New software starting point.... (ipad)

[herefordshirehoney]

I'm *thinking* (not committing myself just yet as its a lot of work todo!) of writing an ipad application to log my records.

My thinking is the following:
- List of apiaries, click into it. Have basic details of location, then as you click in you can record a queen date colour supplier for each colany, then for example if you remark her you can change the colour and record history.

Basing the information record form off:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/103057/multiplehiveinspectionsheet.xls which I found on the internet and added the S/B/U fields to stores in brood (S= stores, B=brood, U=undrawn) I use this field with four lines then strike when looking at my bees. Id make this form pen friendly so can be used with a stylus (so it works more like my existing clipboard i use).

- Stored in SQLite database on ipad, but build some sort of dropbox integration so that sycnronises the data offsite regularly (means I might be able to write windows software later on for example to report on it on the pc).

- Could try and speak to fera and interchange the data stored in beebase (with the owners permission, as not all beekeepers will want there records accessible by fera)

The other thing is do you offer this for free bear in mind lots of man hours would go into it or offer it for a small for of about 2.99 (apple take a 30% cut). For this reason it would only bee ipad as you cannot just write an application that works on apple's ios ipad/iphone and android easily.

 

[ShaneR]

Great idea but leaving out android support is a bit of a let down considering it is one of the fastest growing platforms going

it would only bee ipad as you cannot just write an application that works on apple's ios ipad/iphone and android easily.

Really, if you are capable of building an ipad app then surely you would be equally capable of porting over to the android platform. Don't get me wrong, it would be fantastic to have such software but i certainly wouldn't rush out to buy an ipad or iphone just to use it.

Seriously do not underestimate how popular the android platform really is

 

[herefordshirehoney]

Great idea but leaving out android support is a bit of a let down considering it is one of the fastest growing platforms going

Really, if you are capable of building an ipad app then surely you would be equally capable of porting over to the android platform. Don't get me wrong, it would be fantastic to have such software but i certainly wouldn't rush out to buy an ipad or iphone just to use it.

Seriously do not underestimate how popular the android platform really is

I'm afraid initially at least Id only be able todo one platform which would be ios as its what I own currently, you can write software that uses web technology that works on both, however, that means you need an internet connection and we all know were out aparies are =). To estimate the man hours your talking around 4 weeks work todo it properly id say bear in mind I don't have that time as I have a day job so would be an evening here and their.

Without trying to start a debate on android - at the moment no matter what you read ios is more popular from real figures its hard as both sides apple and google employee people to publish reports but you just need to go to a pub and do a survey of smart phones to find out (dont get my wrong though they will be still a high percentage of android devices). Disadvantage of this route cost we all know apple products are more expensive =).

Otherwise its like writing the app twice (well some you can share but not much as they are different programming languages!)

 

[eleanor20]

I would appreciate a good ipad app. I have a couple on my android phone but really I prefer to use it as a phone.

 

[herefordshirehoney]

I would appreciate a good ipad app. I have a couple on my android phone but really I prefer to use it as a phone.

Have you had a look at the inspection sheet spreadsheet I posted as im thinking the main screen for inspections would resemble a row (but convert it so you can just tick element and key in figures).

I'll try and design it so you remove fields (and add them) as some people may find they want more or less fields for example, but I need a good default setup first.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[mills]

It would be good if only relevant questions appeared. So, for example, if you answer "No" to "Queen Cells Present?", no other questions are listed. If you answer "Yes", then you are presented with further questions regarding quantity, age, positioning, etc. In theory the better things are looking, the fewer questions you'll need to answer. Hope that makes sense?!

 

[Walrus]

I like the spreadsheet - similar to one I use but better

for ipad it might be nice to have icons for weather e.g. sun, cloud, wind & maybe colour coded temperature bands (so easy to click rather than type)

maybe also a column for feeding as easier to track than in the comments section?

100th post

 

[Stuppla1]

You can build yourself a form for iPad or iPhone using device magic

 

[VEG]

Can I ask how many people would actually take an i pad with them to check the bees as I wouldnt. My gloves get covered in propolis for that reason I use a small note book and pen. I have an i phone but wouldnt use that either as propolis is a right pain to get off.

 

[BeeJayBee]

Can I ask how many people would actually take an i pad with them to check the bees as I wouldnt.

I find it hard enough to keep hold of a small, cheap, whiteboard and pen!

 

[QueenMaster]

I wouldn't take my tab to my apiary to break it or stick my finger on it.

paper and pencil then spreadsheet at home do the job perfectly.

Will you swipe with your gloves full of propolis on your tab?

 

[Stuppla1]

You could print the forms off and fill them in with a pen then enter data at home? The point of putting into a database is so you consistently answer the same questions and can then easily compare with previous results for the same colony or compare colonies. As my hive is in the back garden I usually fill in straight onto iPad in the shed when I have taken my gloves off.

 

[Neils]

I use my iPhone durning inspections to take notes, works fine with latex/nitrile gloves. Can't say propolis has ever posed a problem. Probably wouldn't take my ipad out with me though in case I stood on it.

If you can email/export info in something like csv format, so much the better.

 

[victor meldrew]

I use my iPhone durning inspections to take notes, works fine with latex/nitrile gloves. Can't say propolis has ever posed a problem. Probably wouldn't take my ipad out with me though in case I stood on it.

If you can email/export info in something like csv format, so much the better.

Your bees obviously don't produce the amounts of propolis. Mine do
I have a job to place my hive tool/smoker down ,let alone prod an iPhone/iPad
VM

 

[Hombre]

SQLite is probably the most ubiquitous database there is, so good choice there as it is pretty much cross platform for Windows, Linux/Android, OS X et al.

Spreadsheet is to database as teenage yob is to military specialist. just for the record!

SQLite - what isn't to like about free, fast and open, unless it's the pub down the road of course!

 

[tidymeup]

Just a decent offline app would be great and something that wad iPad/iPhone compatible. Perhaps an option to backup online.

 

[Excession]

You can build yourself a form for iPad or iPhone using device magic

This is brilliant, just made a complete inspection record, with sub records depending on answers (such as queen seen, then was queen marked).
The form then sends itself by email back home in a format I choose! For a free tool this is brilliant.

Well worth investigating.

 

[Moggs]

I routinely use iPhone in the field. Nitrile gloves are no problem. Propolis cleans without too much trouble. If you google the words 'tight' and 'bee' in a particular combination you will see that it has been done before, very effectively. Other products are available

 

[Adie]

Which others are available for apple devices though?

 

[Moggs]

Which others are available for apple devices though?

Haven't had the need to look. No doubt a google search will be revealing.