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Quick update

Kevin — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 23:22:51 +0000

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

TroopBadges updated with 2011 requirements changes

Kevin — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:55:30 +0000

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.

Busy time…

Kevin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:05:55 +0000

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…

Well, that was easy…

Kevin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:04:51 +0000

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.)