Dive Computers - dodgy software .com...?

[Hippychris]

As both my partner and I use different Dive computers... A Vyper and A Prime I have been looking round for a piece of software that will imput both and we can have our own seperate profiles... as we are off on a world trip soon it seems sensible to only carry one piece of software..

After trawling for a few days I came up with Sharkpoint from Dreamdives.. it even allows you to upload to your PDA which is handier cos we will not be taking a laptop with us.. A few mails from me to them and I have been convinced.. it allows me to import from both dive computers.

I duly downloaded the demo version, which is ok but does not allow you to "import" dives.. just a 5 dive demo creation thing, but it looks ok.. so I sent the money and they send me the unlock code....

errrrr eerrrrrrr well it definately does not do what it says on the tin... yes it does import from the Suunto and the Aladin.. well sort of... you have to import into the Suunto and Aladin software first.. then export to a file then import into Sharkpoint.. which sort of defeats the object of it. It also regularly corrupts the data on transfer and does not transfer your dive profile... which to be honest it gives the impression it does in the demo as there is a space for it...

The PDA part of it does not actually import anything, it simply synch's with the computer, which again defeats the object of it as the whole idea.. as explained to there support section when I tried to get info before I bought it, was to be mobile with it.

I complained and was told that all I needed to do was update both the Suunto and Aladin software and it would be ok... but still not import directly from the dive computers as they told me... I did this and no change... I emailed back... and got no reply...

I eventually got in touch with the credit card company who told me that although the transaction had not been sent, there was nothing they could do to stop it. I wrote back to Dreamdives and informed them I considered this fraud as the software they sold me did not do what they said it did.. and they tell me they have a no returns policy.... but would have given me my money back (as if) had I not informed my credit card company, but as I had they were going to take it anyway..

Lesson.... make damn sure your credit card company will support you in any internet transaction... mine is telling me that even being sold software that does not work is not technically fraud, just theft, so they have washed their hands of it, the police... hmmm better things to do.. the internet company.. laughing their heads off at another conned customer..

The internet company is dreamdives.org and I would suggest people keep well clear of this company and the software Sharkpoint... the credit card was an HSBC VISA.. so careful what you use it for.

regards

Chris Jordan

[recurve]

Chris, please take this in the spirit of friendly advice, but you will find YD'rs a friendlier bunch if you post a little introduction about yourself, in the intros section before venting at the company you feel wronged you.

(edit)

Having just looked at the companies website, to be fair to them, I couldn't find anywhere that it said you could 'dowload' dive data from your dive computer into the PDA, and I think it's here you have the problem, as it does say you can 'import' it. This distinction is a bit blurry perhaps. Looks just like another log book program really.

(/edit)

As for PDA software, I use Pdivelog at www.inner-space.co.uk

lovely bit of software as far as the aladin computers go, you will have to research for yourself if it is suitable for others (although I do seem to remember it being Suunto compatible too).

Displays profiles on the PDA and you can have multi users, either use stand alone, or you can then download the stuff from the PDA, at least into Datatrak.

HTH Phil

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by recurve

Chris, please take this in the spirit of friendly advice, but you will find YD'rs a friendlier bunch if you post a little introduction about yourself,

NO!

People who post intros are sheep. Trading their value as human beings to some petty demands from people who want them to conform. What possible use is an intro other than to give people a reason to despise you for you training, tastes in equipment or preferences in dive sites? You will be adopted by some pressure groups and rejected by others with your opinions, that you have not yet expressed, devalued and largely ignored.

I am a real diver not just an intro!

Nurse? Time for my tablets? Already?

[recurve]

Originally Posted by nigelH

NO!

People who post intros are sheep. Trading their value as human beings to some petty demands from people who want them to conform. What possible use is an intro other than to give people a reason to despise you for you training, tastes in equipment or preferences in dive sites? You will be adopted by some pressure groups and rejected by others with your opinions, that you have not yet expressed, devalued and largely ignored.

I am a real diver not just an intro!

Nurse? Time for my tablets? Already?

See, this is how bad they get if you don't post an intro

'we forgot the anaesthetic'

[Hippychris]

errr whoops... sorry.

I joined a couple of weeks ago and kept meaning to throw a bit up about me kept putting it off and then got a letter from the bank this morning and spat me dummy out.. many apologies will fix that straight after this post..

I agree with what you say about the download which is why I emailed them first, before I bought it to ask that question.. I got a positive reply, which is why I feel I have been wronged, if it was just a case of me reading the website wrong then you have to admit defeat and learn your lesson... my getting out of my pram is that they deliberately misled me in the first place after I asked the right question.

and as for the bank I cannot believe their attitude... I thought I was protected against stuff like this, but they are too busy arguing the toss about if its theft or fraud..

Cheers for the advice on the PDA software will investigate

[Mr T.]

Originally Posted by nigelH

NO!

People who post intros are sheep. Trading their value as human beings to some petty demands from people who want them to conform. What possible use is an intro other than to give people a reason to despise you for you training, tastes in equipment or preferences in dive sites? You will be adopted by some pressure groups and rejected by others with your opinions, that you have not yet expressed, devalued and largely ignored.

I am a real diver not just an intro!

Nurse? Time for my tablets? Already?

Keeping the nurses busy again Nigel?

[GLOC]

I have looked at a couple of software solutions for my ipaq 2210 and Vyper. Tried Dive Assitant last year and when I registered the new version was out (but I didn't realise) and it will cost me more to upgrade - my fault I know. However, it is very memory hungry and quite slow.

Looked at Sharkpoint and couldn't get on with it.

Finally settled with pDive and have had no problems with data entry and importing from SDM 1.6. I am in the process of trying to iron out a few problems of direct transfer and Chris (Jackson) seems very helpful. Just waiting for a return email.

I use SDM to print out my logs and then I export (and import) into pDive to carry the logs with me. When I get the direct transfer sorted it will allow me do the logs at the site - a good thing if I am away as I tend to forget things!!

HTH