http://geocities.com/fdkaimember/data-log_100m.html

I saw this up on the Forum some time ago, looks like they may have added some new screen shots and info.

 

Well, it looks like they found all of the hidden features of the PowerFC ... settings 2-4? In my opinion this is what is taking so long. You have all of this binary data and you don't know what it relates to so you have to spend time figuring it out. That is LOTS of work!

I still think having access to that base map is what will really make this thing fly. That will keep you, the user, from having to send your PowerFC off to XS to get tuned.

 

This truly is impressive, assuming it actually comes to fruition. I'll actually be able to see what I paid XS to do. It had better ship with a manual, otherwise Chuck will be overloaded dishing out the daily berratements.

 

They'd be moving along SO much faster if they would have open sourced this thing from the beginning (like I suggested in an email they promptly ignored).

I don't understand how any hacking initiative could be so closed these days. Jeez.

And of course, the second these come out, we'll have to hack them so we can create better software (I'm not keen on a Windows interface in the app. I'm deep in DirectX8 on multiple platforms every day, I think I can come up with something a little more graphically pleasing.).

 

But if they open-sourced it they wouldn't be able to sell it and make money. Can't blame a group of guys for trying to make some extra cash. Everybody's gotta pay rent, eat, and buy more toys for their FD, right? :)

 

Yeah, but the spirit of the whole thing is being compromised because of it.

There is a need for this because Apex is being closed and evil by not selling the software to end users and not providing enough tuners with the software. It would be alright if we could access ALL of the functionality with the commander, but hiding some of the features and making it impossible for us to use them is wrong. I bought the computer, I should be able to use all of its features. I also bought the computer thinking it was completely user tuneable, since it was billed as such by unofficial advertising. It's definately not, since I can't access the base maps.

The solution is to hack it. Much like any other hacked product. There is a need for the hack, so the hack is executed and shared with the world to make things right and proper.

Open Sourcing it doesn't prevent them from making a profit.

I, personally, am not interested in building a box and a cable. I'd pay $100 not to have to do so, in fact. Along with that, sell me the protocol the box/PFC uses. Just tell me how they talk to each other, what the packets look like. A datasheet. I'd pay another $50 for that.

Presto. $150 for them, and they don't have to offer any support to me at all, since I'm not using their software, I'm using mine.

Or include the source for the app with the box. Just like I don't feel like building a cable, a lot of people aren't going to be interested in compiling their own apps. Sell them a complete package.

There are lots of configurations for this and most of them make money for the guys that came up with the device still. I'm not advocating that they just put up the plans and the protocol and say "have at".

All they're doing by staying closed is prolonging the inevitable, just like Apex.

 

Like father, like son...