Hello world, and introducing a new orchid management app

[terryros]

I would definitely be interested in an app that worked well on an iPad and an iPhone. I made my own simple database using an app made for mobile Mac stuff out of FileMaker, but they quit making this. Now, I have a bare bones spreadsheet (using Numbers instead of Excel) that is in the cloud and accessible on desktop, iPhone, and iPad. Hoping your cloud based solution would be similarly accessible on different types of devices. I would definitely pay for this app.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Orion]

terryros:

That's great to hear! I am working getting sync working between multiple devices, but as AKNicolle pointed out, it's fiendishly difficult to get it right. It's coming I promise!



Here's an update!

First, some screens shots of newer version: OrchidSense Beta 0.2.0 (Build 2016021402) - Album on Imgur

There are a lot of improvements, and the coolest new feature is that from the wiki, it can now link to orchidspecies.com (when possible), flickr, google, and The Plant List.

I would love a few more beta testers. Please let me know if you are interested!

And a big thank you to all of the current testers, this wouldn't be possible without you.

[Orion]

I understand that some members are a little nervous regarding the need for an email address to beta test the app.

Unfortunately the Apple TestFlight program is designed this way, and there isn't really a way around it.

What I suggest is that you can sign up for a new gmail account with an alias, and use that email adress. This way, you also have a spare email to sign up for things that you don't want to give your real email address to. That's what I do.

As well, I want to give a special thank you to Tschimm, who has contributed his ideas and time generously to this project!

[Helene]

Thats me😂 I'm so nervous I dont even order things online- I make my friend do it, she says I'm way too concerned😜

I would love to test your app, gonna see if I can make an email and send you. I think I have one that I dont use anymore.

Somehow new people on forums seems harder to trust, lol, I know its kinda stupid- cause trusting someone you dont know just because they have been around for a long time isnt a sure thing either.

But unfortunately- trustworthy people is hard to find, even irl.

Here you are- making and app, and giving the opportunity to test and help improve, and we are looking at you like you are some sort of bandit😜😂

So come on, lets test this thing, improve it the way we all want- and make a great app. I would prefer to pay a small fee, rather than commercial- so later on you should consider that as an option. Apps I use I hate that commercial thing, because it makes me press the wrong places and there you go out of the app and to some stupid commercial.

[Tschimm]

No Orion. I have to thank you. This is going to be a great app.

For all who have concerns about privacy: Orion is a very reliable person and an orchid addict like me and you 😀

[Orion]

Helene:

No worries, since I am asking the community for help, it's completely understandable that some verification is need before I could receive them. As the saying goes: Trust, but verify!

There is no ads in the app so far, and there is no plan to do so. But if does happen in the future, I will ensure there is a way to get an ad-free experience!


Tschimm:

Thank you again for you kind words!

[Helene]

Okay- I am just testing a bit, when I am more familiar with the app, I think it will work great.

Started with my seedlings- and the great part is you can add dates, and have multiple pictures (not sure if there is a limit?) on each plant. That way its easy to keep track of how it develop
An example- never mind the dates- just testing, to see if I could change dates☺️






And I can make notes whenever I want to. I like that, cause I actually forget details after a while


And for the bigger ones, I can keep track on when they spike, bloom, repotted and so on.

Well, guess I'm spending the weekend putting all my orchids in this app😎👍🏻
I think I like this app😎

[Tschimm]

Helene. I would wait before you put your whole collection in the app.
It's still in beta. There's a reason why we test it before it goes public 😉

At least I'd ask Orion if there will be a backup if something goes wrong.

[Helene]

Tschimm- thanks for the warning

But I do know its beta, and I do know that means everything can be gone. Lol, but then we can test if it can handle many plants and many pictures- and how that effect lagging and stuff😂😜

[Orion]

Thank you for your kind words Helene!

It is great for you to stress test the app. I have done some automated testing but I would certainly like to see how it behave in others' hands.

Currently the online backup feature is disabled, and I am working on getting it working.

While I wouldn't suggest you put all your photographs in the app without any outside backups, I don't have any user data wipes planned and your data should transition into the newer versions without problems.

However, if you delete the app from your phone, the app's data will be wiped and unrecoverable.