The ongoing future of Jim's Protrak software | General Discussions | Forum

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The ongoing future of Jim's Protrak software
July 20, 2018
7:37 pm
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Mark Stafflrd
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Hi fellow Protrak devotees.  It would seem that most if not all active interest in Protrak diminished massively with Jim’s passing.  Not an unusual path I expect.  But on the other hand I love the legacy that Jim left to his fellow modellers.  

A life’s worth of untirering effort to bring a new level of prototype operations for modellers.

However I fear that his effort is going to fade into obscurity unless we, his users do something to protect and nurture his code.

To sell Protrak to another individual would seem to be highly unlikely.  More of a realistic approach maybe for Jim’s estate to “donate” the source to a not for profit open source model railway focussed development group such as JRMI and have them consider incoperation of Protrak functionality in to their offerings.

The way I look at it if something like this path occurs the Protrak is already finished and will fade into obscurity.  It would sadden me greatly if that is what occurs.

What do you, the Protrak community collectively think?

Mark

July 21, 2018
6:42 pm
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Fred
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Mark and everyone else out there

I intend to use Protrak as is, right now version 343 which seems to be working for me. It would be great if someone could pick up on the work Jim has done and would continue the development of the program. I don't know anything about computer programing, so don't know how difficult that would be.

Fred Kaser

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Mark Stafflrd
July 22, 2018
7:30 am
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James Switzer
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Hello everyone,

ProTrak is an enormously complicated program. In order to keep development moving forward, one would need another James Moir. To date, such a person has not been found. Releasing the code to others would be disrespectful to Mr. Moir.

Sadly then, there will be no further development of ProTrak.

Arrangements have been made for users to enjoy the benefits of a the current forum but hosted and managed outside of Canada.  Mrs. Moir is retaining the copywrite of the program but that is her only involvement with ProTrak.

I hope this clarifies the current and future status of ProTrak.

Regards

James Switzer

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Mark Stafflrd
July 22, 2018
5:10 pm
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Mark Stafflrd
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James,

I thank you for you post and clarification of the Mior family position.  I will personally continue to use Protrak unless it becomes unusable.

If I had thought that releasing Mr Moir’s code was in any way disrespectful I would never have put forward my proposal.  If offence has been taken by try suggestion I apologise unresevadly.  My motivation was to try to immortalise Jim’s efforts not the reverse.

Mark Stafford

July 22, 2018
6:44 pm
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James Switzer
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Mark ….

ABSOLUTELY no offence was taken, understood, or anything else.  Total non-issue and a sensible question.  I am going to post a note explaining why development of ProTrak is not a valid proposition.

Again, no-offense at all.

Jim

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Mark Stafflrd, Fred
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