Running Microwave
Software on Windows Vista PC's
After all these years,
Bill Gates and
his minions have changed the basic file and icon handling structure of
Windows Vista compared to all earlier versions of Windows, on back to
the first one to have "mass" appeal, which was (I think), Windows 3.0.
What
Bill has done
is to instantly "obsolete" thousands of existing software programs
developed over the past 25 years or so, many of them DOS-based
engineering programs. In order to try
to make our
microwave engineering programs work on Vista, we may have to change hundreds of lines of code
in four of our six engineering programs. In addition to this, we would have
to re-generate icons in various sizes so as to "please" Vista. In view
of the low cost of our programs, these changes may not be
possible. It's a case of too much time required versus only a few sales
to Vista Users. Few engineers use Vista; they know better!
Our
SmithMatch program has suffered a TRIPLE hit by Vista. In addition to
file handling changes, and icon changes, Bill has ALSO wiped out that
area of Windows memory formerly allocated, mostly for "game" use and
some engineering progtams (like SmithMatch), known as the "hi res graphics"
area. Because of what he has done, our SmithMatch program can no longer
draw a proper Smith Chart on the screen for you to use. :(
This is VERY hurtful to us, as the Smith Chart is the
"cornerstone" of all of our applications. He had no NEED to do what he
did. Modern PC's have SO much more memory than older ones that he did
NOT have to do this. He did it for the money, pure and simple. It is a
SAD day here at Microwave Software!
Two of our programs, MStrip+ and
Utilities+
WILL work on Vista because, unlike the other four, these two do not
read/write to files. If you DO use these two programs on a Vista PC,
you will notice only that our colorful and nice looking "Smith Chart"
logo will be replaced by an ugly DOS icon. Other than that, these
programs will work fine.
Respectfully,
James J. Lev
President, Microwave Software
P.S.
you may not KNOW this, but OUR software (mine) is (was) DEEPLY involved
in the NASA/JPL space program. I used it ALL the time to design
RF/Microwave hardware used in both the DSN (Deep Space Network), for
the tracking of the Voyager probe, and to design many high power
amplifiers used in several Space Shuttle missions. The powerful signal
sent out by my amplifiers were able to find both the "Lost City of
Ubar" in the arabian desert, and the place in Central America where the
meteorite hit that wiped out the dinosaurs!
These are GREAT tools. They are PROFESSIONAL tools. I've devoted my life, as you have, to RF/Microwave design. I only sell them so CHEAP because now, being retired, I can AFFORD to. Does this make sense?