RonR
Contributor
There are actually several who have done web based dive logs, from the late lamented Uemis, whose dive logging software was entirely web based, to some third party projects. A couple of these have contacted us with for information on incorporating the Cobalt, which we fully support. You do have the issue with data formats (dive data coming from the computer doesn't have a file structure, that needs to be created by the program). But the more you can take the 47 different variations of Windows and all the hardware configurations out of the picture, and stick within a standard communication method, the better off you are. What you are suggesting is, for dive logging, very sound.....
Now I do like the idea od OS independant fireware updates. What about uploading dive loads to a webserver over the USB with internet provided by the host? Then a user could login to said site and download a log file in different formats for different log programs. ...Could the usb port on the Cobalt be used to gain internet access from its host? Then firmware and logs could be transmitted via internet.
Nick
Firmware updating is another question, in that the program in the computer needs to be replaced. For most dive computers, either this capability does not exist, or it is very rarely used. But we wanted the Cobalt to have frequent updates and enhancements, and not just be a static product. This process is vulnerable to failure if it is interrupted, either by a glitch in the host computer, a timing or driver problem, a bad USB port, a connection break, or (as happened to one of our users) a lighting strike. We realize we need to make this process simpler- particularly for Windows users, where almost all the problems have occurred. On the Mac side, where the firmware update is a standalone program, we have had very few problems, and most of those have traced back to hardware or cables (or the Lion update, and USB changes there). One approach we are considering is to just have the Cobalt appear as a USB mass storage device (like a thumb drive) that the user could drag a firmware file to. That will take some additional development on our end.
Just to be clear, Atomic is completely responsible for their dive logging and firmware updating programs, my comments about third party dive logging software were just to point out that there are some very good, well proven, and reliable programs out there that are feature rich and download directly from the Cobalt, with full support from Atomic. Atomic did contract with an outside developer to build their dive log- which I expect most other manufacturers have done as well. I'm more open about it. You would probably be surprised to know that some dive computer companies have little or no in-house engineering capability, but contract out (I know in part because we have been approached to do work for them). That's not a bad thing- the diving market is very, very tiny, and that means they can get good embedded engineers, designers, or programmers for specific projects. But doing all development in house and the company taking full responsibility are separate issues.
Ron