Cigar Register - free cigar management software

[Dru Lee Parsec]

AHA! I didn't enter a size or ring guage in the first dialog box. So when I tried to click "Finish" in the 2nd dialog box I got the Invalid Number error.

I'm a retired computer programmer and former Manager of Software Quality Assurance so my impression is that the database should allow null entries in just about all columns. If I don't know the ring guage of a cigar I shouldn't be disallowed from entering a cigar. Also, the next button of the first dialog box should validate all the data in that box. If I didn't enter required data then I should be told as I hit the next button, not when I hit the Finish button in the next dialog box. Also, a more appropriate error message would be helpful.

I bet that the reason for the non-null database restraint is to allow more accurate searching. If I asked to see all my 7" cigars and I didn't enter a size for some of them then those cigars wouldn't show up. But I think that's ok to allow that to happen. I think it's more important to be able to search by brand, name, nationality of the wrapper, etc.

Also, I don't see a style attribute. It might be nice to be able to search for all my "Maduro" cigars. Or perhaps a size attribute that allows me to search for all my "Churchill" cigars.

Still, it's a decent piece of software that looks like it can be very useful. And since it's free we can't really complain about usability issues.

Since it's free software would you consider opening up the code as open source software? Then you could have other programmers helping out with this little issues.

But overall it's a great piece of software.

Now, just between us software guys. Did you just plug in a bunch of parameters into a .NET demo program to create this software? It kind of looks like the kind of program that application framework marketing folks like to show off as "Look at this, we just defined a bunch of parameters and build a template for our data display and the application framework built this cool app for us in no time!" I mean, there's a lot more work here than you typical demo program. But it does have a bit of that generic demo program look and feel to it.

But even if that's what the software is it doesn't mean that it's not usefull. Once I start collecting cigars in full force I'll probably use it.

Greg

[Dru Lee Parsec]

A couple of other comments. Once a cigar has been smoked and entered in the "Smoke Room" is it possible to edit that review? I clicked the finish button too soon and I have no ratings for that cigar.

Once a cigar from your collection is smoked in the "Smoke room" it's removed from your collection. That's good. That makes sense. But what if I then add the same cigars back into my humidor? It looks like I have to re-enter all the data again. It would be great to select a cigar that use to be in my collection like "Garo Habano Maduro Alto" and have all the size, wrapper, binder and filler information filled in automatically.

I noticed that you can do that with cigars from the database. But you can't do it with cigars that are not in the database. I created a new cigar for my collection called the "Big Bubba" cigar from Antartica. It's 2" long with a 87 ring guage. It's a real tuna can of a cigar. I see it in my humidor and while it's still in my collection I can change the number of cigars in a humidor or in my collection.

But once the last one of those cigars are smoked I have to re-enter all the data again. I think the easiest solution would be to add new cigars that I enter into the cigar database so I can pull it up later when I re-stock my collection.

Others have mentioned having a picture of the cigar, or at least the ring band. I think it would be nice if the user could add a picture to an existing database entry.

Boy, I feel like I'm back at work writing bug reports again Yeah, this brings back memories.

[Dru Lee Parsec]

OK, just one more (For now)

I've selected "inches" as the system of measurment in the options dialog box. But whenever a measurement is displayed in the "My Cigar" section such as on the Humidor tab or the lower pane of the Cigar tab the number is correct but the type of measurement defaults to mm.

It displays correctly in the Cigar database display. But not in the "My Cigars" display.

[ScoopKW]

Since this is non-commercial, why not open-source it and get it on the fast sourceforge.org servers?

Besides, if there's glitches, you can turn an army of cigar-chomping programmers on the project.


RE-EDIT -- Just installed the software. It's nice. It's not for me, but it's nice. (I have exactly five different types of cigars to keep track of. Pen and paper would be more convenient if I cared enough to keep such detailed notes about my collection.)

I think it would be nicer if people could:

1) Upload their reviews for perusal by the other users
2) Download pictures of the cigar band, or a close-up of the cigar in question
3) Use the "wishlist" function along with a "wish to get rid of" function to facilitate trades

[mauied1101]

Has anyone checked the software to see if it makes any attempts to access the internet or other suspicious activity? While it sounds great to me, I haven't downloaded it b/c 1) it seems too good to be true and 2) (without offense to peter_a) it's a first post from an unknown person in eastern europe - where a lot of bugs come from. Concerned I'd be downloading a trojan horse.

Thoughts from a techie on the board?

[drew_goring]

Has anyone checked the software to see if it makes any attempts to access the internet or other suspicious activity? While it sounds great to me, I haven't downloaded it b/c 1) it seems too good to be true and 2) (without offense to peter_a) it's a first post from an unknown person in eastern europe - where a lot of bugs come from. Concerned I'd be downloading a trojan horse.

Thoughts from a techie on the board?

I am pretty sure that it is legit.

http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/inde...opic=25053&hl=

edit: and I am dloading it now to give it a whirl

[mauied1101]

Thanks Drew - took a look at the entire thread - I think it's a great effort and it sounds good - I'm just gonna sit back until the software ages a little before I try it. Nothing against it - would like to see comments from folks after a bit of use.

[Dru Lee Parsec]

I'm just gonna sit back until the software ages a little before I try it. Nothing against it

I agree It's a great concept, but I don't think it's up to a 1.0 release. There are just too many little bugs and glitches in it (See my previous comments).

However, I don't want to make the developers feel bad about their product. I fully support writing and releasing free software (especially open source software, even though this isn't open source). But I think this software needs a few more weeks of tweaking to make it really usefull. And that's not really too bad, It just isn't ready for prime time.

By the way, does anyone have any idea where they got their data for the cigar database?

Thanks

[dHUTCH]

I agree It's a great concept, but I don't think it's up to a 1.0 release. There are just too many little bugs and glitches in it (See my previous comments).

However, I don't want to make the developers feel bad about their product. I fully support writing and releasing free software (especially open source software, even though this isn't open source). But I think this software needs a few more weeks of tweaking to make it really usefull. And that's not really too bad, It just isn't ready for prime time.

By the way, does anyone have any idea where they got their data for the cigar database?

Thanks

Ive only been getting one error and that's while looking at the cigar database.....hmmph and the cigar database is lacking a little............or atleast I think it is.

[riche_guy]

I find the registry difficult to navigate and when I enter information I get a box that opens telling me my query has to be updateable. I have tried numerous times to add info for my humidor and it gives me full of error messages.It would have been helpful to have a help menu that can help one navigate for the first time. I think it needs a little more work to make it user friendly.

[yzingerr]

great idea though!

[badwhale]

great idea though!

Thanks for another thoughful & educational response to a way old thread!

[yzingerr]

Thanks for another thoughtful & educational response to a way old thread!

10-4