I Lost My Copy of 6.1

[Labviewguru]

Hello,

It's Labviewguru, returned from the grave.

I need some assistance.  I was an employee of a company that was an Alliance Member.  I took over that part of the company in 2002 and was supposed to transfer my Alliance Membership, but it didn't happen.  I dropped out of LabVIEW work shortly after because I couldn't find work and changed careers.

Fast forward to 2004.  I was in a fire, and suffered brain damage.  I have lost much of my previous cognitive abilities.  I haven't written anything in LabVIEW since early 2004, before the fire.  I am trying to figure out where I am mentally.   I know that one of my greatest skills, mentally speaking, was my programming ability.  I used to be able to cram an 11 layer highly complex program in my head and see it and understand it.  I want to find out where I am compared to where I used to be.  Unfortunately, I have lost my copy of LabVIEW.  I had an Alliance version, which means it was the full version, with all the extras.  I use Windows (2000 still, no XP for me.)  I still have all the VIs I wrote, and can get a good idea of where I'm at by looking at my old VIs and seeing how much I can understand, but also by programming things I know I used to be able to do, such as web scripts.

I am wondering if anyone would be kind enough to help me replace the licensed copy to which I was entitled.  NI support is unable to do this because the Alliance membership was never transferred.  The company has long since folded and I no longer able to contact anyone to get license information.  I am not asking for a violation of license.  I am merely asking someone for a copy so that I can reinstall, and find out where my skills lie.  I have friends who have LabVIEW, but none who have 6.1.  6.1 is the only version I can use because I need to evaluate my memory and cognitive losses.

If someone would be willing and able to do this for me, I would be eternally grateful, and even be willing to provide some of my software that I wrote long ago, including the nearly-finished software I wrote that created objects (yes, real objects) for using as configuration data in return.  This is software I never quite finished, but did get working manually.  I found it quite valuable in software that required configuration files (.ini files) in that writing the software automated the work of writing software to go from config file to data.  It uses controls, so all you have to do is create a control with compatible elements (geeze,  I dont' even remember control types....) and run the software, and it creates the data interface software.  Handy stuff.

Anyway, if anyone is willing to do this, I would be grateful if I could be contacted via my email, which is still labviewguru@nethere.com.


I would be grateful for any assistance, and thank you in advance for help, but also for putting up with this rather unusual post.

[LabViewGuruWannabe]

Sorry about your hardships. I can only imagine the difficulties you must have been through.

I recommend downloading the latest version (8.2x) and taking advantage of the evaluation periood (I believe its 60 days). LabVIEW 8.2 has so many more features that 6.1 seriously lacked. The trial version allows you test the software, and it is fully functional. Then, if you can indeed use it for your business, you can, just like the rest of us, purchase the Standard, Full, or Professional version (whichever suits your needs). You would be able to spread that cost between as many of your customers as necessary.

Another alternative, if you are just interested in playing around with developing in LabVIEW is to sign up for the Beta version. You have to show someone at NI that you are capable or willing to spend some time to test out the latest version, and look for bugs.

Even if you did have version 6.1, you wouldn't be able to make as much money developing applications with it, nor would it be as useful for any projects, since the latest versions (7.1 and now 8.2) are so much better.

Good luck.

[Ben]

He's back!

Hi ya Labviewguru!

The recomendation of using the evaluation version of LV 8.2.1 is a good option since you can start imediately.

Yes they have re-arranged the furniture (palelttes) and you would be cauaght off-guard by the auto-toll selection option.

You wrote "... that writing the software automated the work of writing software to go from config file to data.  "

I have been working on getting that to work ever since you moved on. It turns out I just demoed code that does exactly that for my boss yesterday. Well I guess that is just another example of how "The Divine Wire-worker" works in mysterious ways.

Ben

[Labviewguru]

Well, National Instruments came through and is burning a CD of 6.1. I am very grateful to them for this.

As to all who responded and will, thank you.

A word of explanation: I had to have 6.1 because I need to go back to the version I used last because 7 and I assume 8 have a much different appearance. Part of the reason for doing this is triggering memories is therapeutic. When I returned to where I lived in San Diego last year, I had memories that I could not invoke come flooding back to me. My memory was so messed up, that I couldn't even remember the name of the city I had my first PO Box in, and had to ask someone. The effect of going to the places I hadn't gone for 4 years was intense and I think helped a bit. I'm hoping for the same with LabVIEW and my old VIs. I used LabVIEW right before the fire on a project at school (they don't still have their copy, the project died while I was still working on it) so LabVIEW becomes about the best connection I have to those most recent memories and skills.


I'll try to post here the results. It should be interesting.


Thank you all once again.

[Ben]

Yes please keep us posted Mike.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help!

e-mail me at

bar@dsautomation.com

if you want to talk off-list.

Ben

[Labviewguru]

Update:

So, I got a copy finally, and finally got it installed about a month ago. I was shocked and amazed at the software I had written (still have all of my personal and company stuff on my computer, go figure.) I was quite amused at some of what I had written, but mostly, I was amazed at seeing the code, and remembering most of it.

I didn't try any writing...life distracted me in a rather harsh way, but in a way that woke me up...anyway.

I started some writing tonight. I was amazed that I remembered some things very well. Most of the shortcuts I take, things like -b and whatnot were still there. But I had troubles with a few things. And writing...well, its just not quite there anymore. I used to be able to code from requirements only, skipping any kind of documentation to translate to code, such as flowcharting and pseudocode. Not anymore. I can't do those things in my head anymore.


So...there is definitely something wrong. I have an appointment with a neurologist this coming Friday. I'm anxious to know what he finds. I'll try to remember to report on that.

Thanks for your support, and to NI for getting me a copy of that old beast called 6.1.

[Ben]

Keep banging at it Mike!

... and thanks for the update.

Ben

[devchander]

All the Best, Mike

[parthabe]

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going !

Carry on Labviewguru. God is with you.

[Ben]

How's Mike doing?

Ben