New Version of Echolink??

[KB1RXA]

Does anyone know if a new version of Echolink will be developed for the upcoming Windows 8 release?

Would love to have:

a. A more contemporary GUI
b. A more graded modulation bar (current is blue and yellow)
c. An expanded station listing (useful for conference connects)

KB1RXA

[K6ABZ]

We need more than GUI changes... I have a list.

1. We need full-duplex communications, so you can press transmit even when a party is talking at the other end. (This ends the need to silence squelch tails and Morse ID's)
2. We need better NAT traversal. Having to open firewall ports and limit Echolink to one computer per site can be limiting, and it seems to be a real challenge for new users without a lot of computer skills.
3. Automatic proxy connection for users who still can't work through NAT.
4. How about a multi-user proxy to go with #3? This would allow you to set up a single gateway in your house for multiple computers.
5. New CODEC. Something like the GSM codec at 32kbps would be a huge improvement. I use this for hours at a time on Teamspeak, and it works flawlessly with much less lag than Echolink has.
6. Better/more flexible DTMF decoding. The options to adjust the DTMF decoder are very cryptic. I'd love to see a whole new DTMF decoder that actually lets you do live sampling of a radio to nail the DTMF tones more accurately.
7. Better VOX handling, including sending a tone on the output to trigger the VOX on certain interfaces, like the Signalink USB and radios with built-in VOX.

There are several improvements you could make to searching and presence information, as well - such as searching by geographic location.

So yeah - I'm with you. I'd love to see Echolink brought up the level of other modern VOIP software.

[KA9JLM]

We need more than GUI changes... I have a list.

1. We need full-duplex communications, so you can press transmit even when a party is talking at the other end. (This ends the need to silence squelch tails and Morse ID's)
2. We need better NAT traversal. Having to open firewall ports and limit Echolink to one computer per site can be limiting, and it seems to be a real challenge for new users without a lot of computer skills.
3. Automatic proxy connection for users who still can't work through NAT.
4. How about a multi-user proxy to go with #3? This would allow you to set up a single gateway in your house for multiple computers.
5. New CODEC. Something like the GSM codec at 32kbps would be a huge improvement. I use this for hours at a time on Teamspeak, and it works flawlessly with much less lag than Echolink has.
6. Better/more flexible DTMF decoding. The options to adjust the DTMF decoder are very cryptic. I'd love to see a whole new DTMF decoder that actually lets you do live sampling of a radio to nail the DTMF tones more accurately.
7. Better VOX handling, including sending a tone on the output to trigger the VOX on certain interfaces, like the Signalink USB and radios with built-in VOX.

There are several improvements you could make to searching and presence information, as well - such as searching by geographic location.

So yeah - I'm with you. I'd love to see Echolink brought up the level of other modern VOIP software.

How much would you be willing to pay for all of these improvements ?

[K6ABZ]

How much would you be willing to pay for all of these improvements ?

Heck, I'd write the improvements myself if that meant that the developers were interested in seeing the software updated.

What's paying for it got go do with it? The program hasn't been update at all for years. I don't think the lack of updates are from lack of money, but rather from lack of desire. On the Echolink Yahoo Group, several people have volunteered to help, but there has been zero interest in letting anyone help move Echolink forward.

[KA9JLM]

Heck, I'd write the improvements myself if that meant that the developers were interested in seeing the software updated.

What's paying for it got go do with it? The program hasn't been update at all for years. I don't think the lack of updates are from lack of money, but rather from lack of desire. On the Echolink Yahoo Group, several people have volunteered to help, but there has been zero interest in letting anyone help move Echolink forward.

I understand.

I have thought of making it work for my Windows phone.

Not sure I would use it but that would be a good Windows phone app project.

Just making it work without a proxy server would be a big improvement.

[KD0LOS]

When was echolink last updated anyways? They need to keep on moving it forward of this IRLP system will slowly die out!

[K6ABZ]

I think the last update was around 2007 to introduce some Vista fixes dealing with audio and mixers. (Vista uses a completely different system for managing audio devices, so while a lot of the interfaces still work, some are completely hosed and simply crash your program when you try to use them.)

[KC7KLZ]

My curiosity is why they don't release the source code. They could place it on a SVN server, and other people can write update. It would be nice to see a native Linux version.

Just my $.02 cents worth of free advice.

'73

Eric
KC7KLZ

[KY6O]

I really appreciate all the developers have done to get Echolink to the point it currently is, but it needs updating and a GUI makeover, or I fear it is going to wind up like "Visicalc", something we all used and enjoyed immensely back "in the days", but failed to transition to "the next big thing". For example, I'm currently in the middle of transitioning to Windows 8 where I work, it's going to be mandated for everyone. Will EchoLink come along for the ride? I really hope so! But if you read the Echolink.Org homepage, it still looks like 2007 there, except for the note about Windows 7 and Vista. Please, guys, update your product and website, or let someone help do it for you? The open-source community is really strong and active, I'm betting EchoLink would be a good fit there.

[KA9JLM]

I really appreciate all the developers have done to get Echolink to the point it currently is, but it needs updating and a GUI makeover, or I fear it is going to wind up like "Visicalc", something we all used and enjoyed immensely back "in the days", but failed to transition to "the next big thing". For example, I'm currently in the middle of transitioning to Windows 8 where I work, it's going to be mandated for everyone. Will EchoLink come along for the ride? I really hope so! But if you read the Echolink.Org homepage, it still looks like 2007 there, except for the note about Windows 7 and Vista. Please, guys, update your product and website, or let someone help do it for you? The open-source community is really strong and active, I'm betting EchoLink would be a good fit there.

As long as you can run WOW64 x86 emulator then Win8 should work.

There are a few things that you may have to do to get it installed and working properly.

I see no reason it can not be made to work, Never tried it because I don't have the need.

Please report back with your success. Don't give up just because someone tells you it can't be done.