Looking for a windows software programmer for bikey related project

**WildBoarMouse** · 17th April 2006, 21:46

Hi all, this probably won't apply to 99% of the people here but it's worth a go!

Another bikey friend and myself are going through the motions of putting together a bit of a project and require the aid of a windows software engineer to build up a windows head-end. We have the electronics and embedded software sorted but need assistance with building up a functional, but idealy pretty, PC user interface. Knowing a thing or three about putting together graphical interfaces would definitely help

If you are interested in finding out a bit more, or know someone that may fit the bill, can you please PM me or email me (darcywatsatlandotcodotnz)

Cheers
WBM

PS: We'd prefer someone in the upper North Island...

**M1CRO:Me** · 17th April 2006, 23:08

PM Sent

**GR81** · 18th April 2006, 10:39

hope you have deep pockets :P

**WildBoarMouse** · 18th April 2006, 12:25

We're after someone who's interested in this as a hobby...

We're not getting paid a cent either, but who knows what it might turn in to. It won't be a super huge job to do... and if the person is interested, they'd get a direct benefit out of it at the other end, in the form of one of these things for themselves.

If anyone responding is just in it for the money, they're probably not the sort of person we're looking for.

**imdying** · 18th April 2006, 12:45

Post up some more details... I know heaps of Windows programmers (might even be one myself...), and lots of embedded guys.

**WildBoarMouse** · 18th April 2006, 13:21

Have a look at...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=23908

It's a little out-dated now but that's essentially it.

We have ideas of what we'd like to see for a windows head-end, but they're just ideas.

Cheers
WBM

**imdying** · 18th April 2006, 14:22

What's the interface? Serial communications?

**Wonko** · 18th April 2006, 18:42

I'd be keen to give it a crack. What is the data source, and do you havve any preference to what it's writen in?

**bugjuice** · 18th April 2006, 18:47

so will windows crash, or the bike?

This taunt was brought to you by:
The KB Mac Community.

**WildBoarMouse** · 18th April 2006, 20:00

Originally Posted by imdying

What's the interface? Serial communications?

Eventually we'd like the device to appear as a USB mass storage device (exactly like your digital camera) but for now we'll just use the SD/MMC card and a seperate USB card reader ($12-15).

We ruled serial comms out very quickly. If you've been mucking about for more than an hour you'd be looking at having to download around 5Mb over a serial connection. Most PC serial ports can't handle more than 115k2bps so for 5Mb you'd have to wait around 8 minutes. An entire 32Mb card over serial would take 50 minutes

This method also lets riders swap cards out very quickly. If it were to be used for off-season racing (in the distant future) - one card out, the spare card in, download the data off the first card while the bike is out racing. It would possibly be easier (but more expensive) just to have a radio link and not have to fiddle around with cards and cables when you're in a hurry.

Originally Posted by Wonko

I'd be keen to give it a crack. What is the data source, and do you have any preference to what it's writen in?

This is one of the things we'd like to talk about with whoever does the work. We could store the data in CSV format (for example) or as binary structures. The latter is more efficient as far as storage space goes but whatever works really. Possibly just our own file format and call it .bik

We don't have any preferences for languages. It would be nice if the person had directx experience, but if they didn't and were keen to learn, hey! here's a project to learn it on/for

If we had to choose, I'd have to say VC++, VB, C#...

Originally Posted by bugjuice

so will windows crash, or the bike?

We can make up a special one just for you...

Thanks for the feedback folks!

**aff-man** · 18th April 2006, 20:16

so not so sure but your just after an interface??

I was doing this for a project before I canned it due to a shitty supervisor for tech.. was just gonna write a delphi interface cause its free and really easy OOP.

**WildBoarMouse** · 18th April 2006, 20:31

Originally Posted by aff-man

so not so sure but your just after an interface??

I was doing this for a project before I canned it due to a shitty supervisor for tech.. was just gonna write a delphi interface cause its free and really easy OOP.

That's basically the jist of it. I don't know enough about Delphi to be able to make a call on that. I think I'd probably prefer to stick with VC/VB/C# as they're things I either understand, or somewhat understand.

I've been told that it is harder to create "graphical" programs in Delphi...? I need education in that language.

Cheers

**imdying** · 18th April 2006, 21:43

Ok, so if there's no comms, it's an easy project. Graphing, data grids, all those sorts of things are easy peasy in .NET. I'd be keen to see your file format (or just whatever you want to store) and what you want out of the interface. C# is .net, so all native Windows calls, be easy to knock something up.

**aff-man** · 19th April 2006, 00:22

Originally Posted by WildBoarMouse

That's basically the jist of it. I don't know enough about Delphi to be able to make a call on that. I think I'd probably prefer to stick with VC/VB/C# as they're things I either understand, or somewhat understand.

I've been told that it is harder to create "graphical" programs in Delphi...? I need education in that language.

Cheers

Na man delphi is a piece of piss. It's OOP so basically drag.. add a bit of code and your away....

I'll see if I can get a mock up of it for ya ..... I'm not into the higher level programming side of my degree as much (prefer micro programming) but I might have a play around