In the first sign of new life in far too long, I’ve submitted a new app to the Apple/iOS app store. Square Knot Badges is a free app with the requirements for and images of the BSA “square knot” awards. It was the final item for my WoodBadge ticket, so my “discretionary scouting time” is now available for more improvements to the Troop Badges and Pack Badges apps.
My plan is to get updates out for Pack Badges and Troop Badges in the next couple of weeks (shooting for before Christmas). These should resolve issues with iOS 5 and backups, include some content updates (such as the National Outdoor Awards and Chess and Robotics Merit Badges), and some minor functionality updates (such as date entry). Web access will probably have to wait until after Christmas.
Sorry for the long hiatus – my full-time job has been all-consuming this year (a change of position a week after my last post ate up all my free time, and then some), but I’ve got a better work time structure now.
After I get those updates out, I’ll work to catch up on the backlog of emails and comments that have been building up.
Thanks so much for your patience and support!
kb
Posted in iPhone.
By Kevin
November 26, 2011
My apologies for the lack of updates recently – in February and March I got swamped with my full-time employment.
The badges apps are moving faster again, moving forward with syncing between devices and web access to advancement datad, and managing more profile information for each scout.
The next release of Troop Badges will also include tracking for the brand-new Robotics merit badge, Order of the Arrow, and the National Outdoor awards (which I should have released months ago!). It will also do some auto-filling of merit badges into the various requirements for rank advancements and so forth. Pack Badges adds the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity award and separate tracking for belt loops and pins.
I’m still defining enhancements for managing advancement for a group of boys. I agree with the requests for more high-level overviews, such as being able to see status for all scouts on a badge, and to see a scout’s status for all badges. The badges-to-be-awarded & shopping lists are also a great idea. And yes, the navigation for viewing/updating for multiple boys needs work (one reviewer called it “jarring”, which made me laugh and cringe at the same time). The evolution from supporting just one boy to supporting multiple boys is still way too much in evidence. Suggestions on formats and content of these views and the nav structure is welcome.
Thank you so much for your excitement about these applications – they started out as scratching my own itch, and it’s really exciting and motivating to me to see how they are helping you in your Scouting! I really appreciate the good reviews and great suggestions you’ve given (I even appreciate the bad reviews with great suggestions, but those don’t feel quite as good…)
Now to get them all implemented!
Happy Scouting!
kb
Posted in Uncategorized.
Troop Badges Premier is now updated with the requirements changes for 2011 (as described in Scouting Magazine)
Due to technical difficulties, the Personal Edition (My Badges) is not yet updated with the 2011 requirements changes. The changes are currently waiting on Apple AppStore approval, and will hopefully be available in a day or two. The Troop Badges Premier update was approved by Apple in under 24 hours. Fastest…turnaround…ever!
The current update includes:
- 2011 requirements updates for Astronomy, Horsemanship, and Nuclear Science Merit Badges, and minor updates to Archery, Sports, and the Life rank
- National Medal for Outdoor Achievement and National Outdoor Awards
- Official Geocaching Merit Badge image
I’m also working on some major new functionality to hopefully be available in a few weeks.
Posted in Uncategorized.
Tagged with Boy Scouts, Merit Badge.
My Pack Badges requirements tracking application for Cub Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America is now available in the iPhone/iPad AppStore!
Please take a look at the app and give me feedback! You can also see screenshots and more information here on my site.
(And Apple’s review process only took four days – nice!)
kb
Posted in iPhone, iPhone Developer Program.
By Kevin
December 20, 2010
I’ve done some updates to the badges applications – adding the additional special awards, etc., but this summer has been hectic – especially the last two weeks, as I hiked Kings Peak (highest point in Utah!) with my son and his Varsity Team, then took the family to WoodBadge (with Family Odyssey – a new family program for the family while one parent goes to WoodBadge – excellent program!)
I’ve got a few more fun things in mind for the apps, and for some new apps to come…
kb
Posted in Uncategorized.
My iPhone development is officially no longer a money-losing hobby. I’ve earned enough on the App Store to cover my investment! (I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to reach ZERO dollars!)
On April 28th, I also received my first payment from Apple – for sales in February and March. (As I recall, Apple gives itself six weeks after the close of the month, so it came a little faster than I expected!).
First order of business with the payment is to take my very patient wife to dinner…
I’m also working on adding two very frequently requested features to the Troop Badges application: individual requirement tracking, and tracking for multiple scouts.
Then we can start thinking about investing more – the application and up-front fee to get BSA to decide whether I can publish the Guide to Safe Scouting application again, porting Troop Badges to other platforms, fwdMail development for iPad, and other application development.
Thanks so much for your excitement about the apps! I really appreciate it…
Posted in iPhone, iPhone Developer Program.
I’ve passed the halfway point in paying off my expenses incurred for iphone development ($660)!
However, that is before taxes and tithing… And I haven’t really been paid anything by Apple yet (45 days after the end of the month you hit $150). And Apple says that the daily sales reports should only be used to evaluate trends, not as financial statements of any kind…
Oh, and I’m already wondering about iPad development.
And of course, my “hourly wage” for this development is still negative…
Maybe I shouldn’t spend $500 for an iPad just yet, hmm?
Posted in iPhone, iPhone Developer Program.
When I first registered with the iPhone Development program, I mentioned I had invested about $1000 between developer program registration, books, Macbook, business license, etc., and that I’d give updates as I reached various milestones.
Well, I have two apps “live” in the AppStore now, and have sold about $65 over the last 5 days. So, on my original milestones list:
- First app published (done)
- First sale (done, with each application, the first day it was available)
- First compensation from Apple (OK, this won’t happen until 45 days after the end of the month in which I reach at least $150 in accumulated sales. I expect to reach that before the end of March, so I should get my first deposit from Apple by May 15th)
- Pay for the iPhone development book I bought ($25) (done)
- Take my very patient wife to dinner ($50) (have reached $50, but haven’t reached the accumulated $75 including that book. Hopefully by tomorrow…)
Still anticipating the following, updated slightly:
- Pay for the cost of Developer program registration ($99). For two years, now ($198)
- Pay the cost of business registration and “doing business as” name registration, 2 years, now $79
- Pay Wells Fargo for my business account $6/month ($72)
- Pay for my iPhone ($230 – used, with a cracked screen)
- Pay for my MacBook ($600 used) and larger hard drive ($60)
- Be self-employed (significant, ??? sustainable income…)
Still got a ways to go.
Posted in iPhone, iPhone Developer Program.
I just got a message from Apple:
Dear HandyApp,
Your application has been approved for sale on the App Store. Pending any application availability issues, your app will be Ready for Sale and live on the App Store within 24 hours.
And it is worth noting that watching the yellow dot (waiting for approval) in iTunes Connect didn’t do me any good at all.
So, 24 hours and you’ll be able to buy the Merit Badges requirements app in the App Store!
Now on to the next project – my son’s Pinewood Derby® tonight! (Yes, Pinewood Derby® is a Registered trademark of the Boy Scouts of America.)
kb
Posted in iPhone, Uncategorized.
By Kevin
February 25, 2010
After the disappointment of my first iPhone application being rejected after nearly eight months of silence, I was very disillusioned about the iPhone/AppStore development model. Why should I put myself through the development process, only to be blocked by an arbitrary, unpublished prohibition?
But I decided to give it another shot before my first year development contract runs out.
So I created another iPhone application – a Boy Scouts Merit Badge requirements application for the iPhone. It works offline, has all the requirements for all the merit badges, and is pretty a pretty handy app for a scouter, in my unbiased opinion.
So I submitted it to Apple’s iTunes Connect, and once again I am waiting.
And once again, I’m checking iTunes Connect every couple of hours, looking at a little yellow dot that means “Waiting for review”, and thinking, “Why do I put myself through this?”
We’ll see what Apple does – will they review it before my first year is up? If they don’t, will I renew my developer registration for another $99?
If they approve it, will anyone want it?
Time to check iTunes Connect again.
I should plot the frequency of checking with time since app submission. My frequency will gradually tail off from every couple of hours, to every couple of days, until eight months later I won’t have checked in months, and Apple will call up and say, “We’re not going to approve any Boy Scout apps.”
Posted in iPhone, iPhone Developer Program.
Tagged with Boy Scouts, Merit Badge.
By Kevin
February 25, 2010