What is it with Digitrax Jehovah's Witnesses? Why do they feel the need to knock on your cyber-door, interrupt what you're doing and try to sell you their own peculiar brand of religion? Zimo users don't do this. Lenz users don't do this. NCE users don't do this. ZTC users most certainly don't do this. What is it about Digitrax zealots that makes them think you're going to convert to their way of thinking just because they doorstep you?
To be fair, it's only a small minority of Digitrax fans who do this kind of thing. I assume the rest are happily (and quietly) using their chosen system, secure in the knowledge that it does exactly what they bought it for. But unfortunately the small minority are very vocal, giving the impression that the whole user base is jumping up and down in a frenzy and frothing at the mouth. The casual browser probably isn't going to notice that it's the same people cropping up on multiple forums and repeating the same dogma over and over again.
Digitrax Jehovah's Witnesses are especially fond of trying to rubbish Lenz at every available opportunity, invariably with totally false claims that can be laughed off after just a few seconds thought. Some of the zanier ones I've encountered recently include:
Why do they do it? Although Digitrax is a major seller back in it's homeland, it's never really established itself as a significant player in Europe, where Lenz is the market leader. So I can see why Lenz would be an obvious target for unhappy Digitrax users, but why are they unhappy and why do they feel a need to choose a target at all? Zimo users don't do this. Lenz users don't do this. NCE users don't do this. Most criticism of ZTC comes from ZTC users themselves. I really have no idea what causes this obvious insecurity, this DCC system xenophobia, it's just one of those things. Like Linux users who preach about how unstable Windows is, then regale you with tales of how they've spent the previous week re-installing their operating system, adding security patches and trying to get GnobRott to talk to GnoHope.
Expect to see more of this juvenile acivity in the coming months, as bi-directional communication gathers momentum. A standard available to all manufacturers and the next step for DCC, this has a very definite 'not invented here' air about it if you're paranoid and insecure. The mud-slinging has already started and will only get worse.
Regrettably the behaviour of the minority will reflect badly on everyone else. Don't let their wild claims put you off other manufacturers and, equally importantly, don't let the idiocy put you off Digitrax either. Treat them as you would any other unsolicited doorstep assailant, and close the door politely in their face.
A cheery "f*ck *ff" will put a spring in their stride for the rest of the day, as they know damn well they've successfully annoyed you.
Currently On My Stereo: Jethro Tull - Heavy Horses