As a result of having a little time on my hands, and from reading some recent threads regarding note-taking at the range, I've decided to try to put together a small application that most of us around here could use.
First, let me say that I promise nothing from this effort - it may never come to fruition.
Second, I have never heard of or seen software of this nature. If there are some decent application out there already, please let me know so I can evaluate them and determine if it's worth my time to make something better.
OK, having said that, here's what I have in mind, basically:
An application that allows shooters to track their guns, and their sessions at the range.
The first piece of the application would allow the user to enter guns with attributes including, but not limited to, the following:
- Make
- Model
- Caliber
- Type (pistol,rifle,shotgun)
- Serial Number
- Date of Purchase
- Place of Purchase
- Fire Type (center, rim, muzzle load)
- Action (w/i type context)
- Stock (w/i type context)
- Sights (w/i type context, eg for rifle: scope, fixed, adjustable)
- Gun Name (for use as an identifier in the app.)
- Total rounds fired
- Notes
Of course, some of these attributes would be completely optional. Also, the Notes field would be intended to provide more specific descriptions of the accessories on the gun such as the scope, stock, etc.
The second piece of the application would provide the user with a means to create a Range Report. A Range Report would include:
- Date
- Location
- Shooter
- Gun Name
- # rounds fired
- # Failures
- # groups
- Indoor/Outdoor
- Light Conditions
- Weather
- Wind
- Session Notes
Now, in order to really get any value from this, a shooter needs to be able to track data relating to each group shot. This data would include:
- Distance to target
- Ammo used
- # rounds
- Group Notes
I've got a fairly good picture of how I would set up this functionality in an application to this point.
The main question I have for everyone is, Should I implement the same kind of feature for adding and tracking "Ammo Used" similarly to the gun setup? In other words, does a free-form field for "Ammo Used" within a Range Report suffice for documenting things like brand, weight, load (or for reloaders, bullet type, powder charge ,primer size, etc.), or does a whole separate piece of the application need to be created for it?
Personally, I feel that another piece just for Ammo is needed. This would allow a shooter to REALLY track and do analysis on different loads, especially for reloaders.
However, I don't want to make an overly complex application. It's always a chore to find the balance between functionality and simplicity.
Sorry for such a long post. I would really like your feedback on this, as I'm hoping to produce something worthwhile that others can take advantage of.
All suggestions are welcome!
[This message has been edited by AKrob (edited December 09, 1999).]
First, let me say that I promise nothing from this effort - it may never come to fruition.
Second, I have never heard of or seen software of this nature. If there are some decent application out there already, please let me know so I can evaluate them and determine if it's worth my time to make something better.
OK, having said that, here's what I have in mind, basically:
An application that allows shooters to track their guns, and their sessions at the range.
The first piece of the application would allow the user to enter guns with attributes including, but not limited to, the following:
- Make
- Model
- Caliber
- Type (pistol,rifle,shotgun)
- Serial Number
- Date of Purchase
- Place of Purchase
- Fire Type (center, rim, muzzle load)
- Action (w/i type context)
- Stock (w/i type context)
- Sights (w/i type context, eg for rifle: scope, fixed, adjustable)
- Gun Name (for use as an identifier in the app.)
- Total rounds fired
- Notes
Of course, some of these attributes would be completely optional. Also, the Notes field would be intended to provide more specific descriptions of the accessories on the gun such as the scope, stock, etc.
The second piece of the application would provide the user with a means to create a Range Report. A Range Report would include:
- Date
- Location
- Shooter
- Gun Name
- # rounds fired
- # Failures
- # groups
- Indoor/Outdoor
- Light Conditions
- Weather
- Wind
- Session Notes
Now, in order to really get any value from this, a shooter needs to be able to track data relating to each group shot. This data would include:
- Distance to target
- Ammo used
- # rounds
- Group Notes
I've got a fairly good picture of how I would set up this functionality in an application to this point.
The main question I have for everyone is, Should I implement the same kind of feature for adding and tracking "Ammo Used" similarly to the gun setup? In other words, does a free-form field for "Ammo Used" within a Range Report suffice for documenting things like brand, weight, load (or for reloaders, bullet type, powder charge ,primer size, etc.), or does a whole separate piece of the application need to be created for it?
Personally, I feel that another piece just for Ammo is needed. This would allow a shooter to REALLY track and do analysis on different loads, especially for reloaders.
However, I don't want to make an overly complex application. It's always a chore to find the balance between functionality and simplicity.
Sorry for such a long post. I would really like your feedback on this, as I'm hoping to produce something worthwhile that others can take advantage of.
All suggestions are welcome!
[This message has been edited by AKrob (edited December 09, 1999).]