I’ve read so much about the revolutionary free software called “Hive Tracks” that I decided to open an account and give it a try. I got an instant case of claustrophobia. While this system might work for a lot of beekeepers, it would never work for me. Here’s why:
- When I’m beekeeping I’m not at my computer and vice versa. I like to take a small notebook into the field with me, jot down notes, diagrams, and to-do lists, then go on to the next hive. No way do I want to transcribe this into a computer later. Life’s too short.
- The hive diagrams don’t have a lot of the equipment I use—so when I’m clicking on the components trying to “build” my hive, I have to do without internal frame feeders, double screen boards, Cloake boards, moisture quilts, and triangle escape boards. They have “entrance reducer”—but only one size. They have “honey super”—but no way to distinguish a section super from a Ross Round from a plain framed honey super. There’s no way for the diagram to show whether your Varroa tray is in or out.
- There are no hive components specifically for top-bar hives or Warré hives.
- There is nothing in the diagram to indicate whether the frames are plastic, wax, or foundationless, although, you can indicate some of this under “Hive Condition”—which I don’t really understand. Once of the choices under foundation type (which is under hive condition) is “drone cell.” You can check this off, but you can’t say 2 frames, or 1 frame—you can only check it off, which doesn’t really tell you much.
- Also the check boxes indicating hive condition apparently pertain to the whole hive. It’s just not that way in real life. Some boxes are going to be in better condition than others, but you can’t indicate that unless you write it in the description of the hive which is in a different section.
- There is a place to add links to photos and videos, but there was no way to add sketches or hand-drawn diagrams to your notes. You could scan them and add links, but how handy is that? I like to stand behind each hive with my diagram and to-do list in hand—and then do it. Why make it so complex?
- Worse, there is no place for a to-do list. When I’m doing a hive inspection, for example, I’m making a to-do list, right? You can add notes under “description” in a few places, but I don’t think of a description as a to-do list.
- You can check off various boxes indicating diseases, treatments, feeds—but all you can do is check them off. So if you check off MegaBee, does that mean it has it or needs it?
- Oddly, the program has my correct latitude and longitude, but couldn’t figure out what time zone I am in, and I couldn’t find a way to change it.
- “Frame count” apparently means “frame count per box.” I tried to put in 30, but it wouldn’t take it.
I apologize if I sound cranky, but this program wound me up tight. Within 30 minutes I was ready to give up beekeeping and become a cattleman–but then, they probably have equally irritating software . . . and I’m not particularly fond of cattle. I like to think “outside the box” as they say, but I felt this program tried its best to stuff me into the tiniest crate it could find.
The best thing for you to do would be to go ahead and try it. Decide for yourself. Like I said, it’s free (a clue) and readily available. Here, I’ll even give you the link.
Rusty
I’m a database person, and poorly designed databases are my #1 pet peeve (well, maybe #2 after the USDA oh wait, #3 after the EPA), so I have put off checking out this software for a long time. And now I can skip it completely! Thanks, Rusty!
Hi Rusty,
I’m one of the developers of Hive Tracks. I appreciate your willingness to try the software and for your observations on what is lacking … and yes, you do sound too cranky
Understand that this is a work in progress. We released it last August when we believed it reached a baseline of usefulness and have been improving it ever since as time and effort allow … we have other real jobs too! So, I would have preferred an email directly to us requesting some of the features (especially components) that you would like to see or for clarifications. I’m not happy with everything it does either, but I am finding it very useful and know that it will continue to improve.
Jess, you may be jumping to conclusions … you should check it out for yourself and then tell me it is a poorly designed database.
Are you really going to forego your own informed decision based on a cranky blogger? As the designer and developer of Hive Tracks and one who has been developing software for 25 years and I believe the old adage “the user is always right”. On several points this particular critic is right. We DO need a smart phone app and we’re working on it, we DO need a TODO list and we’re working on it. Hive Tracks is only 8 months old. When MS Word or Excel were only 8 months old I’m sure they might have gotten the same thrashing from this guy but is that really fair? The software is young and the software is FREE! We’re adding new features, fixing bugs and truly listening to users every day.
As for database design, I don’t see how that can be discerned from this cretic. Hive Tracks sits atop a well-designed and powerful database (and it ain’t MySQL) that utilized transactions, caching and rock solid relational integrity. Since we launched in August 2010 we’ve processed millions of transitions, inserts, deletes and updates without a single hiccup in the database. We are happy to hear about bugs in the software, problems with web pages, logic, exceptions, unclear meanings, etc. but not one of those has lead back to faults in the database. Not one.
So I encourage you and other beekeepers to think about the true difference in a sticky, propolis splattered notebook and Hive Tracks. It’s the same difference in Excel and an 1890’s accounts journal. They both do the same things to some extent… Sometimes you still right stuff down before it goes in but that’s where the similarities end. In your sticky notebook you cannot push a button to print sorted, formatted reports, or scroll through your list of hives, or find a failing queen, or know in a flash what you feed (and when) to a particular hive early last spring, or see you yard location and foraging ranges in a Google map. I’m sure I sound as defensive as he does cranky but hey… Hive Tracks is my baby and yes, I will defend it.
Kind Regards,
Mark Henson
Cofounder of Hive Tracks
I’m sure you will improve Hive Tracks in the future. In the meantime, I prefer a “sticky, propolis-splattered notebook” to a sticky, propolis-splattered computer.
Btw, I like the way you compare your software to MS Word and Excel. Very humble.
I’m certainly not comparing “2 guys and a box” to Microsoft. I was simply saying that every application has a version 1 and that’s a tough spot. Yes, we will improve Hive Tracks and hopeful one day win you over!
Let me know when to try again, and I will. I love a good piece of software.
Rusty,
I am sure you will be the first one contacted !
Kevin
I have been a software designer and developer for over 30 years. Yes think IBM mainframes as the start and General Ledgers etc. etc.. Normally you get what you pay for when it comes to software. In the case of Hive Tracks any of us using it are getting an incredible piece of software and hours of labor to develop it – and we haven’t had to pay anything.
Ask 100 beekeepers how they do a task and you can get 100 different answers. So for a program this young to cover as much as they have is amazing. Can they cover all of the different hive components out there and all the different types of hives – yes given time. As it stands Hive Tracks is the best attempt available for computer based record keeping.
Do I like every thing about Hive Tracks – No. But I will work with the developers and make my suggestions or requests. As with all software development they will agree or disagree. If they agree they will prioritize my request based on how many others it will help.
Thank you Hive Tracks for the work you have done.