I've been asked to write an application for the typical 4x4 user under contract.

I'm not sure this contract is something I want to pursue, considering there is very limited info required... But I really need the money!

Here's what the program would contain:

If you were to have a piece of software that tracked your 4x4 what information would you like the database to keep? I'm talking like Make, Model, Year, Engine, Tire size, etc... Anything you can think of...


I would rather not take this job, but I wouldn't mind writing an app that does the same.

It wouldn't hurt to post your comments because if I don't accept the contract offer, I might still write a freeware application that all can use! This forum has helped me so much that I feel I owe it something!

Thanks!

Could you give a little bit more detail about what the program is supposed to accomplish? Is it just a database of information for personal users to keep records of there vehicle? I could list hundreds of items that I'd like to keep track of on my rig. Some would be: all of the above mentioned, weight, detailed tire size and footprint info at various air pressures, torque to the wheels in low/high and all trans gears, center of mass fully geared up, wheelbase, track width, roll over angles forward and sideways, maintenance schedules, breakover angles, approach and departure angles, torque values for various fasteners on rig, etc. I could probably come up with lots more. Good luck <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I think that a schedule of modifications would be handy. Basically a chronological list of what mod you did when, perhaps with a comment capacity to note problems, better methods, changes in behaviors, etc. That way, if you ever had to de-engineer your work, you'd have a map to go by.

James

If you are writing in Perl, and it will be open-source, then I will help <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />)

Other ideas could be:

- Gas milage information, with fields for approx. hwy k's (or miles <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />) and city k's/offroad
- Upgrade statistics, how the changes affected fuel milage, speed, performance
- Cost analysis and storage for field trips (for searching, so that next year, you can plan ahead and know pretty well the costs
- Broken parts...over time, you could have a nice searchable index of common trends (especially if several people were to use this in a community environment)
- Picture storage facility for howto docs when performing jobs on a rig
- Someone else mentioned this, but a maintainance schedule, that will send out emails when something is due for maintenance
- A storage facility for scanned documents relating to repair (so when you resell, everything is electronic and easy to find)
- Info on new trails that one finds when they are just cruising around
- Info on trips...how long it took, little shortcuts, nice eateries etc on the way.

An automated purchasing system, so when the girlfriend goes and checks her bank account next time, we can just say "Sorry dear, my silly vehicle tracker program ordered that ARB locker by itself!...HONEST!"...of course, we could just call that a 'bug'

Seriously though. I did start a little web based app, that calculates my km/L to m/gal, and puts it into a db, but that was as far as I got. I just wanted to track trends for gas usage.

Steve

Sorry I haven't been around for a while, but I appreciate all the input! Looks like my hands are going to be VERY full if I accept this contract. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Now that I'm back in circulation, I'm going to really have to look at some of the suggestions birdslinger made... Hmmm, some serious stuff there... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

What this was supposed to be was a piece of software to track your truck expenses (i.e. tires, gas, modifications, etc), and also trip information (including GPS data if available).

Now that I look at some of the above suggestions, I think my employer was way off base on what the average 4x4'er would want. Looks like we'll need to start over again...

We are not corporate America (although we live here), we don't have a problem listening to users.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks a lot! And more input would not hurt!

That would have saved my <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> a few times <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

After reading a few suggestions in this thread, my employer and I had some major dissagreements. Let's just say he has never been off-road in his life (I can vouch for that, he drives a bmw)...

So I denied that contract. Now I have bits and pieces of software left over, and am thinking about doing up a MPG program for 4x4wire...

So, let me ask this (this is what hurt last time). What would you want in MPG software? I know there isn't much available for such a simple package, but you might come up with things that I didn't....

Thanks!

Modification factor that would affect drag (lifts change this), tires (pressure on road), other modifications that would change the stock gross vehicle weight, or just have a spot for stock weight, or for the person to list their modified weight.
Might research a few popular tires for drag due to tread design.
Automatic vs manual trannies; Toyotas auto trannys suck a lot of power.

Gear and tire matches; just find a few popular configurations.

Base it on flat asphalt at 55, 65, 75 mph, so a user can see what their optimum performance might be. Remember your disclaimer, "this might not be accurate for jackrabbit stop/start drivers."

Just a few things.