Mitras software leaves a lot to be desired

[biodegraded]

As you can see Matthias was true to his word. This was launched 48 hours after advising the improvements were coming.

Huh? Nobody here ever doubted there would be updates to Control Center. We're asking about specific updates to make the software considerably more usable. I'll ask my question again. It's as clear and bounded as I know how to frame it.

When will Light Composer be able to display the illumination profile that is *in a Mitras*, not from a computer file?

This feature was not deployed in the recent release. It's the most glaring limitation in the tool. It can't be mentioned on GHL's site without being locked. Could you give us some insight to the question here?

If you do have suggestions as GHL drive the product forward based on just that please always post these on the support forums customer wish list forum, they are all listened to and implemented where possible and feasible.

Unfortunately, Michael, GHL is the last place I'd venture improvement suggestions because they'd indicate the existing amateur software engineering mistakes due to muddled concepts and design. It wouldn't matter how politely (or obliquely) I broached a subject, I'd get banned as others who dared to venture improvements were. No, I won't be posting anything "over there"; it's strictly read only for me.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Have you actually tried the new software? Please report back the changes, I have not so will be interested in your findings.

I am also confused what you mean by

"When will Light Composer be able to display the illumination profile that is *in a Mitras*, not from a computer file?"

The mitras file is designed to be opened in the Mitras software, GHL have already highlighted they are changing the design so the last project opens as default if this is what you mean. Please follow the updates, a few things you mentioned have already been released.

I would also like to add both Reef-Builders and other very high profile blogs and independent testers have ranked the GHL software as one of the leading examples in todays market. But we often see people who write software themselves have their own takes on how things should be done, that does not always mean of course its the right way either.

I am not going into the rest of the topic as this is all personal feelings and not something that should be on a forum. Please understand that this thread will not become a personal attack on a product, we appreciate constructive polite feedback but I am worn thin by other sorts of posts I hope you understand. If you have any real personal issues or concerns then please email us.

I look forward to everyone's views on the latest release.

 

[biodegraded]

Ah. I have a better idea where you're coming from now. I don't have much time tonight so no details or nuances. You had two questions: 1) what are we talking about? and 2) why is that a better way to do things?

Q) What is meant by loading Mitras' data into Light Composer?
One way of explaining it is to ask where the operating parameter data resides that Mitras uses. Are they in that file on your computer that's not even currently hooked up to it?

Another way. As you work with Light Composer you at times send operating data over to Mitras. At some point you commit it to flash. You may not have saved your file or you may have made changes after you flashed and you saved that.

So when we ask for Light Composer to display what's inside Mitras, it's simply the reverse of the data packets that sent a profile over in the first place. And oddly, you can get most or maybe all of that data into Control Center, but it stops at the channel level. You can't pull it all the way into Light Composer. Unfortunately, all project GUI requires LC, so you're stuck. Think of ProfiLux Control - that GUI queries ProfiLux itself before displaying something. It's odd that Light Composer doesn't, too.

Q) Why is being able to upload project settings from Mitras a good idea?

Basically because humans are fallible. You seem pretty certain you know which file is loaded on your lights. Fair enough, but me? I've got a dozen profiles and I'd rather just ask the light itself what it's doing and tweak that. Humaguy has 5 lights, did they all get flashed with the same file? Consider these scenarios if you rely upon a file on your laptop to know Mitras' state.

Your hard drive crashes and you don't have a backup.
You left your laptop at work and the file's not on your home desktop.
You make a change to the settings using the keypad on Mitras.
You take Mitras to a friend's house and forget the file.
Hell, I'll even toss in something from work: a disgruntled employee runs a disk corruption script upon being fired.

Mitras is the source of what it's doing. Files are just hearsay until verified. Or put colloquially, from Mitras' point of view it can ask: who ya gonna believe, me or your lying file?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

You are thinking as a computer software engineer not as an end user, trust me we have seen this trap many times even with GHL themselves. There is zero need for this what is required and what GHL offer is a simple way to import and export files that everyone will understand, if a user then wants to back up his file onto a flash drive he can, but with the new software I believe it is saved integrally now anyway or will be.

5 lights - yes flashed with same file.

There are big elements in your replies (absolute no disrespect to you) that shows you have not really studied the software completely i.e what the file holds and where it is stored. Please really learn the software instead of fighting it

You have just fallen into the developers trap think as an end user who has no software skills as little complex as possible

 

[humaguy]

Well, I feel a bit better now but just a bit, lol..
being an end user with zero software skills all of these threads about getting the units going are beyond daunting...same with the pro 3 touch...I wasnt expecting a plug and go unit but wow, there is an awful lot to know and do and after reading everything in here- it is quite intimidating...

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Never be intimidated the support is here. Like any new product that has multiple programming abilities there will always be a steep lesrning curve but soon it becomes childs play.

This is my point in the post above, it is important to alienate the non software gurus among us and keep everything as simple as possible. Considering the huge amount of inputs the GHL has I think we are doing a great job there.

 

[Haxer]

@AQD,
I'm sorry but I disagree with you on the post above. Even thought I hold a degree in computer science, I still think just like bioD that the light composer should display the "current" light project loaded onto the Mitras at that time. This would make it eaiser for people who are not power users.

If anything it would be the other way around, power users would like the ability to import/export lighting projects, while "noob's" just want to be shown what is running at the moment and the eaisest way to change it possible. They are not going to want to load a project, have to flash it to see if it was the same one they were running, if they can remember/tell the diffrence between similar projects.

I dont think this can be made any more clear... You and GHL have had multiple people tell you that the Light Composer program sucks... pure and simple... it dosent matter if you are a hacker power user or a noob... their are so many things in this program that operate contrary or backwards to the way they should it is not even funny for a $1200.00 product.

I could of eaisly DIY a Mitras, a direct copy... but I bought the Mitras for the control software and other features related to the software and it has been the biggest dissapoitment so far about the light other than the wifi issue. (Don't get me started there...)


All in all dont take this personal AQD or GHL, just please listen to you users as you say you do and fix what we are asking to be fixed, or at least build in the choice in a firmware upgrade so users can chose a "advanced" or "basic" mode...:wave:


"There is zero need for this what is required and what GHL offer is a simple way to import and export files that everyone will understand" and "it is important to alienate the non software gurus among us and keep everything as simple as possible." THIS IS CONTRARY TO THE WAY THE SOFTWARE IS CURRENTLY PROGRAMED! IF anything you HAVE TO BE A SOFTWARE GURU TO EVEN USE THE PROGRAM!!!

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Why is nobody reading what I type GHL are or have going to change the software so it DOES display this, why is this being missed so many times in what I write

Please load the new software and see what pleasures await you! if its not there then I am sure it is coming.

Copy of the official announcement of the new software -

new:
- includes support for the new model Mitras LX 6200 HV
- easier opening of Light Composer Projects
- displays if the firmware is up-to-date
- wizard for model change after assembling different LED-clusters

http://forum.aquariumcomputer.com/showthread.php?6984-GHL-Control-Center-1-0-2-7&p=45745#post45745

As I said previously also -

Please understand that this thread will not become a personal attack on a product, we appreciate constructive polite feedback but I am worn thin by other sorts of posts I hope you understand. If you have any real personal issues or concerns then please email us.

Sorry this thread is just turning into a rant as they often do, we have repeated ourselves so many times. Even when we post your wishes are being met we still get negative posts ignoring what we have said or been announced.

In closing -
GHL have or are changing the software to user preferences, as always they put their clients first and listen! (refer back to announcement)

Yes the software like any software has a learning curve, but it seriously is not difficult, no its not plug and play it cant be, as the whole purpose of the system is to have full control over it, not be told or hand held what to do. The software has won many friends across the globe and continues to do so and GHL still listen and tweak areas to suit some critique which is great as it shows they listen.

Thirdly if it was that bad Reef-Builders would have pulled it apart and the owners club threads would be full of complaints which we know they are not, in fact the 100% opposite. So it cant be all bad.

Finally - If you get stuck when have I never not dug a client out and got them on their feet and happy, you only have to ask as always.

This thread is done now through concern it being ripped off the rails