IDO App

I know the IDO crew is busy but do you suppose we could ever have an IDO app for phones? I can see it now.

What kind of ap do you have in mind?

james,

instead of an app, you could install the plugin to allow the website to be used on the Tapatalk app. that would allow much easier browsing of the site on phones.

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What kind of ap do you have in mind?

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I am not a programmer. But something along the lines of the Facebook app for Android would be great for IDO. Basically make it a little more touch screen friendly. Maybe wouldn’t need an app just a touch friendly website. My 2 cents.

James, on a side note I have contacted the Dolphin HD browser support guys. They are investigating the picture upload problem.

James,

How about an app that links the fishing reports with USACE data on stage/flow/water temp? The date of the report can be used to reference the USACE info, which combined would make a heck of a database. Make that database searchable by the USACE fields on my phone… I understand that you can do that now with a little legwork, but put that on my phone and it could be an awfully useful tool on the water.

You could also let people post reports from their phone/app (see AfterTheCatch app) and post them to the site, complete with data from the USACE website already entered for them. What I’d like to see is an personal fishing log app that would automatically attach GPS coordinates and USACE data to the photo, and put it in a searchable database. I enter water stage, temp, etc. and the database returns a map with pins that link to the photos. I’d also want it to be web accessible so I could view and edit the info on my laptop. No way am I posting that on IDO, but I’d pay you for the app!

I like this thread. Right now IDO is currently in the early stages of the largest redesign and expansion we’ve ever done so threads like this give me a lot of ideas that can potentially be integrated in the short term. So… keep sharing.

As I mentioned, I would love to create a personal catch database with photos, or even simple wayponts created on the water (catch a fish=hit a button) or after the trip (manually enter the waypoint, time, and fish info), that are automatcally linked with USACE info. The key to me is the automatic link to the USACE info. I’ve thought about building the database in MS Excel, but can you imagine entering that info for every fish?? Crazy.

I wouldn’t be opposed to storing my personal catch database on IDO’s server, and sharing limited access to it somehow. The idea of sharing that info completely is far outside my comfort zone, but high level data (# of fish entered, etc.) might be OK. There obviously needs to be some thinking done on what info would be valuable to IDO, and privacy issues vs. attracting users. Or maybe you just develop a killer app and make people pay to get and/or use it. You could then allow people to share data through the site at whatever level they feel comfortable with (i.e. not at all, grant friends full access, just share one day’s data with the fishing report, etc.). Maybe give them a discount on the subscription for sharing the data, like you have with the classifieds. The app attracts users to IDO, and the subscription is structured to encourage them to post info.

What seriously needs to happen is that we replace the Lowrance or HB networks with a PC/CPU connected to two or three monitors (preferably touchscreen) in the boat. Integrate that info with an online fishing report, maybe even in real time, and you’ve got something even better. In addition to new hardware, I suppose we’d need a reliable internet signal in the boat … but it’s only a matter of time. It’s fun to dream, and may only be a few years away.

I don’t know much about website building when it comes to phones, but many websites have a mobile version that is setup to be viewed easier on the small screens. ESPN’s version is m.espn.com rather than http://www.espn.com, facebook’s is m.facebook.com and so on. It sure would be nice to be able to view IDO on my phone better than I currently can. With the amount of content on the page, its pretty slow on a mobile device.

I agree with John that a mobile site would be nice. Even though I can view the site on my phone, mobile sites are generally fast and easier to work with when browsing.

James, I know you said the early stages of a redesign, but you think at some point you might start a “wish list”/suggestions thread asking what members would like to see changed or implemented?

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James, I know you said the early stages of a redesign, but you think at some point you might start a “wish list”/suggestions thread asking what members would like to see changed or implemented?

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I think that’s completely reasonable. After all our goal here has always been to provide what the members want and need from their fishing website of choice.

While we’re in the early stages of a site-wide code base update and redesign the specs and scope of the upcoming work has been planned down to the last detail so I’m hesitant to stray from the path, so to speak. Once this next project is finished (projected completion October 15) then I’ll make a point to open up a means for members to put in requests for new features.

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As I mentioned, I would love to create a personal catch database with photos, or even simple wayponts created on the water (catch a fish=hit a button) or after the trip (manually enter the waypoint, time, and fish info), that are automatcally linked with USACE info. The key to me is the automatic link to the USACE info. I’ve thought about building the database in MS Excel, but can you imagine entering that info for every fish?? Crazy.

I wouldn’t be opposed to storing my personal catch database on IDO’s server, and sharing limited access to it somehow. The idea of sharing that info completely is far outside my comfort zone, but high level data (# of fish entered, etc.) might be OK. There obviously needs to be some thinking done on what info would be valuable to IDO, and privacy issues vs. attracting users. Or maybe you just develop a killer app and make people pay to get and/or use it. You could then allow people to share data through the site at whatever level they feel comfortable with (i.e. not at all, grant friends full access, just share one day’s data with the fishing report, etc.). Maybe give them a discount on the subscription for sharing the data, like you have with the classifieds. The app attracts users to IDO, and the subscription is structured to encourage them to post info.

What seriously needs to happen is that we replace the Lowrance or HB networks with a PC/CPU connected to two or three monitors (preferably touchscreen) in the boat. Integrate that info with an online fishing report, maybe even in real time, and you’ve got something even better. In addition to new hardware, I suppose we’d need a reliable internet signal in the boat … but it’s only a matter of time. It’s fun to dream, and may only be a few years away.

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This really is a fantastic idea. I’ll run it past the IDO brain trust the next time we get together and see what capabilities exist to make something like this a reality. It might be awhile but you will hear back from me on this.

USACE?
Having ADD;(accronym deficiency disorder);myself.
I believe there are many great ideas out there, and accessing info off of my Lowrance unit is one I would love to see.
Just remember that some of us out here “ME” anyways, would need some type of cheat sheet to access this info.

Maybe an. IDO for Dummies Book (just poking fun ay myself here).