FAQ

FAQ - Frequently Asked Question

What is OpenLogbook?

OpenLogbook is a service for all skippers or crews of sailing yachts to publish there Logbooks (positions, reports, experiences, pictures) in the Internet. The use of this service is for all basic functions free of charge. Since this is a service for all sailing yachts it is called OpenLogbook.

Can OpenLogbook be considered a Home Page for my yacht?

Basically yes. All information about the yacht, the crew, the planned journey, position reports, current and former positions in the map and even images could be organized and displayed by OpenLogbook in the internet. The only disadvantage is the OpenLogbook is using a fixed layout, which can not be personalized.

What is so special about OpenLogbook?

The following features of OpenLogbook are quite special:

OpenLogbook offers an Email-Interface which allows the skipper or the crew to update the logbook directly 'live' form board, using a short wave radio or a satellite phone. This not only includes sending new entries in to the logbook (Position Reports), but also checking, updating or deleting of existing logbook entries.

How can I use OpenLogbook?

First, you are requested to register your yacht in OpenLogbook. This starts with a click of the link register. This link is placed on the Login-Page. Secondly, you need to fill in the registration form as completely as possible. After sending the registration form, you will receive an email with your temporary login data. After receiving your login data, you are requested to log in to OpenLogbook within 24 hours.

Next you can already upload the image of your yacht, and create your first leg and you can already start to add logbook entries.

During a period of 5 days the administrator will check your registration data. Usually he will change the status of your yacht to active, which means that your yacht will be published online. After this the logbook of your yacht can be viewed by anyone in the internet.

What is a Leg?

Legs are used to structure OpenLogbook. You can create an infinite number of Legs. A Leg is a trip from a starting position to an arriving position. A Leg could have its own summarizing description. Every logbook entry (Position Report) belongs to exactly one Leg. Each Leg holds as many Position Reports as you like.

What is a Position Report (PR)?

A Position Report (PR) is an entry in to the logbook. It always belongs to exactly one leg. It contains the geographic coordinates of the position in question and other information. In the report area you can add any content you like.

How does the Email-Interface works?

OpenLogbook checks all 5 minutes whether there is a new email arrived in the email address pr@openlogbook.com. If a new email is found then OpenLogbook checks whether the sender is registered. Only emails from registered senders are processed at all.

The next step is that the system tries to read and understand the email. In other words it performs a syntax check of the subject line and if necessary also the body text.
In case a syntax error is detected (OpenLogbook can not understand the email) the processing of the email will be stopped and the sender will be informed by email about the syntax error.

If OpenLogbook understand the email then it either carries out the command in the email immediately or, depending on the security settings, it starts the reconfirmation process. In any case, the sender gets informed about the current status by a reply email.

What are Email Security Levels?

OpenLogbook offers to its users tow different security levels for email traffic:

'Easy Email Mode' and
'Secure Email Mode'.

The preferred email security mode needs to be selected during the registration process. Later on it can be changed at any time.

In case the skipper selects the 'Easy Email Mode' then OpenLogbook is instructed to carry out every command immediately after receiving at pr@openlogbook.com. This mode is more convenient since there is no requirement to handle additional confirmation emails. However the skipper should bear in mind that it is possible to fake email addresses and it is possible that logbook data could be changed or deleted by unauthorized people. If you want to choose this mode then it is recommended to keep your email address confidential and use it only for this purpose.

If the skipper prefers a higher security level and does not mind to receive and send some additional emails then the 'Secure Email Mode' should be selected. In this mode OpenLogbook buffers each incoming email which contains a command to change data in OpenLogbook until the sender is verified. In order to verify the sender OpenLogbook sends out a confirmation email to the email address which is registered in OpenLogbook and waits for its return. This confirmation email contains a confirmation code. Once the skipper received the confirmation email he or she just needs to return it to OpenLogbook. Only after receiving the returned confirmation email the buffered command will be carried out. OpenLogbook recommends using the 'Secure Email Mode'.