On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 10:06:20 GMT, "Dennis Pogson"
wrote:
Dave wrote:
On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 21:12:07 GMT, "Dennis Pogson"
said:
Ozi's functionality and many more useful options swung it for me
Can you identify the ones you found significant?
I use a vast number of navigation icons, all self-designed and sized
appropriately, using the Ozi 17 by 17 pixel grid with transparent
backgrounds.
The separate calibration application in Seaclear is a pain, and there are
not enough projection, datum or calibration point options to cover a large
range of different maps/charts. Ozi is unique in this respect. I have found
no other program to compare with it.
The "vessel" icon in Seaclear makes my tiny yacht look more like the Oriana.
It's scale is not editable, and the shape is fixed, unlike Ozi's fantastic
choice of icons, all of which are scale-able.
I can display hundreds of photographs of lighthouses, anchorages, beauty
spots, etc., etc., in addition to navigation warnings not on the "paper"
charts, cruise narratives, recommended tracks, anchoring advice, etc. etc.,
which in Ozi are a very simple and quick function to utilise.
Ozi has an excellent anchor-watch facility incorporated.
Ozi can display an unbelievable number of different file formats, and can
import BSB, Maptech PCX, and a host of proprietary formats at lightning
speed.
Ozi's moving-map data panel is second to none, and many of it's menu
functions are duplicated in the various data panels, enabling swift
amendments to course, track, and plotting functions.
The helpfile in Ozi is extremely comprehensive and relatively user-friendly,
unlike many other nav. programs.
Most of my sailing friends have tried other nav. programs, and after
extensive learning/usage experiences, have always come back to Oziexplorer,
despite using vector chart applications such as Mapsource and Tsunami etc.,
this is sufficient proof to me that Ozi contains virtually anything that the
other programs can offer, although it does not, for the moment, incorporate
a "track-up" display facility, which I can live without, thankyou.
I accept that all of us are more appreciative of software that we have used
almost exclusively for a long time, and tend to reject "interlopers" because
we simply have not the time or patience to learn the new software. The
latest versions of Seaclear may well have many of the attributes mentioned
above, and I stand corrected if that is the case, but I truly believe that
if you take the time and trouble to master Ozi, (it is not a two-hour
experience!), your patience will be rewarded.
The above summary is nowhere near comprehensive, just a few quick thoughts
designed to stir up a little controversy. If you can't be bothered to work
with a program like Oziexplorer for a long time, and learn it's many
facilities, or if you are in a hurry to put your newly-acquired digital
charts to use, then choose something less demanding. Seaclear is an
excellent program, and does have some new facilities, such as AIS, but don't
expect too much of it.
Hope this is enough to get you started.
Dennis.
I have nothing against SeaClear, but I'm a fan of Ozi as well. One
thing you didn't mention is the OziAPI which allows other programs to
communicate with Ozi to do various things. For instance, I have
written a program that uses NMEA data. I can use OziAPI to pass the
data straight to Ozi when I'm done with it, or I can extract position
data from Ozi directly. There are a few free and shareware programs
out there that do some nice things with Ozi. Another example: you
can write comments onto the moving map display through through the
API. I've used this to implement a survey function that writes depth
data on the chart in real time. You can feel your way into an
uncharted cove and come out with an updated chart. Ozi is smart enogh
to apply the comments to any other chart that covers the same area, if
you like. There is also a very active user community on Yahoo that is
very helpful and knowledgeable. The author has been very responsive
to user requests for new functions and bug fixes. In my opinion,
OziExplorer is a terrific example of the right way to do shareware.
Glen
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