Codes or names?

[McLanahan]

Edit: follow-up from this one.

Is it that much to ask ??

Well...

Since aviation is in my blood I only know how to communicate in abbreviations when it comes to the hobby (which is quite normal I'd say if you are really into it)! That would mean that I would have to go and look up what EHAM actually stands for and that is wasting my time, and we can't have that!

In this case I'll make an exception: UUWW/VKO = Moscow-Vnukovo

[Thijs]

Euh when going to an airport you know the original name, I assume?

Or do you also call Vnukovo approach UUWW approach McLanahan? The same for when going to an airport for a spotting trip, you always know the full name (or parts of it), so you never have to search for the "full" name. So looking up an ICAO code for the full name is not the case.

[ehusmann]

Indeed, and it is either your time (one person), or every reader´s time (several persons). Now I realize we life in times were one persons time is always more valuable than that of the community, but I still think it is not a very big thing to ask.

Erwin

[McLanahan]

Euh when going to an airport you know the original name, I assume?

Of course I know the original name, but to type the whole thing takes too long! That's why aviation uses so many abbs, to save time!

Or do you also call Vnukovo approach UUWW approach McLanahan?

Usually I call them 'bloody Russians'...

The same for when going to an airport for a spotting trip, you always know the full name (or parts of it), so you never have to search for the "full" name. So looking up an ICAO code for the full name is not the case.

Well, I only know the 'full' name less than half the time, since so many airports have annoyingly irritating second/third names which nobody cares about except locals living in a 0.1NM radius or the Americans...

I think there is a difference between knowing a name and how you are using it in reports, topic titles, databases, etc. I assume that most people on here have some sort of database to record their spottings, photos, etc., and I find it hard to believe they will use full names in the db. That would take up so much space in your file so you need to shorten it, hence ICAO/IATA codes. Therefore if you go on a trip and put everything in the db afterwards, you will most likely visit the Scramble db to look up the codes. If you can do it then, why not now? Bookmark the Locations db url into your toolbar and if you see a topic with an unknown code, with a mere few clicks and seconds you know the exact name.

[Thijs]

We don't expect forum users know the full name of an airfield, but mentioning Schiphol instead of EHAM makes more sense to people.

Looking at saving time, if one only state EHAM and ten people have to search in the database, the total costs (whole society) are much more than the costs of only one person types some more letters. For example, both actions take ten seconds, stating the ICAO code will cost the society 10*10 seconds* the value of money, the poster putting the name in the topic title will cost the society 1*10 seconds * the value of money.

So what's your perspective? personal or society.

[McLanahan]

Looking at saving time, if one only state EHAM and ten people have to search in the database, the total costs (whole society) are much more than the costs of only one person types some more letters. For example, both actions take ten seconds, stating the ICAO code will cost the society 10*10 seconds* the value of money, the poster putting the name in the topic title will cost the society 1*10 seconds * the value of money.

Cool, we are bringing money into the equation? If you spent your time looking up codes in the boss' time then yes, you and a lot more people lose money and you are a very naughty boy/girl! If you do it in your spare time, as you probably should , then there's no money lost!

So what's your perspective? personal or society.

Depends who's included in the society. If we are talking about aviation society then one should realise things work differently than in 'normal' society! This is how we work/practise our hobby!

And besides, if we use ICAO/IATA codes it all looks much more organised i.s.o. (sorry, instead of) using full names...

[Iwan Bogels]

I assume that most people on here have some sort of database to record their spottings, photos, etc.

Ah, that's where you mindset is wrong !

I don't keep any database at all, as I'm an aviation photographer and not a spotter. Even if I did, I surely didn't visit each airport / airbase mentioned here. So I'd have to look it up again.

But I think your statement is not about typing time, spend on mentioning the common name in the title.

Iwan

[McLanahan]

Ah, that's where you mindset is wrong !

But I said '...most people...', implying not everyone and clearly you fall under that category!

I don't keep any database at all, as I'm an aviation photographer and not a spotter. Even if I did, I surely didn't visit each airport / airbase mentioned here. So I'd have to look it up again.

Who says aviation photographers don't keep databases? And what is your definition of a 'spotter'? For me it is anyone who, in one form or another, keeps records of aircraft (s)he has seen. So that could be, for example, just noting down tail numbers in a notebook, marking them in logbooks or taking pictures of them.

But I think your statement is not about typing time, spend on mentioning the common name in the title.

Drifting off topic here, but I'm curious to read what my statement might be!

[Iwan Bogels]

And what is your definition of a 'spotter'? For me it is anyone who, in one form or another, keeps records of aircraft (s)he has seen. So that could be, for example, just noting down tail numbers in a notebook, marking them in logbooks or taking pictures of them.

Thanks, I´m glad we agree that I´m not a spotter.

Cheers,
Iwan

[McLanahan]

Thanks, I´m glad we agree that I´m not a spotter.

You're welcome!

But, uhm, what exactly is an aviation photographer?

[Rene Klok]

I'm a spotter (and photographer) since 1981 and I know quite a few abbreviations but I'm always very annoyed when these are used in thread headers. There's just no way that someone can make me believe they don't know the (common) name of an airfield they've visited. Using abbreviations in your own database is one thing, although I seriously doubt using full names will spin their size out of control, but using them in public forums is just not done. It's a matter of common courtesy to accomodate the readers you are trying to intrest in the pictures you took.

Please use abbreviations to your heart's content in text messages where you are limited to 160 characters. However when you use them in forum threads it's nothing more than an attempt to show of in one form or another. So untill the internet police(?) is introducing some sort of full words tax try to stick to commonly understood language.
Just my two cents.....