Articles > Ranting & Raving - Loft Managemetn Software Frustrations!

Ranting & Raving - Loft Management Software Frustrations!

1. Update

If you have read the rest of the stuff in my website you will have deduced that I am a nice, even tempered person. Why then this section on ranting and raving? Well there are some things that bring out this uncharacteristic trait in my character and a moderate amount of ranting and raving is good for the soul and the rest of the body too.

I have always tried to keep good records on my birds; it is essential for success. The records are kept in three-ring binders and well labelled. Now that I have been initiated into the high-tech world, I thought that computer records would be more up-to-date and efficient. I investigated a pigeon data base, a loft management system and a pigeon loft organiser. They are all the same thing I suppose. One was from the United States, one from Australia and the other from Poland.

The U.S. one was easy to read, the Aussie one had all the words upside down (just kidding) and the Polish one actually came up with those window things that ask you to do something in Polish! They said that it was the English version.

They all had one thing in common. They created FRUSTRATION. For example, if you don't put the date in the right order you can't go any further. A date is a date--well that is what I thought. I sent emails to one of the producers and was told that their help system was poor at present and still being written. I am not a marketing expert BUT surely if you produce something and start selling it, you should have all the components in place. Perhaps I am naive!!! Also, if you sell these things to English-speaking customers you don't give them instructions in Polish. Do you think I am justified in my ranting...and even my raving?

There is one thing I should add, I am not a computer expert and maybe that is what I have to be in order to use these management systems.The advertising indicated that the systems were easy to use, but for who, or is that whom? One thing is certain I am spending too much time on these management systems and neglecting the birds. I will put them away until the off-season and try to make sense of them later.

Update
The Australian loft management system I have been using is Hawkeye. I now have the user manual (downloaded) and it is making things much easier. Also I have had excellent service via Pierre and their support system. Pierre is very quick with help and very patient. I am enjoying using the system and my records are beginning to look almost professional.

Have you noticed how I am now using words like downloaded, etc. quite nonchalently? I can send e-mails across the world with ease and I talk to people proudly about MY website. Perhaps I am not computer illiterate any more, well not until the next major glitch.

Email me at laurholb@telus.net.