Director of Scoutbook - 10/26/2015 Update

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Director of Scoutbook - 10/26/2015 Update

Published: Oct 26, 2015

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Sorry it has been so long - family emergency took me incognito most of the week of 10/12 and last week was catchup.

But that does not mean nothing has been going on, the team has been doing just fine without me. Top two for today's blog - transition to the Cloud and last week's enhancements.

Transition to the Cloud: Did you notice? No? Perfect! We have moved production from the prior enviroment to a multi-server Cloud enviroment. This all happend on Tuesday, 10/13 without any stopages and minimal fanfare. We broke a few things in the process, particularly the connection between Scoutbook and PayPal but that has been corrected. The move has really enhanced our ability to "see" what is going on in/on the various servers and in the database. BSA's database team has been identifying queries and page loads that are slow and one-by-one our development partners are helping improve those. Best yet, for users, the code freeze is lifted so its back to production.

Ehancements and Fixes Last Week: As Shawn updated late last week (See Change Log) a number of critical fixes were made including:

Faster Scout account page load
PayPal popup bug fixed
ScoutNet roster import bug fixed
Roster upload fixed (still working on .csv files)
Bug associated with Troopmaster and Packmaster uploads fixed, script in place

Last week we also stopped storing internet advancement login credentials, including passwords.

We are now releasing bug fixes and enhancements daily and working thru the backlog as fast as resources allow.

Today we release a number of technical fixes and the ability to import events into your calendar using iCal! See below.

That's it for "last week", I'll do my Cub Scout best to get back on schedule. Thanks for everything you do for Scouting.

Capture-MyCalendar-Ical.PNG - Latest 15/Oct/15 1:04 PM - Kevan Ghobadi

Comments (43)
10 years ago

Joseph VandenBrock

Good to hear from you, hope everything is ok. I know I keep repeating this but im hoping to hear an official answer... eventually.
I would like to find out if Lone Scouts and their Counselors will be able to put their information in correctly. So it will reflect correctly on the dashboard (i.e. no need for a link to a pack or troop). Also is there anything in the works for us to use scoutnet?

Pending Approval

Good to hear from you, hope everything is ok. I know I keep repeating this but im hoping to hear an official answer... eventually. I would like to find out if Lone Scouts and their Counselors will be able to put their information in correctly. So it will reflect correctly on the dashboard (i.e. no need for a link to a pack or troop). Also is there anything in the works for us to use scoutnet?

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10 years ago

Ed D'Avignon

Bob, thanks for the update. The users appreciate the information you provide.

Pending Approval

Bob, thanks for the update. The users appreciate the information you provide.

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10 years ago

Frank Turner

I just wish the information was more . . . informative.

Pending Approval

I just wish the information was more . . . informative.

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10 years ago

Bill Wells

2015-10-26:
@Bob Scott: Thank you for the update and lifting the code freeze on developing enhancements to Scoutbook.

@Joseph. I suspect BSA first needs to define how to identify lone scout groups first. See the Scoutbook Lone Scout new features request at https://www.scoutbook.com/mobile/forums/new-feature-requests/36548/lone-scout/

updated 10 years ago

Pending Approval

2015-10-26: @Bob Scott: Thank you for the update and lifting the code freeze on developing enhancements to Scoutbook. @Joseph. I suspect BSA first needs to define how to identify lone scout groups first. See the Scoutbook Lone Scout new features request at https://www.scoutbook.com/mobile/forums/new-feature-requests/36548/lone-scout/

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10 years ago

Robert Cranney

@Bob Scott,

Can you offer some guidance on when the Varsity & Crew subscription plans will be released?

I am sure that those waiting for these subscriptions would rather have realistic expectations instead of just wondering when Scoutbook will realize it's hope to launch these subscription plans soon.

It appears your team is using Agile / Scrum to manage your work. I would love it if you would make the product backlog and associated prioritization of User Stories available for interested parties to review.

Thanks in advance for any light you can share concerning the Varsity & Venture subscriptions.

Pending Approval

@Bob Scott, Can you offer some guidance on when the Varsity & Crew subscription plans will be released? I am sure that those waiting for these subscriptions would rather have realistic expectations instead of just wondering when Scoutbook will realize it's hope to launch these subscription plans soon. It appears your team is using Agile / Scrum to manage your work. I would love it if you would make the product backlog and associated prioritization of User Stories available for interested parties to review. Thanks in advance for any light you can share concerning the Varsity & Venture subscriptions.

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10 years ago

Joseph VandenBrock

@Bill Wells, I have seen the new feature request for this and have even posted in it. I don't see why it would be hard for BSA or SB to identify Lone Scouts, it is after all an official program. That's why I would like to hear something from the Director of SB. What I do see is a great program offered by BSA but also overlooked by BSA, SB and mostly everyone else in the scouting community. When it is noticed, it seems to be looked at as a second rate program.

Pending Approval

@Bill Wells, I have seen the new feature request for this and have even posted in it. I don't see why it would be hard for BSA or SB to identify Lone Scouts, it is after all an official program. That's why I would like to hear something from the Director of SB. What I do see is a great program offered by BSA but also overlooked by BSA, SB and mostly everyone else in the scouting community. When it is noticed, it seems to be looked at as a second rate program.

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10 years ago

Michelle Nickolaus

There apparently is a Crew in our area who is using Scoutbook, but we cannot seem to add this for one of the Crews? When will this be available and who do we need to speak to?

Pending Approval

There apparently is a Crew in our area who is using Scoutbook, but we cannot seem to add this for one of the Crews? When will this be available and who do we need to speak to?

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10 years ago

Stephen Faber

@Robert Cranney, well stated.

@Bob Scott, We need a new or updated "Coming Soon Timeline", especially related to Varsity and Venturing.

Pending Approval

@Robert Cranney, well stated. @Bob Scott, We need a new or updated "Coming Soon Timeline", especially related to Varsity and Venturing.

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10 years ago

Damon Edmondson

As a big fan and apparently council instructor (how'd that happen).... I think a little less love to iOS and a little more to platform independent solutions is in order. For example, print to PDF, export calendars to other than iOS... Us android and PC users are actually a larger user base.

Pending Approval

As a big fan and apparently council instructor (how'd that happen).... I think a little less love to iOS and a little more to platform independent solutions is in order. For example, print to PDF, export calendars to other than iOS... Us android and PC users are actually a larger user base.

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10 years ago

Tim Boyer

@Robert Cranney +1 to the sharing of the Agile/Scrum boards. Getting user community input to these processes would be excellent. I'd love to be able to subscribe to my pet features as they work through the process.

Pending Approval

@Robert Cranney +1 to the sharing of the Agile/Scrum boards. Getting user community input to these processes would be excellent. I'd love to be able to subscribe to my pet features as they work through the process.

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10 years ago

Neal Armour

Just a clarification, the ScoutNet roster import bug fix mentioned above....the connectivity to ScoutNet seems to be fixed (it no longer says cannot connect), but the functionality of the roster import process is still not working!!

Pending Approval

Just a clarification, the ScoutNet roster import bug fix mentioned above....the connectivity to ScoutNet seems to be fixed (it no longer says cannot connect), but the functionality of the roster import process is still not working!!

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10 years ago

Stephen Hornak

@Neal - can you post the exact issues you are having in the bugs forum as it will most likely get more attention there.

Pending Approval

@Neal - can you post the exact issues you are having in the bugs forum as it will most likely get more attention there.

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10 years ago

Joshua Dart

I manage 28 different Scoutbook accounts. It is a pain that we were not notified about the password change. It was nice having all of those working. Now for 28 passwords and IDs to get setup again...

Pending Approval

I manage 28 different Scoutbook accounts. It is a pain that we were not notified about the password change. It was nice having all of those working. Now for 28 passwords and IDs to get setup again...

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10 years ago

Elonde Jean-Pierre

Can somebody tell me how to import advancements to scoutnet? I imported the roster, I thought it would have taken care of advancement as well but I am not seeing any update on internet advancement. Thank you

Pending Approval

Can somebody tell me how to import advancements to scoutnet? I imported the roster, I thought it would have taken care of advancement as well but I am not seeing any update on internet advancement. Thank you

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10 years ago

Ed D'Avignon

Elonde, this has been explained many times in the Using Scoutbook forum. You can ask again in the forum or search the forum and I know you will get an answer. Support is better done in the forums than in blog comments.

Pending Approval

Elonde, this has been explained many times in the Using Scoutbook forum. You can ask again in the forum or search the forum and I know you will get an answer. Support is better done in the forums than in blog comments.

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10 years ago

Ron Fedele

The png file for ical import seems to be missing.

Pending Approval

The png file for ical import seems to be missing.

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10 years ago

Jeremy Darnell

Great work!

Pending Approval

Great work!

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10 years ago

Tom McFadden

@Michelle Nickolaus Venturing is in Beta. A few crews were selected over a year ago to test the module. No new crews are being added. My daughter was on the beta fir a bit until it was decided only full crews could participate. Since then she was removed from the Beta.

Pending Approval

@Michelle Nickolaus Venturing is in Beta. A few crews were selected over a year ago to test the module. No new crews are being added. My daughter was on the beta fir a bit until it was decided only full crews could participate. Since then she was removed from the Beta.

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10 years ago

Neal Armour

@Stephen, I did post it on the bugs, and no one seems to be looking at it as far as I can tell. So, I thought I'd give it a shot here.

Pending Approval

@Stephen, I did post it on the bugs, and no one seems to be looking at it as far as I can tell. So, I thought I'd give it a shot here.

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10 years ago

Greg Woolf

Our organization is currently making our Teams and Crews a PATROL in our Troop admin and have been working in that way. I have my own migration plan when these modules come available, but have decided that the lack of them isn't going to slow me down.

Pending Approval

Our organization is currently making our Teams and Crews a PATROL in our Troop admin and have been working in that way. I have my own migration plan when these modules come available, but have decided that the lack of them isn't going to slow me down.

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10 years ago

Denis Blyth

"ability to import events into your calendar using iCal! See below."
.PNG file doesn't appear to be correctly linked.
How does one use this new feature?

updated 10 years ago

Pending Approval

"ability to import events into your calendar using iCal! See below." .PNG file doesn't appear to be correctly linked. How does one use this new feature?

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10 years ago

Ed D'Avignon

Denis, this would have been better written as "Ability to export events into your personal calendar". While this feature has been available for a while, the instructions were rewritten to make them more clear. Scoutbook still does not have the ability to import events into its calendars.

Pending Approval

Denis, this would have been better written as "Ability to export events into your personal calendar". While this feature has been available for a while, the instructions were rewritten to make them more clear. Scoutbook still does not have the ability to import events into its calendars.

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10 years ago

Dave Neeley

Storing internet advancement logins for all scouting charters was more than a simple convenience. It would be nice to know what prompted that decision and what can be done to reach an acceptable compromise!

Pending Approval

Storing internet advancement logins for all scouting charters was more than a simple convenience. It would be nice to know what prompted that decision and what can be done to reach an acceptable compromise!

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10 years ago

Raquel Shumway

The calendar would be one of the first priorities for me. Also being able to set up a parent without an email. Believe it or not there are some people who still do not do email and I can't keep parental information without that email. I also cannot add a second parent, if they share an email.

Pending Approval

The calendar would be one of the first priorities for me. Also being able to set up a parent without an email. Believe it or not there are some people who still do not do email and I can't keep parental information without that email. I also cannot add a second parent, if they share an email.

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10 years ago

Buck Holsinger

Where can we see a list of Application Level Bugs being tracked by the SCOUTBOOK Developers? Specifically the forum based bug reporting is atrocious at best and has no real "feedback" to tell a person if their bug has been reviewed, is being worked, and estimated release date. There are literally thousands of bug tracking options out there (but I bet you already have one in place). just give us the ability to query or view what is being tracked for this application. Right, Wrong, or Indiferent -- we are SCOUTBOOK's customers and if these basic features are not functional I will have to go back to my previous, functional systems (even though SCOUTBOOK has some "wow" features that I love.

Since I figure I must note it in every post until it gets fixed since I don't know if any of the developers have seen it and are working on it.....My most important issue is my Pack is NOT getting reminder emails (which is IMPERATIVE) to keep a well informed Pack.

Thanks
Buck

Pending Approval

Where can we see a list of Application Level Bugs being tracked by the SCOUTBOOK Developers? Specifically the forum based bug reporting is atrocious at best and has no real "feedback" to tell a person if their bug has been reviewed, is being worked, and estimated release date. There are literally thousands of bug tracking options out there (but I bet you already have one in place). just give us the ability to query or view what is being tracked for this application. Right, Wrong, or Indiferent -- we are SCOUTBOOK's customers and if these basic features are not functional I will have to go back to my previous, functional systems (even though SCOUTBOOK has some "wow" features that I love. Since I figure I must note it in every post until it gets fixed since I don't know if any of the developers have seen it and are working on it.....My most important issue is my Pack is NOT getting reminder emails (which is IMPERATIVE) to keep a well informed Pack. Thanks Buck

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10 years ago

Kenneth Henderson

This BUG needs to be addressed ASAP! https://www.scoutbook.com/mobile/forums/bugs/51750/reminder-email-not-sent-as-scheduled/

Pending Approval

This BUG needs to be addressed ASAP! https://www.scoutbook.com/mobile/forums/bugs/51750/reminder-email-not-sent-as-scheduled/

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10 years ago

Helen Emerson

Very Interesting ,Beening a new parent (Grandparent really) . Of A Bear , My past is all in GS of 25 yr , This is way more than they have Have ,Thanks for scoutbook ! I can keep up with my grand son activites etc <>

Pending Approval

Very Interesting ,Beening a new parent (Grandparent really) . Of A Bear , My past is all in GS of 25 yr , This is way more than they have Have ,Thanks for scoutbook ! I can keep up with my grand son activites etc <>

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10 years ago

Stephen Thompson

My Trial 30-days expired so I paid for the year Pack Plan yesterday from the redirected payment screen. I have the receipt of that transaction and know it processed properly. My dashboard account still shows I'm on an expired plan and won't let me update any information. How can this be fixed? Thanks

Pending Approval

My Trial 30-days expired so I paid for the year Pack Plan yesterday from the redirected payment screen. I have the receipt of that transaction and know it processed properly. My dashboard account still shows I'm on an expired plan and won't let me update any information. How can this be fixed? Thanks

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10 years ago

W Stone

Venturing +1

Pending Approval

Venturing +1

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10 years ago

Laura Hall

So some of our pack went to the Pentagon for a Tour. Where can I post pictures without everyone seeing them. I only want our pack to see them. I'm an administrator but I don't know where to post photos? Thanks

Pending Approval

So some of our pack went to the Pentagon for a Tour. Where can I post pictures without everyone seeing them. I only want our pack to see them. I'm an administrator but I don't know where to post photos? Thanks

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10 years ago

Brian Ranshaw

Do any questions ever get answered when someone uses the contact via scoutbook ? Ive been emailing a question for weeks now and never get an answer

Pending Approval

Do any questions ever get answered when someone uses the contact via scoutbook ? Ive been emailing a question for weeks now and never get an answer

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10 years ago

Stephen Hornak

Laura - I would suggest that you post the pictures to the requirements that the trip satisfied and beyond that this blog is simply a post by the director of scoutbook.

@Brian - what questions do you need answered? And like I posted for Laura..this is not the place for your issues.

Pending Approval

Laura - I would suggest that you post the pictures to the requirements that the trip satisfied and beyond that this blog is simply a post by the director of scoutbook. @Brian - what questions do you need answered? And like I posted for Laura..this is not the place for your issues.

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10 years ago

Doug Moore

Stephen - it seems like no place is the place for issues because no one ever reads them! Well, except for you and a couple other folks. I, for on, would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see an answer to the questions on "when" in the next edition of Bob's (Bi)weekly Blog. That is, "when" can we see the Adventure Requirements added into report builder? "When" will we see some of the improvements? When will we hear something substantive about progress? When will we see a list of what they're working on and target dates of completion? You have to admit, this is getting utterly ridiculous.

Pending Approval

Stephen - it seems like no place is the place for issues because no one ever reads them! Well, except for you and a couple other folks. I, for on, would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see an answer to the questions on "when" in the next edition of Bob's (Bi)weekly Blog. That is, "when" can we see the Adventure Requirements added into report builder? "When" will we see some of the improvements? When will we hear something substantive about progress? When will we see a list of what they're working on and target dates of completion? You have to admit, this is getting utterly ridiculous.

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10 years ago

Doug Moore

Brian,
Have you tried emailing directly to scoutbook.support@scouting.org? They just created that. I found the online form not responsive but used to email info@scoutbook.com and got same day responses and fixes. You might try both of those addresses if you haven't already.

Pending Approval

Brian, Have you tried emailing directly to scoutbook.support@scouting.org? They just created that. I found the online form not responsive but used to email info@scoutbook.com and got same day responses and fixes. You might try both of those addresses if you haven't already.

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10 years ago

Jeremy Fuksa

@Damon Edmonson: The iCalendar format is a universal format. No extra love given to iOS or ANY platform.

Pending Approval

@Damon Edmonson: The iCalendar format is a universal format. No extra love given to iOS or ANY platform.

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10 years ago

Carson W.

could someone get me the new require ments for second class

Pending Approval

could someone get me the new require ments for second class

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10 years ago

Brian Ranshaw

Someone just got back to me about my issue today

Pending Approval

Someone just got back to me about my issue today

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10 years ago

Matthew Mertens

I just have to say thank you to everyone who is working so hard to move Scoutbook forward. For myself and my friends above in this blog, you must realize that Scoutbook has become scout leader crack!! The more we see, the more we want and the longer we wait, the more jones'n we are for updates. while it is frustrating for everyone, it is only so because so many of us can see the huge potential here and are sooooooo excited to see it succeed.
Thanks Again!!!!

Pending Approval

I just have to say thank you to everyone who is working so hard to move Scoutbook forward. For myself and my friends above in this blog, you must realize that Scoutbook has become scout leader crack!! The more we see, the more we want and the longer we wait, the more jones'n we are for updates. while it is frustrating for everyone, it is only so because so many of us can see the huge potential here and are sooooooo excited to see it succeed. Thanks Again!!!!

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10 years ago

Tim Bradford

Thank you so much for all you do and for the updates!!!!! If possible please give us some sort of update for the venturing tracking. Thank you.

Pending Approval

Thank you so much for all you do and for the updates!!!!! If possible please give us some sort of update for the venturing tracking. Thank you.

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10 years ago

Jennifer Olinger

@Carson Wolfe - All of the 2016 Boy Scout requirements can be found at:

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/programupdates.aspx

Just scroll down to the Boy Scouting section. Make sure you also read the "Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements in 2016" and the "2016 Boy Scout requirements FAQs", but the 2016 requirements are listed in the "2016 Boy Scout requirements—parallel comparison". If you have further questions, please ask in the Scoutbook Forums (Boy Scouting) or ask one of the leaders in your troop.

updated 10 years ago

Pending Approval

@Carson Wolfe - All of the 2016 Boy Scout requirements can be found at: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/programupdates.aspx Just scroll down to the Boy Scouting section. Make sure you also read the "Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements in 2016" and the "2016 Boy Scout requirements FAQs", but the 2016 requirements are listed in the "2016 Boy Scout requirements—parallel comparison". If you have further questions, please ask in the Scoutbook Forums (Boy Scouting) or ask one of the leaders in your troop.

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10 years ago

Erin Faulk

I am still having trouble with ScoutNet sync. It gives me an error message when I try to update the roster.

Pending Approval

I am still having trouble with ScoutNet sync. It gives me an error message when I try to update the roster.

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10 years ago

Ed D'Avignon

Erin, please go to the Using Scoutnet forum, include the details including the error message and we will try to help you.

Pending Approval

Erin, please go to the Using Scoutnet forum, include the details including the error message and we will try to help you.

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7 years ago

Doris Cross

Is it possible to have an import calendar feature? We use Teamsnap as our communication tool and troop calendar and it would be helpful if Scoutbook and iCal files could sync.

Pending Approval

Is it possible to have an import calendar feature? We use Teamsnap as our communication tool and troop calendar and it would be helpful if Scoutbook and iCal files could sync.

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