Re: LinuxCNC?
I suspect that most of the complaints about MACH3 are hearsay. Yes, I know people that have wrestled with MACH3, but I have had almost no problems. I tried EMC2 and wasted two weeks trying to get it to work to no avail. Finding support is spotty at best. I started with EMC2 because it was supposedly more stable than MACH3. Well, let me tell you, it wasn't for me. I decided to go with MACH3 and was up and running in a few hours! The support is GREAT!
It seems that it is the thing to do to bash MACH3. MACH3 works very well for the VAST majority of users. There are some (like Ray) that have had mysterious problems with it. It is probably because there are so many PC clones out there, that they have undisclosed minor differences that are difficult to plan for (and can bite you in the a$$).
If you think that MACH3 looks "hobbyish" you can get professionally made screen sets that transform its appearance. Or you can do as I have, make your own custom screens. It's pretty easy - especially compared to EMC2.
MACH3 is also free IF you don't exceed 500 lines of program code.
EMC2 is no panacea! I think there is a lot of "the grass is greener" going on.
BOTH programs are marvelous tools. Neither is BETTER than the other - they have their advantages and disadvantages. They are different, so you need to evaluate your specific situation and go from there. For me EMC2 was a no-go because of the lack of support and difficulty in making custom screens. MACH3 was EASY to get started and make custom GUI screens.
I agree with Ray, try both. One day I hope to be going to Kflop like Ray has....
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900 - 1944)