The impression I have is that computer manipulation of data and production of surveys is practised by a small proportion of cavers who have a high level of expertise. Those people appear to have little concern, and possibly appreciation, that the complexity of the software and lack of self-help information excludes people.
Simon, I think surveying as a whole is practiced by a small proportion of cavers, I personally only know of two other cavers who are actively involved on a regular basis.
I don't see how the complexity excludes people, sure enough the likes of Therion is not easy to start with but as in my case a few months after a weekend course at BPF with Andrew and Footleg and I can produce OK basic surveys, nothing like what can be achieved I might add but I'm getting there, things are starting to click. I consider myself a surveying numpty with average PC skills so if I can do it anybody can.
I will admit there has been many adjournments to the pub with a bout of Therion head and the PC has had a lucky escape a time or two but after the initial hardship of not being able to make anything work the breakthroughs came as with any new thing you try.
Therion in the short time I have been using it has become easier with improvements to the user interface and I suppose the software will continue to evolve over time. Changes will be slow but the guys doing this do so in their spare time and I for one thank them all for doing this because without them these tools would not exist.
As I said in an earlier post, people local to one another could ease the frustration by comparing notes and learning together and not struggle on in isolation.
The Paperless surveying training course was great but you can't expect AA and FL to give up their time and run these weekends on a regular basis. I doubt they barely covered costs on the one I attended. Maybe we need a couple of courses that cover different levels which I for one would be prepared to pay for because at my current skill level it would save me loads of time. What do you think guys?
I have no intention to switch to advanced methods of survey, not because I can't, but because all of my current needs are being met by my current methods.
That's great, I still think a good hand drawn survey can look fantastic even though the method of measuring with three separate instruments must allow for a greater margin of error.
Use what ever method floats your boat.