Software Com port sharing app - Here it is

mentat · 05-20-2002

I'd like to propose a "bounty" on a free (as in speech and beer) serial port splitter in software. It seems that most of the software that could be used for this purpose is not free (in either sense) and in fact is quite expensive.

What I'm proposing is for someone to set the amount of money they would like for writing a serial driver and / or application which could take the information from one serial port and duplicate it to two or more virtual serial ports. The purpose of this application and / or driver would be to provide GPS information to both a mapping program (i.e. MapPoint 2002) and NetStumbler.

The developed software would be released under a GNU style license. Everyone who would like to see this software actually written would contribute some relatively small amount until the amount desired by the author was reached. If other people would like to compete for the software bounty they could suggest a lower amount (or perhaps more features). I know I'd be willing to throw in $20 - $50 to see a free solution available. Is anyone else interested in this or willing to write this software?

blackwave · 05-20-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by mentat
I'd like to propose a "bounty" on a free (as in speech and beer) serial port splitter in software. It seems that most of the software that could be used for this purpose is not free (in either sense) and in fact is quite expensive.

What I'm proposing is for someone to set the amount of money they would like for writing a serial driver and / or application which could take the information from one serial port and duplicate it to two or more virtual serial ports. The purpose of this application and / or driver would be to provide GPS information to both a mapping program (i.e. MapPoint 2002) and NetStumbler.

The developed software would be released under a GNU style license. Everyone who would like to see this software actually written would contribute some relatively small amount until the amount desired by the author was reached. If other people would like to compete for the software bounty they could suggest a lower amount (or perhaps more features). I know I'd be willing to throw in $20 - $50 to see a free solution available. Is anyone else interested in this or willing to write this software?

Very cool proposal mentat !
I also would venture into this proposal and throw in $20 - $50 for someone to create a free (Windows) solution for everyone to use when complete. I am suprised more specialized software isn't made this way. Kudos!

fungus · 05-20-2002

There is no need for this.

Just make your own cable and split the RX and GND to multiple cables.

I have a single Garmin Etrex Vista feeding 3 devices. Kismet on IBM Laptop, Netstumbler on Samsung Laptop and the GPS ARPS port on my Kenwood TH-D7A ham radio.

blackwave · 05-20-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by fungus
There is no need for this.

Just make your own cable and split the RX and GND to multiple cables.

I have a single Garmin Etrex Vista feeding 3 devices. Kismet on IBM Laptop, Netstumbler on Samsung Laptop and the GPS ARPS port on my Kenwood TH-D7A ham radio.

I think we understand the hardware solution. But it would be really nice to have a reliable software solution. Less hardware overhead, less wires, less mess. To make this for the world would be worth it in my book.

fungus · 05-20-2002

ok, I see. Yes that would be nice.

georgefe · 05-20-2002

Also, I think he was talking about on the same machine. Cause I only have one serial port and multiple adapters would not help. Cool idea by the way.

fungus · 05-20-2002

At this time, I think the only way to do this is the cable splitter and USB serial adapters.

btrimble · 05-20-2002

Plus some of us have only one serial port on there laptop with no USB.

fungus · 05-20-2002

Well, how about a PCMCIA USB card?

It's probably less expensive to buy another GPS.

Oh well.

chrislebeck · 05-20-2002

i would drop $20 for it

BTW...who is it that makes the commercial version. i can't remember off the top of my head

blackwave · 05-20-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by chrislebeck
i would drop $20 for it

BTW...who is it that makes the commercial version. i can't remember off the top of my head

http://www.mks.zp.ua/products.html

Quote:

NEW! VSPD XPedition 1.5
Virtual Serial Ports Driver (for Windows NT4/2000/XP)

Single license per PC $149.95

mentat · 05-20-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by blackwave

http://www.mks.zp.ua/products.html

Single license per PC $149.95

Except in this case it only talks to other virtual ports, not the real serial port. I contacted the author and he was willing to write a custom application that would read from the real serial port and write to two virtual ports, but again he wanted $150 for it and it would be a single license. I want the result of this to be free for everybody.

mentat · 05-20-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by blackwave

Very cool proposal mentat !
I also would venture into this proposal and throw in $20 - $50 for someone to create a free (Windows) solution for everyone to use when complete. I am suprised more specialized software isn't made this way. Kudos!

Actually the idea isn't original. There used to a .com that ran a full site for stuff like this about 4 years ago. I did a google and I could find any references to it, so I guess it's gone. Someone should resurrect the idea now when open source is becoming more mainstream.

blackwave · 05-20-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by mentat
I want the result of this to be free for everybody

I agree!

Dr3D1zzl3 · 05-20-2002

i would throw some money at it even though i dont need it. maybe everyone who throws money at it could get a realy cheesy credit in some sort of disco scrolling text! mmkay nevermind

05-20-2002	#1 (permalink)
mentat Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: CT Posts: 476	Software Serial Port Splitter I'd like to propose a "bounty" on a free (as in speech and beer) serial port splitter in software. It seems that most of the software that could be used for this purpose is not free (in either sense) and in fact is quite expensive. What I'm proposing is for someone to set the amount of money they would like for writing a serial driver and / or application which could take the information from one serial port and duplicate it to two or more virtual serial ports. The purpose of this application and / or driver would be to provide GPS information to both a mapping program (i.e. MapPoint 2002) and NetStumbler. The developed software would be released under a GNU style license. Everyone who would like to see this software actually written would contribute some relatively small amount until the amount desired by the author was reached. If other people would like to compete for the software bounty they could suggest a lower amount (or perhaps more features). I know I'd be willing to throw in $20 - $50 to see a free solution available. Is anyone else interested in this or willing to write this software?

05-20-2002	#3 (permalink)
fungus Banned by the masses Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: So. Calif. Posts: 177	There is no need for this. Just make your own cable and split the RX and GND to multiple cables. I have a single Garmin Etrex Vista feeding 3 devices. Kismet on IBM Laptop, Netstumbler on Samsung Laptop and the GPS ARPS port on my Kenwood TH-D7A ham radio. __________________ Work: http://www.wlanparts.com BLOG: http://www.unwiredadventures.com Fun: http://www.socalwug.org

05-20-2002	#5 (permalink)
fungus Banned by the masses Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: So. Calif. Posts: 177	ok, I see. Yes that would be nice. __________________ Work: http://www.wlanparts.com BLOG: http://www.unwiredadventures.com Fun: http://www.socalwug.org

05-20-2002	#7 (permalink)
fungus Banned by the masses Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: So. Calif. Posts: 177	At this time, I think the only way to do this is the cable splitter and USB serial adapters. __________________ Work: http://www.wlanparts.com BLOG: http://www.unwiredadventures.com Fun: http://www.socalwug.org

05-20-2002	#9 (permalink)
fungus Banned by the masses Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: So. Calif. Posts: 177	Well, how about a PCMCIA USB card? It's probably less expensive to buy another GPS. Oh well. __________________ Work: http://www.wlanparts.com BLOG: http://www.unwiredadventures.com Fun: http://www.socalwug.org

05-20-2002	#6 (permalink)
georgefe Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 8	Also, I think he was talking about on the same machine. Cause I only have one serial port and multiple adapters would not help. Cool idea by the way.

05-20-2002	#8 (permalink)
btrimble Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 42	Plus some of us have only one serial port on there laptop with no USB.

05-20-2002	#10 (permalink)
chrislebeck Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: east, texas Posts: 21	serial splitter software i would drop $20 for it BTW...who is it that makes the commercial version. i can't remember off the top of my head

05-20-2002	#15 (permalink)
Dr3D1zzl3 Mental Penis Fencer Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 371	i would throw some money at it even though i dont need it. maybe everyone who throws money at it could get a realy cheesy credit in some sort of disco scrolling text! mmkay nevermind

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode