Food and Drink NEW messaging app, need testers and feedback! - Page 4

**AustinChief** · 02:40 AM

ok, so I had another hairbrained idea and decided to try and see if I could do it. After exactly two weeks of learning the Android SDK and relearning Java.. I think I may have something worth testing.

Here is the basic idea...

In a town like Austin, you have a ton of youngish people who go out a lot. They also tend to go all over to different spots depending on whats going on, specials, etc... So, my idea was to make an app that facilitates that. Basically like an instant Evite/Facebook event type of thing.

So the app installs on your phone (Android right now, if it doesn't suck I'll add iPhone and Windows) then you can create groups from your phone's contact list. Now, when you decide to go out, you click the app, click a group, then you get a screen where you pick a day/time and you get a dropdown of LOCATIONS... these are prepopulated based on your area. (right now it is hardcoded to Austin but could be anywhere) .. when you pick a location (bar) it shows you info on the place and what is going on, then you can hit NEXT and send the prepolulated message. The message reads like "I'm headed to %LOCATION% around %TIME/DAY%. You should join me! -%name%" It then adds a LINK to the bottom that says "click here to let me know if your coming"

This is the cool part. The people you sent to will get a text with a unique link that they can click and get a mobile page where they see the same bar info with a map link and a yes/no button to let you know if they are coming. They can also click to see who else is coming and if those people have said yes/no or not responded yet.

That's the basic gist of it.. there is a lot more and future plans.. if it doesn't suck. What do you guys think so far?

APK for android phones http://www.rucom.in/apk/MeetMeOut.apk

MOCK UP is now online at http://rucom.in/mock/index.html

**AustinChief** · 08-21-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setsuna

I'll mess with it tomorrow. Do I have to delete the old one or will it overwrite when I DL it?

It overwrites it.

THANKS AGAIN MAN! I appreciate it!

Setsuna · 08-22-2012, 10:53 AM

Alright I compared the mock up to the old one. I see the border lines are now green instead of blue. Nice touch. I saw that you changed from Day/Time to When. Less is more. Cool. I see where all the work has gone. You made Event Zombie accessible within the app. THAT is huge. The venues are alphabetized when you list them by venue. Then you have the map feature as well. Pretty darn convenient. Now with this map feature. Does it use your built in phone map or what? I'd say overall this app could blow up dude. I'd be using this all the time.

Just one more question. Now let's just say I knew of an event that wasn't even listed, is there a way to manually create one within the app and then use it in the app? Is EventZombie like a user submitted site or do venues themselves place these things on the site? Because if it is the former, then we could just make the event on there and go about our business. Oh and it is very straightforward but people are dumb and you need a detailed tutorial when the app starts, with the option to view it or start using the app immediately. Again...sick app!

Edit: More work for you. Just a thought for later development. When this app spreads like wildfire, you could possibly start doing skins or themes. I know for one thing, a Florida Gator theme/skin would make me

all day. Promise.

**AustinChief** · 08-22-2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setsuna

Alright I compared the mock up to the old one. I see the border lines are now green instead of blue. Nice touch. I saw that you changed from Day/Time to When. Less is more. Cool. I see where all the work has gone. You made Event Zombie accessible within the app. THAT is huge. The venues are alphabetized when you list them by venue. Then you have the map feature as well. Pretty darn convenient. Now with this map feature. Does it use your built in phone map or what? I'd say overall this app could blow up dude. I'd be using this all the time.

Just one more question. Now let's just say I knew of an event that wasn't even listed, is there a way to manually create one within the app and then use it in the app? Is EventZombie like a user submitted site or do venues themselves place these things on the site? Because if it is the former, then we could just make the event on there and go about our business. Oh and it is very straightforward but people are dumb and you need a detailed tutorial when the app starts, with the option to view it or start using the app immediately. Again...sick app!

Edit: More work for you. Just a thought for later development. When this app spreads like wildfire, you could possibly start doing skins or themes. I know for one thing, a Florida Gator theme/skin would make me

all day. Promise.

The map uses Google's map api. I opted to go that route for consistency between the website and app.

The app doesn't do custom events but it DOES let you put in custom LOCATIONS and even let's you save them for future use. EventZombie doesn't do user submitted events, it currently grabs all the events from a local source and directly from Facebook. I have been thinking about ways to add more events and I think you've pushed me over the edge to actually do something about it! Here is my first thought... any user can create or find a Facebook Event and submit THAT to the system and either tie it to a location or input a custom location for it. Would that work?

Great idea on the tutorial! I'll try to get something up before I release the public beta.

ANOTHER great idea on themes/skins! You're right, I can wait and do those later... BUT I need to go through the code and make sure it is "prepped" for when that feature is ready.

Once again, thanks a ton for the help!

Setsuna · 08-22-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

The map uses Google's map api. I opted to go that route for consistency between the website and app.

The app doesn't do custom events but it DOES let you put in custom LOCATIONS and even let's you save them for future use. EventZombie doesn't do user submitted events, it currently grabs all the events from a local source and directly from Facebook. I have been thinking about ways to add more events and I think you've pushed me over the edge to actually do something about it! Here is my first thought... any user can create or find a Facebook Event and submit THAT to the system and either tie it to a location or input a custom location for it. Would that work?

Great idea on the tutorial! I'll try to get something up before I release the public beta.

ANOTHER great idea on themes/skins! You're right, I can wait and do those later... BUT I need to go through the code and make sure it is "prepped" for when that feature is ready.

Once again, thanks a ton for the help!

That would be boss man. That way if people make FB events, they can guarantee the people get it in time if it can be sent via text. I think that's top notch.

You're welcome man. I'd never have the patience nor skill to actually create an app like that or an app in general. Good luck.

**AustinChief** · 08-23-2012, 05:40 PM

Just a reminder... the MOCK UP is now online at http://rucom.in/mock/index.html

so you can check it out and give me feedback without installing the app... although installing the app and testing it would be even cooler.... but I REALLY would appreciate any feedback.. I'm quickly running out of things to add/fix.

**Bowser** · 08-23-2012, 06:08 PM

That's actually pretty sweet.

However, I noticed that you didn't have a Springfield group in your contacts. Why is that?

**AustinChief** · 08-23-2012, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

That's actually pretty sweet.

However, I noticed that you didn't have a Springfield group in your contacts. Why is that?

hmmm, might be because they have't moved away from rotary phones yet in springpatch?

So... did anything jump out at you as a needing improvement?

I just added an iCal feature to let a person add the event to their calendar (with reminders) if they RSVP a yes. That's something I would have never thought of, but a buddy looked at the mock up and that was the first thing he noticed missing. So... I am scrounging for any and all feedback I can get before I declare it ready for a public beta test.

**AustinChief** · 08-23-2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

That's actually pretty sweet.

However, I noticed that you didn't have a Springfield group in your contacts. Why is that?

OH, and THANKS a TON for taking the time to check it out!

Pushead2 · 08-23-2012, 06:35 PM

this seems like a cool app.

I like that you can hit a bunch of people with an idea and see if they're down with it.

**AustinChief** · 08-23-2012, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushead2

this seems like a cool app.

I like that you can hit a bunch of people with an idea and see if they're down with it.

Thanks man, if you have any ideas to add to the functionality just let me know!

Setsuna · 08-23-2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

hmmm, might be because they have't moved away from rotary phones yet in springpatch?

So... did anything jump out at you as a needing improvement?

I just added an iCal feature to let a person add the event to their calendar (with reminders) if they RSVP a yes. That's something I would have never thought of, but a buddy looked at the mock up and that was the first thing he noticed missing. So... I am scrounging for any and all feedback I can get before I declare it ready for a public beta test.

I'm not the buddy am I? I am disappoint.

**AustinChief** · 08-23-2012, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setsuna

I'm not the buddy am I? I am disappoint.

HA, no that was a buddy in Austin. Your contributions are well documented here and I really appreciate it. My biggest concern at this point is getting feedback. Programmers like myself tend to develop tunnel vision at this point in a project and it always helps a ton to get input.

**AustinChief** · 08-24-2012, 02:11 AM

Just to be clear here... I would like any NEGATIVE feedback as well... I have had surprisingly little of it and I need it just as much.

I know some of you bastards are checking out the mock up... talk to me!

08-12-2012, 04:36 AM
AustinChief Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Austin Casino cash: $2249112	NEW messaging app, need testers and feedback! ok, so I had another hairbrained idea and decided to try and see if I could do it. After exactly two weeks of learning the Android SDK and relearning Java.. I think I may have something worth testing. Here is the basic idea... In a town like Austin, you have a ton of youngish people who go out a lot. They also tend to go all over to different spots depending on whats going on, specials, etc... So, my idea was to make an app that facilitates that. Basically like an instant Evite/Facebook event type of thing. So the app installs on your phone (Android right now, if it doesn't suck I'll add iPhone and Windows) then you can create groups from your phone's contact list. Now, when you decide to go out, you click the app, click a group, then you get a screen where you pick a day/time and you get a dropdown of LOCATIONS... these are prepopulated based on your area. (right now it is hardcoded to Austin but could be anywhere) .. when you pick a location (bar) it shows you info on the place and what is going on, then you can hit NEXT and send the prepolulated message. The message reads like "I'm headed to %LOCATION% around %TIME/DAY%. You should join me! -%name%" It then adds a LINK to the bottom that says "click here to let me know if your coming" This is the cool part. The people you sent to will get a text with a unique link that they can click and get a mobile page where they see the same bar info with a map link and a yes/no button to let you know if they are coming. They can also click to see who else is coming and if those people have said yes/no or not responded yet. That's the basic gist of it.. there is a lot more and future plans.. if it doesn't suck. What do you guys think so far? APK for android phones http://www.rucom.in/apk/MeetMeOut.apk MOCK UP is now online at http://rucom.in/mock/index.html Last edited by AustinChief; 08-24-2012 at 02:40 AM..
Posts: 19,591

08-22-2012, 10:53 AM	#47
Setsuna Paladin Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Gator Country Casino cash: $10008487	Alright I compared the mock up to the old one. I see the border lines are now green instead of blue. Nice touch. I saw that you changed from Day/Time to When. Less is more. Cool. I see where all the work has gone. You made Event Zombie accessible within the app. THAT is huge. The venues are alphabetized when you list them by venue. Then you have the map feature as well. Pretty darn convenient. Now with this map feature. Does it use your built in phone map or what? I'd say overall this app could blow up dude. I'd be using this all the time. Just one more question. Now let's just say I knew of an event that wasn't even listed, is there a way to manually create one within the app and then use it in the app? Is EventZombie like a user submitted site or do venues themselves place these things on the site? Because if it is the former, then we could just make the event on there and go about our business. Oh and it is very straightforward but people are dumb and you need a detailed tutorial when the app starts, with the option to view it or start using the app immediately. Again...sick app! Edit: More work for you. Just a thought for later development. When this app spreads like wildfire, you could possibly start doing skins or themes. I know for one thing, a Florida Gator theme/skin would make me all day. Promise. Last edited by Setsuna; 08-22-2012 at 10:57 AM.. Reason: tuj
Posts: 13,215

08-23-2012, 05:40 PM	#50
AustinChief Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Austin Casino cash: $2249112	Just a reminder... the MOCK UP is now online at http://rucom.in/mock/index.html so you can check it out and give me feedback without installing the app... although installing the app and testing it would be even cooler.... but I REALLY would appreciate any feedback.. I'm quickly running out of things to add/fix.
Posts: 19,591

08-23-2012, 06:08 PM	#51
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3031616	That's actually pretty sweet. However, I noticed that you didn't have a Springfield group in your contacts. Why is that?
Posts: 101,333

08-23-2012, 06:35 PM	#54
Pushead2 **** off Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York Casino cash: $7151882	this seems like a cool app. I like that you can hit a bunch of people with an idea and see if they're down with it. __________________ "**** up once, lose two teeth....”
Posts: 5,223

08-24-2012, 02:11 AM	#58
AustinChief Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Austin Casino cash: $2249112	Just to be clear here... I would like any NEGATIVE feedback as well... I have had surprisingly little of it and I need it just as much. I know some of you bastards are checking out the mock up... talk to me!
Posts: 19,591