Software Download, EncorePro/My Encore/Drivers...etc.

[socialtool]

Fellow Forum Members,

I am interested in starting a software honeypot. Since Respironics removed their free access to the EncorePro software and the other site that hosted it is long gone. I would like to start an organized, centralized single webpage where anyone could download the software and drivers. New and older versions would be available for download from an easy to find High-Bandwidth server. Any software suggestions would be entertained. Including BETA and user experimentals. This site would only be for software downloading. Assistance with the software should be obtained in this forum or elsewhere. I have the server and domain all ready to go. I need content people. If you are interested in participating in the development of this site and you have software you would like to share with the CPAP community please PM me. Again, all software will be considered but the most popular, Respironics EncorePro(all versions), MyEncore(all versions), Mako/Infineer DT3500 EncorePro Proprietary Drivers, are needed as soon as possible. For uploading you should have a broadband connection if the files are larger than 5MB.

If you are interested in contributing please PM me. If you would be interested in using such a website please respond in this forum.

I will post further developments in this forum if this gets off the ground. I think the CPAP community would be well served by this. I wish such a thing existed when I first got started on my BiPAP therapy!

Speak up people,

Socialtool

[tomjax]

Ever hear of copyright violations?

Bet you would soon after posting the encore pro for download.

[-SWS]

Too bad the name "Napster" is already taken for your proposed file-sharing site. Taking naps is a central theme around here. Now that I think about it, there are other similarities between your proposed web site and Napster as well. However, Tomjax already mentioned those...

[socialtool]

Just a note:

Comparing this to Napster is just plain wrong. I am not going to distribute licensed retail software. And it is NOT P2P file-sharing. I am only hosting free software that is freely available to find and download on your own. I just want to make it easier to find everything you need in one spot and not all over the net. It is that simple! People do this all the time. Ever been to download.com? And I am only proposing a single page with links. Nothing elaborate. It is not illegal, it simply is a way to consolidate things. I just thought forum members would benefit from making this easier and more reliable.

The EncorePro software was offered free for download from Respironics up until the v1.6i(1.6.2.2) release. Three months into that release Respironics became concerned by the amount of patients downloading and "interpreting" the database generated charts. This software was designed for medical staff only and is not user friendly. The software also allows the patient to alter their therapeutic prescription. Respironics did not want to be held liable for the damage this could cause, so they now force a medical provider account number to download the software and any updates. Otherwise, patients who wish to control their own therapy, or fine tune the device performance feel themselves capable to use the software for good...not evil. Also, it is interesting you bring up copyright infringement for software offered free from its developer to the community for which it is solely designed...the medical community. Patients are now forced to buy over-priced blackmarket copies from cpap.com who is not authorized to distribute the software to patients. If you ask them they WILL tell you this. I verified this today by calling the 800 number and asking for the medical insurance billing code. They replied, "There is no insurance billing code as this software is not for patient use.". Most people in this forum obtained the software via the free Respironics download. Allowing access to this software is not a copyright infringement. I just want to make the exact same thing available to the new members. If there is an issue it will be between me and Respironics. You need not worry your rights will be protected just fine.

In addition, most patients use the EncorePro software as an SQL database builder/plug-in for the more user friendly, and absolutely free, MyEncore software. This in no way is a copyright infringement since you are only using the SQL output of the software and not the actual interface. You own/rent the machine and that data is yours.

I have read in its entirety the Respironics software copyright along with the software distributed EULA. I feel comfortable and confident in my actions.

By the way, if you paid for your EncorePro software you got taken! And by your interpretation of the copyright ANY and ALL patients in possession of the EncorePro software are in violation. So remove it from your systems..NOW! Yeah that's what I thought.

Thank You,

socialtool

[Guest]

Just one question:
I understand the older (1.5x downloaded) version of Encore Pro is not compatable with the new "M" series xPAPs, true or false?

[Guest]

..and furthermore, I believe My Encore also has issues with the new 1.6x
software.

What's your take on this "newbie's" plan, jskinner?

[Wulfman]

The "billing codes" are for insurance reimbursement purposes.
The software that CPAP.COM is not "black market" since they (can) also sell to suppliers/resellers.
I don't/didn't consider it over-priced.....it's a very meager price to pay for monitoring one's own therapy as opposed to subsequent trips back to a doctor or other medical entity. I considered it VERY cheap.

Your concept was considered by a member early this year and abandoned. It was my impression that he considered the legalities of what he was considering. I doubt if you'll get anyone that has already paid for the software to send it to you for free distribution.

Den

[oldgearhead]

I guess I don't know why Respironics will not wake up to this century and develope some software for the xPAP user. I don't think we care very much about the "script" feature of Encore Pro, leave it out. Sell it for $69.95 and
feel good about advancing the cause of the self-treated.

[socialtool]

First,

It is true about the M-Series being added in the EncorePro v1.6i. That is one of the purposes for updating software is to include new features and equipment compatability.

I am not aware of issues between the newest MyEncore and the EncorePro v1.6i software. I will further research this. Further development of the MyEncore software may be needed for EP v1.6i compatability. I am willing to assist with this development if necessary.

Also, just for informational purposes. The reference to me as the "newbie" is incorrect. I have been a member of this forum for over a year. I recently changed my username and password and I did not realize until now that it changed my "member since" date. The newbie reference left a skidmark...sorry

Salutations,

socialtool

[-SWS]

Patients are now forced to buy over-priced blackmarket copies from cpap.com who is not authorized to distribute the software to patients. If you ask them they WILL tell you this.

You do the good hosts of this message board a great dishonor with this misinformation, Socialtool. Your implication that cpap.com sells "blackmarket" software is also in direct contradiction of your other statement that there are no distribution copyright concerns for this software. If there are no copyright-related distribution concerns as you contend, then there is no "blackmarket" software distribution. You can't have it both ways, Socialtool.

The misinformation you present in the quote above also lends doubt about the rest of your copyright interpretations.

[socialtool]

Wulfman,

According to the software distributed EULA, Respironics is the ONLY authorized reseller and wholesale/retail supplier of the EncorePro software. Free downloads are not resale, wholesale, or retail. But cpap.com can't make money from free downloads. It is overpriced when it is supposed to be free. It is free from Respironics for medical staff. Only patients are paying for this software from cpap.com and others. This is without the permission of Respironics. If you can prove otherwise I would like to see it. The software is free because it is a required component of your Respironics equipment. Your Respironics equipment WILL NOT operate without it. EncorePro is the ONLY way to establish a patients prescription into the equipment. It is the same thing as buying a brand new car then being charged extra for tires. This is why it is free. You paid for it when you bought the equipment. Respironics just got scared about patients changing their prescriptions as stated previously.

Maybe the previous member was bullied by stupidity in this forum and found the same ignorance that I am finding. Hmmm...wonder why he gave up. Sorry I even mentioned this. I actually thought some people would enjoy the consideration. But wow, was I wrong. I guess even some people enjoy kicking cute puppies!

So far not even one single, hey thanks...good idea. No wonder the last guy gave up. With all the "weekend" lawyers in here who would want to even try.

The topics been up for less than four hours and I already feel like tossing this out on it's aXX.

Just thought I would help...my mistake!

[socialtool]

SWS,

It is not just cpap.com. There are others. I have no grudge with cpap.com at all.

There is no disinformation from my end at all.

You do not understand the difference between selling a software product and distribution. There are no distribution restrictions on the software. This is normal for copyrights. Distribution is not sales. It is simply the open free movement of a product. Allowing the product to be moved from one location to another without fee or toll. It has nothing to do with end-user sales restrictions. Simply downloading a software package is a distribution of said package. In development most software is referred to as a distribution number not a version number as we have come to call it. (ie: EncorePro Distro 1.6i) There are sales restrictions on the Respironics software. One being that the software only be sold to medical staff. Cpap.com and others are in violation of this restriction. To our benefit, I agree, but they are in violation by charging a price/fee/toll for it. By the way you can sell something for nothing.

There are no contradictions in my statements. I can have it both ways when they are two different ways.

[jskinner]

EncorePro is the ONLY way to establish a patients prescription into the equipment.

Wrong, one can just go into the admin menu on the machines its self. Infact thats the way my DME configures them as I watched them do it...

[rvguy]

Socialtool,

Please send me a PM. I've tried to you but it doesn't sem to be working.

[jskinner]

I am not aware of issues between the newest MyEncore and the EncorePro v1.6i software.

MyEncore does not work fully with 1.6i

Further development of the MyEncore software may be needed for EP v1.6i compatability.

The author is unreachable and we don't have the source code.