Software Update? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

MikeOC1 · 10-05-2009, 02:39 PM

Would it be difficult for GM to update the DIC software so that more information can be displayed at once? It seems wasteful that 2/3 of the DIC says Average Fuel Economy. The screen is large enough to display Average Fuel economy, Trip 1, and digital Speedo. That would be my preference. Any thoughts on this?

rodimus prime · 10-05-2009, 02:54 PM

I wish they had one for what gear your in on the autos. I know it shows you in the little corner, but to have a larger number would be a nice option.

Supermans · 10-05-2009, 02:57 PM

Yeah, the people who wrote the DIC programming didn't use the space wisely.

eddie SS · 10-05-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeOC1

Would it be difficult for GM to update the DIC software so that more information can be displayed at once? It seems wasteful that 2/3 of the DIC says Average Fuel Economy. The screen is large enough to display Average Fuel economy, Trip 1, and digital Speedo. That would be my preference. Any thoughts on this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodimus prime

I wish they had one for what gear your in on the autos. I know it shows you in the little corner, but to have a larger number would be a nice option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supermans

Yeah, the people who wrote the DIC programming didn't use the space wisely.

Completely agree.....!!! Would love to see this take affect soon.

Brokinarrow · 10-05-2009, 03:13 PM

May be a safety thing. They make it take up the whole screen so you can look down and quickly read it, then get your eyes back on the road (where they belong). If you have a screen like that filled with text, it takes longer to take in that information, which leads to less attentive driving.

Just my 2 cents...

NoUCantDriveIt · 10-05-2009, 03:18 PM

Speaking as a software developer... least favorite phrases to hear from client: "Couldn't you just...." and "I've been thinking...".

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeOC1

Would it be difficult for GM to update the DIC software so that more information can be displayed at once?

Possibly yes. Not saying it's impossible, but there could be more to it than simply replacing the empty space with information.

Brokinarrow · 10-05-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoUCantDriveIt

Speaking as a software developer... least favorite phrases to hear from client: "Couldn't you just...." and "I've been thinking...".

Possibly yes. Not saying it's impossible, but there could be more to it than simply replacing the empty space with information.

I've heard that complaint a lot from one of the programmers here.

MikeOC1 · 10-05-2009, 03:28 PM

My wife's Audi Q7 has essentially the same thing and there are multiple pieces of information in the center DIC. I would think for safety purposes it's better to have all of the information there as opposed to having to toggle through the menu manually.

MontyCarlo · 10-05-2009, 03:31 PM

I'm an engineer, and it's always funny to see the look of dread come over a programmer's face when some non-programmer project lead says "can't we just fix this with new software?" Basically, 1's and 0's in code can only do so much - you often need new physical components added to the boards too.

MikeOC1 · 10-05-2009, 03:34 PM

I understand that, but sometimes what a programmer thinks is best (or acceptable) isn't. The actual users of the vehicle, in this case, would prefer something different. I'm not talking about changing the look of it. All of the information is there. It's just not there at the same time. I'm not talking about adding functions that aren't currrently there. Just put all of the functions on the screen at the same time. Other cars do it.

DDustiNN · 10-05-2009, 03:38 PM

I agree with this... I would like to see my speed, total miles on the odometer, and my trip 1 miles, all on the screen at once. Even my Ford Fusion with it's old-style 2-line simple text screen has more info at once

NoUCantDriveIt · 10-05-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

I've heard that complaint a lot from one of the programmers here.

People wonder why comp geeks don't comunicate outside the dept? THAT's why!

Lord Grey · 10-05-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeOC1

I understand that, but sometimes what a programmer thinks is best (or acceptable) isn't. The actual users of the vehicle, in this case, would prefer something different. I'm not talking about changing the look of it. All of the information is there. It's just not there at the same time. I'm not talking about adding functions that aren't currrently there. Just put all of the functions on the screen at the same time. Other cars do it.

The actual programmer probably had very little, if any, input into what the DIC displays or how it operates. Features and functionality are usually determined by someone else, and they have to compromise between many things.

But speaking as a programmer myself, what I'd like to see is an SDK (Software Development Kit) that allows qualified people to customize that display as well as some other internal workings (like Bluetooth and OnStar/cell connectivity). That would be cool.

NoUCantDriveIt · 10-05-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Grey

The actual programmer probably had very little, if any, input into what the DIC displays or how it operates. Features and functionality are usually determined by someone else, and they have to compromise between many things.

But speaking as a programmer myself, what I'd like to see is an SDK (Software Development Kit) that allows qualified people to customize that display as well as some other internal workings (like Bluetooth and OnStar/cell connectivity). That would be cool.

Interesting thought ... IMO highly unlikely, but still worth a moment to ponder. Can you say "side business"?

10-05-2009, 02:39 PM	#1
MikeOC1 Drives: 2007 Infiniti G35x Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mahwah Posts: 23	Software Update? Would it be difficult for GM to update the DIC software so that more information can be displayed at once? It seems wasteful that 2/3 of the DIC says Average Fuel Economy. The screen is large enough to display Average Fuel economy, Trip 1, and digital Speedo. That would be my preference. Any thoughts on this?

10-05-2009, 02:57 PM	#3
Supermans Camaro & Stang Enthusiast Drives: 2011 Mustang 5.0 in Kona Blue Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 4,729 View My Garage	Yeah, the people who wrote the DIC programming didn't use the space wisely. __________________ Bought my Camaro from Eric Hall(817) 421-7266

10-05-2009, 03:13 PM	#5
Brokinarrow Drives: 2012 Honda NC700x Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Indianola, IA Posts: 5,317 View My Garage	May be a safety thing. They make it take up the whole screen so you can look down and quickly read it, then get your eyes back on the road (where they belong). If you have a screen like that filled with text, it takes longer to take in that information, which leads to less attentive driving. Just my 2 cents... __________________

10-05-2009, 03:31 PM	#9
MontyCarlo Drives: 2010 2LT/RS auto IBM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,255	I'm an engineer, and it's always funny to see the look of dread come over a programmer's face when some non-programmer project lead says "can't we just fix this with new software?" Basically, 1's and 0's in code can only do so much - you often need new physical components added to the boards too. __________________ FAQs: 1. No, I do not have any strong opinions about the Monte Carlo. 2. Yes, I know what my name looks like. 3. Yes, but the medication helps immensely. 2LT/RS IBM/gray #21,895 ordered April 21st, delivered July 3rd

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10-05-2009, 02:54 PM	#2
rodimus prime Account Suspended Drives: Cargo van. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Metal Metal Land Posts: 1,247	I wish they had one for what gear your in on the autos. I know it shows you in the little corner, but to have a larger number would be a nice option.

10-05-2009, 03:28 PM	#8
MikeOC1 Drives: 2007 Infiniti G35x Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mahwah Posts: 23	My wife's Audi Q7 has essentially the same thing and there are multiple pieces of information in the center DIC. I would think for safety purposes it's better to have all of the information there as opposed to having to toggle through the menu manually.

10-05-2009, 03:34 PM	#10
MikeOC1 Drives: 2007 Infiniti G35x Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mahwah Posts: 23	I understand that, but sometimes what a programmer thinks is best (or acceptable) isn't. The actual users of the vehicle, in this case, would prefer something different. I'm not talking about changing the look of it. All of the information is there. It's just not there at the same time. I'm not talking about adding functions that aren't currrently there. Just put all of the functions on the screen at the same time. Other cars do it.

10-05-2009, 03:38 PM	#11
DDustiNN Drives: Cars Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 1,986	I agree with this... I would like to see my speed, total miles on the odometer, and my trip 1 miles, all on the screen at once. Even my Ford Fusion with it's old-style 2-line simple text screen has more info at once