Would you be interested?..

[danja]

Ok, so I've had an idea floating around in my head for a while that started off as a project just for personal use, but lately I've been wondering if there would be any interest in making it publicly available.

The idea is for a website (I'm a web developer you see) which would let you keep track of any maintenance or work done (mods, repairs etc) on any vehicles you have.

It's all still very embryonic at this stage, so I'm very open to suggestions for features and behaviour if it does get some interest, but for now the idea would be to let you register any number of vehicles, define your own custom maintenance schedules or possibly use predefined schedules for particular vehicles). You'd then get an email reminder when something needed servicing soon (based on either time, eg it's been 6 months since you changed your oil - or estimated distance traveled, which would be calculated from the last known actual odometer reading, and your average kms travelled)

You'd also be able to add arbitrary "events" like "Fitted supercharger", "Dyno'd car - pulled 200rwkw", "Smashed car into pole" etc so you can keep a chronological track of your car's history, how much it cost etc. You'd also be able to have custom non-service schedule items like "Insurance due" etc.

All this information could be downloaded/printed out etc which may be handy when you want a service history at sale time etc, or just for your own reference.

Anyway, that's where the idea is at for now - there is nothing actually made at this stage, and it's a fair amount of work which I'd be doing in my own time if I did take it on, so I'm not going to unless it seems like there is some reasonable interest.

Keen to hear what people think, if they used it (why or why not) and if there are any other features you'd like to see in something like this

[Juztin]

Yeah mate I'd use it, seems like a real good idea.

[trentvy]

Id use it. seems helpful

[ryno_vrx]

sounds like a good idea to me as i'm rather forgetfull lol

[WogBoyz]

sounds good man id use it, same as ryno, im pretty forgetfull aswell lol

[Haydz]

sounds like a good idea..


how would you be developing it?

java c++ ?

[danja]

sounds like a good idea..


how would you be developing it?

java c++ ?

At the moment I'm looking at a PHP/MySQL setup, probably using a CakePHP framework because it's quite robust, well supported and is good for rapid development.

C++ isn't really tuned for web apps (you can do it, but it's just more hoops to jump through for no real gain). You'd only ever really think about it in really high load situations, and even then you'd be better off just getting a faster server.

Java is possible, but harder to get good hosting for (especially free hosting which I would use at least at the start)

[Astranomical]

If I had a car, I'd use it.

[STEALTHY™]

Sounds like a good idea for someone who is organised. I am not however!

[Cobez]

That's a great idea! I'd definantly use it. Quite unique IMO.

[delcowizzid]

you do realise that you can get this type of software free and desktop based with no need to be on the net to use it

[Cobez]

That's great!! ^^^ lol

I'd rather wait for Danja to create a forum, he might have different options on it and it might be more user friendly etc.

[Nanos]

like anything it all comes down to cost. i would use it if it wasnt too expensive.

im sure some bussiness would use instead of a software package as it takes away the need for a special software package.

good luck with it and hope to see it online someday

[Lumps of cheese]

It'd be interesting to look at. I'd probably use it.

[alien]

Yea, good luck with this. I had one designed a while ago, until my Linux web server totally died and had encrypted all the files with it's own key so i couldn't rescue it! Its not really that difficult to do, and is a good idea. Definatly do it!

[danja]

you do realise that you can get this type of software free and desktop based with no need to be on the net to use it

There are related products out there, but I've yet to come across one which has all the features I've mentioned, is free, and works cross-platform.

There are also interesting possibilities available by having a large set of data available for cross-analysis and reporting.

[danja]

like anything it all comes down to cost. i would use it if it wasnt too expensive.

im sure some bussiness would use instead of a software package as it takes away the need for a special software package.

good luck with it and hope to see it online someday

The idea was it would be a free product. There would probably be Google ads or something, but no cost to the end user.

If it turned into a wild success there might be paid options with extra features, but at this stage that's not part of the plan.

[Nanos]

if its going to be free get it online. i would start to use it tomorrow.

[MagiTEK]

you mean like this existing website

http://www.cardomain.com/MakeModel/Holden/Commodore

[Cobez]

you mean like this existing website

http://www.cardomain.com/MakeModel/Holden/Commodore

That's not even really like what he mentioned his forum would be like if he did it.... some elements are the same, but not really.

[excalibur]

yeah i would use it i think its a great idea

[danja]

you mean like this existing website

http://www.cardomain.com/MakeModel/Holden/Commodore

I haven't signed up to have a look behind the scenes yet, but from the face of it that site looks like it's much more about "showcasing" your car for others to see. My idea is more about record keeping and maintenance scheduling.

It's not out of the question there could be a bit of showcasing involved, but for the time being it's out of scope, and as you point out, there are already sites doing that quite well.

[cxcxcxvcvcvc]

Sounds like a great idea! I would use it!!

[pedrotski]

I would use it. It would be good for when you sold you car. If you need help. Jsut pm me.

[Haydz]

you mean like this existing website

http://www.cardomain.com/MakeModel/Holden/Commodore

Nobody reads the OP theese days.



its all just i wanna say some shit so here goes