Originally Posted by
zyttocs
Fellas,
I'm having a hard time convincing myself to switch my logbook over to the computer. I know the computer would make it much much easier to pull out specific times such as make, models, and types but my concern is what if I decide a few years from now to change software programs or something. How easy or not easy is it to upload a new software program with the old programs data in order to keep the running totals?
I actually used a software program a number of years ago but it became antiquated and if I changed software I would have to go back and start the logbooks over essentially loosing all of the individual flight/leg data. I guess the only way to keep that individual flight information is to print off each entry....?
Thoughts?
As has been said, most software companies will massage another programs data to import it into their own if necessary. Often though, the software has a utility which will import data from other popular programs, so you don't need to mess with sending the data off. Further, many (even older programs) will export their data in generic formats, such as CSV files, which permit easy importing.
I switched over completely more than a dozen years ago, and have never regretted the decision. At the time I entered line by line all of my paper log data (over 3000 hours at the time IIRC), which took quite a while, but it was well worth it. Granted, as others have pointed out, being able to massage the data may not be as essential in corporate as it is filling out airline apps, but it makes thinks so easy and so neat.
Furthermore, it gives you a great deal of security in maintaining your data. Here is something I just posted on another thread, but I think is worth repeating here. (And no, for the record I don't sell a logbook program, but I am an avid fan of them):
I preach this to everyone who will listen:
Create an email account using either your email provider or a free one such as hotmail. Backup your electronic logbook, and email the file to yourself. You now have a free offsite backup, which will cover you even in the most catastrophic circumstances such as a fire or flood (or in your case theft) occur where you truly lose everything. Simply having a backup at home may not protect you if home is destroyed.
I also suggest scanning all important paper logbook entries (all endorsements, checkrides, and so on); saving them as PDF files, and emailing them to the same address. Again, it provides a secure offsite way to be able to replicate your credentials if the need arises.