USB Scale new software on the horizon!!!

[Big Daddy Cool]

Well, as I previously mentioned, I contacted the developer of the original Mac version of the software. Today I received this reply:

"HI everyone,

over the last few weeks I did receive more and more inquiries about an update for the Radio Shack USB Scale Software for Mac. Let me first give you a little bit of background on that project.
It's true we did the Mac software for the Radio Shack scale. We actually did this for a friend (without being paid) who used to work at Radio Shack and who "invented" that scale. We do own the rights to the Mac software but we haven't spend any additional engineering resources so far since the initial release. As far as I know Radio Shack discontinued the scale, which makes it hard for us to justify putting additional engineering resource to the project.
With the grown interest (there even seems to be some online forums for the USB Scale) I think we should spend some time to bring the software for the scale up to date. In the next 3 weeks I have some spare time to work on the scale now that we just release a new version of our main product LANrev (Client Management Live Cycle software).

Here is a list of what I'm planning to do:

- Move code to latest version of XCode
- Compile code to run Universal
- Fix up AppleScript OSAX so one can access the scale via AppleScript (I think we actually never release that OSAX even so it was ready for version 1.0)
- Fixed all broken sites and rates
- Make sure it will run on Leopard

I've not decided under which model I will release the software but as I can only give limited support for it I'm leaning towards "Donation Ware" (who every things the software as a value can make a donation). Shareware would be the other options.
Nevertheless I like to aks you to send me everything that currently doesn't work with existing software. I've already received from one user some updated files for the new USPS pricing (I'll test and incorporate them). Please also send feature requests and any other bugs you know off. I also those of you who are active in the community in regards to the Mac software for the scale) to let other people know about our plans and to ask to submit bug reports as well once we have shipped the first new beta.
I'll try to release betas in a frequent base during the next few weeks. I'll post those updates view one of our ftp sites and will also announce them via Version Tracker (www.versiontracker.com).

Best regards,

Martin
_______________________________________________________
Martin Bestmann Pole Position Software GmbH
Phone: +49-9134-9942-0 Weingasse 26
Fax: +49-9134-997911 91077 Neunkirchen am Brand
e-mail: martin@poleposition-sw.com Germany
Web: http://www.poleposition-sw.com

Firmensitz: 91077 Neunkirchen am Brand, Weingasse 26
Registergericht: Bamberg HRB 3975
Geschäftsführer: Martin Bestmann"

Please feel free to contact him with any additions, changes, etc. you would like to see.

How great is this interweb thing?

[mattkime]

Unfortunately this sounds like a complete ground up rewrite of the software. Very nice if he follows though, but it could be a bit of a wait if he hits any stumbling blocks.

[AAA]

he needs a PayPal donate link

[Grateful11]

I'll throw him a few bucks. How about seeing if he'll write it to measure in lbs. and oz. not
just lbs and 1/10ths of lbs. Paypal wants lbs. and oz. so I have to weigh everything in oz.
and convert here:

http://www.easysurf.cc/cnver8.htm#opo1

I realize you could multiply the decimal by 16 and get the same thing but it would be nice
to have that option. My little 3# scale will do lbs. and oz.

[ArtP]

Cool, I would donate a few bucks to support him.

I think Donation-ware works better in the Mac community on stuff like this.

If he charges a $5 or 10 shareware fee with every postal/shipping increase, that is 1/2 or more than we paid for the scale. Many of us who don't use it daily would probably just use the weight and figure out the costs ourselves via the shipping website.

If he asked for a $1 or 2 DONATION to keep development going, we would probably pay it for the ease of use for figuring pricing.