Software help needed

[ChadAmberg]

Not as much using software as designing it.

For about 10 years now I've been writing software and releasing it for sale on the internet, mostly security related stuff. But the economic collapse meant that we paid more in insurance, taxes, and fees than we even brought in last year (2009) after 8 good years, so we shut the company we used down.

That didn't stop me from wanting to create stuff, so now I'm doing it a lot less formal. I've just got my latest creation ready to go, and I'm hoping you all can give me a bit of feedback on it.

The software is firearms related of course, and is called Shot Works Pro. Essentially it's inventory software, but also tracks events such as maintenance and target/competition scoring. The website is here: http://shotworkspro.com

I've already had a few software testers go over everything, and the kinks are worked out, so now I'd love for a few gun folks to give it a go and let me know what they think about the website, and about the software itself. What is missing? What is wrong? I don't want to describe too much here, since I would want everything to be on the website.

I know that some folks are of the "I'll only record my firearm serial numbers in my own blood on parchment which I'll then burn, then eat, and then shoot myself in the head because I've seen the serial numbers" type, so maybe this isn't for them. But everything is highly encrypted, and I even put the source code for how I encrypted data on the website so people can see how it's done. I am going to be shortly releasing a new version which you can just stick right on a flash memory stick, and keep that locked up in your gun safe, so nothing ever is on your PC.

I'm listing it for sale for basically 20 bucks, and of course I'll have a link posted here that would give a discount to forum members. And I am always giving out free licenses to those who help me build a better product.

Thank you if you give it a try and let me know what you think. I'd really appreciate it...

[BadShot]

I'll pull it down tonight and get a gander this week. I'll let you know my thoughts this or next week.

[gnihcraes]

Looks pretty cool. I'm interested in it for that price range. I'm using excel now to do the same thing, would like something better.

So is the download free at the moment for testing? I haven't tried the download yet, but will later today.

[ChadAmberg]

It's set up for a 30 day demo but everything works, then typically you purchase it on the website, and I'll email a license key file out to you.
But don't purchase yet (I know that sounds silly) until I get a special link made up for a discount for CO-AR15 members.

[Mazin]

Definatly interested in it. Ill check it out!

[waxthis]

Im in. Thanx...
[Beer]

[ChadAmberg]

Just checking in to see if anyone has played with this yet and has feedback for me. I'm going to be putting out a new version that's standalone: You'd simply download and save the program on a memory stick and everything runs on that. So nothing ever gets saved on your PC, and you can put the memory stick in your safe.

[gnihcraes]

Sorry, haven't looked at it yet, maybe tonight since it is cold and snowy.

[theGinsue]

Still need to get in and try this out. I downloaded it right after you made the initial request but I haven't tried it out yet.

How much will you be selling it for (CO-AR15 price)?

[Fentonite]

Very nice. I downloaded it and started building. You obviously spent a ton of time populating the various data fields. I like the ability to add pics to each file. Nicely done. I'd certainly be interested in buying a license.

[ChadAmberg]

Just an FYI I've loaded a new version up on the website that has a few bug fixes in it. http://shotworkspro.com


Many thanks to those of you giving this a try. It's definitely getting much better from the feedback.

[Byte Stryke]

I know that some folks are of the "I'll only record my firearm serial numbers in my own blood on parchment which I'll then burn, then eat, and then shoot myself in the head because I've seen the serial numbers" type, so maybe this isn't for them.

Almost Me
They are written down and a single evidential picture taken for insurance purposes only. Everything is in a safe with a family member off-site.

[ChadAmberg]

Almost Me
They are written down and a single evidential picture taken for insurance purposes only. Everything is in a safe with a family member off-site.

Those folks that won't have any records at all I don't understand, just in case something goes wrong.

My cousin is a deputy back east, and he was taking info on a lost/stolen firearm where the guy left it in his car and it was broken in to and taken. The owner had no info at all, no serial number, no pics, bill of sale, pic of him using at the range, not even an impression under his pillow of the outline of it.

[Fentonite]

I just updated to the new version. I was afraid I'd lose all the info I already entered, but it is still there. I've already saved it on a USB. Chad has been helpful and responsive to ideas. If you haven't taken him up on his offer to check out his program, your doing yourself a disservice. Now I need to start the photography...

Thanks again Chad - this is a really cool program.

[ChadAmberg]

I did want to get a discount to members here, so here's the info:
On http://shotworkspro.com/PricingAndPurchase is a link to take you to the credit card processor. When going through the purchase, enter "COAR15" as the coupon code, and it *should* take 5 bucks off, for a price of 14.95. I'd appreciate it if the first person to try the coupon lets me know that it's working properly.

[GoldFinger]

Great application! Is there a way to allow the attachment of PDF files to a gun profile? That would be helpful for just keeping any documentation all together. For instance; I purchased a pistol and it did not come with any manuals but I downloaded the manual in PDF and it would be nice to be able to attach that to the profile.

Just a little user feedback. [Beer]

[ChadAmberg]

Great application! Is there a way to allow the attachment of PDF files to a gun profile? That would be helpful for just keeping any documentation all together. For instance; I purchased a pistol and it did not come with any manuals but I downloaded the manual in PDF and it would be nice to be able to attach that to the profile.

Just a little user feedback. [Beer]

Interesting idea... One of the points of the software is that everything is encrypted heavily, including the pictures, but that's OK because it has a built in photo viewer. Things like Word docs and PDF files would have to be stored unencrypted I think because you'd view things in another program like Adobe or Word. Right now in theory no one could tell what kind of weapon you have from the encrypted data, but if you had a PDF file called S&W317.pdf, I think they could guess. OK, let me chew on this a bit. You're right though, that would be a good feature.

[Fentonite]

I did want to get a discount to members here, so here's the info:
On http://shotworkspro.com/PricingAndPurchase is a link to take you to the credit card processor. When going through the purchase, enter "COAR15" as the coupon code, and it *should* take 5 bucks off, for a price of 14.95. I'd appreciate it if the first person to try the coupon lets me know that it's working properly.

I couldn't find a box to enter a coupon code on the billing page. So I bought a license anyway! Thanks again.

[ChadAmberg]

I couldn't find a box to enter a coupon code on the billing page. So I bought a license anyway! Thanks again.

Whoo hoo, thanks to Fentonite my first customer. I did just get the coupon code thing fixed on the order page, it's at the very bottom of the order page. I'm sorry it didn't work for you, this new billing system is new to me and much more complicated than the system we used for years. You should have your license key in an email from me, please let me know if there are any problems...

[ChadAmberg]

One more question for folks, and this is on how things get paid. Most of what I sold before was to commercial users, so what I'm doing now is a little different. I have a link to a commercial processor of credit card info. The one weird thing is that they don't allow you to pay by credit card and use a free (msn, yahoo, gmail) email address, because of fraud issues. I'm thinking that's a little limiting. I can also easily add a paypal link, or a physical address to send a check/MO/ammunition or even cash. I know 95% of the folks will just use the credit card processor, but would anyone prefer to use an alternative form of payment?

[Jherexx]

I downloaded your trial sofware and ran it through its paces. From an inventory standpoint, definitely good to go. I like that you have heavy encryption, can upload pictues and store everything on a thumb drive. For those C&R holders, it probably meets all the requirements for a good electronic back-up of the bound book they need to keep.

What I found lacking, was a place to put which commercial ammo shoots best out of the firearms in inventory.

Also, it had no place for us handloaders to store data on which load shoots best out of a particular firearm. This would probably be very helpful for those competition shooters that roll their own ammo.

[ChadAmberg]

I downloaded your trial sofware and ran it through its paces. From an inventory standpoint, definitely good to go. I like that you have heavy encryption, can upload pictues and store everything on a thumb drive. For those C&R holders, it probably meets all the requirements for a good electronic back-up of the bound book they need to keep.

What I found lacking, was a place to put which commercial ammo shoots best out of the firearms in inventory.

Also, it had no place for us handloaders to store data on which load shoots best out of a particular firearm. This would probably be very helpful for those competition shooters that roll their own ammo.



A "Preferred Ammo" field... I like it. Also, reloading is definitely on the list. I wanted to learn a little more about what is needed for that, and a few folks have sent a lot of great ideas. That's on the short list for the next major release. Thanks!

[patrick0685]

ill download as soon as i get my computer back, right now im on my wifes mac

[ChadAmberg]

I've just stuck a new release out on the website that has most of the suggestions from folks here and in other spots fixed or added. The big to-do is still everything having to do with reloading. I'm hoping to start working on that section shortly.

I've added preferred ammo, and also a section to keep sight yardage adjustments. Fixed a few minor bugs too.

[ChadAmberg]

And a new release is out on the website tonight. I've put in reloading data into the ammunition section which was a hugely requested item. If reloaders here would take a look and let me know what they think that'd be wonderful. I've also added the ability to print details when you've got an item open.

Thanks again to everyone for helping me out...

[ChadAmberg]

I've put out a new version of Shot Works Pro today. Several folks here have bought a copy, so I wanted to let everyone know.

I had to put in a new way to register software licenses, so I've sent out a batch of license keys in email to everyone who bought a copy. If I've missed anyone, please let me know and I'll get you out a new key.