Director of Scoutbook - 9/16/2015 Update

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Director of Scoutbook - 9/16/2015 Update

Published: Sep 16, 2015

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Good day! I'm taking my update moment a bit early this week. The packers are at the house and my wife, LeAnn, and I begin the big downsizing move (:)) tomorrow. While it is only Wednesday, there has been a lot going on in Scoutbook land already.

Growth continues. When I checked this morning Scoutbook was at over 465,000 users! Thank you for your continued confidence and support of Scoutbook.
The site is live in the new BSA cloud enviroment! Shawn and his team began "banging" on the site over the weekend and the development team at Asynchrony has already addressed the first round of bugs and is well on the way to working the second round.
Next steps is to extend the beta test to more users. Shawn has already identified a dozen or so power users and we hope to extend testing invitations to them later this week.
Early in the week we fixed the pesky duplicate emails initiated when an event was created. This was a function of multiple site instances hitting the one database.
Yesterday afternoon the Cub Scout references section was updated to bring it in line with the new program. There is still work to do on the awards requirements for the Outdoor Activitiy, World Conservation and STEM/Nova awards. This is more complicated to do during a code freeze so may take a bit longer. Stay tuned.

Earilier today Gary Butler, Deputy Chief Scout Executive, hosted his JTE Leadership Hour focusing on Scoutbook. Shawn as well as users Scott Fisher and Jennifer Olinger helped us present the strategy and benefits of Scoutbook. Thank you Scott and Jennifer for your support. Good job. If you were unable to view live, the webcast is archived at: https://livestream.com/bsa/nationalcouncil.

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions and I think you for everything you do for Scouting. The future of the digital Scouting experience is bright ... Capture - Share - Amplify with Scoutbook!!

Comments (56)
10 years ago

Adrian Tait

Capture, Share, Amplify. Like it. Keep the updates coming. Good luck with the move.

Pending Approval

Capture, Share, Amplify. Like it. Keep the updates coming. Good luck with the move.

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10 years ago

Cal Gibson

Thanks for the update on the Cub Scout Awards requirements. At least now we know someone is looking at it.

Pending Approval

Thanks for the update on the Cub Scout Awards requirements. At least now we know someone is looking at it.

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10 years ago

Michael Hecht

Moving when you are looking for something it is always in a "BOX". JTE Leadership Hour focusing on Scoutbook was interesting I watched and tried to read all of the comments, scoutbook is like scouting you have to do it. I have tried to get our troop to use scoutbook, but their is a "Subscription Owner" who is no longer with the troop. And we are locked out at least we cannot do anything. I hope you can help us. Good luck with the move.

Pending Approval

Moving when you are looking for something it is always in a "BOX". JTE Leadership Hour focusing on Scoutbook was interesting I watched and tried to read all of the comments, scoutbook is like scouting you have to do it. I have tried to get our troop to use scoutbook, but their is a "Subscription Owner" who is no longer with the troop. And we are locked out at least we cannot do anything. I hope you can help us. Good luck with the move.

Update

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10 years ago

Eric Rothauser

Thank you so much for the update! Also, thank you for solving the multiple email reminders for calendar events. Very annoying to many. A follow up question: if I entered my unit's entire calendar at once during the time that this issue was occurring, do I need to now delete the event and create it again? Or can I just go with the events, as is?

Again, many thanks!

Pending Approval

Thank you so much for the update! Also, thank you for solving the multiple email reminders for calendar events. Very annoying to many. A follow up question: if I entered my unit's entire calendar at once during the time that this issue was occurring, do I need to now delete the event and create it again? Or can I just go with the events, as is? Again, many thanks!

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10 years ago

Stephen Faber

Nice to be able to match up names and faces to the prolific Scoutbooker's, Scott and Jennifer. Wish they would have given you more time to speak and share!

Pending Approval

Nice to be able to match up names and faces to the prolific Scoutbooker's, Scott and Jennifer. Wish they would have given you more time to speak and share!

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10 years ago

Ken Morgan

I look forward to watching when I get home later tonight. Good news, and keep it coming.

Pending Approval

I look forward to watching when I get home later tonight. Good news, and keep it coming.

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10 years ago

Ed D'Avignon

@Bob Scott, thanks for the update and the video. I'm glad to hear BSA has retained a professional firm to help with Scoutbook development. I believe this will be a big benefit to Scoutbook.

Pending Approval

@Bob Scott, thanks for the update and the video. I'm glad to hear BSA has retained a professional firm to help with Scoutbook development. I believe this will be a big benefit to Scoutbook.

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10 years ago

Thad Stevens

Loving the updates and increased communication. Keep it up!

Pending Approval

Loving the updates and increased communication. Keep it up!

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10 years ago

Timothy Ray

Great job! I am in the process of integrating the pack into Scout Book.

Pending Approval

Great job! I am in the process of integrating the pack into Scout Book.

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10 years ago

Joseph VandenBrock

Great update, always good to know what's going on. Also, is there any word on when Lone Scouts and their Counselors will be able to add their information and position correctly so there is no confusion who we are.

Thanks

Pending Approval

Great update, always good to know what's going on. Also, is there any word on when Lone Scouts and their Counselors will be able to add their information and position correctly so there is no confusion who we are. Thanks

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10 years ago

Brooks Prevette

Thanks so much!! Love the broadcast earlier today, capture, share, amplify! These words WILL be making into my next committee meeting!

Pending Approval

Thanks so much!! Love the broadcast earlier today, capture, share, amplify! These words WILL be making into my next committee meeting!

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10 years ago

zuzdgk Jackson

@Eric R. You do not need to re-create any events. They should continue to work normally sending out any scheduled reminders once.

@Michael H. We would be happy to help. Please email us and we will get you up and running.

updated 10 years ago

Pending Approval

@Eric R. You do not need to re-create any events. They should continue to work normally sending out any scheduled reminders once. @Michael H. We would be happy to help. Please email us and we will get you up and running.

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10 years ago

Scott Fisher

It was a pleasure to fly to Irving (from both coasts for Jennifer and I) and assist with the "BSA Scoutbook" relaunch today.

I, too, with my three Units and others I am Commissioner for, experience all similar challenges as the faithful Scoutbook Userbase. I, too, express the same frustrations to Scoutbook Leadership (although through different channels). Mainly, there are a few of us that continuously "collate" the voices of other Scoutbook Users and escalate the main issues and recommendations through the overall "noise" of recommendations and warning flags.

HOWEVER, I am very much reassured by the recent forward progress on the FOUNDATION of BSA Scoutbook. You will not see the house rise until the foundation rises and the foundation is EVERYTHING in this instance. I have been involved for a long while with the Scoutbook Initiative with the BSA, as noted in the webcast today. Scoutbook had to somewhat freeze development while negotiating with BSA so there would not be a "moving target" to negotiate.

Then, in April, BSA embarked on making an unprecedented purchase with the insight and courage of Gary Butler at the head of that. The infrastructure has been completely redesigned as Gary and Bob noted in the webcast today. That part has been in the works ONLY FOR 4 SHORT MONTHS and it has been powerful and dramatic to this point.

The future of BSA Scoutbook is EXCITING. Listen to (and RE-listen to) Gary's words about the overall VISION of Scoutbook for your Scouts, your Leaders, and your Units. Take this to heart and SHARE YOUR ENTHUSIASM.

Buckle up. I feel we are in for a great ride!

updated 10 years ago

Pending Approval

It was a pleasure to fly to Irving (from both coasts for Jennifer and I) and assist with the "BSA Scoutbook" relaunch today. I, too, with my three Units and others I am Commissioner for, experience all similar challenges as the faithful Scoutbook Userbase. I, too, express the same frustrations to Scoutbook Leadership (although through different channels). Mainly, there are a few of us that continuously "collate" the voices of other Scoutbook Users and escalate the main issues and recommendations through the overall "noise" of recommendations and warning flags. HOWEVER, I am very much reassured by the recent forward progress on the FOUNDATION of BSA Scoutbook. You will not see the house rise until the foundation rises and the foundation is EVERYTHING in this instance. I have been involved for a long while with the Scoutbook Initiative with the BSA, as noted in the webcast today. Scoutbook had to somewhat freeze development while negotiating with BSA so there would not be a "moving target" to negotiate. Then, in April, BSA embarked on making an unprecedented purchase with the insight and courage of Gary Butler at the head of that. The infrastructure has been completely redesigned as Gary and Bob noted in the webcast today. That part has been in the works ONLY FOR 4 SHORT MONTHS and it has been powerful and dramatic to this point. The future of BSA Scoutbook is EXCITING. Listen to (and RE-listen to) Gary's words about the overall VISION of Scoutbook for your Scouts, your Leaders, and your Units. Take this to heart and SHARE YOUR ENTHUSIASM. Buckle up. I feel we are in for a great ride!

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10 years ago

Ed D'Avignon

@Scott, thank you for participating in today's webcast and the shout out for Stephen and me :) We appreciate you providing additional insight in your comment. I too am looking forward to the future of Scoutbook.

Pending Approval

@Scott, thank you for participating in today's webcast and the shout out for Stephen and me :) We appreciate you providing additional insight in your comment. I too am looking forward to the future of Scoutbook.

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10 years ago

Tyler Yokley

Awesome news!! Just wandering how might someone get involved in the development of scoutbook? More so support the infrastructure behind it? Is there any job opportunities currently available?

Pending Approval

Awesome news!! Just wandering how might someone get involved in the development of scoutbook? More so support the infrastructure behind it? Is there any job opportunities currently available?

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10 years ago

Carrie Burton

Great! Thank you! Is the demo video shared during yesterday's webscast available? I'd love to share it with my committee. Thank you!

Pending Approval

Great! Thank you! Is the demo video shared during yesterday's webscast available? I'd love to share it with my committee. Thank you!

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10 years ago

Ken Morgan

Thanks, Scott. It is reassuring to know that work is being done on behind the scenes (the foundation) so that the whole will be stronger.

My major concern out of the webcast was all the great features that were dsicussed, when NONE of them work as described, at least not today. There is no active connection between the calendar and payments log; there's no reporting to make the JTE features in the calendar useful, for example. As a leader or unit looking to use Scoutbook, I'd be looking at those features and wonder why they don't work as advertised.

I also recognize that the calendar is in Beta, and those features (and others) may fully implemented once the code freeze is lifted, but the new user may not.

Pending Approval

Thanks, Scott. It is reassuring to know that work is being done on behind the scenes (the foundation) so that the whole will be stronger. My major concern out of the webcast was all the great features that were dsicussed, when NONE of them work as described, at least not today. There is no active connection between the calendar and payments log; there's no reporting to make the JTE features in the calendar useful, for example. As a leader or unit looking to use Scoutbook, I'd be looking at those features and wonder why they don't work as advertised. I also recognize that the calendar is in Beta, and those features (and others) may fully implemented once the code freeze is lifted, but the new user may not.

Update

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10 years ago

Scott Fisher

@Carrie - If you go over to the Bryan On Scouting Blog post yesterday about the JTE Webcast, I know he links to the Scoutbook Video.

@Ken - The points about items that do not fully function due to the start/stops in the negotiation and on boarding processes are addressed en mass by Bob's comments that moving to an Agile Development Platform is the first priority. Changing any code during that process would make it more challenging to identify if the code change or the move itself is causing any new functionality bugs. As soon as that move is changed with updated code as needed, the first priority is to make the items that exist already function as they should before moving forward on a wide variety of things that all affect each other and potentially make any completions more difficult.

See you Saturday!

Pending Approval

@Carrie - If you go over to the Bryan On Scouting Blog post yesterday about the JTE Webcast, I know he links to the Scoutbook Video. @Ken - The points about items that do not fully function due to the start/stops in the negotiation and on boarding processes are addressed en mass by Bob's comments that moving to an Agile Development Platform is the first priority. Changing any code during that process would make it more challenging to identify if the code change or the move itself is causing any new functionality bugs. As soon as that move is changed with updated code as needed, the first priority is to make the items that exist already function as they should before moving forward on a wide variety of things that all affect each other and potentially make any completions more difficult. See you Saturday!

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10 years ago

Ken Morgan

Scott, I understand the why, I've been on the forums for a while and have been following the development. I'm thinking of the potential new user hearing "The system does THIS" and then finding "It does NOT." They were presented as if that is how they functioned today, not as a future or desired state. Bob's comments were good, but not clear as to what does and does not work today. In fact, Bob's comment about "do not hurt the current user" was welcome, but adds to my point. Those two feature in particular were presented as "current functionality" when they are not. The current user has no integration between the payment log and the calendar, but that's how it was presented.

Pending Approval

Scott, I understand the why, I've been on the forums for a while and have been following the development. I'm thinking of the potential new user hearing "The system does THIS" and then finding "It does NOT." They were presented as if that is how they functioned today, not as a future or desired state. Bob's comments were good, but not clear as to what does and does not work today. In fact, Bob's comment about "do not hurt the current user" was welcome, but adds to my point. Those two feature in particular were presented as "current functionality" when they are not. The current user has no integration between the payment log and the calendar, but that's how it was presented.

Update

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10 years ago

Scott Fisher

I understand. No one on the webinar was scripted. Some of the current aspects of Scoutbook and the Vision of Scoutbook did run a fine line in the webcast. Overall though, it was pretty spot on. I think the full integration of JTE by year's end may be the biggest challenge to accomplish.

Pending Approval

I understand. No one on the webinar was scripted. Some of the current aspects of Scoutbook and the Vision of Scoutbook did run a fine line in the webcast. Overall though, it was pretty spot on. I think the full integration of JTE by year's end may be the biggest challenge to accomplish.

Update

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10 years ago

Craig Ficik

Thanks for the update and I'm happy to see things are starting to move forward. Interested to hear the replay of the webcast now, especially after reading the comments above.

Pending Approval

Thanks for the update and I'm happy to see things are starting to move forward. Interested to hear the replay of the webcast now, especially after reading the comments above.

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10 years ago

Ken Morgan

I'm very excited by the vision and want it to be come the reality.

Pending Approval

I'm very excited by the vision and want it to be come the reality.

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10 years ago

Stephen Hornak

I would also like to say thank you for the mention of Ken, Ed & myself. We do our best to assist and I liken it to doing a good turn daily. And these updates are great and certainly give us an idea of what is happening. The future of scoutbook looks promising and I will do what I can to help.

Pending Approval

I would also like to say thank you for the mention of Ken, Ed & myself. We do our best to assist and I liken it to doing a good turn daily. And these updates are great and certainly give us an idea of what is happening. The future of scoutbook looks promising and I will do what I can to help.

Update

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10 years ago

Scott Fisher

@AL - I think you maybe meant to direct your question to Bob (Mr. Scott) rather than just Scott (but maybe not). Regardless, OA status is in the Scout's profile and then the proper sash shows on the Scout's profile.

There is not currently eligibility tracking for Scouts or Adults. There is also no Adult OA (or any other kinds of Adult tracking other than positions and training).

Pending Approval

@AL - I think you maybe meant to direct your question to Bob (Mr. Scott) rather than just Scott (but maybe not). Regardless, OA status is in the Scout's profile and then the proper sash shows on the Scout's profile. There is not currently eligibility tracking for Scouts or Adults. There is also no Adult OA (or any other kinds of Adult tracking other than positions and training).

Update

Cancel
10 years ago

Tim Guerrette

After what seemed like a long quiet time it is great to see the 2 blog posts from Bob this week and the webinar. I look forward to an Agile cadence that helps fix and complete what we have been promised and then start on new feature requests.

Pending Approval

After what seemed like a long quiet time it is great to see the 2 blog posts from Bob this week and the webinar. I look forward to an Agile cadence that helps fix and complete what we have been promised and then start on new feature requests.

Update

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10 years ago

Jennifer Olinger

Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to talk about the benefits of Scoutbook for parents and Scouts. It was a pleasure meeting you all!

Pending Approval

Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to talk about the benefits of Scoutbook for parents and Scouts. It was a pleasure meeting you all!

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10 years ago

Lu Ta

I am very impressed by such an update. Refreshing. I put lots of faith in Scoutbook. Is there any way that you can publish a road-map of new features? I am interested in getting Girl Scout integrated as well as doing all the BSA registrations through the site instead of paper. We are multi-unit Boy and Girl Scouts

updated 10 years ago

Pending Approval

I am very impressed by such an update. Refreshing. I put lots of faith in Scoutbook. Is there any way that you can publish a road-map of new features? I am interested in getting Girl Scout integrated as well as doing all the BSA registrations through the site instead of paper. We are multi-unit Boy and Girl Scouts

Update

Cancel
10 years ago

Aaron Weissman

is there a RSS feed for this blog? Would much rather get these posts in my aggregator.

Pending Approval

is there a RSS feed for this blog? Would much rather get these posts in my aggregator.

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10 years ago

Paul Steelhammer

They talk about the functionality of JTE but when I try to use it for boy scout camping the headings and references do not make sense.

Pending Approval

They talk about the functionality of JTE but when I try to use it for boy scout camping the headings and references do not make sense.

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10 years ago

Mark Neppl

Well done moving to the cloud. The opportunities are now amazing with cloud services. How about the Internet of things for scouting. All in good time for IOT. Keep up the great work your efforts will be so helpful to all in scouting.

updated 10 years ago

Pending Approval

Well done moving to the cloud. The opportunities are now amazing with cloud services. How about the Internet of things for scouting. All in good time for IOT. Keep up the great work your efforts will be so helpful to all in scouting.

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10 years ago

Gabrielle Wyatt

Thank you for posting the JTE link. I'm very interested to see what was discussed. I'm a very active advocate in our pack as is my husband, our assistant Cub Master, for Scoutbook. We're constantly digging into it to see what works and what doesn't as we push to use this permanently. Anything we can do to help, we are more than happy to do. Thank you for your updates. It's refreshing to have great communication!

Pending Approval

Thank you for posting the JTE link. I'm very interested to see what was discussed. I'm a very active advocate in our pack as is my husband, our assistant Cub Master, for Scoutbook. We're constantly digging into it to see what works and what doesn't as we push to use this permanently. Anything we can do to help, we are more than happy to do. Thank you for your updates. It's refreshing to have great communication!

Update

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10 years ago

Bryce Leonardo

Is there a way to keep attendance with this?

Pending Approval

Is there a way to keep attendance with this?

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10 years ago

Chris Peterson

Very excited to hear and see the progress with Scoutbook. We've been using it for over a year and while I've been aware of the issues, I've largely just dealt with them and kept my hopes up.

Looking forward to a better experience. It looks like you guys are on the right track.

I do have one question... Can we subscribe to the Blog or get emails when it's updated? I stumbled across the first post from Bob Scott quite by accident last week and tonight I decided to go look for updates and saw the one posted from 4 days ago.

I thought I'd gotten the updates via email in the past. But those are probably from the change log forum, which I am subscribed to.

Anyway, it would be a great idea to make sure these blog posts are getting seen by everyone! It's an exciting time and people should know good things are happening!

Thanks for all the great work!

Pending Approval

Very excited to hear and see the progress with Scoutbook. We've been using it for over a year and while I've been aware of the issues, I've largely just dealt with them and kept my hopes up. Looking forward to a better experience. It looks like you guys are on the right track. I do have one question... Can we subscribe to the Blog or get emails when it's updated? I stumbled across the first post from Bob Scott quite by accident last week and tonight I decided to go look for updates and saw the one posted from 4 days ago. I thought I'd gotten the updates via email in the past. But those are probably from the change log forum, which I am subscribed to. Anyway, it would be a great idea to make sure these blog posts are getting seen by everyone! It's an exciting time and people should know good things are happening! Thanks for all the great work!

Update

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10 years ago

Javier Aristimuno

Is there an easy way to add email to the scout's account/profile? This would be a great help increasing communication to the troop and crew through only one site. I look forward to your thoughts.

Pending Approval

Is there an easy way to add email to the scout's account/profile? This would be a great help increasing communication to the troop and crew through only one site. I look forward to your thoughts.

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10 years ago

Ed D'Avignon

Javier, only a parent can add a scout's e-mail to his account. This is part of the youth protection built into Scoutbook. It ensures each scout who has access to Scoutbook has a parent with a registered e-mail address. All communications sent to the scout are automatically sent to the parent as well.

Pending Approval

Javier, only a parent can add a scout's e-mail to his account. This is part of the youth protection built into Scoutbook. It ensures each scout who has access to Scoutbook has a parent with a registered e-mail address. All communications sent to the scout are automatically sent to the parent as well.

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10 years ago

Amy Karns

"Early in the week we fixed the pesky duplicate emails initiated when an event was created. This was a function of multiple site instances hitting the one database."

Our unit just received 7 email reminders yesterday for an event today. My son and I only received 1.

Is this bug fixed? Do I need to do something? Weird how we received 1 and other received 7.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Pending Approval

"Early in the week we fixed the pesky duplicate emails initiated when an event was created. This was a function of multiple site instances hitting the one database." Our unit just received 7 email reminders yesterday for an event today. My son and I only received 1. Is this bug fixed? Do I need to do something? Weird how we received 1 and other received 7. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

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10 years ago

Roark Perry

It sounds like the Venturing program is in Beta testing and nearing go-live. But what about Varsity Teams and Explorer Crews? Is there an ETA for these groups? We are currently using Scoutbook with our Varsity Team listed as a Patrol under the troop in order to track advancements but since it is troop specific, we cannot add the proper roles and responsibilities of the Varsity Team. Any updates to this would be great.

Pending Approval

It sounds like the Venturing program is in Beta testing and nearing go-live. But what about Varsity Teams and Explorer Crews? Is there an ETA for these groups? We are currently using Scoutbook with our Varsity Team listed as a Patrol under the troop in order to track advancements but since it is troop specific, we cannot add the proper roles and responsibilities of the Varsity Team. Any updates to this would be great.

Update

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10 years ago

Jonathan Still

I like these updates. Thanks for all you do!

Pending Approval

I like these updates. Thanks for all you do!

Update

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10 years ago

Craig Mielke

@Bob Scott, thank you for your updates. I look forward to more updates, and the continued work you and your team are doing to improve Scoutbook. As we explore it more and more, there continue to be more and more feature requests, and thoughts on ways to improve it. I think that means that people like it and are really using it! Already it can do way more than previous software I used. The trick will be to know when to stop innovating and start implementing and refining. There may be a million possible opportunities for it to do something it can't do yet, but for all the things that it can do now, please continue to work hard on making them flawless.

One suggestion I might have for users who are just getting into it, these forums are great, but you really need to have one person in your unit who spends their time checking them and then returning information to the rest of the unit. As one of these users myself, I would appreciate a special dedicated training or assistance for these power users to work out issues, and then to be able to help the other more casual users in the unit. Also, if Scoutbook/BSA would consider spending some time with council reps to improve their knowledge of the program, that could also be helpful. Sometimes, it's easier to sit down at a computer with a real person and work through your issues.

Pending Approval

@Bob Scott, thank you for your updates. I look forward to more updates, and the continued work you and your team are doing to improve Scoutbook. As we explore it more and more, there continue to be more and more feature requests, and thoughts on ways to improve it. I think that means that people like it and are really using it! Already it can do way more than previous software I used. The trick will be to know when to stop innovating and start implementing and refining. There may be a million possible opportunities for it to do something it can't do yet, but for all the things that it can do now, please continue to work hard on making them flawless. One suggestion I might have for users who are just getting into it, these forums are great, but you really need to have one person in your unit who spends their time checking them and then returning information to the rest of the unit. As one of these users myself, I would appreciate a special dedicated training or assistance for these power users to work out issues, and then to be able to help the other more casual users in the unit. Also, if Scoutbook/BSA would consider spending some time with council reps to improve their knowledge of the program, that could also be helpful. Sometimes, it's easier to sit down at a computer with a real person and work through your issues.

Update

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10 years ago

Chris Peterson

Education is key as Craig above points out. We'll be having a one hour session at our upcoming University of Scouting dedicated to working with and using Scoutbook. That's just about a month a way. I think I may be the one running the class, so any information on how to best teach others about Scoutbook would be very welcome. I'm glad things are stabilizing now. I was getting worried about coordinating the class with the existing issues causing so many concerns!

Pending Approval

Education is key as Craig above points out. We'll be having a one hour session at our upcoming University of Scouting dedicated to working with and using Scoutbook. That's just about a month a way. I think I may be the one running the class, so any information on how to best teach others about Scoutbook would be very welcome. I'm glad things are stabilizing now. I was getting worried about coordinating the class with the existing issues causing so many concerns!

Update

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10 years ago

Todd Sheive

I also will second the comments from @Amy and @Brian regarding duplicate emails. I have 2 sons in scouts (1 Boy Scout, 1 Cub Scout), and I just received duplicate emails for events from 2 different events, 1 from the Troop and 1 from the Pack. Doesn't appear to be fixed 100%. Please note, my sons are setup with their own email addresses so this isn't due to my email address being listed under different "members". Thanks for any help and truly great job on this very valuable resource for all Scouts (and parents)!

Pending Approval

I also will second the comments from @Amy and @Brian regarding duplicate emails. I have 2 sons in scouts (1 Boy Scout, 1 Cub Scout), and I just received duplicate emails for events from 2 different events, 1 from the Troop and 1 from the Pack. Doesn't appear to be fixed 100%. Please note, my sons are setup with their own email addresses so this isn't due to my email address being listed under different "members". Thanks for any help and truly great job on this very valuable resource for all Scouts (and parents)!

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10 years ago

Bob Cain

+1- for being able to subscribe to Blogs in the same way as the forums.

Pending Approval

+1- for being able to subscribe to Blogs in the same way as the forums.

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10 years ago

Timothy Davidson

First, I would love to be able to subscribe to this blog (per other users)
Second, my unit reviewed this product about a month ago and based upon the Beta status of several key features, noted and uncorrected bugs and a LOT of discontent on the forums, we decided not to move forward. I am highly encouraged by what is going on with the new project leadership and we will continue to revisit our decision.
Third, please get us a roadmap! As some folks have pointed out, the webinar mentioned a number of features that are either in beta or very buggy. I would love for this product to replace our current two system solution (Scoutlander and Troopmaster) but until we have basic functionality for ALL of these products available, we really can't move. Tell us where you are going so that we can better evaluate how effective this will be for our unit.

Pending Approval

First, I would love to be able to subscribe to this blog (per other users) Second, my unit reviewed this product about a month ago and based upon the Beta status of several key features, noted and uncorrected bugs and a LOT of discontent on the forums, we decided not to move forward. I am highly encouraged by what is going on with the new project leadership and we will continue to revisit our decision. Third, please get us a roadmap! As some folks have pointed out, the webinar mentioned a number of features that are either in beta or very buggy. I would love for this product to replace our current two system solution (Scoutlander and Troopmaster) but until we have basic functionality for ALL of these products available, we really can't move. Tell us where you are going so that we can better evaluate how effective this will be for our unit.

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10 years ago

William Anderson

This is a great site and a huge improvement over our previous site that we used. The only two issues I have is 1) when going straight to Quick Entry for WEBELOS Advancement, it will only let me do the 2010 requirements. All of my Scouts are using the 2015 programs and their individual record reflects that. If I go into an individuals record, and go to Quick Entry from there, it works. I just can't straight to Quick Entry from the main WEBELOS den page. 2) The advancement report is not syncing with Scoutnet. When I click on it, it generates a spreadsheet that downloads to my computer, but our Council office does not get the update. I am still having to turn in a hard copy of the Advancement Report. These are only minor inconvienences,and we are all very pleased with using this site. Keep up the good work.

Pending Approval

This is a great site and a huge improvement over our previous site that we used. The only two issues I have is 1) when going straight to Quick Entry for WEBELOS Advancement, it will only let me do the 2010 requirements. All of my Scouts are using the 2015 programs and their individual record reflects that. If I go into an individuals record, and go to Quick Entry from there, it works. I just can't straight to Quick Entry from the main WEBELOS den page. 2) The advancement report is not syncing with Scoutnet. When I click on it, it generates a spreadsheet that downloads to my computer, but our Council office does not get the update. I am still having to turn in a hard copy of the Advancement Report. These are only minor inconvienences,and we are all very pleased with using this site. Keep up the good work.

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10 years ago

Ed D'Avignon

Chris,

For 2015 Webelos Quick Entry, go to the den page and select Quick Entry -> Enter Adventures.

For advancement, you need to log in to Internet Advancement and upload the CSV that you downloaded from Scoutbook.

Pending Approval

Chris, For 2015 Webelos Quick Entry, go to the den page and select Quick Entry -> Enter Adventures. For advancement, you need to log in to Internet Advancement and upload the CSV that you downloaded from Scoutbook.

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10 years ago

Michael Ingram

@Scott Fisher - Is there some kind of update we can get on the status of the Venturing portion. There is a lot of rumbling going on in the forums about how long it is taking. I am a beta tester for this and I like everything it is just everyone is starting to look at other programs since the Venturing portion is taking over a year to get online.

Pending Approval

@Scott Fisher - Is there some kind of update we can get on the status of the Venturing portion. There is a lot of rumbling going on in the forums about how long it is taking. I am a beta tester for this and I like everything it is just everyone is starting to look at other programs since the Venturing portion is taking over a year to get online.

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10 years ago

Dominick DiGioia

I agree with @Mike Ingram......we need an official response regarding the release timeline for the Venturing module. I'm sure that if folks were kept up to date on the status of the rollout, they would be less inclined to search for alternative programs.

Pending Approval

I agree with @Mike Ingram......we need an official response regarding the release timeline for the Venturing module. I'm sure that if folks were kept up to date on the status of the rollout, they would be less inclined to search for alternative programs.

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10 years ago

Norm Knowles

We have spent the past 2 days attempting to make updates in Scoutbook and it is beyond painful. I just did a ping and out of 4 network requests all 4 failed. I did another attempt and go one to make a connection but it took 455ms and should be less than 25. We have tried during the day and at night and it doesn't seem to be driven by time of day (overload of users). I would guess that there is an issue with your host. I just did a traceroute and it appears that you are using Akamai which should speed up access, however in this case it took 20 hops to get from Minneapolis to your server including hops to Ireland. You might want your network guys to look into that.

What is the timing to make the move to the cloud?

Thanks,

Norm

Pending Approval

We have spent the past 2 days attempting to make updates in Scoutbook and it is beyond painful. I just did a ping and out of 4 network requests all 4 failed. I did another attempt and go one to make a connection but it took 455ms and should be less than 25. We have tried during the day and at night and it doesn't seem to be driven by time of day (overload of users). I would guess that there is an issue with your host. I just did a traceroute and it appears that you are using Akamai which should speed up access, however in this case it took 20 hops to get from Minneapolis to your server including hops to Ireland. You might want your network guys to look into that. What is the timing to make the move to the cloud? Thanks, Norm

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10 years ago

Ed D'Avignon

Norm, the Scoutbook developers are working on moving Scoutbook to Amazon cloud. There is a beta test currently in progress with some users from different parts of the country. The initial goal is to get Scoutbook moved but not break anything in the process. After it is moved, we should start seeing progress on performance improvements and feature enhancements.

Pending Approval

Norm, the Scoutbook developers are working on moving Scoutbook to Amazon cloud. There is a beta test currently in progress with some users from different parts of the country. The initial goal is to get Scoutbook moved but not break anything in the process. After it is moved, we should start seeing progress on performance improvements and feature enhancements.

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10 years ago

David Glessner

Performance last Saturday wasn't too bad, so I had my hopes up. But performance tonight is horrendous. When should non-beta users expect decent performance? Hours, days, weeks, months, quarters, years, decades?

Pending Approval

Performance last Saturday wasn't too bad, so I had my hopes up. But performance tonight is horrendous. When should non-beta users expect decent performance? Hours, days, weeks, months, quarters, years, decades?

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10 years ago

Thomas Lundy

OK here an issue when a scout does more that one eagle required (like hiking or swimming) if you add both to the earned merit badges. It fills two eagle required blocks in the rank advancement. Is there a way in the system if multiple eagle badges are earn that they do not fill the rank slots. So if you earn swimming then hiking just goes as an elective.

Thank you for your time.

Pending Approval

OK here an issue when a scout does more that one eagle required (like hiking or swimming) if you add both to the earned merit badges. It fills two eagle required blocks in the rank advancement. Is there a way in the system if multiple eagle badges are earn that they do not fill the rank slots. So if you earn swimming then hiking just goes as an elective. Thank you for your time.

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10 years ago

Tony Babbe

Are you still looking to ad more Bata testers to the Venture side of the house. If so sign me up, I would love to help get the product out to the masses.

Pending Approval

Are you still looking to ad more Bata testers to the Venture side of the house. If so sign me up, I would love to help get the product out to the masses.

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10 years ago

Ken Morgan

@Tom, per the Guide to Advancement, for ranks other than Eagle, the eagle required merit badges always count as "Eagle Required" even if they are "one or the other" like Swimming and Hiking. The required vs elective only comes into play for Eagle Scout itself, and Scoutbook will account for that.

Pending Approval

@Tom, per the Guide to Advancement, for ranks other than Eagle, the eagle required merit badges always count as "Eagle Required" even if they are "one or the other" like Swimming and Hiking. The required vs elective only comes into play for Eagle Scout itself, and Scoutbook will account for that.

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10 years ago

Brad Davis

Love the site! Much to learn still. Our Pack is dropping Packmaster to use BSA's internet advancement tool. I watched it develop slowly over a five year period. Scout book seems to have surpassed it in one. I'm wondering, now that BSA has purchased scout book, why does a unit need to pay a fee? When will all units be asked to use scout book to replace internet advancement?

Pending Approval

Love the site! Much to learn still. Our Pack is dropping Packmaster to use BSA's internet advancement tool. I watched it develop slowly over a five year period. Scout book seems to have surpassed it in one. I'm wondering, now that BSA has purchased scout book, why does a unit need to pay a fee? When will all units be asked to use scout book to replace internet advancement?

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10 years ago

Thomas Lundy

2 Ken Thank you

Pending Approval

2 Ken Thank you

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10 years ago

Scott Fisher

Brad, the Units that CHOOSE to use Scoutbook's full capacity right now can still expect the nominal service fee for Scoutbook that is $1-$2 per Scout per year (depending on how many Scouts in your Unit).

Will BSA use require Units to use Scoutbook rather than Internet Advancement? That is unknown at this time. Perhaps in the future BSA transitions to using Scoutbook's database rather than Internet Advancement's database (as Gary Butler referenced in the September JTE webcast)? We don't know for sure BUT there are many things that the Scoutbook Team would be working on before crossing that bridge.

So, jump on in and once those decisions are made I am sure there will be exciting future announcements on the Scoutbook Blog.

Pending Approval

Brad, the Units that CHOOSE to use Scoutbook's full capacity right now can still expect the nominal service fee for Scoutbook that is $1-$2 per Scout per year (depending on how many Scouts in your Unit). Will BSA use require Units to use Scoutbook rather than Internet Advancement? That is unknown at this time. Perhaps in the future BSA transitions to using Scoutbook's database rather than Internet Advancement's database (as Gary Butler referenced in the September JTE webcast)? We don't know for sure BUT there are many things that the Scoutbook Team would be working on before crossing that bridge. So, jump on in and once those decisions are made I am sure there will be exciting future announcements on the Scoutbook Blog.

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