Any PHAST users out there that know of any forums dedicated to users of PHAST?

Seems to me that the PHAST users posess a greater knowledge base than the tech support; I stump them every time.

Rumor has it that PHAST will be phased out here at some point...none to soon. User support might be the a good way to go... and a good place to vent.

PHAST prisoners unite.

Jeff,

Don't know of any current forums, but I for one would like to see it started back up.

I assume you are talking about the Landmark product...yes it is being phased out...sort of! They will be steering over everyone to the Netlinx product. It has a buss that is over 100 times faster and is less suceptable to damage from power surges and lightening strikes. However, it is more complicated to program so they are looking to port a Landmark base GUI over in the next year. Then, the good Landmark products like the PWDs (if their success continues), DMS keypads, etc. will also switch over. They are also slated to release many new and improved products at CEDIA.

As a side note, I for one am quite pleased with the progress and direction that AMX has taken is recent months. Scott Miller, the AMX originator is back. He has lit a fire under all. Panja had been spiraling down so fast the previous management just didn't know what to do. I have seen vast improvements with 4.0 Build 57 and the PWDs have solved MANY problems (we have yet had one fail in the field with over 400 installed and MANY, MANY storms since July).

I still firmly believe that the Landmark system is the most flexible and powerfull automation system around. It has suffered from software bugs, hardware design flaws and poor support. However, the software is now pretty stable, especially on Windows 2000 and many of the hardware products have been improved. Support has also improved, but it IS highly dependant on who you talk with. I would be interested in what problems you are having and would be glad to share them with you. Until there is an official forum, it might be better to email me, but, if you prefer, I will keep checking here!

randy

Randy,

I'm not really having any problems right now, none that I can't solve with the proper amount of cursing, anyway.

I will be glad when it's gone. Small, simple systems that require minimal status feedback are fine. Basic zone switching and control, great. Small, simple systems have just not been what I do.

It's a dead end platform.

As I have been programming and installing Axcess systems (and now Netlinx) for about 8 years and am fluent in that enviroment, Landmark offends me.

I will have to disagree with you about ease of programming! Axcess is so much more user friendly, and faster. None of the constant negotiating through clumsy windows. You can actually see what you're doing. If I'm doing a complex program in Landmark I can just get lost if someone asks me a question while I'm going from one end of the program to the other. I don't know how I get roped into these things, I said a couple of years ago that I wouldn't program them anymore...

Yes, the DMS is workin great in the Netlinx world...with a setup program that should have been in Landmark.

"I still firmly believe that the Landmark system is the most flexible and powerfull automation system around." I disagree. It seemed like a good idea.

That said, the systems that I have out there are all working fine mostly. It's just like pulling teeth to get there, and less satisfying.

Blah blah blah...

Jeff

Jeff,

I agree that the Landmark based bus and MCU will go bye bye in another year or two, but it is the base for the future of AMX. The days of line coding are also limited. In truth the future is a combination of the best of both worlds. And yes, it is called Netlinx.

Sorry Landmark offends you, but, you better get used to it as Axcess progamming is slated to go the way of a Landmark based GUI with line coding available on a best effort basis. To me it's biggest remaining issues are with basic Windows preference, cut, paste and copy functions which are slated to be greatly improved very soon.

I think it is great that you are a wizzard at Axcess and am not attempting to underscore your capabilities, but you seem to have some misconceptions of Landmark and/or it's succeses.

We have many jobs that utilize multiple touchscreens using all feedback channels and control up to 30+ zones of audio, hundreds of lighting circuits, the spa and pool, security system, CCTV, driveway sensors, theaters, sprinkler systems, HVAC, etc. Are these "small and simple jobs"???

FYI, we do mostly large jobs also with our "typical" in the $200K range. Some are as small as $50K, but some are $1M. Therefore, I respectfully disagree that Landmark is only for small jobs and I personally like the GUI and have very few programming issues. But, that is why there are choices.

As far as ease of use, this goes back to the old argument against Windows...many like using keystrokes instead of the mouse. Many times it IS faster to use the keys, but for people who don't know the program inside and out, using a mouse with drag and drop features usually equals less mistakes. I can program either way but have accepted doing things with a GUI and mouse since this is where the future is, especially in customer support.

We have trained many remote customers to support their own system, modifying CD databases, scenes, macros, events, etc. at will. Try that on an Axcess system!

randy

Randy,

Please remove that chip from your shoulder.

Yes there are choices and preferences and I was merely stating mine. Don't give me that 'Better get used to it' crap. Everbody from AMX that I have spoken to has said that the text based interface will still be around... NetLinx Studio is a fine piece of software ... and I can use my beloved mouse the way God meant them to be used.

I was saying that PHAST works fine for small system ,yes. And yes it works fine for HUGE systems too, but for those huge (500k +) systems that I have out there I (I, me...not you) would have MUCH better off with AMX. I would have been in and out quicker and felt better about the whole process. The systems choice, at that time, was not in my control.

I've been with comp languages for so long I guess I just prefer the logical, linear approach of text based programming or maybe I just don't have the attention span to negotiate through the windows just to check something and then get back to where I was and continue. The key word here is 'Prefer'...I will never debate you freedom of choice...in fact, I take back what I said about PHAST. I hope it stays around forever since it seems to bring so much joy and satisfaction to some people's lives...and what would you do with that temple to PHAST you've built?

"As far as ease of use, this goes back to the old argument against Windows...many like using keystrokes instead of the mouse. Many times it IS faster to use the keys, but for people who don't know the program inside and out, using a mouse with drag and drop features usually equals less mistakes. I can program either way but have accepted doing things with a GUI and mouse since this is where the future is, especially in customer support. " Exactly. Now let's drop it.

"I think it is great that you are a wizzard at Axcess and am not attempting to underscore your capabilities, but you seem to have some misconceptions of Landmark and/or it's succeses." I'm not too bad. I have no misconceptions...I'm just too stubborn to give in to Landmark's shortcomings.

Don't get me wrong (yet again)...I'm no zealot when it comes to text based vs GUI. I do understand that Landmark or at least the idea of Landmark is to be the basis of the new interface, that's great. It really was a good idea. The ergonomics and functionality will be and must be GREATLY improved. I am told by the folks in the know that I will not be disappointed, and I think I believe them. Fortunately they will be taking the time to develope NetLinx Visual ...release date = last quarter 2002...but don't hold your breath. OK.

If it really is great and is as modular and friendly I will be the first one to sing its praises...but by that time, NetLinx itself will be even friendlier and more modular.

That's great that you've trained you clients to modify. I personally would never do that, or only in very special circumstances.(Remember, the key word is 'personally') I am able to remotely update a system myself through the miracle of broadband network connections. With NetLinx this will now be a no-brainer.

Jerry Wagner, my AMX field sales manager just left my office; we are in agreement on all points. You, it seems, are the exception among systems integrators. Congratulations.
It now seems that the phase out of Landmark is up in the air.

So back to the original question...if the answer is 'no', let's end this futile thread and call it a tie.

Jeff