[APBeta] Observations Feature Questions

[Greg Paine]

I have some questions regarding the entry of observations and the best
method for accomplishing this task. Typically I record my observations after
the actual observation session, not during. I'm not sure if there is a
better, more efficient method then what I've been doing. This is going to be
a long, detailed message but that will help Paul understand the steps I took
and hopefully others will learn from my experience.

 

I began by creating a 3 object plan then I selected the Obs tab (I have not
saved the plan yet). I selected the 1st object I observed then clicked the +
in the lower left corner, entered the date & time then OK. Site, telescope,
EP, visual aid and filter were auto populated.

 

Was the site, telescope and EP auto populated because they are selected as
the default in resources?

 

How do I prevent visual aid and filter from automatically populating my
Barlow and UIC filter? Neither are selected as the default in resources.

 

I selected the 2nd object I observed then clicked the + in the lower left
corner, entered the date & time then OK. The "add observation to session"
window appeared with 3 options: 1) add to current session: untitled (which
was grayed out) 2) add to recent session: site: TBird, Start: yesterday at
9:00 pm and 3) start new session (which was selected as the default option).

 

Shouldn't it have been option 1 or 2 by default?

 

I selected option 2; add to recent session. Site, telescope, EP, visual aid
and filter were auto populated. I selected the 3rd object I observed then
clicked the + in the lower left corner, entered the date & time then OK. The
"add observation to session" window appeared exactly like the prior time; I
again selected option 2; add to recent session. Site, telescope, EP, visual
aid and filter were auto populated.

 

I chose 15 minutes between each observation so the start and end time in the
obs session data shows 9:00 - 9:30 (#1 at 9:00, #2 at 9:15 & #3 at 9:30).

 

How do I enter the fact that I observed #3 for 15 minutes and the session
ended at 9:45?

 

What is the "end" checkbox for and how is it used?

 

I'd like to see the general / resources area made larger. Currently I only
see 2.5 lines without scrolling.

 

I'd like to see military time as an option in the obs settings window.

 

Do you have plans for allowing access to the obs settings as a tab from the
preferences menu item? Seems like a logical place to find them.

 

Opening the obs database displays, my obs session displays with a duration
of (:30). Each obs entry shows the plan as Untitled-1.

 

Should I have saved the plan before starting to enter my obs? Can that be
corrected now? The edit global obs window doesn't display the plan name.

 

Is there a way to name sessions? Or would you just use the notes field?

 

Would it be beneficial to include the other obs session fields (seeing,
trans, observer & notes) in the obs sessions window?

 

Does anyone see a need for a duplicate session button? My last two sessions
were showing friends the same objects so that would have helped me but I
don't know how often that would really be a benefit.

 

Thanks in advance for your patience.

 

Greg

 

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