I had this e-mailed to me and wondered if anyone uses it and if so, what is your opinion on its overall performance and operations?

Bigfoot Searcher's Software

Sorry Arky. Never have seen that one before. Could be useful though. And at $10 at least it doesn't cost and arm and leg to find out. The page did have some links to sites I hadn't seen before. I kinda liked the NORKA one. Hope you're having a great Sunday

Thanks anyway mpoindexter. I thought about downloading the trial to check it out, but thought I would ask around first before taking up precious space on my computer. LOL

If you decide to try it out, let me know how it works.

I might just go ahead and try it out myself.

I took a look at the program. It looks like something somebody threw together in their spare time, and it's really not something i would recommend using for serious research.

Basically, it's a database tool that someone has customized for the kinds of data they think a BF researcher would want to catalog. The problem is that it looks very limited (maximum of 3 pics per report?!?), some of the choices are pretty silly, and the format of the database is likely to work only with that particular program. All bad news.

While a bit more expensive, it would be MUCH wiser in the long run to go with some more established (and powerful) database software, like the excellent and easy to use Filemaker Pro, and maybe a book like this to get you started. You can quickly design your own flexible and powerful database, and share it with others, whether they use Macs, PCs, or even a PDA like a PalmPilot. Some reports might have no photos, some might have 30 photos, a video, and sound clips. You can accomodate all that and more with a real database app.

-robo

Hmm. We could develop a really good web-based system and hang it off the forums. Are there any PHP/MySQL developers in the house?

Gotta give it up for the geek.

Good idea, Bipto!

Anyone know what the hell he's talking about?

^^ yeah, but my webserver skills dont go far beyond Apache, and i'm no coder.

-robo

Alls I was saying was it wouldn't be too terribly hard to develop an independent database of sightings. The big issues I see are:

• We need someone who could build it. I could probably do it, but I'm not exactly seeing a large surplus of spare time in my life right now...
• Why duplicate the BFRO's database? It's quite good and very thorough. I mean, how many of these things do we need in the world?
• Who's going to follow up? I don't think unsubstantiated reports should be posted, so who's going to investigate them?

Other than that, I think we have an outstanding group of researchers around here who could help define the thing...

Well, we wouldn't have to start a competing database to the BFRO. It could be more like a publicly available research database, where researchers could post their notes, photos, and findings. Any actual BF sightings etc would be reported to the BFRO, but the detailed notes from the searches could be available here.

-robo

I like Robo's idea.

OK, so what kind of specific data would this thing track? What are the kinds of things researchers keep notes on? Seriously, if we could define the thing we could build it...

Sounds like time for some input from the 'real' BF researchers.. Arky?

Well...everything!

Time of day, season, location, terrain, fauna, forest cover, available food & water sources, elevation, area wildlife, area's sighting history...etc...

Like I said...everything...LOL

I'd be willing to do a follow up on any sightings from Ocala,Fl and points south.I can most times be there within hours of the report or at the latest a few days.Maybe instead of a competing database confine it to only recent reports that are more likely to have possible corroborating evidence ,as opposed to trying to check out reports that happened several years ago ?

I still like this idea.
As for what to include, like Arky said, everything!!
I am not a researcher in the sense of several here, but in opportunity knocks, I will look at anything in my area. If I do, I will take note of every possible perameter I can think of. See the thread "details, details" for what I mean.
A highly detailed database, even if it starts our relatively small, would be a great help in determining the what's, where's, why's of sassy, and who knows where it may lead.

In case you are interested there is a auction on E-bay which end tomorrow with the identical item -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...2&category=1128

Another one sold today for $3.99

Well, I like the idea of a decent database, I am not impressed with the particular software in question!
Not looking to buy a program, just like the idea of a very detailed database of sighting information.

"Any actual BF sightings etc would be reported to the BFRO, but the detailed notes from the searches could be available here"
Sorry Robo......Dont want anything of mine reported to the bfro. Dont like oneway streets!!!
Pegleg

I can relate peg... but don't be too hasty...

I've had a change of heart regarding those guys...

the more I learn about this subject, the more I learn that things are not always as they may first appear...

All I ask is that you keep an open mind on that topic...

my $0.03... adjusted for inflation...

Wow, RB, I almost used that as my signature. That's too funny.

and maybe a little scary to be thinking alike.

Ha! That one was mine!

I like it so far- it doesn't mention it in the auction, but there's another page available for additional data, as well as a page just for pics from the site.

For under 5.00, how wrong can you go?

-Sarge