ARA Scoring Program nearing release

Sorry for the light posting. The day job was taking up most of my extra time.

I have put the finishing touches on what will become the first released version of the ARA Scoring program. There have been several improvements to program usability and the program will now export the scores directly to the Excel spreadsheet used at most matches to calculate results. This weekend I'm contacting several match directors that have shown interest in the program. I'll be working to get them started using the program at their matches. The "official" release announcement should be on the ARA website within a few weeks.

Next I'll be moving on to the TDS (Target Data System) program. There's some cleanup, added features, and a new help file. I will also be adding several targets that will print from within the program and be scanned and analyzed automatically. TDS is running somewhat behind schedule but I hope to have it completed and released some time in May.

Take care and shoot safely!

- Jeff

OTPC v2.10 and ARA Scoring Changes

Spent most of the weekend working on the programs and website. I was never really happy with the flow of the website. A few days ago I received a few suggestions from one of the testers and decided to clean things up a bit. The biggest improvment is that I removed about one-third of the words on the pages. Then I added in some information that was missing. I still need a few new graphics on the Home page and a redo on Quick Start page but overall I think it's looking a lot better.

I've been looking into the text size issues when printing and saving to graphic in the Precision Calculator. The text size and line spacing are not adjusting correctly. After I get everything working I'll be adding more target information to the bottom of the printout. Then it's time for the first update. Should come out as v2.15 some time in March. After that, if everything is stable I'll start the language translations.

The ARA Scoring program is moving along nicely to its release later this month. This weekend I added code that will read and write Excel spreadsheet files. Now I can open the Scoring Program that everyone uses at the matches and export the scores direct into the score sheets. It's the last step in the automation process for scoring targets.

And, an ARA Scoring program report. I had a call last night from one of the guys testing the ARA Scoring program. They had a couple matches on Saturday and Sunday. There were about 240 targets(6000 bulls eyes) scored using the program over the weekend. All the targets were scored using one computer/scanner/printer setup. He told me that the system ran fast and with no problems. Best of all, by the end of the match there had been only three scores challenged and only one that was changed. That's a very successful outing for the program and it's generating a lot of interest from the ARA match directors.

Thanks for visiting and shoot safely.

- Jeff

Mobile Apps

I've been in contact with the creators of a couple mobile apps that should be of interest to users of the OnTarget programs.

The first has developed two programs for the iPhone. iSnipe is a very comprehensive ballistics calculator that has numerous advanced features built in. The other, ShotPlot, is a shot plotting program used to keep records and provide stastistical analysis of your personal shooting diary. Here are the links:
iSnipe™ - The Original Ballistics Calculator for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. (http://www.isnipe.ca)
ShotPlot™ - The Original Marksmen's Plotter for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. (http://www.shotplot.ca)

The other is: Target Calculator for Android. Target Calculator is the first mobile app for measuring target groups. It uses the camera in your Android phone to take a picture of the target. Then place the circles over the bullet holes to measure the group and generate statistics. Results can be posted to the web directly from your phone.

Check them out and let the creators know you found them here on the OnTarget Shooting blog.

- Jeff

Article in Shooting Sports USA

The OnTarget Precision Calculator is mentioned in the February issue of Shooting Sports USA. The article is titled Making Sense of MOA. The author does an excellent job of explaining how minute-of-angle (MOA) is calculated, how to measure groups and shot positions, and how it all relates to the sights on your gun. He also explains the math calculations behind sight adjustments and how to use that information at the firing line. Check it out, it's a great look into the science that goes into successful shooting.

- Jeff

New OnTarget Precision Calculator

The next version of the OnTarget Precision Calculator is nearing release. The new features have been added and the program is in final stages of testing. There are still a few bugs to take care of and the new installer is being fine tuned but then it will become available for download from the OnTarget website.

Some of the highlights of the new OnTarget program are:

• Target printing is available.
• Bullet holes can be edited directly.
• Data export has been improved.
• Supports both standard and metric measurement units.
• Target image can be rotated in 90 degree increments.
• Easier operation of the ruler and set reference tools.
• More hotkeys for common operations.

The new version of the program will come with a 15 day free trial. The cost for a permanent license will be $15. The existing free version of the program will continue to be available for download on our website.

In addition, work is continuing on our ARA target scoring program and the OnTarget Data System. The ARA scoring program scans an 11"x17" ARA benchrest target, calculates the score, and exports the data to the scoring spreadsheet. The OnTarget Data System is used to gather data during ammunition testing and will also simulate the scoring schemes used by several benchrest organizations.

Check back at the OnTarget website in a few weeks for more information.

- Jeff

iPhone or Android, new poll

My last post has generated a bunch of emails suggesting that I create a new OnTarget mobile application for the Android platform instead of the iPhone. When I wrote the post I made the mistake of using the term "iPhone app" as a generic for "mobile app". So, I've added another poll asking the question "Which mobile platform?".

Vote on your preference and let's see which one wins out.

- Jeff

OnTarget iPhone App

I have received numerous enquiries asking if I plan to create a version of the OnTarget group measuring program for the iPhone or other smart phone. Since I'm not set up to create iPhone apps I have been asking around for another programmer who would be interested in taking on the project. Due to the expense of creating and marketing an app for the iPhone I've created a poll on this blog to gauge interest and perceived value of such an application. Please take the time to click on one of the answers showing your interest, or lack of interest, in an new program for the iPhone. If there's enough interest to make the app profitable it will help me convince someone to take on the project.

And, if you or someone you know would be interested in working with me on this project please contact me at: jeff@ontargetshooting.com.

-Jeff