An Important Note

This release adds a lot of new data, which it adds the first time this version runs. Normally, that happens and you have no idea. With the amount of data in this release, though, it can produce a noticeable delay before the first screen is displayed. This is to be expected and only happens the first time, but it can take a bit, especially on older devices, so please be patient and let it finish.

This release also merges any “Webelos 1″ and “Webelos 2″ scouts (that’s how my pack refers to them, for what it’s worth) into one rank, “Webelos”. While the Webelos program is two years long, there is no difference in what they do or how it’s tracked, so there’s no need to separate them like that.

Webelos Badges

One of the most request features is support for Webelos data. Webelos have badges, rather than achievements and electives, so that information is presented a little differently. In a future version, this might be merged together with the other ranks. With this release, you can find the badge information in one of two ways: via the familiar search function, or the new Browse menu option:

Once you’ve selected Webelos Badges, you should a screen like this one:

The information is presented here in a slightly different form. The requirements for the badges are put into groups, so one might be required to do 2 requirements in one group, and all in another. Cub Tracker, then, tries to convey that to the user like this:

If you tap on the arrows next to each group, you will be presented with a screen like this:

Tapping on a requirement brings up the familiar screen to record the completion of the activity:

Completed Webelos badges show up in the completion reports, so users should now be able to track these and report them just like the other ranks for achievements and electives.

Belt Loops and Pins

Another major feature in this release is the addition of belt loop and pin information. Using the same browsing steps above, users can now see what belt loops and pins are available for their scouts:

When you select an item, you will be asked if you want to view the information for belt loops or pins:

Here is what the pin information might look like:

Currently, belt loop and pin information is read only, but support for recording completion is being considered for a future release.

Browsing

As you’ve probably noticed, it is now possible to browse the achievements and electives for a given rank:

User interface updates

I’ve already mentioned the changes in row selection in a previous post, but I’ve also made one more change that I should note. One of the biggest complaints is that the information is hard to see, because it often runs off the side of the screen. I’ve solved this problem in two different ways (in theory, it should have only been one, so expect more changes in the future). Some screens will let you scroll side to side to read the entire line. Other screens, like the search screen below, will wrap the text. I would love some feedback from the users on which they prefer. Wrapping the text is nice, because it’s all there in front of you, but if the text is large, it can take up a lot of space on the screen. Let me know, then, what you’d prefer, as that should probably be consistent across the screens. I don’t, though, want to delay the release any longer for such a small fix as this.

Miscellania

I had one user report that the ads showing up were inappropriate, which bothered me quite a bit. I spent a fair amount of time trying to tune those settings so that wouldn’t happen, but if you do see something inappropriate, please let me know and I’ll try to fix that. Please see this comment for details.

I’ve been compiling a list of the requested changes I’ve gotten. Barring any major bugs that come up, I hope the next release of Cub Tracker will be 2.0. When I have a better idea of scope (and I have big ideas for 2.0), I’ll post an update. In the meantime, please continue to give me feedback here, on Facebook, or on Twitter. I may not reply promptly (or at all ), but I do read and value your feedback.

Thanks again for your support of Cub Tracker and patience with this long release cycle.

Communicating Pin Requirements

The support for Webelos badges will also be added in this release. As I’ve shared with the Webelos parents I’ve talked to, I’m not too terribly familiar with how the Webelos program works, as my oldest son is a only a Bear. However, I will be talking to the Webelos leaders in my pack and reading as much as I can to make sure the support is complete and, most importantly usable.

Row Selection Changes

Speaking of scrolling text, on some screens, the text was cut off on the side, making it difficult to see, e.g., what the achievement was. On those screens, the user can now scroll/swipe to the side to read the rest of the line. I’m not sure I like how it’s looking at the moment, but it does work, and is so much better than it was. Feedback, once the release is available, is certainly welcome.

This will be the first, fairly major release, and I’m pretty pleased with the progress so far. It is not, however, going as quickly as I’d like due to a variety of factors. I am, though, working as quickly and as diligently as I can to put out a solid and stable release.

If you’d like to get an early peek at the application, you can always try a development snapshot by scanning the QR code at the bottom of the page, or clicking this link on your device. Please note that while I try to make sure I never cause a data loss, this snapshot is a work under development, and accidents do happen. That said, I’d love to hear back from those who are still seeing odd, random crashes. The more information I have, the better I’ll be able to track those down.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please leave them below!

My plan for the next version is to add support belt loops, pins, etc.  I hope to have that in before the scouting year officially begins.  Here’s hoping.

As always, if you have questions or suggestions, feel free to head over to the Cub Tracker Facebook page.

I’m not sure when I’ll be able to release the update, but I hope to be able to do so in the next day or two.  I’m testing the update now to make sure it’s stable and doesn’t mess up any existing data, which I’m sure will be of interest to everyone.

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to drop me line.

Thanks for your patronage and support!  I hope you find this useful.

This release also adds a new “to-do” report, which shows the achievements and electives the selected scouts have not yet accomplished.  This report, which is also emailable just like the completion report, can optionally add the activity description if desired.

A final, minor addition of an “About” screen, which includes links to this site, the Cub Tracker twitter account, and the Cub Tracker Facebook page.

Please check out this release and let me know if you have any issues or feature requests.

Many thanks!

I’m still working on some documentation, so please be patient.  I’ll try to have to it online in the next few days.