Whats your favorite HOS software?

[Kurbski]

decided to use eclipse.case closed :-)

[geargrinder]

decided to use eclipse.case closed :-)

White-Out. Prefer the tape over the liquid.

[Jackrabbit379]

decided to use eclipse.case closed :-)

Huh??

[Dejanh]

Loose leaf log books.....

[Fredog]

decided to use eclipse.case closed :-)

by far, the easiest to use and cheapest too, I always knew you were smart

[Kurbski]

I tried a few versions after posting and like eclipse because it's easy to use and very reasonable. Just needed something quick last week, edited my post after a few PM's and appreciate everyones advice. Loose leaf is great but antiquated when it comes to ease of use. I do have a few books around if the computer takes a dump.

[Kurbski]

by far, the easiest to use and cheapest too, I always knew you were smart

Not to bad for a pollack eh, it's even fireman proof. :-)

[Fredog]

I tried a few versions after posting and like eclipse because it's easy to use and very reasonable. Just needed something quick last week, edited my post after a few PM's and appreciate everyones advice. Loose leaf is great but antiquated when it comes to ease of use. I do have a few books around if the computer takes a dump.

just in case you dont know, Eclipse has an option to save your logs to the web, I use it once a week, then you can restore them if your computer crashes
I have a printer in the truck and print them every day also

[ssoutlaw]

My brain and a little math work great for me!!!
Why do we need a program for everything we do, how lazy are we getting....lol HEY, I got it, we need a program to drive the truck for us so we can play video games while the truck moves....lol....lol

[Jackrabbit379]

Ya know, it seems like everyone has either GPS or some other kind of mapping system. I always had a road atlas, and hoped I could find where I needed to go in the cities.

[Jumbo]

How does it work when you go into a scale and they want you to bring in your paperwork, do you just hand them your license, registration, medical card and laptop?

[Fredog]

How does it work when you go into a scale and they want you to bring in your paperwork, do you just hand them your license, registration, medical card and laptop?

you print your logs every day, it has an option to print today so far,the dot guys seem to love it. they just glance at the logs and hand them back

[DieselBoss]

you print your logs every day, it has an option to print today so far,the dot guys seem to love it. they just glance at the logs and hand them back

Yup. We are getting reports now of the DOT guy actually using the program to check driver paper logs because it's so simple to see the violations with. As far as inspections, the easiest way is to have a small 3-ring binder with the last 8 days printed, but often they will just look at the screen and move on too. The opposite story from that scenario though is STILL the case once in while where some states/inspectors won't accept anything except a hand-written paper log, so unfortunately the world isn't ready for it to replace the paper altogether yet. But it's moving more that way every month anyway.

Anyone can install it and use it for a month for free by going here: Free download of truck drivers electronic log software

[Copperhead]

I vote for the loose leaf logs. Screw one up, just throw it away and start a new one. No white out or tape. Causes the powers that be to take a second look at what you are doing. Besides, only need whiteout or tape if you are using a pen. No requirement for pen use in the regs. You can use a good 'ol #2 pencil. Been using a pencil for over two decades and have not had any issues by DOT. An occasional safety dept told me I had to use pen until I opened the FMCSA regs and showed them that no pen required. Heck, it is even legal to use a crayon! As long as it is legible and in the drivers own hand writing. Period.

Either way, you still have the carbon to deal with and that is harder to use an eraser on, but it can be done. Loose leaf solves all those problems. I just take the staples out of my company log books and loose leaf it. I do the recap on each log and there is no wondering what I have available and when and how many hours I will be picking up in the future. The only technology I use with logs is a calculator to save time.

The only log software I will deal with is when EOBR's are required by the FMCSA.

[Fredog]

screw up on a computer log, just hit delete and start over

[GMAN]

What happens if your computer crashes and you don't have any paper logs?

[Fredog]

What happens if your computer crashes and you don't have any paper logs?

you are screwed!! I always have a couple log books with me, I used to fill out a regular one also and then just turn in the computer one since it's so much neater, but the dot seems to like the computer ones so I dont do it anymore

[DieselBoss]

What happens if your computer crashes and you don't have any paper logs?

At this point, they should keep a paper logbook with them regardless because we have found some states where the inspectors only accept the old ways. As far as the logbook data on the hard drive, it can be backed up or restored to the online server or a USB flash drive any time. But that goes for ANYthing that you have on a laptop. I have helped restore driver's laptops many times from crashes and the rule of thumb is "if you would be devastated to lose <insert whatever that may be here> then back it up periodically." Doesn't matter if it's a log file or a picture of your granny. These days we are liking either the USB drive method (because they are getting huge and cheap) or an online service like Carbonite if the driver has regular access to the web.

[headborg]

Ya know, it seems like everyone has either GPS or some other kind of mapping system. I always had a road atlas, and hoped I could find where I needed to go in the cities.

yeah,
GPS would have come in nice the other night when I was trying to tell the 911 operator where to send the patrol man on that cold dark night.. maybe he could have gotten there before the other driver had a chance to think up a good cover story.

[Jackrabbit379]

yeah,
GPS would have come in nice the other night when I was trying to tell the 911 operator where to send the patrol man on that cold dark night.. maybe he could have gotten there before the other driver had a chance to think up a good cover story.

That doesn't sound good..