Re: [time-nuts] Spectrum Software Micro-Cap downloads
Rick Karlquist wrote, about LTspice:
My take on this is completely different. The only "active development"
> consists of adding devices.
Very much not true. Bugs have been continually fixed, and improvements
added, though many were not on a grand scale.
The tool has only been updated in 2004
> ("version IV" ) and 2017 (version XVII) or something like that.
Totally false.
Major changes happened in 2008 and in 2016. Minor changes happened
sometimes daily or weekly, as needed. I guess you weren't looking. :-)
The
> clever Roman numeral designation makes it look like there have been
> 17 updates.
IMO, I wouldn't call it clever, I might call it stupid, using XVII to mean
2017 (released in late 2016, like the auto industry). It was not done to
create any sort of false sense that there were 12 un-released major
versions. I wish they had called it version V, but we can't change that
now.
The last update finally added group delay.
Wrong. Group delay had been there for ages and ages, if not forever. I
first used LTspice in 2000s and group delay was there already.
The change from IV to XVII added 64-bit engine, multi-monitor support,
changed some parts of the GUI, and added support for Unicode. The latter
was a mistake in my opinion (as an English-speaking engineer), but I think
it was a big benefit to users in non-English-speaking countries.
It didn't
> fix any of the other well known problems having to do with data
> plotting, AFAIK.
>
Wrong again.
Not everyone has to like it. But many improvements have been continually
added.
Micro-cap has many devoted users too, and features LTspice doesn't have.
And now it's free. (And has been updated at least twice since it became
free.)
Lloyd Blythen wrote:
... it's under active development, AD supports it very
> well, ...
That is somewhat debatable right now. But it's hopefully improving.
Regards,
Andy
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Re: [time-nuts] Spectrum Software Micro-Cap downloads
On 9/11/2020 10:04 PM, Lloyd Blythen wrote:
Thanks Bob.
About a month ago I looked at which free simulators were available. In case
it saves anyone doing the same ...
Micro-Cap was recommended consistently as having the best schematic-capture
and GUI. Trouble is, although it's now free, that's only the binary:
there's no ongoing development or support.
For that reason most people have gone with LT-Spice from Analog Devices
(originally Linear Technology before the acquisition). Schematic symbols
look awful unless that matters enough to make you design your own, the help
resembles something from a Windows95 archaeological dig and understandably
the most comprehensive libraries are for AD's own devices. But there's a
huge on-line community, it's under active development, AD supports it very
well, more and more devices from other sources are coming available, and
providing it at no charge and without limitations is a very generous offer
for something so useful.
My take on this is completely different. The only "active development"
consists of adding devices. The tool has only been updated in 2004
("version IV" ) and 2017 (version XVII) or something like that. The
clever Roman numeral designation makes it look like there have been
17 updates. The last update finally added group delay. It didn't
fix any of the other well known problems having to do with data
plotting, AFAIK.
OTOH, I used Microcap for years during the stone age and it was
a great program even then. VASTLY superior to LTSpice. I'm not worried
about "support". I am still able to use Visio 2000 and other older
versions which are superior to the present offering. Microsoft provides
what I call "anti-support". But the old Visio versions run perfectly
well on Windows 10 without any tricks. I suspect that Micro-Cap will be
just fine on its own going forward.
Rick N6RK
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Re: [time-nuts] Spectrum Software Micro-Cap downloads
Hi Probably not a TIme Nut topic even if the conversation is restarted …. Bob > On Sep 12, 2020, at 9:33 AM, Adrian Godwin wrote: > > I think this discussion happened several months ago when MicroCap was > released. > Probably not worth restarting the argument (yet ?) > > On Sat, Sep 12, 2020 at 2:17 PM Bob kb8tq wrote: > >> Hi >> >> One *might* consider reaching out to those winding down Spectrum and see >> if they might be willing to “donate” the source code to IEEE ( or some >> similar >> institution ). That’s what was done with Stable-32. >> >> Bob >> >>> On Sep 12, 2020, at 1:04 AM, Lloyd Blythen wrote: >>> >>> Thanks Bob. >>> >>> About a month ago I looked at which free simulators were available. In >> case >>> it saves anyone doing the same ... >>> >>> Micro-Cap was recommended consistently as having the best >> schematic-capture >>> and GUI. Trouble is, although it's now free, that's only the binary: >>> there's no ongoing development or support. >>> >>> For that reason most people have gone with LT-Spice from Analog Devices >>> (originally Linear Technology before the acquisition). Schematic symbols >>> look awful unless that matters enough to make you design your own, the >> help >>> resembles something from a Windows95 archaeological dig and >> understandably >>> the most comprehensive libraries are for AD's own devices. But there's a >>> huge on-line community, it's under active development, AD supports it >> very >>> well, more and more devices from other sources are coming available, and >>> providing it at no charge and without limitations is a very generous >> offer >>> for something so useful. >>> >>> HTH, >>> >>> Lloyd >>> >>> On Sat, 12 Sep 2020 at 14:17, Bob Darby wrote: >>> This not a plug for a product; Spectrum is out of business as of >> 7/4/2019 and allows free downloads of their various product releases that may be of interest to some on the list. From their brochure: Micro-Cap 12 is an integrated schematic editor and mixed analog / digital simulator that provides an interactive sketch and simulate environment for electronics engineers. It has seen twelve generations of refinement since its release in 1982. It >> blends a modern, intuitive interface with robust numerical algorithms to produce unparalleled >> levels of simulation power and ease of use. It can be had at: http://www.spectrum-soft.com/download/download.shtm Bob Darby ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there. >>> ___ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com >>> To unsubscribe, go to >> http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >>> and follow the instructions there. >> >> >> ___ >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to >> http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >> and follow the instructions there. >> > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Spectrum Software Micro-Cap downloads
I think this discussion happened several months ago when MicroCap was released. Probably not worth restarting the argument (yet ?) On Sat, Sep 12, 2020 at 2:17 PM Bob kb8tq wrote: > Hi > > One *might* consider reaching out to those winding down Spectrum and see > if they might be willing to “donate” the source code to IEEE ( or some > similar > institution ). That’s what was done with Stable-32. > > Bob > > > On Sep 12, 2020, at 1:04 AM, Lloyd Blythen wrote: > > > > Thanks Bob. > > > > About a month ago I looked at which free simulators were available. In > case > > it saves anyone doing the same ... > > > > Micro-Cap was recommended consistently as having the best > schematic-capture > > and GUI. Trouble is, although it's now free, that's only the binary: > > there's no ongoing development or support. > > > > For that reason most people have gone with LT-Spice from Analog Devices > > (originally Linear Technology before the acquisition). Schematic symbols > > look awful unless that matters enough to make you design your own, the > help > > resembles something from a Windows95 archaeological dig and > understandably > > the most comprehensive libraries are for AD's own devices. But there's a > > huge on-line community, it's under active development, AD supports it > very > > well, more and more devices from other sources are coming available, and > > providing it at no charge and without limitations is a very generous > offer > > for something so useful. > > > > HTH, > > > > Lloyd > > > > On Sat, 12 Sep 2020 at 14:17, Bob Darby wrote: > > > >> This not a plug for a product; Spectrum is out of business as of > 7/4/2019 > >> and allows free downloads of their > >> various product releases that may be of interest to some on the list. > >> > >> From their brochure: Micro-Cap 12 is an integrated schematic editor and > >> mixed analog / digital simulator that > >> provides an interactive sketch and simulate environment for electronics > >> engineers. It has > >> seen twelve generations of refinement since its release in 1982. It > blends > >> a modern, intuitive > >> interface with robust numerical algorithms to produce unparalleled > levels > >> of simulation > >> power and ease of use. > >> > >> It can be had at: http://www.spectrum-soft.com/download/download.shtm > >> > >> Bob Darby > >> ___ > >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > >> To unsubscribe, go to > >> http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > >> and follow the instructions there. > >> > > ___ > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > > and follow the instructions there. > > > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Spectrum Software Micro-Cap downloads
Hi One *might* consider reaching out to those winding down Spectrum and see if they might be willing to “donate” the source code to IEEE ( or some similar institution ). That’s what was done with Stable-32. Bob > On Sep 12, 2020, at 1:04 AM, Lloyd Blythen wrote: > > Thanks Bob. > > About a month ago I looked at which free simulators were available. In case > it saves anyone doing the same ... > > Micro-Cap was recommended consistently as having the best schematic-capture > and GUI. Trouble is, although it's now free, that's only the binary: > there's no ongoing development or support. > > For that reason most people have gone with LT-Spice from Analog Devices > (originally Linear Technology before the acquisition). Schematic symbols > look awful unless that matters enough to make you design your own, the help > resembles something from a Windows95 archaeological dig and understandably > the most comprehensive libraries are for AD's own devices. But there's a > huge on-line community, it's under active development, AD supports it very > well, more and more devices from other sources are coming available, and > providing it at no charge and without limitations is a very generous offer > for something so useful. > > HTH, > > Lloyd > > On Sat, 12 Sep 2020 at 14:17, Bob Darby wrote: > >> This not a plug for a product; Spectrum is out of business as of 7/4/2019 >> and allows free downloads of their >> various product releases that may be of interest to some on the list. >> >> From their brochure: Micro-Cap 12 is an integrated schematic editor and >> mixed analog / digital simulator that >> provides an interactive sketch and simulate environment for electronics >> engineers. It has >> seen twelve generations of refinement since its release in 1982. It blends >> a modern, intuitive >> interface with robust numerical algorithms to produce unparalleled levels >> of simulation >> power and ease of use. >> >> It can be had at: http://www.spectrum-soft.com/download/download.shtm >> >> Bob Darby >> ___ >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to >> http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >> and follow the instructions there. >> > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Spectrum Software Micro-Cap downloads
Thanks for the link. I remember using MicroCap when it was a DOS program that came on 5 1/4" floppies. I probably still have them somewhere. It had its quirks but I remember also it had always been fast. I just downloaded mc12 and played with it a bit. I think I might use it over LTSpice, at least for some things. The schematics look a lot better when you need to do a formal report. I need to see if it fixes any of the long list of gripes I have with LTSpice. Sorry to see the company going away with no takers. It was obviously a labor of love. Didier KO4BB On Fri, Sep 11, 2020 at 9:17 PM Bob Darby wrote: > This not a plug for a product; Spectrum is out of business as of 7/4/2019 > and allows free downloads of their > various product releases that may be of interest to some on the list. > > From their brochure: Micro-Cap 12 is an integrated schematic editor and > mixed analog / digital simulator that > provides an interactive sketch and simulate environment for electronics > engineers. It has > seen twelve generations of refinement since its release in 1982. It blends > a modern, intuitive > interface with robust numerical algorithms to produce unparalleled levels > of simulation > power and ease of use. > > It can be had at: http://www.spectrum-soft.com/download/download.shtm > > Bob Darby > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Spectrum Software Micro-Cap downloads
Thanks Bob. About a month ago I looked at which free simulators were available. In case it saves anyone doing the same ... Micro-Cap was recommended consistently as having the best schematic-capture and GUI. Trouble is, although it's now free, that's only the binary: there's no ongoing development or support. For that reason most people have gone with LT-Spice from Analog Devices (originally Linear Technology before the acquisition). Schematic symbols look awful unless that matters enough to make you design your own, the help resembles something from a Windows95 archaeological dig and understandably the most comprehensive libraries are for AD's own devices. But there's a huge on-line community, it's under active development, AD supports it very well, more and more devices from other sources are coming available, and providing it at no charge and without limitations is a very generous offer for something so useful. HTH, Lloyd On Sat, 12 Sep 2020 at 14:17, Bob Darby wrote: > This not a plug for a product; Spectrum is out of business as of 7/4/2019 > and allows free downloads of their > various product releases that may be of interest to some on the list. > > From their brochure: Micro-Cap 12 is an integrated schematic editor and > mixed analog / digital simulator that > provides an interactive sketch and simulate environment for electronics > engineers. It has > seen twelve generations of refinement since its release in 1982. It blends > a modern, intuitive > interface with robust numerical algorithms to produce unparalleled levels > of simulation > power and ease of use. > > It can be had at: http://www.spectrum-soft.com/download/download.shtm > > Bob Darby > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
