Looking for IPhone/Android App developer

[qatet]

NB: One of the great parts of using a Google Voice number is that neither the ref nor the armourer needs to have a smartphone and there are no issues with IOS vs. Android vs. WP7. It's just a text message on both ends.

[Mergs]

Texting is what I used at the event this weekend, and as I said, it worked fairly well. I'm going to have to mess with my phone to see about texting to multiple receipients. Am not looking to have VM being the way to communicate with the Armory - as you said, noise is way too much. Especially if Women's Epee or Saber DEs are going on at the same time.

[Mergs]

NB: One of the great parts of using a Google Voice number is that neither the ref nor the armourer needs to have a smartphone and there are no issues with IOS vs. Android vs. WP7. It's just a text message on both ends.

Excellent. I'll look into it. Many thanks.

[edew]

Um, we ARE talking about the USFA here, remember? At that price for 50 iPads is about $10,000, which will cover all the NACs (plus having a couple of spares) because you have to plan for the fact that if ALL the referees show up to an event without smartPhones (recognizing the probability of that happening is as close to zero as you can get; well maybe. The probability of Congress approving a budget on time is probably less). It is a contingency that has to be planned for, one that would be too expensive to impliment given the fiscal restraints we as an orgainization are under.

I was thinking that you'll need to get about 3 or so for the few refs who don't have a smartPhone.

[edew]

You can find more information about Google Voice here: https://www.google.com/voice

It would just forward calls and text messages to every number you chose, so standard text rates for your personal phone provider would apply. Admittedly, those could get pricey for any armourers who don't have an unlimited plan.

iOS5 devices that communicate with each other via text will have that text message sent and received for free (I believe there has to be WiFi present, even if not on that WiFi network, the data just rides on top of the WiFi network, or something like that).

[Mergs]

I was thinking that you'll need to get about 3 or so for the few refs who don't have a smartPhone.

Good point, but the other thing I just thought of is - now we have to train all the dinasours, like me, how to use the app!

It'd be interesting to poll the refs to see just what percentage of them have smartPhones.

[misha]

Get a Google+ application on your phone.
For each tournament you can create a "Circle"/"Circles" with referees and/or armorers present
Go to "Messaging" in G+ app
Send a message to "Armorers"/"Referees" circle
Everyone in that circle gets notification

.

[OROD]

If you can use an existing messaging system to fulfill your needs then that's the way to go. If you do need specific functionality or some interface designed a certain way (for whatever reason), then you're best off going with a web interface. This way you can use it from any smart phone or laptop. That's much better than trying to get iPhone and Android apps developed, and it'll be easier to find a web developer to do this.

[Bonehead]

Get a Google+ application on your phone.
For each tournament you can create a "Circle"/"Circles" with referees and/or armorers present
Go to "Messaging" in G+ app
Send a message to "Armorers"/"Referees" circle
Everyone in that circle gets notification

.

Do you use G+ a lot? It seems to have died out with everyone I know.

[Omar Bhutta]

Twilio would be a great platform for this kind of project, for those who are even mildly code-inclined. www.twilio.com

The bigger question though is--and this is not meant to be a snarky comment--what was the problem with texting once you remembered to put on your headphones so you could hear it? Seems like the delay in notification was related to you not hearing your phone. An app won't help that and will cost time/money/effort.

[Mergs]

The issue was that I was the only one that was getting the texts, not the rest of my staff. Also, there are a number of things that are fairly standard - grounding issues, continuous white (yeah, I know, they're all yellow now - well for the most part) light, remote issue, wandering reels, edge of strips needing taped. I was figuring that there could be a standard list of things that an app could have, therefore all you'd have to do is select the app, type in the strip # (numeric or alpha-numeric), select the problem and hit send. Or if you REALLY had a wierd problem, then you could either select other or type in the problem - like a VERY unique strip call I had this weekend that involved gaffer's tape, tip tape (pink in color) and a wardrobe malfunction.

Texting will work if we can go with sending it to multiple numbers, but I'm thinking ref's will just want to remember just one.

[edew]

Then Google Voice is your friend. I think it was created specifically for fencing and contacting armorers.

[Omar Bhutta]

Just consider how work will be split among everyone getting texts, or you may find that 5 technicians show up to the same strip to solve the same problem. If the same text is sent to many people without delegation of responsibility, you may find a different problem staring you down. A non-tech solution is a single person gets requests and assigns responsibility. There are many tech solutions to this, but if you chose to pursue this, Twilio would be a good option.

The issue was that I was the only one that was getting the texts, not the rest of my staff. Also, there are a number of things that are fairly standard - grounding issues, continuous white (yeah, I know, they're all yellow now - well for the most part) light, remote issue, wandering reels, edge of strips needing taped. I was figuring that there could be a standard list of things that an app could have, therefore all you'd have to do is select the app, type in the strip # (numeric or alpha-numeric), select the problem and hit send. Or if you REALLY had a wierd problem, then you could either select other or type in the problem - like a VERY unique strip call I had this weekend that involved gaffer's tape, tip tape (pink in color) and a wardrobe malfunction.

Texting will work if we can go with sending it to multiple numbers, but I'm thinking ref's will just want to remember just one.

[Mergs]

EDEW: Woohoo! Hudathunkit! I'm going to contact the head tech for Cincy to see it he thinks it's a good idea, and we may try that.

More to follow.........Thanks all for the info.

Omar: I had thought about that. I was thinking more along the lines of how we do it now without texts - one of the folks yells 'I've got it' and heads to the strip. If there was something like a reply all option, either someone could 'call the ball' or the Head Tech could assign someone. Looking to see if this is possible with Google voice

[misha]

Omar: I had thought about that. I was thinking more along the lines of how we do it now without texts - one of the folks yells 'I've got it' and heads to the strip. If there was something like a reply all option, either someone could 'call the ball' or the Head Tech could assign someone. Looking to see if this is possible with Google voice

Google+ messaging...
respond to a "Circle": "I got it"
everyone gets notification:
Mergs sent the message "I got it"

I am sure there are other existing messaging apps that would do the same in a little different way...

.

[misha]

Do you use G+ a lot? It seems to have died out with everyone I know.

I think it is geographical thing... you need to get to a critical mass


.

[qatet]

Google+ messaging...
respond to a "Circle": "I got it"
everyone gets notification:
Mergs sent the message "I got it"

I am sure there are other existing messaging apps that would do the same in a little different way...

.

The trick being that all of these require smart phones or computers and a signal for all of these devices. For every ref and armourer. Easier to just send a text, no?

[OROD]

Wouldnt it be easier to just issue megaphones to each ref?