Digital Record Keeping

[Wiresguy]

I've enjoyed the replies in this thread.

Thanks to hporter for the heads-up on the Tap Forms program. I've downloaded and paid for it and managed to get one of my databases ported over, though it wasn't an easy task. BUT, all part of the learning process for a new program. It appears to have promise and I'm in no rush, so will learn over time.

 

[hporter]

Wiresguy, Glad you like it. I just upgraded my Mac OS to be able to use the most current version of Tap Forms.

I played with it today. It seems every new database system has it's own unique ways to accomplish similar results. I'm still learning.

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

Being computer ignorant. I find just trying to post an avatar beyond my comprehension. Let alone keeping a running log of my loads. But give me a paper and pencil and i'm good.

 

[462]

Kevin,
The avatar thing was beyond my computer level, too, but Brad was gracious enough to take care of it.

 

[springfield17074]

I’m a ledger book guy. I have and still do load for my brother and my sons plus myself. I’ve not cast enough useable bullets to add that but. Each caliber, for each person has a number, plus load number. And when the ledger is full, I get another. I just like to write it down but with saying that I understand those who can use a searchable database computer program. Info from possibly years of loads could be quickly available. That would be very nice. But I’ll still search, slowly, for the info I need, but I’m comfortable with it because I’ve been doing it that way for longer than a computer and definitely a laptop was in everyone’s home.

 

[Reloader762]

GRT looks very interesting. But if you want to run it on a Mac, you will have to use something like VirtualBox to run Windows software.

I've looked at that program but didn't realize I could run it on Linux which I have used as my OS for the past ten years now. After installing a few dependencies as instructed to in the instillation text it runs great. I've had great success with most of the cast lead rifle loads I shoot running the numbers through the program although there are some limitations on cast bullets you can select from and some powders are not available but from some combinations I ran last night MV is pretty darn close to what I got on my chrono.

 

[Rcmaveric]

I run Linux and Raspberry PI. I use open office calc for reloading Log. Same thing as others with a twist. I like assigning test group numbers to track performance on targets. Each caliber has its own tab. I export my chrono results and compile it into a table and attach pictures.

For notes I use a nested note taking program to track all my thoughts and ideas and progress. I have used a couple but settled on CherryTree.

 

[hporter]

Rcmaveric,

I like your reports, especially the one with the chrono data and the target photo. Nice job. That is one of my next projects to undertake. I keep good notes up to the point of actual shooting, but then it falls apart. I don't have the Chrony printer for my old chronograph, so it was cumbersome to try and record the data at the range. I did buy the Frankford Arsenal chronograph a few years ago, and it does record the data on my phone and then export the chronograph readings. So I would like to do something like you have done.

I also like that you capture your favorite loads at the header of your report. A quick and easy way to find them again. I just have a check box for whether I liked the load or not. Then I put the particulars, if I remember to do so when I get home, into the notes field. Your method is much cleaner.

You say that you run Linux and Raspberry PI. Isn't the Raspberry PI one of those embedded controllers? Would that be analagous to using a Mac mini which is just a box that you connect your monitor to and your mouse and keyboard? I would like to learn more about Linux. I bought a couple of those Dell mini laptops over the years and they came with Unbuntu, but I always converted them into FrankenMacs to work in my Apple computing world. I might have to dig one out of the closet and try to educate myself.

I may not be correct, but in my mind Linux is sort of like Windows 2000 which was my favorite operating system in the Microsoft world. Robust, dependable and no frills. I had no need for the multimedia capabilities they added to Windows XP, and I hung on to Windows 2k until it just wasn't tenable. That idea still appeals to me.

 

[Rockydoc]

I run Linux and Raspberry PI. I use open office calc for reloading Log. Same thing as others with a twist. I like assigning test group numbers to track performance on targets. Each caliber has its own tab. I export my chrono results and compile it into a table and attach pictures.

For notes I use a nested note taking program to track all my thoughts and ideas and progress. I have used a couple but settled on CherryTree.

Let me preface this question with a qualifier: I know very little about creating a spreadsheet template, or very much of anything about such programs.

I have an open office adaptation for Macs called NeoOffice. It contains programs named: Text, Spreadsheet, Database, Presentation, and Drawing.

Question: Is Calc the same as Spreadsheet?

Your Load Data has four panels, Favorites, Loading Log, etc. If your Calc is the same or very similar to my Spreadsheet, how do you get the extra panels?

 

[Rcmaveric]

This is my old file I created 4 years ago before switching to open office and Linux. Yes Calc and spread sheet are the same thing. You should be able to open and adjust it and change it to your needs. My new file is an ODS and I couldn't post it. Its not a supported file format.

Like others I love pen and paper also. My mind races 90 MPH and some times I am lazy. I always update my logs and electronic files at the end of the day. Gives me a chance to read through my cluster cracked out mouse thoughts and turn them into something intelligent and easy to follow. More than once my spiral note book i couldn't be decrypted what I was thinking between the chicken scratch, coffee and rain stain (darn cat) and idea jumping.

The panels are just tables separate with a thin column or row then filled in black. If I want to expand the favorites loads I just add rows. Same for the reloading log. I just add more rows. I dont even use the factory loads section. It was all ready there when I downloaded the template 6 years ago.

 

[Rcmaveric]

Mac is actually a version of Linux same as Android is also version of Linux. I run Linux mint on my desktop. The pi runs Linux Rasbian which is limited on what it will rund due to being an ARM processor. Makes me mad GRT and Dropbox Client won't operate on it. There is an alternate board just realeases that will run them with an Intel processor. The Rasberry Pi is the size of a credit card.

My chrono plugs into my cell phone and my phone just records all the shots. I export the files from the cell phone app as CSV. Then I edit the csv file. If I would take the time learn and create a program I am sure I could spead the editing process up. But I am very good and efficient with Excell and its alternates so it only takes me a little bit to compile the range session.

 

[Cherokee]

My records go all the way back to 1963. I started with index cards, then migrated to a word processor, which I then converted to WORD in 1985. I designed a form to be used for every specific load. Below is a sample of the individual Reloading Record(s) I keep in directories by cartridge. Minor variations on a load (load development info) are documented in the text of the form and I then record the results of each shooting session with the specific firearm used.

 

[Rockydoc]

This is my old file I created 4 years ago before switching to open office and Linux. Yes Calc and spread sheet are the same thing. You should be able to open and adjust it and change it to your needs. My new file is an ODS and I couldn't post it. Its not a supported file format.

Like others I love pen and paper also. My mind races 90 MPH and some times I am lazy. I always update my logs and electronic files at the end of the day. Gives me a chance to read through my cluster cracked out mouse thoughts and turn them into something intelligent and easy to follow. More than once my spiral note book i couldn't be decrypted what I was thinking between the chicken scratch, coffee and rain stain (darn cat) and idea jumping.

The panels are just tables separate with a thin column or row then filled in black. If I want to expand the favorites loads I just add rows. Same for the reloading log. I just add more rows. I dont even use the factory loads section. It was all ready there when I downloaded the template 6 years ago.

COOL!

 

[Reloader762]

My new file is an ODS and I couldn't post it. It's not a supported file format.

Open up the Calc file in Open Office, now you have two options to choose from to take a screenshot of what your spreadsheet looks like. One is use the built-in program called screenshot under Accessories in Linux Mint or just hit the Print Scrn key on your keyboard. Either one will save the screenshot as a PNG file which you can post here.

 

[hporter]

Sorry for waking up this old thread, but I have been playing with Linux Mint in a virtualbox installation on my Macintosh computer.

I found a database program called Kexi. It is "exactly" what I have been wanting to replace the database program Filemaker on my Macintosh with. It is very similar to Microsoft Access in that it has tables, queries, forms and report capabilities. It is a full relational database. I set up a simple structure just to play with and so far it works pretty well.

For my test, I have a main table called Load Data, which pulls data from other tables via primary indexes that define the relationship. I named the other tables "bullets", "powder", "primers", "lube", and "references" I then put a couple entries in each table so I could test the main table. It worked like a charm and I was able to pull the data into my main load data table through drop down menus.

This works the same as my filemaker database that I have used for the past 12 years. You set up your data in individual tables which you pull from on your main table. This means you only have to input your powder, bullets, primers and lube one time. On the Load Table you simply click on the bullet field, which opens the bullet table and you select a bullet that is already populated. It takes a while to fully populate things, but it makes data entry so pain free in the future.

Here are a few screen grabs from the program.



This is the main screen where you can see your tables, queries, forms and reports.



This is my load table that I made for a test. The left hand column shows which fields are linked to an external table through a relationship.



This is a shot of the bullet table where you would input all the bullets you use. I just made this up on the fly for this test. When you click on bullet on the load data table, this is the data that it would pull from.

I am so excited to have found this database program. It does everything that I needed from Microsoft Access, as I never got into scripting or programming. I just want a safe and secure place to store data, and to be able to review and print what I need.

Best of all, the Linux operating system is free, this program is free and everything else that I have encountered is free. And so is Virtualbox by Oracle. You just download the version of Virtual Box for your operating system (Windows, Mac OS) and then download a Linux ISO for the operating system you want. I chose Linux Mint. If you already are running Linux, just download the Kexi database program.

This is probably too nerdy for most, but if you know how to use a relational database, this is a real find.

I have been trying to prepare for the day when I have had enough of Apple computers, and I know I will never use Windows in my home ever again - unless it is work related. I quit using Windows in 1998 and moved to the Apple operating system. Apple software and hardware still works well for me, but someday I know I will need to move on. So I have been trying to educate myself on the Linux operating system. So far, I really like what I see.

My other major hobby is photography, so I am also trying to get a handle on Linux photo programs and movie editing programs. This has been a lot of fun for this old dog to learn new tricks. The last time I fooled with Linux was in the late 1990's when I wanted to quit with Microsoft and it sure has improved since then.

Now I just need to export all the tables out of Filemaker that I have built over the years and suck them up into this new program.

Life is good!

 

[Brad]

I would be no better with digital record keeping than I am analog.

I just suck at stuff like that so I quit trying.

 

[JWFilips]

I guess I'm old School: I pull every target ...Record the load , rifle, and date! Been doing that since 1980! Have a crap load of file folders!
For Pistol: I only do that with good scores! Sure don't have many of them!