Logbook Pro Newsletter

May 2005

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Always striving to ensure you have the best possible software, we found a small issue just after releasing 1.9.8.4.  Although extremely minor and with no worry updates using the automatic background updater in Logbook Pro, we went back to work and hammered out the one issue we wanted to fix immediately.  The issue only related to Palm Companion installations when we realized the PDA Wizard was not turning on the option selector of which runtime engine to use; Booster or CrossFire client.  We immediately fixed the issue, put it through testing and published the update.  Quality is our number one objective and we will go to any length sparing no expense ensuring you have nothing but the best!

With the installations beginning with version 1.9.8.4 we updated our installers to use the latest Microsoft Windows Installer engine (MSI 3) to provide more reliable installations and patch updates.  We were happy to hear the feedback from our beta team of 60 experienced Logbook Pro users that prior install issues reported were resolved.  Immediately after releasing 1.9.8.4/1.9.8.5 there appeared to be an issue with upgrading from 1.9.8.1 which we have yet to reproduce.  The issue is minor and harmless and simply requires forcing Logbook Pro to reinstall itself by doing an installation repair from the Windows Control Panel Add/Remove programs area.  The issue was only reported by a handful of users, but the issue exists and after researching with Microsoft it appears to be with the MSI 3 engine.  Microsoft released 3.1 to resolve this issue but then we found out it was later pulled so we are awaiting more information.  This has no impact on Logbook Pro unless you are one of the rare few that has the issue where Logbook Pro doesn't start after performing the update from 1.9.8.1.  If this does happen, it's easy to resolve, simply follow this FAQ article to learn what to do should this happen to you.

We have some exciting news to announce in our June newsletter, so stay tuned...don't touch that remote! :)
 

Saturday, May 14, 2005      Rain or Shine 10 am - 3 pm Clermont County / Sporty's Airport (I69) Batavia, OH

Mark your calendars and come visit the greatest aviation superstore, Sporty's Pilot Shop on Saturday, May 14th, 2005.  Click here to view more information about the event.  I look forward to meeting all of you so please stop by the NC Software booth as we'll have a few goodies to give away.  Bring your prospective Logbook Pro customers to our booth as we have a few goodies for them too.  I'll see you there!!!
 

Logbook Pro is designed to be simple and easy to use out of the box yet pack features for those willing to take Logbook Pro to new levels.  We know Logbook Pro's user-base includes all pilots across the globe.  Our goal is not to deliver a software product tied to one country's rules or regulations but give you the power to customize Logbook Pro to suit your individual needs.  Customizing Logbook Pro starts with two main areas: 1) Customizing the Display/Layout, and 2) Creating Custom Columns.

1) Customizing the Layout

Logbook Pro ships with the most commonly used data columns that most are familiar with transferring from traditional paper logbooks.  Many of these columns you may not use such as the block time columns for OUT/IN/TAKEOFF/LANDING columns, or Approaches for those that are VFR only pilots.  We see quite a few logbook data files where people realize columns can be resized by moving the mouse pointer to the right edge of the column header where the mouse pointer changes to a -|- type pointer.  When the mouse pointer changes when hovering the mouse over the column header right edge you can then click (left mouse button down and hold) and drag the column to change the column width.  Columns can be reordered by clicking the center of the column header and dragging the column left or right to the new position.  In the many logbook data files we see, people are sizing down columns to the minimum width, however, there is a better way.  Right-click in the logbook area and choose the "Configure Display" menu option from the popup menu or go to Options...Flight Log and click the Configure Display button on the right side.  A dialog such as shown below will appear:

Figure 1.  Display Configuration

Each of the standard columns are listed in the top portion allowing the user to click the checkbox (unless the column is required) to toggle whether the column should be visible or not.  This is suggested over sizing down columns to a minimal width.  The column header can also be renamed to a title you desire.  For example, some people call CFI time "IP" or "Instructor" or "As CFI" etc.  Feel free to customize the column titles as desired.  The data type for a given column cannot change such as remarks can only hold text and cannot be used for a time type column.  The Approaches column as well as out/in/takeoff/landing columns will have push buttons to popup another dialog for the respective data.  For those that already discovered the custom columns discussed next, custom columns configured will appear in four lists at the bottom for each data type they represent.  The checkboxes can be used to control whether or not these columns appear.  As you can see from this example, the Logbook Pro layout can be controlled extensively with the display configuration area.  More powerful features that are available for those desiring to use them.

2) Adding Custom Columns

Logbook Pro provides the capability of adding up to 50 custom columns to fit your needs.  Before we go into defining custom columns be aware of the auto-generated columns Logbook Pro will provide in reports for aircraft specific data.  For example, when selecting "C-172" as the aircraft type flown for the day, Logbook Pro knows it's a single-engine land, etc. as configured in the Options...Aircraft area.  Logbook Pro's logbook entry system does not require redundant flight log entries for aircraft category, class, etc. type of logging.  This only provides room for error and with Logbook Pro utilizing the power of the PC it will automatically create the aircraft specific columns of data for you in the reports.  With that said, it's recommended not to waste custom columns for logging information that is already provided for you as you learn more about Logbook Pro.

Figure 2.  Options...Custom Dialog

To go to the area in Logbook Pro to create custom columns click Options then the Custom menu option from the popup menu if shown.  You'll see a sub-area of tabs as shown in Figure 2 above broken down into five different types of columns that can be added to your logbook area: Time, Yes/No (checkbox), Counter, Expense, and Text fields.  To create a custom field of the desired type, simply type in a brief name that will appear as the column header/title for the desired data.  If you later choose to remove the custom column be sure to click the delete "x" on the right side of the custom column text box to purge the data within this column.  If you don't purge the data the data will actually remain in the storage position for this column and when adding a new title later the data will reappear from previous use.  Custom columns will automatically disappear when the text box title is cleared but data may still remain.  If you think this may be something you have done, i.e. cleared a title but not purge the data, you can always click the "x" prior to creating a new column in this same position and the purge routine will run whenever the "x" is clicked for this particular column position.

There are five types of data columns you can create with ten slots for each available type:

• Time:  Used for logging flight time related data such as 1.3 hours of flight

• Yes/No:  These columns appear as checkboxes which allow you to choose whether or not an event occurred

• Counter:  Integer data such as 1, 5, 10 for items such as carrier landings, etc.

• Expense:  This column type holds money values such as $5.00 for tips, etc.

• Text:  Record any text notes up to 255 characters in length such as crew names, etc.

Hopefully this overview will provide you with knowledge on how to get even more out of Logbook Pro and further customizing it to suit your individual flight logging requirements.  The best way to learn about Logbook Pro is to experiment, backing up your data of course (File..Archive..Backup) and reviewing the documentation and video tutorials.
 

When installing Logbook Pro's PDA Companion you will be required to choose which runtime engine to use; either the free "Booster" or licensed "CrossFire Client" engine.  Logbook Pro's PDA Companions are developed using a development solution by AppForge which has undergone changes in their business model which may affect you depending on which PDA you use. 

In order for Logbook Pro to run on your Palm or Pocket PC device it requires a "runtime engine" to translate code we write into what you see on the screen.  The nice thing about using AppForge's runtime engine is Logbook Pro is compatible with a wide range of devices which seem to be cropping up by the day!  "Booster" is the runtime engine Logbook Pro has used for years and it was freely distributable therefore essentially hidden from your cross-check as it was never worth mentioning.  However, over the past year AppForge has suffered an economic crunch as many businesses over the past few years and decided to start charging royalties for use of their runtime engine.  For those that have newer devices such as Palm Treo's or Windows Mobile 2003 2nd Edition will probably require the use of the CrossFire client edition of the runtime engine which requires a one time $25 activation fee for your device.  Now the good thing is it's a one time fee and any software you purchase for your PDA such as your favorite game, workout database, diet log, contact manager, whatever...and if it's built using AppForge, you'll already have your device licensed.  The CrossFire client is used by thousands of developers world-wide.

So the question is "does this apply to me?"  This depends on 1) does your device require this later runtime engine (CrossFire Client) or 2) do you simply want to have the latest and greatest and potentially a faster application on your device?  As mentioned above, the "Booster" engine will work for 99% of the devices out there.  However, Palm Treo 650's (as you know I use one) require the CrossFire client, and I believe the Windows Mobile 2003 2nd Edition requires it as well, or at least will provide a prompt or warning which you may be able to get past.  The best thing to do is try the Booster install first, if it issues a warning or error message, remove it then install the CrossFire runtime version.  Logbook Pro will install the CrossFire client for you but it will be limited to a 15-day trial until the one time (per device) $25 license is purchased.  CrossFire client licenses are purchased directly from AppForge.

I hope this clears up the differences between the Booster and CrossFire client engines you may see with the PDA Wizard when it comes time to enjoy Logbook Pro on that neat handheld device!  There's nothing better than coming home and being done with flight logging before you even arrive!  Log the flight before leaving the airport on your PDA, sync to the PC upon return, kick your feet up and reminisce over your enjoyable flights!
 

There's no better reward then hearing feedback from our great Logbook Pro community, especially when someone reports back after an interview with a major airline armed with Logbook Pro's professional printouts.  It's always nice to hear how Logbook Pro helped create a great first impression for their interview showing preparation and organization and most of all, accurate accountability for your flight experience.  We put cans upon cans of elbow grease into Logbook Pro's report engine to ensure your flight data is not a one way street, into the computer!  We want to make sure printing your Logbook Pro data is easy, any report you may want is available, and the output is as sharp as possible!  We are thrilled with the reports Logbook Pro generates and sleep easy at night knowing we could not have done better here and that we did it right!

We are so fortunate to be partnered with MGO Enterprises (aka MGOent.) to provide our Logbook Pro community the finest leather binders available.  Take a look at the high-quality binder products to make your logbook as professional as it can be, ready for any use whether a hard copy backup or for that career dream interview!

(click images to buy/learn more)

The MGOent. Premier Binder:

The MGOent. Old World Binder:

The MGOent. Full-Sized Landscape Carry-Model Binder:

Pre-Hole Punched Perforated Pages for Printing Ease:

For Premier Old World | For Full-Sized Carry Model

Click here to view the full line of MGOent. Binder Products available for your Logbook Pro presentation requirements.
 

There is one thing that makes Logbook Pro what it is today - YOU!  Your feedback is crucial not only to the success of Logbook Pro ensuring the best possible logbook for the world, but the best possible logbook to meet YOUR very needs.  We want to know what YOU want in the next version of Logbook Pro.  What can we do to make your logbook requirements easier to track?  What are the problem areas that need attention?  How can we make a product to serve you better?  Is Logbook Pro too complex?  Is Logbook Pro too simple?  We want to know!  Tell us your wishes for Logbook Pro version 2 so we can be sure to roll out the best possible software that will make you say one word
"wow!"  That's our goal, we want to do it right, so help us help you, click here to document your suggestions for Logbook Pro's future.
 

There's no better way to learn about Logbook Pro then watching someone else use the software.  We put together over 3 1/2 hours of task based training videos to help you get the most out of Logbook Pro.  We figured if we put all this time into developing these powerful features wouldn't it be great if we ensured you knew how to use them?  We certainly don't want our hard work and years of work to go to waste so sit back and relax, grab some popcorn and watch these videos to see what Logbook Pro can do.  The videos are absolutely free to view from our video training web site or you can purchase the Video Tutorial CD-ROM and not worry about a slow choppy Internet connection. 

Click here to order your Video Tutorial CD-ROM today.
 

We appreciate all of the great referrals to Logbook Pro and we want to make sure we are compensating you for your efforts.  At the top right of Logbook Pro is a menu item "Refer-a-Friend" which allows you to register for a referral "promotional" code (if Logbook Pro is registered).  Click this button and provide a few details (US customers only) and refer your friends, co-workers, crew mates, students, instructors, etc. about Logbook Pro.  Jot down your referral code and when they order have them enter the referral code on the last screen of the order process where the credit card numbers are entered.  They will see a "Promotional Code" box where they enter YOUR referral code and you will be paid $10 for each and every purchase, paid out monthly.  It's that easy, just spread the word; and in just a few referrals, your Logbook Pro is paid off! Keep referring and pocket a few extra dollars to spend as you wish.

*Referrals are not retroactive and can only be paid out when the referral code is used when placing an order. United States residents only.