David G. Shrock's Blog, page 10

Count Inventory with Dee Count

Dee Count is now available for the iPad. Find it at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dee-count/id454072809?mt=8 or learn more in software/deecount

Count, track, and verify your counts by comparing to a second count or an existing inventory list. Use a bar code scanner for quick entry. I recommend breaking your inventory into small sections for quick comparisons and help locate a product by where it was scanned.

Kandy Continues

After a long pause, Kandy Fangs continues today with the first of the remaining six episodes in the serial. The novella will be ready by the end of August. Read episode 22, "An Encounter with Sin." Find other serials at TuesdaySerial.

Crimson Dress at Kandy Fangs

My #FridayFlash is Crimson Dress at Kandy Fangs.

Finished the next few episodes of Kandy Fang...

Finished the next few episodes of Kandy Fangs which return next week.

Updated Website

I updated the website with Twenty Eleven theme for a cleaner look. I like the less clutter on posts with a wider post area. I also added the software section for my upcoming iPad application.

Book Sale at Smashwords

Smashwords is having their annual Summer/Winter sale all July with participating ebooks at 25% discount, 50% discount, or free. Raven Memory is 50% off and profits still go to KIPP as detailed in this post. Shadow Memories is a free download for the sale.

Find my books on Smashwords.

Thanks, and go read some books this Summer/Winter (depending on the hemisphere you're in.)

Extensive App Testing

My productivity application, DCount, for iPad manages and counts inventory by location including comparing counts to an existing inventory. After months of extensive daily testing in a retail environment, I have applied tester suggested improvements meeting a variety of conditions that arise while counting inventory.

Barcode Scanner Mixed With Manual Input

My goal in the beginning was to make it quick and easy to add and count items using a barcode scanner. Not all items have scan labels, and some scanners are less efficient at switching back to the on-screen keyboard. Using an external keyboard (or barcode scanner which inputs like a keyboard) hides the on-screen keypad, which is nice, but returning to the key entry from scanner requires ejecting the scanner and then re-connecting to continue scanning again. There is room for improvement, but allowing for some input without disconnecting the scanner helps.

Performance

My first goal was to allow input as fast as a barcode scanner reads minimizing other user input. Scan each item on a shelf moving to the next item on each beep. The software keeps track of item counts and shows a log for review in case of error such as a missed item or double-scan. I also wanted to allow photos for locations to help a user that divides locations by room, shelf, or wire rack. Sometimes a name isn't enough. With a potential of hundred photos and thousands of individual items with descriptions, the memory must be kept to a minimum and entry speed reasonably high. The cost of slower initial load time seems acceptable considering long use and continuing to run in the background while multi-tasking.

Testing on the original iPad proved better than I anticipated. DCount runs noticeably faster on iPad 2, but the original iPad is fast enough. The tester added 133 locations (down to the shelf level,) all with photos, counting nearly 5,500 items with descriptions at a total of over 20,800 counts.

Count Totals


Improvements From Testing

Easy to copy-paste previous entries for when UPC scan fails along with an OK button to keep scanner connected
Custom count-by selection for multiple entries (provides count by 1, 3, 12, or custom)
Import inventory details from iTunes
deal with barcodes that contain hidden characters

DCount screen shot

I had originally assumed the iTunes method of importing inventory details and comparison counts from a database would be the most cumbersome user experience, but it turns out that sometimes and for some users it is the easiest. I had not considered obstacles such as barcodes with hidden characters, which causes problems when trying to match with an existing inventory, or repeated manual entries. After updating DCount, testing went very smooth.

Final Thoughts

Extensive testing is a must. There are so many little things, some of which I would have never thought of, that improve the user experience. Most important, my primary tester seems pleased with the final result. Her comments indicated that counting inventory using DCount on the iPad is enjoyable.

Past Life: Game Modder

About 17 years ago, I built modifications for games, mostly games by or based on the game engine by id Software (DOOM, DOOM II) using tools like DeuSF by Olivier Montanuy. Back then I was known as "DragonRook" from AOL. I enjoyed DOOM, but the biggest selling point was the modding community giving us endless new levels and monster customizations, some of them better than the original game.

 

Castle Phobos end shot

My first mod was "Castle Phobos" that started as 3 levels and grew to 10 levels with original music written by a friend, Ross A Warren. "Terror Mall" was my next project that included a customization that turned the big red demon into glass window that shattered when shot and snipers in trees. My primary goal in both mods was to provide a high level of challenge offering the

player barely enough ammunition to survive, more ammunition available to those willing to search for secret doors. Secondarily, I enjoyed toying with architecture. Terror Mall also included "clues" with custom graphics to find the teleporter to the exit. Years later, I also made a small single-level mod for DOOM 3.

Terror Mall- watch out for snipers in the trees

Back then I received job offers for level design. I didn't accept any. My interest moved on, and now that I have the knowledge to write my own FPS I would rather create my own game.

After all these years, I still stumble across my boards containing chat about modifications or receive messages from fans. Although many of the old boards are gone, that people still talk about these old games and mods says a great deal about id Software and the entire modding community. For those that are able to play, try the links at the bottom to the zip files.

Thanks for the kind words about my work and Warren's original music. I thank Ross A Warren for sharing his great music. Without it, I don't think "Castle Phobos" would have been as memorable.

From the community:

Sanglidrums sharing Warren's original music on YouTube
Doom Wad Station
Review of "Wizard's Rage" on DoomWorld
New Doom Forums
Maps at Doom3 File Front

Download my old mods (right-click):

"Castle Phobos" for DOOM II, cphobos5.zip
"Castle Phobos" for DOOM, cphobos31.zip
"Terror Mall" for DOOM II, tmall2.zip
A deathmatch level for DOOM 3, dracotorre_dm1.zip

It's up to you to figure out how to play these mods on modern machines.

Screen shot from my Doom3 mod

Current Work In Progress: iPad App

Screen capture of DCount on iPad

My latest weekend work is an iPad app for inventory counting and tracking titled, DCount. The primary goal of DCount is to count inventory for comparison with a database.

Scanfob barcode scanner

Secondarily, the application helps locate items using search which might come in handy if a product isn't on the correct shelf. I designed the interface for speedy entry using an attached bar code scanner such as the wireless Scanfob.

Currently, DCount is going through rigorous testing. One test includes thousands of products organized by room and shelf or rack. Pictures help identify similar named locations, and the iPad makes it easy to attach a picture.

Soon, I will work on the iPhone version for the universal application and finalize the product. Art and layout is a work in progress and the screen captures may not represent final release.

DCount partial screen capture

Still Standing

Standing Work Desk

After four years of watching my health decline even while exercising during my off hours, last year I decided I had enough. I kicked the chair and traded up to a standing desk (see "Get Off Your Butt.") A year later I'm still standing at my workstation, and not going back to sitting for hours at a time. Commuting by bicycle isn't enough to offset the negative impact of sitting for an entire work day.

I feel better. I'm more productive. Chairs are for resting.

Including the studies I've read with my experience, my conclusion is that humans were not designed to sit in chairs beyond a brief respite.

Stand up and get some work done.