I added a few apps to the list today, and while I normally list the new apps here in the news feed, I am no longer going to do that. Instead, I made a change to the list’s default sort behavior so that it now shows the most recently added apps on top. Prior to this change the list presenting itself in alphabetical order (by App Name), but now you will see the most recently added apps on top, with the batch of apps added on a particular date sorted alphabetically. In other words, the nine apps I added today will all appear at the top of the list by default, sorted alphabetically by name. I think this will prove to be useful as it will allow you to quickly see the most recently added apps without the need to resort the list.
This default sort change has created one small issue where if you select price as the sort parameter, the list will sort with the most expensive on top (descending). For the time being you’ll just have to select “ascending” after you’ve selected price if you want to see the Free apps on top.
PS - I know there are more apps to be added, and I am working on it.
Published on
07/01/2010 @
14:34 in
Site News.
Sorry for the lack of updates. I’ve had a really busy month at work combined with a bit of travel, but enough with the excuses. I’m going to try to have an update pushed out within the next few days.
Oh, then there is the new iPhone and iOS 4 to talk about. 
Published on
05/17/2010 @
22:12 in
Site News.
In addition to posting a small list update tonight, I made a few small changes to the sort and filter selections. Now, when you make a parameter change (select a sort and/or filter), the list will automatically update without the need to press the “Apply” button. In fact, I’ve gone a step further and changed the “Apply” button to a “Reset” button, which can be clicked to return the list to it’s default view. I’m sure this won’t confuse anybody.
Speaking of default views… It’s been suggested that the list would be more useful if it were sorted with the most recently listed apps on top by default. What do you think; how would you like to see the list sorted, by name or by date listed? Vote by leaving a comment below.
Please excuse the lack of updates, but I put a lot of time into the site in the month of April and I’ve been playing catch-up with several other projects. I’m currently working on a list update which should be posted in a few days, but in the meantime here are a few news worthy items.
Published on
04/15/2010 @
11:33 in
Site News.
I’ve now incorporated the Web Apps into the main Apps List, assigning them to their own category (Web Apps) in the process. In fact, here’s a shortcut to just the Web Apps.
What are Web Apps and why are they different than regular apps? They are web-based apps that run in Safari rather than something that needs to be downloaded from the app store and installed. In the Apps List, when you click on the links for a Web App, Safari will open and you will automatically directed to that site which you can then bookmark or add to one of your home screens (to give it an icon like an regular app).
Many web sites have mobile versions, but my criteria for listing something as a Web App is that it must be styled or optimized for the iPhone. For example, if you point your iPhone’s web browser to http://weathermeister.com/ you’ll find that our friends at Weathermeister have provided us with a page that is optimized for the iPhone’s screen. In fact, the AviatorApps news feed (which you are reading right now), contains an iPhone optimized style that will display only when accessed from the iPhone.
As always, let me know if you have any comments or suggestions.
Published on
04/11/2010 @
23:02 in
Site News.
Just moments ago I flipped the switch to make both the Category and Device filters live. OK, so I didn’t literally flip a switch, but it sounded cool. What does all this mean? I means you can now filter the list of apps so that only the apps for a particular Category and/or Device are displayed.
To use the new filters, just select the desired values from the drop-downs directly above the list, then click “Apply”. Currently, you may select only one category at a time (or the default value of All), and the same goes for the Device filter where by default you will see apps for all devices or you may filter the list to see only apps for the iPhone/iPod or the iPad. These filters may be used in conjunction with each other; For example, you may filter list so that you see only the “Aviation Weather” apps for the “iPad”.
Multiple categories and devices may be assigned to each application, so it is possible for the same app to be to appear for different categories as well as for both the iPhone and iPad.
Along with the new filters you will notice several other design changes all done with the goal of making the site more user-friendly and visually appealing. I think it is a big improvement, and I hope you do too.
I still need to update the other pages of the site, but I’m just happy that I can say the Category and Device filters are now available for public consumption.
Thanks for your patience and please let me know if you encounter any problems or have comments or suggestions.
Published on
04/08/2010 @
17:41 in
Site News.
Testing of the new category and device (platform) filters has been occurring all week and so far so good, no bugs have been found. I am currently working on some design changes to the site and I am very pleased with the way things are turning out. The changes are subtle, but to my untrained eye they seem to make a big difference.
So when will you see the filters you ask? Well, I am going to give it the old college try and I expect it to take no more than a few more days. Yup, you read that right, I said days. Not months, not weeks, but days!
Expect an official go live announcement here on the news feed and on Twitter very soon.
Published on
04/05/2010 @
08:00 in
Site News.
I am happy to announce that MAJOR progress has been made on the Category and Platform (e.g. iPhone, iPad) filters. I still have some data to enter and a few design changes to make, but there are currently several beta testers kicking the tires of the new filters.
Assuming everything goes well over the next few days (and I don’t manage to break anything), the filters should be launched very soon.
I’m typing this post from my lawn chair outside the Walnut Creek , California Apple store where I am waiting for the iPad to go on sale tomorrow. OK, not really, I’m actually at home sitting on my couch with my feet up and an adult beverage at my side.
All kidding aside, a few people have emailed asking me if I am planning on buying an iPad. I am not planning on it (at least immediately), although when I saw the screen shots of ForeFlight Mobile 3 HD on the iPad I suddenly felt the urge to order one on the spot (talk about cool!). As tempting as I find the iPad, I already have an iPhone and several other PCs, so I just can’t put it into the need column right now. Although, I suspect that as more applications for the iPad are released, I will find its allure harder and harder to resist.
All this being said, I’ve already begun the work need to track and filter apps by platform (iPhone/iPod or iPad). I know I’ve mentioned it before but I’ve been working on a categorization scheme and filter (yeah I know, you’ll believe when you see it) and the plan is to launch the platform filter at the same time. While the database work is complete, I’ve had to bring in some technical assistance to help with the increasingly complex database structure and associated queries. So when will you see it? As soon as possible is all I will say.
If you are planning on purchasing an iPad, just keep in mind that the version of the iPad that has 3G connectivity and GPS won’t be released until late April. I suspect most aviators will be waiting for that version, I know I would.
So, are you getting an iPad?
Published on
03/18/2010 @
15:55 in
Site News.
It’s been almost two months since my last post and not only am I shocked, but also a bit embarrassed. The good news is that I’m still here and that I’m working on a database update which should be released in the next few days… really, I promise.
I’ve mentioned my plans to provide a category filter and I continue to work on it, but I am also going to be including the ability to filter the list by platform (e.g. iPhone/iPdod or iPad) and I’ve decided to combine all the work into one project. It’s going slow, but progress is being made.
Thanks for your patience and look for an update announcement here on the news feed within the next few days.
