free logbook software for pilots

[Pilson]

Hi I,just thought Id spread the word of some software Im working on for
my final year project at Uni...
Id really appreciate feedback from pilots and students, It suits my
needs perfectly but It mightnt suit everyone so if anyone tries it and
thinks it is missing something then please post a feature request and
Ill write it in for the next release.

The latest release (v 0.1.2) is available at:
http://sort.ucd.ie/frs/?group_id=170

and you can store your database online and use a whole bunch of other
features there too at
www.logsource.org/wiki

its all free
www.logsource.org

all feedback welcome

thanks...

[Gig 601XL Builder]

I would normally never make a grammar correcting post but since your asking
for help with your homework by spamming...

Oh my God, you're a college senior and that's the best you can do. At least
it makes me feel better to know that it is not only US universities
graduating illiterates.



"Pilson" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi I,just thought Id spread the word of some software Im working on for
> my final year project at Uni...
> Id really appreciate feedback from pilots and students, It suits my
> needs perfectly but It mightnt suit everyone so if anyone tries it and
> thinks it is missing something then please post a feature request and
> Ill write it in for the next release.
>
> The latest release (v 0.1.2) is available at:
> http://sort.ucd.ie/frs/?group_id=170
>
> and you can store your database online and use a whole bunch of other
> features there too at
> www.logsource.org/wiki
>
> its all free
> www.logsource.org
>
> all feedback welcome
>
> thanks...
>

[Grumman-581]

"Pilson" wrote in message
oups.com...
> all feedback welcome

Well, *my* computer based logbook has the capability to display GPS log
files on a map for each flight so that you can actually see where you really
flew vs where you planned to fly...

[Peter Duniho]

"Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
...
>I would normally never make a grammar correcting post but since your asking
>for help with your homework by spamming...

Heh heh heh...nice irony. :) "since your [sic] asking"

There's a good reason to not make a grammar correcting post. Even the most
careful of us make mistakes now and then. :)

Pete

[George Patterson]

Grumman-581 wrote:

> Well, *my* computer based logbook has the capability to display GPS log
> files on a map for each flight so that you can actually see where you really
> flew vs where you planned to fly...

Sounds like a good reaosn for me to stay with paper. I don't like looking at
snake tracks. :-)

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Peter Duniho" > wrote in message
...
> "Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
> ...
>>I would normally never make a grammar correcting post but since your
>>asking for help with your homework by spamming...
>
> Heh heh heh...nice irony. :) "since your [sic] asking"
>
> There's a good reason to not make a grammar correcting post. Even the
> most careful of us make mistakes now and then. :)
>
> Pete
>

Yea I saw that right as I hit the send button. His post still makes me
cringe for the future.

[Peter Duniho]

"Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
...
> Yea I saw that right as I hit the send button. His post still makes me
> cringe for the future.

Yeah, it was pretty bad.

If it makes you feel any better, I have been listening to idiots spouting
the "I'm an engineer...I don't need to know how to communicate" mantra for a
couple of decades now. So far, it doesn't seem like things are any worse
than they ever have been. :)

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

"Peter Duniho" > wrote in message
...
> "Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
> ...
>> Yea I saw that right as I hit the send button. His post still makes me
>> cringe for the future.
>
> Yeah, it was pretty bad.
>
> If it makes you feel any better, I have been listening to idiots spouting
> the "I'm an engineer...I don't need to know how to communicate" mantra for
> a couple of decades now. So far, it doesn't seem like things are any
> worse than they ever have been. :)


Well, I'm an engineer and a HUGE part of what I've done for the last three
decades is communicate. I've written specifications, reports, requirements.
I've done more design reviews and been to more meetings to discuss problems
and propose solutions than I can remember. The best designs in the world are
worthless unless other people can implement them (and can be convinced that
they are worth implementing).

--
Geoff
the sea hawk at wow way d0t com
remove spaces and make the obvious substitutions to reply by mail
Spell checking is left as an excercise for the reader.

[601XL Builder]

Peter Duniho wrote:
> "Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
> ...
>> Yea I saw that right as I hit the send button. His post still makes me
>> cringe for the future.
>
> Yeah, it was pretty bad.
>
> If it makes you feel any better, I have been listening to idiots spouting
> the "I'm an engineer...I don't need to know how to communicate" mantra for a
> couple of decades now. So far, it doesn't seem like things are any worse
> than they ever have been. :)
>
>
Sure its worst Peter, they've had kids now and they write things like..

I HAEV WRITEN A NU PROGRM TAHT U CAN USE 2 KEP UR LOG BOK!111 OMG WTF
WUD U PLZ TAEK A LOK AT IT TAL ME WUT U THINK?!!?!

[Peter Duniho]

"601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiacona@coxDOTnet> wrote in message
...
> Sure its worst Peter, they've had kids now and they write things like..
>
> I HAEV WRITEN A NU PROGRM TAHT U CAN USE 2 KEP UR LOG BOK!111 OMG WTF WUD
> U PLZ TAEK A LOK AT IT TAL ME WUT U THINK?!!?!

They may communicate worse.

<tangent>
Though, context is everything...the various jargons in use by youth today
are the same kind of shorthands that existed when I was a kid, and probably
existed in some form or another with every generation; out of context, it's
poor communication, but in the right context, it's just a different way of
communicating.

The original post wasn't made using the current jargon. It was just poorly
constructed plain English. Believe it or not, the current jargon also has
very definite rules, and within that jargon there are users who communicate
effectively and those who do not (the original poster would probably fall
into the latter camp, assuming he uses the current jargon in other
contexts).
</tangent>

But all I really meant was that the world hasn't fallen apart due to all
these poor communicators.

Pete

[.Blueskies.]

"Grumman-581" > wrote in message ...

> Well, *my* computer based logbook has the capability to display GPS log
> files on a map for each flight so that you can actually see where you really
> flew vs where you planned to fly...
>
>

Where did your logbook come from?

[john smith]

In article . com>,
"Pilson" > wrote:

> Hi I,just thought Id spread the word of some software Im working on for
> my final year project at Uni...
> Id really appreciate feedback from pilots and students, It suits my
> needs perfectly but It mightnt suit everyone so if anyone tries it and
> thinks it is missing something then please post a feature request and
> Ill write it in for the next release.
>
> The latest release (v 0.1.2) is available at:
> http://sort.ucd.ie/frs/?group_id=170

You might want to state what operating system it is written for and any
other software it may require to run propperly.

[Grumman-581]

".Blueskies." > wrote in message
m...
> Where did your logbook come from?

I'm a software developer, I wrote it myself... I wanted full control over
how each entry is stored on my computer so that I am not orphaned by some
other developer that no longer supports some particular product... I figured
that if I can do telemetry software for the Space Shuttle, I could do a
simple log book...

[Pilson]

Wow what a bunch of uptight gits.
The reason my post was not properly constructed was because I spent the
entire day staring at a computer screen writing free software for an
unappreciative public and wound up with a pounding headache. My
concentration was poor at that point and I did not realise the grammar
was going to provoke such harsh critisism. It was simply a 'quick' way
of getting my message out and trust me, I have no problems with English
and grammar.

[Pilson]

Pilson wrote:

> Wow what a bunch of uptight gits.
> The reason my post was not properly constructed was because I spent the
> entire day staring at a computer screen writing free software for an
> unappreciative public and wound up with a pounding headache. My
> concentration was poor at that point and I did not realise the grammar
> was going to provoke such harsh critisism. It was simply a 'quick' way
> of getting my message out and trust me, I have no problems with English
> and grammar.

oops I misspelled criticism. - sue me

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Pilson" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Wow what a bunch of uptight gits.
> The reason my post was not properly constructed was because I spent the
> entire day staring at a computer screen writing free software for an
> unappreciative public and wound up with a pounding headache. My
> concentration was poor at that point and I did not realise the grammar
> was going to provoke such harsh critisism. It was simply a 'quick' way
> of getting my message out and trust me, I have no problems with English
> and grammar.
>

I'll bet that this message took no more time or effort than the original.

[Jules]

Don't let the turkeys get you down. Some people do things and some
people just watch people do things. Wait and see how many people
download it.

Pilson wrote:
> Wow what a bunch of uptight gits.
> The reason my post was not properly constructed was because I spent the
> entire day staring at a computer screen writing free software for an
> unappreciative public and wound up with a pounding headache. My
> concentration was poor at that point and I did not realise the grammar
> was going to provoke such harsh critisism. It was simply a 'quick' way
> of getting my message out and trust me, I have no problems with English
> and grammar.
>

[Mike Gaskins]

Jules wrote:
> Don't let the turkeys get you down. Some people do things and some
> people just watch people do things. Wait and see how many people
> download it.

I agree with this poster. As a programmer myself, I'm well aware that
writing software takes a lot of effort, and those who make it available
for free are doing a great service to the general public.


Now as to some constructive criticism: your interface follows a bit of
an outdated model, in that you get a list of buttons that go to the
individual functions, click on them, perform a function, and then when
done return to the application again.

A better model is to have your app seperated into a control section
(menu and/or toolbar) and then have a content area that will change
depending on menu selections. For simple things like Pilot info, you
can pop up a seperate dialog.

Also, when viewing the logbook table, most of the abbreviations aren't
long enough to convey their meaning.

Other than that though, it looks like a good project so far. Wish it
would have been a Linux/UNIX variant ;), as there's very noticeable
lack of logbook software (free or otherwise) for the platform. I've
been working on one myself using C and the GTK2 toolkit but have been
running into a bit of trouble getting the database backend (Itzam) to
behave correctly (I've been trying to avoid using a full fledged
database and keep it embedded, but I might have to scrap that idea and
move to something like MySQL). If I ever get my version up and going
I'll be releasing it under the GPL liscense.

Good luck on your project and your future career.

Mike Gaskins

[Grumman-581]

"Mike Gaskins" wrote in message
ups.com...
> I've been working on one myself using C and the GTK2 toolkit
> but have been running into a bit of trouble getting the database
> backend (Itzam) to behave correctly (I've been trying to avoid
> using a full fledged database and keep it embedded, but I might
> have to scrap that idea and move to something like MySQL).

There are not so many flight records that need to be accessed randomly that
they need a relational database like MySQL... You might want to consider a
series of just flat files, binary if necessary... You should have full
control of how your data is stored so that you don't have to worry about
subsequent releases of the database being different enough that you would
have to modify your code...

[Pilson]

Thanks Mike.

The abbreviated fields are explained in little pictures above the
table. I had the full description above each field at one point and
decided to cut them down because it just looked far too wide and ugly.

Good point about the interface. I decided to go with that one as I
wanted a simple program with a simple interface to encourage use. It is
a bit late in the project for me to change it now. After I submit it to
the department I will release the source code so people can change it
for themselves :-) I have to move on to the next stage now of writing a
program in c++ to visualize data from a gps handset and then writing a
small flight sim in flash. I went with windows over linux as I figured
most 'pilots' would be running windows...

Good luck with your program too! I have not seen any such software for
linux either. There is a good compromise between simple text files and
mysql called SQLite. It is open source too!

thanks,
Keith.

[.Blueskies.]

"Grumman-581" > wrote in message ...
> ".Blueskies." > wrote in message
> m...
>> Where did your logbook come from?
>
> I'm a software developer, I wrote it myself... I wanted full control over
> how each entry is stored on my computer so that I am not orphaned by some
> other developer that no longer supports some particular product... I figured
> that if I can do telemetry software for the Space Shuttle, I could do a
> simple log book...
>
>

Sounds good - do you have a copy of it for beta users?

[Grumman-581]

".Blueskies." wrote in message
. ..
> Sounds good - do you have a copy of it for beta users?

No, I do not want to get to the point of having to support a user base...
It's a work in progress mainly... Every once in awhile, I think up some new
thing that I would like it to do and add it... I don't make the different
versions backward compatible with previous versions, since having a user
base of ONE allows me to get away with this sort of thing...

[Jim Macklin]

Many years ago I used WORKS database [DOS 2.0 version] to
create a logbook, that automatically updated totals and also
gave the date for 90 day and night currency landings. I
don't use it, seemed to be a lot of trouble to use, but that
was before the days of the PDA.


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"Grumman-581" > wrote
in message ...
| ".Blueskies." wrote in message
| . ..
| > Sounds good - do you have a copy of it for beta users?
|
| No, I do not want to get to the point of having to support
a user base...
| It's a work in progress mainly... Every once in awhile, I
think up some new
| thing that I would like it to do and add it... I don't
make the different
| versions backward compatible with previous versions, since
having a user
| base of ONE allows me to get away with this sort of
thing...
|
|

[Javier Henderson]

Grumman-581 wrote:
> ".Blueskies." wrote in message
> . ..
>> Sounds good - do you have a copy of it for beta users?
>
> No, I do not want to get to the point of having to support a user base...
> It's a work in progress mainly... Every once in awhile, I think up some new
> thing that I would like it to do and add it... I don't make the different
> versions backward compatible with previous versions, since having a user
> base of ONE allows me to get away with this sort of thing...

Well, why don't you release builds once in a while, and ignore any pleas
for help?

Better yet, how about releasing the source code?

-jav

[Grumman-581]

"Jim Macklin" wrote in message news:qS_xf.43022$QW2.8123@dukeread08...
> Many years ago I used WORKS database [DOS 2.0 version] to
> create a logbook, that automatically updated totals and also
> gave the date for 90 day and night currency landings. I
> don't use it, seemed to be a lot of trouble to use, but that
> was before the days of the PDA.

I've gone through various stages with mine... Initially, I started it out as
a MS Excel spreadsheet... That worked fine until I got to the point where I
wanted to put more characters in the text description field than was allowed
(255, IIRC)... I then switched to a MS Access database... I was using MS SQL
Server for some stuff at work at that time and I didn't like the fact that
between one version of SQL Server and another, some of my SQL code wasn't
working the same, so I got ****ed off at MS and decided to change my logbook
app to just a proprietary file format so that I wouldn't have to worry about
that eventually happening to it...

[driftingtrack]

"Mike Gaskins" > wrote in news:1137171740.966578.80280
@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com:

<snip>

> behave correctly (I've been trying to avoid using a full fledged
> database and keep it embedded, but I might have to scrap that idea and
> move to something like MySQL). If I ever get my version up and going

<snip>

You don't have to choose. You can have most of the features of MySQL
embedded.

http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/4.1/en/apis.html

disclaimer: I am in no way involved with or connected to MySQL other than
as a developer and fan.


peace
dt

ps. Fascinating to me how many developers we have here.