Hi there. It's me again looking for help with my Open University course. This time it is part of the course that I am doing called - "Web, Cloud and Mobile Technologies"! As part of my last assignment (the mobile part - or Cell phone to the US), I have to propose a new app. The idea is that I compare it to other apps that do a similar thing and say where mine has differing functionality. I don't have to create the app, just write about the functions and show some "wire frames".
My app is called Convert-It. It is a scale conversion calculator but has features of specific use to the modelling community. The main features would be:
So, you can select a scale - probably HO, O, OO, S, N, TT (if railroad option) or (1:144, 1:87, 1:76, 1:72, 1:25, 1:48, 1:32) if scale modelling option. You then enter the data, hit GO and out comes the result in imperial or metric. You can also enter your own scale or enter the Unit and the data to find out the scale.
On the second page you can enter a list of measurements and touching Go will see a list of conversions based on the parameters on the previous page.
Now, there are lots of holes in this as I don't have days to work it out, just hours, so please don't start telling me what I have missed. What I would like is comments as to how useful you might find this tool.
My tutor is only interested in that feedback so anything else would be dropped from the final submission.
It would be good if two or three people could give me their ideas.
I will also be posting this on other forums to widen the feedback.
Long Haired DavidA.K.A. David Penningtonmain man on the Sunset and North Eastern R.R.http://www.gmrblog.co.ukfrom the UK
Well, it's useful - Woodland Scenics already has such an app out, and I used it just the other day to try and figure out why Doug Tagsold built his DS&P to 1:72 without having to wait until next January and MRP 2018.
I don;t say that they already exist to discourag you. Scale conversion programs have alwyas been around by the dozens. Back when MR first added a computer column, and people were still using a wide variety of computers and programming them all in BASIC, it was like every time they ran the column there was a user submission of a scale conversion program. For learning the UI programming and some basic math coding it's a good idea.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
You are not discouraging me so thank you for your response. I only have to propose the functions and the mock up screens for my assignment. Nothing more.
Many thanks for your help.
David
SBX I don't have days to work it out, just hours
AHA! Left things to the last minute did we? That always guaranteed me a 'C' when I knew I could have done better if I had gotten my ass in gear in a more timely manor.
I'm not being critical, but I do regret not applying myself more rigorously during my university years. Had I not been so distracted by partying and girls I would have chosen a much different route. As a result of my laziness I failed to get myself an education that would have led to a really rewarding career. As it turned out, when I got a bit older I hated the various jobs that I ended up in.
Good luck with your assignment, and your future!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Sorry to disappoint but I mean t that the assignment only allocated a few hours to the task. The total assignment isn't due ontil 12th April so I have pleanty of time. What I really wanted to know and didn't ask too well is quite simple.
The assignment wants me to ask - "Would you buy it? If not, why not?"
Can you help me and answer that question? Can I throw this open to as many who can answer? Thanks in advance.
Buy it, I'd have to say no, rason being there are already any number of free ones already. The only thing I see in yours that I haven't seen in a couple of others I've looked at is the history tape display of previous calculations. Perhaps that would be enough difference for someone to spring 99 cents for in the app store.
Thank you. That is useful feedback for my assignment.
Interesting to see that they're starting with the requirements. I'm such a systems engineer geek that I write requirements for everything.
Genesee Terminal, freelanced HO in Upstate NY ...hosting Loon Bay Transit Authority, run through Amtrak and CSX Intermodal
CP/D&H, N scale, somewhere on the Canadian Shield