Using Android phone? ASSI needs your help.

[BigGeorge]

Adrian Francis at ASSI asked me to post this and I hope some keen people would like to have a go.

Urgent request for Investigators with Mobile Phone (Android Platform)

We have an urgent requirement for anyone with a mobile phone that runs on the Android system and is are willing to assist us with some simple tests we are running on a new application. All you need to do is go to http://http://counterfeit.com.au (our site) and click the button at the top to get the free app named "Counterfeit Report" in the android market. Then install the free app and send us a test report. We have launched a large anti-counterfeiting program and your assistance will allow us to iron out any bugs in the system.


BigGeorge

[Farnsworth]

Installed and will check it out. Will have to start searching for some dodgy products now

[David]

I'll give it a go - will report back

[BigGeorge]

Thanks

I am not into apps and things, but as I understand it with this app you take some pics, fill in a couple of forms and submit the report, all with some clicks (or is it "swipes"?) so you don't actually have to make personal contact with Adrian.

The data is uploaded to the Counterfeit website, but it will be marked as test data only. This means you can submit anything at all. Does not have to be a real stealth investigation! Unless you want to.

 

BG

[Kuhrazy]

Ahhh....darn it!! Seen the mention of an App on the forum, quite excited till i seen Android!

[Catzeyes]

BigGeorge you are way ahead of me.  Being a sheila and all that, I am still trying to work out what a Blue Ray is, do not own an ipod and an Android sounds to me like some terrible disease  

[BigGeorge]

Catzeyes

You know it shows our age, don't you!? All these young cool dude PIs on the forum must be thinking I (and you) are from yesteryear!

I still cannot operate a DVD player, much less a Blueray or Pinkray. I don't have a "smart phone" and my daughter let me use her iPad the other day and I didn't know what to do!

I only know Android is in opposition to Apple operating system and they both allow you to ice skate (on that touchy-feely screen thingie) and play all kinds of games (how do they find time to work these days with all the playing?).

But on a serious note, the counterfeit site is really a great idea and I am told by using one of them  smart phones thingies you can report  counterfeiters very easily. Adrian said he needs lots more volunteers.


BG

[Joaldrew]

I can also do this as well...I have download it, made up some details and attached a pretty purple picture!.  Hope it all goes well for you.

I also thought it was interesting when it came up with "others that downloaded this, have also downloaded "EasyTie" an application that has pictures about how to tie a tie!!! LOL

Jo

[David]

I sent a test.

Some feedback: perhaps the app could retain the submitter's name and other contact details? It seems a bit laborious to have to fill these in every single time a report is submitted.

Additionally, maybe the app could retain a record of what the user has submitted for their own interest and memory?

A possible bug: when I submitted a report, all the contact fields were cleared, but the image stayed put even though if I were about to submit a second report I'd rather the image cleared and the contact details stayed!

[BigGeorge]

David

Your views are always well considered and valuable

And Adrian appreciates your feedback. He tells me the app is still evolving and your observations are very helpful.

Adrian is flat out and hardly gets a chance to get on the forum, so I extend his thanks to you and others who have tried out the app.



BG

[David]

Thanks, I am pleased to know I said something useful! Actually, it is quite an achievement to develop an application and release it, and it is certainly leading-edge for ASSI to be doing it.

One other suggestion, although certainly minor. When selecting an image I didn't appear to have an option to take a photo but rather to browse for an existing image,

From a usability point of view this may present some barriers. The user may not wish to bother taking a picture, running the app, returning to the home screen, taking another picture, running the app again, etc.

Or, they may take several photos then run the app but then not be certain which is which.

If it is possible, the option to take a new photo as well as browse at the point of selecting sn image could be a useful addition.

[Bugz]

BG just a though. It might be useful posting the link to this app on a site such as whirlpool.net.au, under the "internet" or "software" heading.

There are a lot of tech types on there, and a lot of people who like nothing better than exposing counterfeiters. You could get a lot of useful feedback from there I believe, as well as a lot of exposure for the app.

Anything that stops scammers and counterfeiters is a good thing IMO.

Cheers

[BigGeorge]

Bugz, thank you  

Never would have thought of Whirlpool that way. Actually, was there tonight checking out ISPs.

Thanks for the good advice.


BigGeorge