Date:         Wed, 28 Feb 1996 15:10:24 -0500
From: Kelley Rosenlund <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Evaluation of Honeybees; Checklist or Procedure?
 
 I take a tape
>recorder ( a small $ 30 one) out with me when I work the bees. The
>recorder has a pause button on it, I just push the button and tell the
>machine what I have seen and what I have to do next time I return to the
>hive.
 
>>        Being as I am new to the business, I have been wondering how I would
>>keep track of my hives when I get into this full time & my hive count goes
>>up. I have been playing with the idea of using an electronic notebook with a
>>database program where I would only have to write the hive number and up
>>pops it's history which can then be updated. Has anyone tried this or know
>>of any software that would work in this application? Granted these notebooks
>>are in the $600-800 US range but it might pay for itself by streamling
>>recordkeeping.
 
Kelley:
 
I've found the following to help me....
        1) I carry a small VOX tape recorder in shirt pocket...
           about the size of a pack of cigarettes
        2) A couple of times a year I pack along a cheap polaroid
           camera and take a few photographs of the apiary and/or
           individual stands...yes it costs about $1.00 a shot BUT
           it might cost me a dollar in gas each way to get to that
           yard....Sometimes 1 picture is worth more than a 1000 words
           on tape..
        3) Mark the hives in some way....
            Examples...I've seen wood and metal numbers attached to
            hive bodies and supers....too much for me but who's to say...
            Paint a number on brick/stone/etc that you keep on top
            of telescoping cover...I've even seen the covers numbered
            in paint or some such...
            If you keep the yard well mowed...a wood or plastic paint
            stirrer can indicate the stand's number....With my weed whip
            and infrequent visits I opt for marking the hive stand
            (treated patio lumber) and/or using old metal T fencepost
            and signage for tired eyes...
 
My experience with laptops and/or portable computers has not been very
good....Battery life has not been great and the machines themselves have
not held up well at all....I think there are three in my junk pile....
I'm presently using an ancient Mac on inverter power if I take a computer
with me on my rounds....
One of my partners in crime here at the computing center has been carrying
a Newton around for a couple of years and likes it....I'm not sure whether
it would stand gloves/honey/propolis and the rough treatment that it would
get riding in my van year-around....
 
        I'm slowly standardizing my distant outyards to one size box...
llinois or 6 1/4 inch tall box...closer yards have a bit of every size
and shape imaginable....SIGH!
 
To the Rest of Bee-L, enjoyed your tales of spring...I know its around
the corner...a few stings will rid me of these aches and pains...
 
Bee Methodical! Advance Science and Communicate...
 
Sincerely,
[log in to unmask] - Ken Adams
EAS Master Beekeeper