Feature or Change Requests

[The R/C Man]

Nevermind I found them... Silly me..

[Reefland]

I don't think we have a test option for redox potential, will look into adding that into version 2. As far as "brand", we do have Milwaukee as a brand type, are there others that we need to add?

[stevan]

[bristlebasher]

I have not had the oportunity to think of anything I would like to add apart from more suppliers as far as equipment and test kits are concerned.

I do like the program so far - and think it is most usefull.

Well done

[Reefland]

As you can see from this http://www.reefland.com/forum/showthread.php?p=99667, version 2 is 50% completed.

[charlie]

I think you are making excellent progress, I really can't wait to see the finished project.

[Reefland]

I think everyone will enjoy the new changes. Although there isn't a ton of new features the log is a lot smoother and looks much better. I say there aren't a lot of new features, there are quite a few.

[Reefland]

Throught I would provide a sneak peak for all of you with a couple of screen shots.

First picture is the new homepage.

Second picture is viewing test results for Alkalinity tests performed (note new chart, it's "flashy" ;; ).

Third picture is a shot of the page to add a new test. Note the date formating for reminders and the improved controls for comment posting.

Fourth picture is viewing a fish in my public log.

Lost more to come!

[charlie]

I like it, I think I'm gonna like it alot.

[Reefland]

Hopefully anyone that uses it, and new users to the log will enjoy it's features and functionality just as much.

[charlie]

Scott,
Do you have an idea of how many people are using it on a regular basis? I myself can't wait for the option to add a second tank.

[Reefland]

Charlie,

I would say about 200 of the 625 logs are updated pretty regularly, at least in a 30 day period. If you look at activity over the last 2 months, it's about 450 of them. The thing to keep in mind is people are using their logs differently; some use it for everything, others just for test results, some people are using it just to keep track of their livestock, etc.

Version 1 of our log was just to see how it would go over. I put a lot of time of development in it and wasn't sure how it would go. Now that we know people are using it and find it helpful, I am putting a lot of the ideas I had for the log into version 2, and making it look a lot better at the same time. I have plans to advertise the log to let the world know of this wonderful resource that only Reefland.com has. ;)

[charlie]

That isn't a bad percentage. I have to agree that different people do different things with their log, but if you can get word out, it would be nice to see what happens.

[Reefland]

Indeed. ;)

[scanaday]

Downloading Information from log. I am a software developer myself and have a passion for the reef hobby as well. I have thought a lot about writing this type of software many times before but don't have the time, job, wife, 3 kids, business to run, tanks to maintain. My suggestion would be to give the option of downloading the information in XML format. This would allow for a much more structured file and give some software developers (like myself) the ability to write add-on applications that can use the data maintained in this log to do things with like, reporting, custom graphs, custom notifications, etc. If you would like to talk about the options more from someone who has been in the software business for 10+ years writing primarily internet software, I would love to have a private conversation with you to see what can be done to make this application even better.

Just heard about/joined the forum yesterday and I'm already loving it.

[charlie]

Hey, welcome to Reefland. Maybe our resident computer guru, Scott, will chime in on this one. I would love to help, but I am computer literate as my dog is.
Hope you enjoy your time here, there's alot of good info around here.

[Reefland]

Hi scanaday, Welcome to Reefland!

The next version of the log will have the ability to download the log information in .txt. format intially and will exapnd to .csv and XML in the near future. The next version will also include a more powerful graph system and a much better reminder system, although some of it still needs to be worked out.

[ctenophore]

Hi Scott,
Furthering what scanaday said, how about a batch importer as well? Define the format of the txt/csv/xml data, and provide an upload box so we can add past history. I've been keeping track of my test results on (gasp!) paper for the last year, and would love to add them to this app.

With test history in mind, how about adding a date field (preferably with a calendar date-picker) that allows us to override the current date when adding a test result. That way, we could at least enter historical data by hand.

I get this exception when I try to view the calcium test results page that hasn't had any results added:
Warning: array_sum(): The argument should be an array in /home/httpd/vhosts/reefland.com/httpdocs/myaqlog/templates/usertesttype.tmpl on line 78

After adding one alkalinity test, the graph image is broken. When I do a 'view image', this is the error the server returns:
"The image http://www.reefland.com/myaqlog/chart.php?testtype=Alkalinity cannot be displayed, because it contains errors."
I entered "7.0 KH" in the field, to see if it would accept a unit after the value. The text part seems to have worked though, as it says "7.00dKH" as lowest/average/highest result.

I tried entering another alk. record using meq/L as the unit, and it recorded the entry as dKH. Maybe add a drop-down to choose the unit, and have the graph convert all results to a standard at report-time?

Also, if you add the data upload feature, that would give us the ability to convert and add aquacontroller-style datasets. I know those devices come with some sort of maintenance software, but I've never used it. I doubt it would be as comprehensive or have the community aspect as this does.

You could add a Filtration Details section on water flow devices besides a closed loop, like streams vs. seios or similar.

Also, some fields in Aquarium Details regarding amount of liverock, length of time established, and sandbed vs. barebottom would be neat. Then you could have more flame wars about dsb vs bb and have graphed historical data (e.g., PO4 levels) to back up your point of view!

Add a section in Maintenance for fluidized reactors, similar to carbon. I'm thinking of rowaphos/phosban changes in particular.

Lastly, a feature that helps us track generations of coral would be pretty neat. # of times fragged, approx. frag growth rates, etc. Even cooler would be a way to link one member's mother colony to another's frag. Then you could correlate coral health and growth rates with chemistry, lighting, and flow rates.

Assuming, of course, that you add a feature that allows us to pull meta-reports across all publicly-available tank logs.

Hope this helps. Great work so far, I look forward to using all of the above features by version 2.5 ;)

[Reefland]

Hi ctenophore, thanks for all your great feedback!

Furthering what scanaday said, how about a batch importer as well? Define the format of the txt/csv/xml data, and provide an upload box so we can add past history. I've been keeping track of my test results on (gasp!) paper for the last year, and would love to add them to this app.

I have thought about this and plan to add this to the log eventually. The problem is that the data will have to have specific formatting in the file in order for the upload to happen correctly and that makes the task a little more daunting. Be on the look out though as I will add this. In the mean time, version 2 allows you to change dates of data entry so you can add historical information.

With test history in mind, how about adding a date field (preferably with a calendar date-picker) that allows us to override the current date when adding a test result. That way, we could at least enter historical data by hand.

See above.

I get this exception when I try to view the calcium test results page that hasn't had any results added:
Warning: array_sum(): The argument should be an array in /home/httpd/vhosts/reefland.com/httpdocs/myaqlog/templates/usertesttype.tmpl on line 78

This should be corrected now.

After adding one alkalinity test, the graph image is broken. When I do a 'view image', this is the error the server returns:
"The image http://www.reefland.com/myaqlog/chart.php?testtype=Alkalinity cannot be displayed, because it contains errors."
I entered "7.0 KH" in the field, to see if it would accept a unit after the value. The text part seems to have worked though, as it says "7.00dKH" as lowest/average/highest result.

This is one of the problems with the current graph functions, it is "broken" until more than 1 result is entered. I have made a change to remove the graph until this criteria is met but in version 2, this is not a problem at all.

I tried entering another alk. record using meq/L as the unit, and it recorded the entry as dKH. Maybe add a drop-down to choose the unit, and have the graph convert all results to a standard at report-time?

In the log configuration there is a drop down for ALK measurement type which defaults to dKH if mEq/L isn't selected. What your suggesting is the ability to change the measurement type at the point of alk test entry?

Also, if you add the data upload feature, that would give us the ability to convert and add aquacontroller-style datasets. I know those devices come with some sort of maintenance software, but I've never used it. I doubt it would be as comprehensive or have the community aspect as this does.

When I do implement the ability to upload previous data I plan to get sample datasheets from the other popular softwares and ensure that the log will accept their backups.

You could add a Filtration Details section on water flow devices besides a closed loop, like streams vs. seios or similar.

I will add this into version 2.

Also, some fields in Aquarium Details regarding amount of liverock, length of time established, and sandbed vs. barebottom would be neat. Then you could have more flame wars about dsb vs bb and have graphed historical data (e.g., PO4 levels) to back up your point of view!

This we need information that allows for those types of counterproductive discussions? I'll have to think about this as I do see some value in storing this type of information. I have intended for the "diary" to be the place for this type of stuff but maybe some initial configuration options would be best.

Add a section in Maintenance for fluidized reactors, similar to carbon. I'm thinking of rowaphos/phosban changes in particular.

Definitely, I will add this to my version 2 list. I'll let everyone know that your suggestions have pushed out the release date by at least a month. Kidding of course.

Lastly, a feature that helps us track generations of coral would be pretty neat. # of times fragged, approx. frag growth rates, etc. Even cooler would be a way to link one member's mother colony to another's frag. Then you could correlate coral health and growth rates with chemistry, lighting, and flow rates.

This has been mentioned before but I have never dreamed up a way to incorporate it. Definitely something to think about and if I can't get it in version 2, I will get it in version 2.5 for sure. ;)

Assuming, of course, that you add a feature that allows us to pull meta-reports across all publicly-available tank logs.

Can you elaborate on this a bit?

Hope this helps. Great work so far, I look forward to using all of the above features by version 2.5 ;)

Thanks for the compliment and the great feedback, off to edit my To-Do list.

[Reefland]

One more Major Addition marked as completed.