Sickdog

Thanks for the offer Tigershark! I think I'm good, most of work has been done by now... If I get rejected from Apple when I submit it for programming issues, I may seek help to fix/re-do things they don't like. Thanks again Tigershark and I'll keep you in mind if I need assistance. :)

Yup, been taking much longer than I originally thought. The mission card is unbelievably cumbersome to program, many fields of data to work with (and I'm not a professional programmer, barely know what I'm doing!). On top of that I'm getting it all dialed into a database feature so you can save mission data for specific missions. I just took delivery of my ipad2 so I can't wait to get the iPhone version done so I can make an even better and more useful iPad version. If I were to guess how much longer till I can submit to apple, I'd say another month to be safe. Sorry guys!

Awesome Ghost! Thanks so much for your work on this, I just got an iPad2 and got your pit working. I'm using a second monitor to extend my display so as not to have the live MFCD on my FOV... was driving me crazy. Unfortunately I think I have to operate in windowed mode to capture the live MFCD since I'm extending my desktop but maybe I'll try the above suggestions for the heck of it. Again, great work and thanks!

I suppose it's a waste of a good display, but I just got this working with my new iPad by using a second display monitor to avoid having the live MFDs cluttering my main FOV. Works great as a solution to keep a pristine "camera" view. EDIT: Whoops, posted this in the wrong thread... Sorry, not using the iControl DCS, using the other one... with the Touch IR software. But interested in seeing this iControl when it comes out!

yes, it already multitasks on my iPhone. Using in a mission tonight for copying 9-line info was working pretty well I must say! Mission card portion is done, just have to wire it up to the database saving/loading feature. Next is Emergency procedures, then finally encyclopedia. Almost there guys! And yes, I'll update with latest charts from SHU.

I'm still pounding away furiously on the Mission Data Card for the iPhone, iPad2 about to be shipped and I'll begin working on the iPad version when I'm done with the iPhone. Got the database portion working, almost done with the mission card, then I'll add all the stock mission data. The checklist portion and airbase PDF's are done. Then all that's left is the encyclopedia and emergency procedures portion. I'm going as fast I can to get this our, putting lots of hours into this!

That's the plan, I don't know how I'd release an unofficial iPhone app! ;) My phone is not jail broken so I'm only planning on releasing this on the Apple App store. And yes, if this is accepted on the App store and people like it, I'll immediately start work on the iPad version. My iPad is still 3 weeks out from shipping. Currently, I'm halfway through the checklist portion... looking good so far. Next will be the "QRH" for emergency procedures. When I'm done with that, I'm going to get a reference section in there for RWR symbols and an "encyclopedia" like section for aircraft and weapon data. Still a few weeks away from submitting it to the app store.

Thanks! Yes, the "countermeasures" button would basically send you to the same Countermeasure Panel Programming Checklist from the manual. For that matter, I'm basically planning on reprinting the checklist from the manual, just in an easier format to use with the iPhone interface. So as far as custom checklists or checklists that other forum members have made, I have no plans for including that. And to answer your question, YES, the checklist works like this: Table list of Challenge and Response items (in DCS manual, the "Controls"/"Operation" portion of the checklist section). When the user taps the item, a checkmark is placed to the far right of the cell and the checklist items scroll up one cell level. A button in the navigation bar will allow you to "clear" all the checkmarks for that list. When ready for the next checklist in that module, simply swipe to the right. Or to go back to a previous checklist, swipe left. To switch modules (say from normal operations to setting up your CMS panel), you would use the navigation back button to goto the home screen with all the different checklist buttons. As far as RWR symbology or other aircraft/air defense/ground unit info, I could make another section (similar to the "Encyclopedia" section in the GUI) for the app. Just will take more time. ;) And for the Android people, I have a friend who's going to try to mirror my app soon. And lastly, thanks to all who have offered their time to be a Beta tester of the app. However, logistically it'd be pretty tough because I would need to you to ship me your phone so I could provision it and install the app. Thanks for the offers but I think it'll be easier to just wait till it's on the app store and give me feedback then.

WarriorX- good idea, I think I'll wait till I'm happy with it and then put it out there. CrashEd- I totally agree. Already got going on the checklist and I'm really excited about this...looking good so far. I already had a template for a checklist in an app I created for real life flying, and I just started to port it over. Stang and Rocky49- Thanks! Yes, when I'm done with the iPhone app I'll redo it for a native iPad app. Actually just ordered my iPad2 a minute ago online, can't believe they're still sold out everywhere in Southern California and I just checked down the street in Washington DC (where I'm at on my trip) and also sold out! Anyways, I'll definitely make an even better app for the iPad, don't worry. ;) Cheers everyone and can't wait to get home and try the new patch out!

Thanks Tyger! Not sure how useful this thing will be, I do like the laminated cards I've seen on the forums... But, I'll keep plugging away for the heck of it. **UPDATE** So, I've finished the interface for a briefing card (still need to make another section for airborne info such as 9-line, Net ID's, Laser codes, etc.) But, I don't have the database for mission info pre-stored on the App like I want... yet. I'll start working on it soon, but for now it's a functioning "piece of scratch paper" which doesn't have the ability to save or load info for a given mission. Also, the "checklist" page isn't functioning yet, but the Airbase PDF's all work and are scrollable/zoomable with drag/pinch (Thanks again Shu for letting me use your PDFS!) . Anyways, would anyone like me to go ahead and try to get this on the app store now or would you rather wait for me to implement the database storage capability first? I guess I could always submit now and "update" it later. Thoughts? More suggestions?

I'll get working on that! hahaha. Yeah, probably impossible, or darn near close to impossible.

Perhaps someone has already done this, but it's a fun challenge!

Update: Still working on this guys, I'm a bit rusty from taking a break from my other iPhone app project, but it's coming back to me and making more progress here. Here's the latest functionality I've got working. Got permission from Shu77 to use his awesome charts in my app, so here you can see it in the app. Pinch to zoom and scrolling around works great. The iPad app version (I'll probably make when done with iPhone) will be even better with the larger screen!

I've got a friend on here who I fly with who says he's gonna help out with an Android version, so cross your fingers. :)

Yup, good idea. I'll see when I get a little further along with it, but my original idea was to be able to save the data and be able to reload it, say if you're reattempting a mission later. So if I get that functionality, sure, why not. It could come preloaded with all the DCS stock mission data, but you'll be able to create new ones as well. Yes, I've already got plans to use the checklists straight from the DCS manual. I like some of the other checklists I've seen, but I think it's best to just use the official DCS ones. I'll have normal ops, weapon delivery, CDU functionality, CMU programming and list, etc. That's way out of my league since I wouldn't know how to get the iPhone to pull up photos in your windows folders automatically. But I'll take a look into the idea because I like it too.

Just been messing around some more with this data card app idea... Here's the latest update: So I was thinking of having a LARGE vertical scrolling page that has all the mission data on it... Here's 3 screen shots of the page as I scroll down (remember, each screen shot is just a the same page scrolled a bit). Still lots more to add, perhaps it might be too large of a scrollable page? Couple notes: The top portion with Allies vs. Enemies data would be hidden initially, but then when you select the (+), you're presented with a new table list page where you can easily tap the list of countries, then the list would populate on the main page accordingly. The (+) button everywhere else you see would take you to another screen with a scroll wheel to select the data and then the selected data would be the info in parentheses (). The text fields obviously would present a calculator/regular keyboard to enter data This still looking interesting to anyone or should I can the idea? Thanks for the input everyone. :)

Not a problem... and if there's interest in it, I can make an even better iPad version. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on an iPad2 as well and then it'll be a no brainer for me to make one. When you say make sure to be able to manually enter information, you mean you want text fields so you can use the keyboard to type? I was thinking for items where there are a given number of options (example: call signs, aircraft types, weapons, frequencies, ceilings, visibility, etc) I would use a scroll wheel (like the timer or setting an alarm, if you're familiar with iPhone). That way it'd be much quicker than typing. For entering coordinates, I'd have a template that already had North/South/West/East, then a text field that uses a calculator keyboard for rapid number entering. For UTM, I'll have to refresh myself on that before I can speak intelligently on how to incorporate that. I already have a checklist module I've programmed for my work and can easily port that over to DCS... when you click on the item it scrolls up and a check mark is placed next to it. I can incorporate the DCS manual's checklist if that's ok with ED. I'll give credit of course.

Honestly, it's not Apple elitism for me, I just have no clue how to port over to Android phones... I'm a relatively amateur programmer and know nothing about programming for anything other than iPhone/iPad. If someone wants to help me port over, I'm more than happy to provide the code for Androids... I'm asking permission from Shu77 to use his diagrams in the app, but so far I have this table list under the Airbase tab for quick reference to Tower, ILS, and Tacan frequencies. If I get his permission, tapping on the airbase name will load a scrollable and zoomable diagram of the airport.

Very nice work indeed Shu, another thanks to you and rep +1! Would you mind if I use your charts (and of course, give you credit) in an app I'm working on? Here's a thread where we're talking about it... http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=70164

Mission Card There's a great Mission Card that WarriorX has made and he's given me the nod of approval to use some of his ideas in the App. If you haven't already checked it out, here's the link: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=61044 I'm thinking of incorporating most of those features and the already formulating a tree of checklists for all operations.

I like that idea, and you're welcome. :)

Ok, I had less time than I thought tonight, and I'm a bit tired after running a marathon yesterday... But here's a rough idea of what I had in mind after a couple minutes of messing around... After clicking the respective tabbar button, you'll have the ability to use scroll wheels and type in the text fields to edit data pertinent to a mission. The idea is to make it as quick if not quicker than jotting it down on a note pad. This is just the main menu, if you will. I'll do more work tomorrow. I can even get all the airports info in DCS world and plop it in there (radio freq's, runway data, diagrams, etc (and approach charts if someone wants to help provide non jeppesen charts to me... I have a Jeppesen real life subscription that has Georgia included but I doubt Jepp will be happy with me for including their charts in an app!). I can provide all the flight callsigns and aircraft types in the scroll wheels you're familiar with on iPhones and iPads, so the idea is to make minimal text inputs... to speed up the process. Any other ideas?

Lots of free time on my overnights at work, so no problem. And you're welcome! I'm downloading the latest update to Xcode and I'll start working on it tonight. So please, anyone, start showering me with some ideas of what you'd like to see. :) Thanks!

I could make an iPhone app for a mission card pretty easily, but I don't have the know how to automatically send the Mission briefing info to the phone... If there's enough interest out there (and nobody else is already working on it) I could make a standalone app that allows you to quickly tap/scroll pertinent info for a mission. My thoughts of the basic most important info (that I usually jot down on a notepad) would be: Flight names and their mission Frequencies Enemy threat types Time on target Any other ideas? Should I begin to write some code?

That Mig really tied the room together... Sincerely, Dude-arino,