A Boatowner's Guide to Using PCs on Board

by Buttress, Rob; Thornton, Tim

• ISBN13: 9780071364461
• ISBN10: 0071364463
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-09-26
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press

Summary

Recreational boaters are witnessing an explosion of technology aimed at making the PC capable of handling more and more applications on one’s boat. Using PCs On Board describes them all, in a logically organized, easy-to-understand format. Readers will learn that with the right digital equipment, they can watch their boat’s progression across a chart while uploading tide and current information with a simple click of a mouse. They can also download weather maps as well as local satellite photos. Plus, business doesn’t have to stop just because a boater is at sea: faxing, e-mailing, and using the Internet are all possible. This comprehensive overview comes with a CD-ROM containing demo software showing the vast range of possibilities. Written with the computer novice in mind, this handy guide is perfect for those more interested in boating than computing.

Author Biography

Rob Buttress has sailed for more than twenty years and logged thousands of offshore miles. His career in the computer industry has included programming, hardware, and sales and marketing. He is currently marketing manager of a leading navigational software and data publisher, and a marine electronics systems consultant. He is a member of the Royal Institute of Navigation.

Tim Thornton earned degrees in math and computer science, studied naval architecture, and helped develop yacht racing handicap systems. A former computer research scientist for IBM, he runs a company that designs onboard marine computer systems for clients ranging from weekend sailors to owners of megayachts to participants in the Around Alone circumnavigation race.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Who is this book for?

Introduction

1 The PC: Hardware, Software and Data

2 Chart Plotting and Automated Navigation

3 Tides and Traditional Navigation Aids

4 Communications

5 Weather Information

6 Vessel Administration

7 Training and Entertainment

8 The Internet

9 Choosing a PC System

10 Installing Your PC

11 Where Do We Go From Here?

Appendix 1 Other Types of Personal Computer

Appendix 2 Sources

Glossary

Index