Remote Master vs KM

just4fn · Post by **just4fn** » Mon May 29, 2006 11:30 am

I have been using KM for a while now and have programmed my 2117 extender 3. I am using lkp, dsm, and keymoves on other keys. I purchased a slingbox and have now used remote master to program my slingbox to be used with my ipod. I can now control my IPOD and DLO homedock from anywhere.

I just entered this post thinking RM replaced IR. I just figured out it replaced KM.

What is liked better- RM or KM?

Sometimes you think you know whats going on then you realize you don't.

Thanks, Doug

johnsfine · Post by **johnsfine** » Mon May 29, 2006 12:21 pm

KM was first so more people are used to KM.

KM can do a few things RM can't (a gradually shrinking list). RM can do a few things KM can't (a gradually growing list).

For several of the things that both do, RM has a slightly more understandable UI, but only for those who don't already know the KM way.

In my opinion RM is better. I think at some point it will be a solid enough advantage that Rob will drop KM. But we're not there yet.

Also some people may have issues with installing Sun Java on some computers. I use a couple computers where Microsoft Java must be the default Java for both the .jar extension and Internet Explorer. I still manage to use Sun Java for RM and (unrelated to using it for RM) for Mozilla Firefox. The install instructions for both Sun Java and RM should both do a better job of telling you how to use it with Sun Java not default for .jar, but it doesn't turn out to be very hard.

Post by **The Robman** » Mon May 29, 2006 2:17 pm

johnsfine wrote:In my opinion RM is better. I think at some point it will be a solid enough advantage that Rob will drop KM. But we're not there yet.

Actually, I dropped KM back at version 5.19, Mark Pierson has been at the helm ever since. I still know more about protocols than Mark, so I tend to do the protocol related quick fixes but Mark does most of the other work.

We've already scaled back how much we do to KM. For example, we don't automatically add new remotes to it when they surface. But one major reason why KM will probably always stick around is portability. Despite the fact that Java is supposedly the most portable language around and can run on most platforms, if you lack the authority to install it on your machine (which is the case in many offices) you're stuck with using KM.

Plus, as RM can import KM files and KM cannot import RM files, I still prefer to create upgrades in KM format so they're available to a wider audience.

There's also the fact that cut & pasting from KM to a spreadsheet is alot easier than doing the same with RM, and being a protocol developer among other things, I find myself using cut & paste alot!

floyd1977 · Post by **floyd1977** » Wed May 31, 2006 7:01 am

For me, RM is more portable. Although I have access to Excel at work, I haven't been willing to pay $200+ to install MS Excel on my home PC. Yes, there are some people who buy cheap PCs without MS Office pre-installed

Post by **The Robman** » Wed May 31, 2006 8:29 am

floyd1977 wrote:For me, RM is more portable. Although I have access to Excel at work, I haven't been willing to pay $200+ to install MS Excel on my home PC. Yes, there are some people who buy cheap PCs without MS Office pre-installed

That, of course, is one of the main reasons that we developed RM (though I think you can get Excel for a little less than $200)

Mark Pierson · Post by **Mark Pierson** » Wed May 31, 2006 3:10 pm

The Robman wrote:(though I think you can get Excel for a little less than $200)

You can get Excel, Word, and Outlook in the MS Office Student and Teacher Edition for $149 (list) and anywhere from $99-$149 retail. The nice thing about MSOSTE is that you're licensed to install/use it on up to 3 PC's at the same time.

Of course, technically you need to be a student or a teacher. Since I have 2 "students" in the house, I'm all set.

Post by **The Robman** » Wed May 31, 2006 4:10 pm

Plus, there's always ebay. Somebody recently scooped up a copy of Excel for just $31 plus shipping ($9): item 7244449642

floyd1977 · Post by **floyd1977** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:35 pm

Thanks for the pointers, guys.

I also found it for $82.99 on this edirectsoftware.com:

http://www.edirectsoftware.com/product. ... t_id=16231

It looks to be legit, and the site seems professional. Either that, or they saw gullible me coming a mile away!

radio1 · Post by **radio1** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:43 am

Hi all.

I'm new here. But You can always go the openoffice route or even try out Google's new spreadsheet @ labs.google.com.

johnsfine · Post by **johnsfine** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:05 am

If you want a spreadsheet, openoffice is OK. If you want to run KM, it isn't. If you don't have Excel, use RM instead of KM.