GUI of the prgram.
More important, I am disappointed with their lack of support, with future releases. It is a pay, and pay and pay as you for upgrades.
Take a note people. GREED = NO FUTURE BUSSINESS.
Better programs out there and with better and FREE support.
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SMHAM
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Rating: 5/5
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May 31, 2005 19:49
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The best there is - but not perfect
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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A macro perspective review from a non-US point of view. I will skip the technical details:
Far too many logging programs are way too US oriented. Nothing wrong with that since an overwhelming majority of them are made in the USA.
However, if you live somewhere else on the globe you will often find things that you have no use for in the US made logging programs, not so with DXBase.
DXBase is the best logging software available for the Windows platform. I have tried several pieces of software and nothing comes close to DXbase. That said, DXbase is far from perfect.
In my opinion the main advantage with DXbase is that it allows me to select exactly the QSOs I need to QSL for the awards I am hunting. I am not a member of any buro and I donīt want to send out QSL cards not asked for or not needed for any award. DXbase allows 100% control over my QSLing through its ability to interface with GOlist, callbook CDROMs and its award tracking features. A minimum waste of postage and GS!
One of the things that I am not so satisfied with is the lack of a possibility to input custom databases for award tracking. Club awards tracking with a database over callsigns that counts for the awards would be great, for example. That said, DXbase has the most comprehensive award tracking of all logging programs available.
The program is based on Microsoft Access 97 which is the cause of many of the annoyances mentioned by other reviewers. The programmers probably want
support for older Windows versions but an overwhelming majority now use Windows XP. Time for a platform change!
The program is the most complex logging software for the Windows platform so the bugs and quirks are probably a few more than in simpler software.
That is no excuse for them but an explanation. Heavier beta-testing would be welcome!
Being a programmer, I like the ability to make your own reports although the ready made reports are sufficient for almost everyone.
The QSL label printing works great and it is easy to make some necessary changes for European labels not available in the US.
I would give DXbase 4.5, the best there is but not for the unexperienced. The main drawback is the graphical interface. It is too much database and too little "simple input form". I would prefer a graphical interface that hides the database behind, not so with DXbase. It is too much "Access 97" over the interface which will confuse the inexperienced user.
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WA6AXE
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Rating: 5/5
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May 8, 2005 09:25
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The Ultimate Logging Software!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The new DXbase2006 is awesome! If you want to own the VERY BEST in Logging S/W, get DXbase2006!
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K6RIM
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Rating: 5/5
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May 1, 2005 21:30
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Fabulous!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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DXBase 2006 is powerful and easy to use. Yes, there is a learning curve, but well worth the time. Have tried DX4WIN and others, but DXBase remains my (general) logging program of choice.
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W8JI
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Rating: 2/5
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May 1, 2005 18:52
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Older version not so hot
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought DX base a few years ago, and never did get to use it. I couldn't import files from DX4WIN, and the only support was a suggestion I enter the 30,000 contacts manually.
I'll stick with DX4WIN! It works fine for me.
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W2IRT
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Rating: 5/5
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May 1, 2005 14:17
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DX Base 2006 is MUCH better!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After 2005's somewhat disappointing release of DX Base, this new version -- always dated a year ahead -- was released the weekend of May 1st and is very satisfying. It contains some significant changes that will make DX Base fans very happy, but still has a few annoyances too.
Most notably, the old column-order utility is gone, dead and buried -- and replaced with an all new column order designer. Still not drag-and-drop as it should be -- like just about every other Win 32 program out there - but at least now you can edit and tweak column order files. It's still somewhat annoying to use, but 1000000% better than the way is was before! One caveat, though, it crashes if you try to edit an old DXB-2005 or earlier .CO file, so you will have to create all new ones. Hopefully for the last time!
There's a database compaction utility, a backup utility and a marvellous little feature that lets you retroactively populate log fields from your CD or hard drive-based callbook. This is great if you've just imported 1500 QSOs from your contest logger after CQ-WW; it will fill in name, QTH, grid, IOTA, etc. Nice and well worth the price of the upgrade to me right there.
All the aforementioned utilities are in a separate application that must be launched when DX Base itself isn't running, since DX Base requires exclusive use of the database (.MDB) file.
There have been 60 changes to the 2006 edition, most of which I find are very satisfying and have been asked for for a couple of years. Biggest changes are most windows that were not resizable in the past now are (such as the Previous QSO window, the Pending Labels window and so forth). You can now copy-paste into the active log which you never could before. There's now a provision to see the local time at the DX station's location (something I've begged for for years).
For users in the U.K. and other places that require a QSO end time, this is now available as a separate field.
But there are still some annoyances, alas. Upgrading from 2005 to 2006 is not a trivial exercise, especially not if you have custom column orders, custom colours, etc. This is the number-one improvement I hope Jack looks into for next time. What was especially annoying was having it re-write my carefully edited (but sadly, not backed-up) hosts file. I connect to the cluster network through AR Config on port 7300, as defined in the hosts file and from within all my logging apps. It was NOT appreciated to see that rewritten!
Speaking of connecting to the clusters, thankfully, now you no longer have to keep the unneded TNC window open-but-minimized as in the past, and if you so choose, you can elect to have DX Base open your Telnet connection when the program launches (provided you're already online). What you still can't do, though, is auto-reconnect (at least not that I have seen yet).
You still can't use a scroll wheel to scroll up or down if a line in the log is highlighted and visible (you have to mouse up/down till the highlighted line isn't on the screen). You still can't remove "announce" messages except by closing the app entirely. Still can't highlight and copy a message's text (for example, say someone announces a new online log with URL, you can't copy the URL and paste it into your browser). Another little annoyance, the internal UTC clock within DX Base freezes when you open a report or other window. Why?? Luckily, the Windows system tray clock still works.
All in all, DX Base 2006 is well worth the $35 upgrade price from 2005 (and definitely worth the $65 upgrade price from 2002-2004 versions). In my opinion, it's matured considerably in the last 12 months, and although it still has a lot to do to get me raving about it (as I would if there was a bandmap), it's good enough now for me to warrant upgrading it from a 4 to a 5 (though I'd prefer to give it 4 1/2).
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EDDIE
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 15, 2005 03:55
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Probably the best, but ...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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First of all, DXBase is probably the best piece of logging software there is. I have tried many other programs, and none come really near. That being said, I have to add a few remarks.
First of all, the so called upgrades that seem to come annually are quite minute. The changes are few, and the bugs never seem to get addressed. In the last version (2005) they presented a long list of new "features". The only new feature I found however, was the ability to have colours in the "DX Info" window. The rest were bug fixes and adaptations to lotw and digital submodes. None of them were useful to me at all. I'd say the programmer perhaps spent one evening making the new version. That is not much work done for the price of the software.
Yes there are bugs, not big nasty ones, just small intensly irritating ones. That is my main concern regarding the DXBase package, all the tiny but VERY irritating quirks. Like for instance when exporting ADIF, every single time you do it, a dialog windows flashes into your face and asks if DXBase should mark all QSO's as submitted to LOTW. Default answer is YES, and if you press the wrong button or just wave it away, suddenly all your database entries are marked as QSL sent via lotw.
Needless to say, all my entries are marked as sent via lotw although none actually has been sent.
Another thing is the reports. They say there are reports for every need. This is not true. You can make your own reports, if you are a programmer. However most of us are not programmers so we have to stick with what they give us. For example there is no real report telling you what countries (DXCC entities) you have actually worked. The ones there, present you with a list of all entities, with the ones worked marked as worked. Needless to say this is impossible to read. Also reports for country counting list your entire log sorted by prefix, leaving it to you to do the counting. That being said, there are many MANY other reports.
Another issue is the keymapping. Windows default keys do not work as expected. Prepare to do a fair share of mouse work. Deleting a database entry requires you to click to the left of row in the log, and press F7 ! If you're i a pileup you will loose qso's because of the strange key mappings. Also, it is not possble to add a shortcut key to "add new entry in database", so you have to do a fair bit of clicking and keypressing just to be able to log an entry (if focus is in another part of the app).
Yet another issue is the processor gobbling. This app is processor hungry ! Sometimes after doing some list work, it starts eating CPU cycles, and slows down the whole computer. Especially if the telnet cluster is disconnected remotely. Speaking of telnet clusters. If you are on a fast broadband connection the telnet cluster feature might actually not work. It is impossible to connect to a telnet cluster on my own subnet with a fast computer. It does work when I am on another subnet (same cluster).
Also the database grows into insane proportions without you actually adding much. This is due to the nature of the Access database. For some strange reason the author has not added a feature to compress/rebuild the database, but refers you to som obscure app available somewhere on the net.
This really means that most of us are stuck with an ever growing database. Mine actually grew to almost 200 Megabytes ! After rebulding it, it shrank to 12 Magabytes !
I have used this app for a couple of years now, and know all it's bugs and quirks. As I said earlier, and as another fellow pointed out it is in dire need of quite a few bugfixes and upgrades. The author cannot continue surfing along on work done years ago. The application is much to expensive for that.
But to repeat myself, this is probably the best DX logging program there is,and QSL management/creating/printing is outstanding !
But prepare yourself to be very frustrated about the quirks.
Is it worth the upgrade from 2003/2004 to 2005 ? No, absolutely not. I hope the 2006 version will be more than just a minor maintenance release.
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