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I have been asking a few I know here to help with a project I am working on for tracking and documenting how batches go. For those of us with APF's, we have reports we have to submit yearly. Being a lifelong programmer, and I cannot leave something manual alone, I came up with a concept based off my studies of the past two years attempting to learn this craft. As I crafted each of my early batches, I took a ton of notes and wrote them down on a pad. Now, since my dogs like to chew paper that has our scents, that led to
some lost data on a few. As I progressed in my batches, I started seeing the collection of datum assuming a specific pattern each time as I went thru each phase of a batch - These kind of things will drive a programmer insane because manual patterns need to be automated so man has more time to do what he does best... distill
I have been working a little while on a proof of concept computer application that will run on a windows system and provides management of inventory, recipe's batches, ferments, distilliations, collections, etc. Once cata is collected, it can be summarized, charted, etc to provide trendlines and give good analytical views in a variety of ways to help manage the long term data. it also allows a owner/operator to manage inventories, recipes, suppliers, costs, cost per collection unit, etc.
It does NOT use the internet, all data is
local, and password protected. Moreover, the final version will employ distinct user level security to keep RKW's
(Rouge Keyboard Wanderer's) from stumbling into the application or it's data.
I have a basic model up and working. It is at a point that within a week or so, I will need the help of a few beta tester's to help me finalize/improve on it. I have
two volunteers so far, but one is very busy and will probably not have time for the foreseeable future. I also asked Rick here at Brewhaus, but he suggested that I ask the community. So, I am :)
Those that are interested, please let me know via PM, or here and we'll conversate. If you want a peek at it, let me know I can steer you to a post with screen shots in it.
System requirements: Access 2007 Runtimes on a Windows XP SP3/Vista/Win7 - I have the Access runtime installer and it comes with the package or can be downloaded from Microsoft. Yes, the runtimes are
free. Oh.. In Case you are wondering..
What's in it for me? - You get a copy of the RC
(Release Candidate) version and a lifetime key for as long as it's in support. It takes
hundreds of hours of effort to
create robust applications so it cannot' be
free to the entire world of small distillers/AFP's, but it
will be very reasonable - Prolly less'n the cost'o two bags of Sweet feed...I
detest expensive software.
Thanks,
RCRed
About my computer skills: I a'in some some young whippersnapper
(ok, maybe to some of ya I am) with a code book for dummies in my hand.
Those, I keep in a book case
behind me :)... I've written business and operating systems computer code since 1978, folow strict best practices and standards for development of any computer based application. My experience covers mainframes, midrange and desktop/laptop computer environments. I'm so damn geeky, I can't speel normal text correctly any more...
