Why A Log Book
Once your station is set up and you have become familiar with operating it, you will want to start keeping track of your listening activities. This is referred to as logging your listening. This log can be as simple as a paper bound book or as elaborate as commercial computer logging software. As you already have access to a computer, I would suggest a computer logging software package. There are several available ranging from free on up. To see what is available and can be downloaded from the internet, visit this site: http://www.ac6v.com/logging.htm
In your logbook, you will be able to keep track of who you have heard, their name, their location, etc. This information is all available via the internet for most all Ham Radio Operators worldwide. You can do a search of the call sign at any one of the online callbooks such as Buckmasters at http://www.buck.com/cgi-bin/do_hamcall or at QRZ at http://www.qrz.com/