DennisG wrote:
Do you really need to keep our data?
The initial step is to input the machine serial number P00XXXXXX, it seems to me that this could let someone with access to the registration of our machines could link the data to a person. I am not sure how worried I am about this, but is there a way to run this locally or keep things a bit more anonymous?
Dennis, thanks for the response and questions. You're correct: at the moment, if someone knew your serial number they could view your reports. Password protecting these user report areas is an upcoming enhancement. I didn't want to do a halfway job and give the illusion of security, and thought it was better to just keep it open until I could do the job right.
Setting this software as a website has some pros and cons, and perhaps the most prominent negative is that a user (you) has to upload your datafiles to another server managed by another person (me). On the plus side, you get greater convenience of constant improvements without having to install new software. It's a similar tradeoff as using Gmail for your email (Google keeps all your email) instead of Outlook of Thunderbird.
While it is technically possible to get a copy of onkor running on your own computer, it's not that easy for a non-programmer. However, I believe jedimark and perhaps others are writing their own software, which I think is desktop (i.e. not website) based.
I really understand your concerns, which is why I put those statements on the site. I know this isn't what you were getting at, but I will take the opportunity to mention that I intend to keep this software free, open, and ad free, and have no intention of using uploaded data for any purpose other than improving onkor. I've made all the code I've written available to the public and tried to share everything I've figured out about the Respironics File format so that other developers could write their own software using what I've learned/done.
