I just don't log dives,why not?????

[doctormike]

I'm always struck in these discussions by the lengths people go to to avoid using appropriate tools for a job.

In 2014, there are many well thought out dive logging apps, both for your laptop/desktop, for your phone or using online versions. Many are free, and the few that cost anything represent such a tiny expenditure for anyone who dives regularly. Most of these allow for printing out of logs in a variety of formats, for storing data including GPS coordinates, for sharing and data migration using universal formats like comma separated variables, XML or UDCF (universal dive computer format). Most allow for direct importing of dives and profiles from your dive computer, so you don't need to type everything in manually.

Yes, you can use an Excel spreadsheet for tracking dives. Yes, you can make up a word document with all of your various equipment configurations and the weighting used in each one, in fresh and salt water, and over time if your weight changes. Sure, you can keep track of your bank balance using a text editor and write a novel using a spreadsheet too. But why would you?

Seriously, I'm wondering what the aversion is to using a piece of software that someone has spent years optimizing and debugging to be well suited to tracking dives? Is it the $25 shareware cost?

 

[Tigerman]

I see this status more than I would anticipate.The main reason I log dives is because I have 7 wetsuits hanging on my wall and I dive both fresh and salt water.Just trying to remember how much weight to dive with what suit can be challenging.My question is why or why not log dives????

Because "I just dont log dives" for some reason piss people off less than "not certified"
Really, Its just to avoid people going on with their dick (number) measuring rather than the topic at hand. Theres always someone who'll attack the number rather than the logic..

---------- Post added January 3rd, 2014 at 05:11 PM ----------

No computer does that, of course... why, do you consider that a reason not to download dive profiles from your computer? My computer also doesn't navigate for me, or make lunch after the dives, but it's still pretty useful!

What kinda cheap POS computer is THAT?

 

[Mikko Ilari Laakkonen]

I have only filled the first logbook that came with paid ow crewpak, 50 doves I guess. I am an instructor now with 7th is dives under my belt. I think I should start logging again for as an example to my students etc. I have just not found the motivation to do so. I never found any real value for the "effort".

I am just lazy and I am a man who prefers looking forward rather than backwards.

If I'd find a interdevice application to do this easily I probably would. None of the apps I have tried have not been good for one reason or another.

- Mikko Laakkonen -

I love diving and teaching others to dive.

 

[agilis]

I'm always struck in these discussions by the lengths people go to to avoid using appropriate tools for a job.

In 2014, there are many well thought out dive logging apps, both for your laptop/desktop, for your phone or using online versions. Many are free, and the few that cost anything represent such a tiny expenditure for anyone who dives regularly. Most of these allow for printing out of logs in a variety of formats, for storing data including GPS coordinates, for sharing and data migration using universal formats like comma separated variables, XML or UDCF (universal dive computer format). Most allow for direct importing of dives and profiles from your dive computer, so you don't need to type everything in manually.

Yes, you can use an Excel spreadsheet for tracking dives. Yes, you can make up a word document with all of your various equipment configurations and the weighting used in each one, in fresh and salt water, and over time if your weight changes. Sure, you can keep track of your bank balance using a text editor and write a novel using a spreadsheet too. But why would you?

Seriously, I'm wondering what the aversion is to using a piece of software that someone has spent years optimizing and debugging to be well suited to tracking dives? Is it the $25 shareware cost?

Notebook. pencil. Simplicity, ultimate convenience. If I want to keep any complex or lengthy data in a format that permits manipulation and calculations I can input it myself, store it on my hard drive.

Just because electronic technology exists does not make it better. Best is to be free from all the leashes that connect to the hive.

Writing a novel on a spread sheet? Interesting. Some people read novels on an electronic tablet. Poetry using a text editor. The ghost in the machine.

 

[doctormike]

Just to be clear, I think that it's fine not to log dives... many divers choose not to, and while I like doing it, you certainly don't need to log dives at all, as far as I can tell. I'm just saying that if you DO want to log dives, why not use an appropriate tool.

 

[Hoyden]

I am as amazed at the response to this topic as I am by the mask on the forehead thing - log your dives or don't log your dives, who cares? I log training dives, rebreather dives and dives at work pretty obsessively. For fun dives I just download my computers into a logging program and call it good.

Jackie

 

[doctormike]

Notebook. pencil. Simplicity, ultimate convenience.

One of my instructors lost a decade's worth of simple, convenient paper logs in Sandy last year.

If I want to keep any complex or lengthy data in a format that permits manipulation and calculations I can input it myself, store it on my hard drive.

I don't understand. Isn't that what I was recommending? Storing the data on your hard drive?

Just because electronic technology exists does not make it better.

Yeah, but my recommendation was a bit more than "hey, we should use this because it exists".

Best is to be free from all the leashes that connect to the hive.

Amen, brother!

---------- Post added January 3rd, 2014 at 11:39 AM ----------

I am as amazed at the response to this topic as I am by the mask on the forehead thing - log your dives or don't log your dives, who cares?

People who join an online forum, and who read and respond to posts are the ones who care, evidently. Because sometimes people read stuff here and change the way they do things, right?

I mean, if it's all just "do what you want, there is no right answer, do whatever works best for you" then why DO we have scubaboard...?

 

[Mikko Ilari Laakkonen]

I have never ever needed a dive log anywhere for anything. I can weight myself without one and I can choose exposure suit from weather forecast. I have never been asked to prove my experience either after a little conversation.

- Mikko Laakkonen -

I love diving and teaching others to dive.

 

[kelemvor]

At ~some~ dive shops in Key West, you may not dive the Vandenberg without a guide unless you have:
1) 25 logged dives
2) logged dives to 130 feet
3) an AOW card.
and
4) recency, that is, dives logged in the past 6 months.

Most divers end up with a guide, at least, at that particular shop.

Interesting, and apparently effective sales tactic. Are you saying that's the way it's done on the Spree?

 

[kelemvor]

I'm always struck in these discussions by the lengths people go to to avoid using appropriate tools for a job.

In 2014, there are many well thought out dive logging apps, both for your laptop/desktop, for your phone or using online versions. Many are free, and the few that cost anything represent such a tiny expenditure for anyone who dives regularly. Most of these allow for printing out of logs in a variety of formats, for storing data including GPS coordinates, for sharing and data migration using universal formats like comma separated variables, XML or UDCF (universal dive computer format). Most allow for direct importing of dives and profiles from your dive computer, so you don't need to type everything in manually.

Yes, you can use an Excel spreadsheet for tracking dives. Yes, you can make up a word document with all of your various equipment configurations and the weighting used in each one, in fresh and salt water, and over time if your weight changes. Sure, you can keep track of your bank balance using a text editor and write a novel using a spreadsheet too. But why would you?

Seriously, I'm wondering what the aversion is to using a piece of software that someone has spent years optimizing and debugging to be well suited to tracking dives? Is it the $25 shareware cost?

Subsurface is totally free, compatible with most computers, and better than the (admittedly few) commercial software I've tried. It supports an extremely lengthy list of computers for automatic downloading, manual input, google maps integration etc. It also works on mac, pc and Linux.

I log in an app because I enjoy taking the time going over and remembering the dive that I put so much time and money into. When I signed up to work at an aquarium, I did have to provide a couple logged dives, so I printed some log pages with the app and handed those over. They contain more detail than your average logbook anyway.