To those impacted by this, I am very sorry. I know how frustrating losing data like this can be. I’ll try to find a way to help you recover the lost data, but I don’t know if it will be possible. I do have a feature in the works that will allow importing completed award data from the official Internet Advancement application.

My top priority is to get an updated version out that will let you export and import your data. I hope to have it to Apple this weekend. This will also let you sync between devices. The update will also include the new merit badges for Troop Badges, but most of the other enhancements in progress are not yet ready for prime time.

In the mean time, please warn other users of the apps about the risk, and encourage them to wait on the iOS 5.1 upgrade and/or email the CSV data for each scout to themselves to be imported again later. (Menu | Spreadsheet Data Export | Send – choose your email address and send the email, then repeat for each scout). See below for a more complete backup option.

If you are technically inclined (or have a friend who is), you can also back up the data using the freeware iExplorer app from http://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer/ (download either the PC or Mac version). Connect your device via USB and run iExplorer. In iExplorer, navigate into your phone name/Apps/TroopBadges (or PackBadges)/Library/WebKit, then drag the ‘Databases’ folder to your desktop or another folder on your computer. If you’re already on iOS 5.1, the Databases directory is in Library/Caches.

I believe iOS 5.1 may be deleting the data when the device’s storage is full. If you have updated to 5.1 and have not lost data, I’d like to hear about it, and please backup your data and be careful not to fill your device completely.

The workaround is to always close the keyboard by pressing Return or Done before moving to the next date field.

Also, if an app is not responding, you can close it via Apple’s task management: press [Home], then double-press [Home] to pull up recent apps, then tap-and-hold the app’s recent-apps icon, touch the [x] to force close it, then restart the app as usual.

The much-delayed next version will use resolve this issue by using the iOS spinning date selector.

I’ve redone way too much of the UI in this next version. I apologize that it’s taking this long. I should have just released a content update & then continued with the UI rework…

kb

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

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.

I’ve got a few more fun things in mind for the apps, and for some new apps to come…

kb

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