Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why do I need ScopeDSP™
when I've already got a compiler, a spreadsheet, and one of those
"math" programs?
A. ScopeDSP was written with a compiler (C++), so if you've got one, you really
don't need it--if you want to write a lot of code. If you use a
spreadsheet you know they are really great for some problems, but really
awkward for others. If you've used the FFT feature of Uncle Bill's
favorite spreadsheet, you know just how awkward (and slow) it is, and graphs
designed for accountants, are a nightmare for the rest of us. Likewise,
those "math" programs are great for some problems but awkward for
others. When you begin to use ScopeDSP you definitely will not throw out
your spreadsheet and math program (and you also will not throw out your
compiler.) You will just use those tools a lot less for routine, repetitive
time and frequency signal analysis.
ScopeDSP is here to save you keystrokes! The ScopeDSP design philosophy
is to provide a small set of flexible features which can be combined in
powerful ways. We try not to clutter it with stuff that you don't even know why
you need. Compared to those highly expensive general-purpose "M"
programs, ScopeDSP is specialized and affordable. It is accessible to
first-time users, yet efficient for practiced users.
Q. Is ScopeDSP a "plotting program"?
A. Not as such. However, plotting is an integral
(and critical) feature of ScopeDSP. The graphing capabilities are specialized
to show the "complex data" of interest in DSP. ScopeDSP cannot, for
example, show five signals simultaneously on the same graph. Instead, ScopeDSP
offers multiple windows, each of which can show a single complex time or
frequency signal.
Q. Isn't ScopeDSP a little expensive for shareware?
A. (Or is it just cheap for DSP software!?) Yes, ScopeDSP is priced in
the upper end of shareware. But ScopeDSP has a small target audience, so we
have to charge a little more. Besides, your employer can afford it!
Q. My employer isn't used to buying shareware. It's gonna cause a lot
trouble...
A. For an extra dollar, our payment service, Kagi, can provide a paper receipt
to make the beancounters happy.
Q. Does it take long to learn? Is it worth the cost?
A. (Please -- only one question at at time!) ScopeDSP doesn't take long
to learn, and we hope you can begin to use it immediately. If ScopeDSP saves
even one hour of your time, net, it has probably paid for itself.
Q. What operating systems will it run on?
A. ScopeDSP runs on all 32-bit Windows (95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP). Our apologies to
those of you who are stuck with something better.
Q. OK, how do I get it.
A. Push down while turning...
Q. How did the Great State of Iowa, USA become such a hotbed of DSP?
A. Sometimes we just get bored looking at corn and beans and pigs and corn and
beans...
Q. Why is Iowegian International Corporation located in Kansas, not Iowa?
A. We moved.
Q. Did anybody really ask these questions?
A. No, not really. ;-)
© 1997-2005 Iowegian
International Corporation. All rights reserved.
"ScopeDSP" is a trademark of Iowegian International Corporation