Re: [TheThinkTank] Shop software

4 Jul 2012

      I wonder if there are any pos suites (f/oss would be preferable...) that
are designed to integrate into another system. The hardware interface might
be the hardest part - a frontend that handles everything else should be
fairly simple.
A while back I'd looked into putting together a database to track donated
parts, so that it would be easier to ascertain things like "gosh, we've
ended up with a lot of crank sets but no bottom brackets". Ended up not
worrying about it because some other members felt that such
over-organization might hinder us (also, since we work with kids a lot, we
figured keeping computers around might prove distracting.)
On Jul 4, 2012 3:09 PM, "momoko saunders" analyst@bikefarm.org wrote:
...
I wonder if we can get a spread sheet of the data that Square creates.  It
might be useful to develop an app that takes the data from square, and
transforms it into useful data for bike collectives. I've had a look at
their web page https://squareup.com/register
It's unfortunate that you must have an ipad to use Square as a POS.
The data base appears to collect this info:
date, product, price, payment method, discounts,
i've got a theory that one can use a POS for membership data base, as well
as volunteer data base.  But i'm not sure if Square collects data about the
customer.  That would be necessary.  I like that you can have cash or check
or credit card transactions stored.  I just wish you could also have it on
a desktop.  A lot of our volunteers are against the use of an ipad in the
shop and I understand.  It sends an odd message to the people who come into
the shop for help.  We're already in danger of adding to the gentrification
of our neighborhood, the last thing we need is is fancy chrome apple
products to alienate people even further...
Godwin,
I of course support you in your effort to develop this web based app.
Hopefully you/we can think of a simple solution that is flexible.  I'm
terrible at naming things... So i've got no suggestions there.  But I've
forwarded on your email to my developer friends.  I'm sure we can add some
sections in.  I assume you'll get it up on github?
cool
we'll talk soon
-m
On Tue, Jul 3, 2012 at 12:44 PM, Jonathan Morrison <
jonathan.morrison@gmail.com> wrote:
...
If you haven't checked out Square, you really should.  It is cheap and
simple, and that might be enough for most shops.
https://squareup.com/?gclid=CJfQsMOu_rACFQkZQgodBEtl8A#register
At least it might provide some ideas...
Sincerely,
Jonathan Morrison
c: 801-688-0183
On Mon, Jul 2, 2012 at 4:00 PM, Godwin ! goodgodwin@hotmail.com wrote:
...
I’ve also had reservations about going with a web-based system but in
the end I think it’s the most adaptable solution. I’m not worrying about
hardware integration for now, I’m pretty sure anything is possible but I
think that would be far down the list of requirements for most shops that
need free software.
It will be open source and modular, so there won’t be a single point
person for the entire system, I’ll do my best to set up a good environment
for users to interact with the developers and for developers to provide
documentation. This is a bit of an experiment but I have far more faith in
open and crowd sourcing technologies than I do having a long term
individual or group in charge (including myself).
Thanks!
.g
*From:* Jonathan Morrison
*Sent:* Monday, July 02, 2012 3:49:13 PM
*To:* The Think Tank
*Subject:* Re: [TheThinkTank] Shop software
Godwin,
Will it be able to swipe credit card?  Interface with a cash drawer?  Or
scan a UPC?  My concern with any web-based system is that you don't have
access to the necessary lower level hardware of a useful POS system.
Also, how much will you be charging for tech support, or what level of
on-going support can users expect?  Or will use be at your own risk with no
implied support?
Name Suggestion: PIF - Pedaling/Paying It Forward
Sincerely,
Jonathan Morrison
c: 801-688-0183
On Mon, Jul 2, 2012 at 2:33 PM, Ryan Sharpe sharpe@sacbikekitchen.orgwrote:
...
At the risk of being too family-unfriendly, gratuitously offensive to
Godwin's herculean task, and over-aware of the cobbled-together nature of
some of our various operations, I'd be tickled if it were named "That POS".
--Ryan S.
On Mon, Jul 2, 2012 at 1:13 PM, summitcyclingcenter@yahoo.com <
summitcyclingcenter@yahoo.com> wrote:
...
I Appreciate what you are doing.  Name-I suggest Velocomp POS.
Sent from my HTC EVO Design™ 4G from Boost Mobile
----- Reply message -----
From: "Godwin !" goodgodwin@hotmail.com
To: "The Think Tank" thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
Subject: [TheThinkTank] Shop software
Date: Sun, Jul 1, 2012 6:50 pm
Trying to squeeze in the extra time this week to open up to developers
soon but first:
*Non-technical*

*Nominate a name!*
Right now the code name I'm using is 'Samara' after the fruit

that a maple tree produces but I'd like to hear better ideas if anyone has
them (and maybe get some sort of consensus)
*Will my shop / organization be able to use it?*
Yes. The intention is to make everything completely

customizable so that it can work with the way your organization does,
although I'm not going to promote it over any of the other options
It will be web-based and (if required) compatible with

Wordpress, Joomla, and Drupal and eventually hopefully IPad and Android.
Setting it up to work offline will also be possible.
*What will it do?*
The focus at the beginning is to create a point of sale

system, after that I'd like to implement other features from news feeds to
keep everyone informed to budget planning and audit modules (everything
will be optional)
Whatever else you can dream of and find someone to help build

*Why are you doing this?*
To create a common tool that will work for everyone's needs,

so that we can combine our efforts where we can and diverge when we need to
Because I like software development and especially

interesting projects
Not to overshadow other people's efforts such as *freehub*

*When will it be ready?*

No clue. I've made a number of promises in the past but I
 realized that I really need to stop making them, we all know what
 volunteering is like
Don't wait for it if you need something now, there's lots of

other tools out there and if you eventually want to switch we may be able
 to work together to get that done.
Check out:  http://erply.com/, http://www.merchantos.com/,

and of course  https://github.com/asalant/freehub/wiki/

*How to get involved*

*GIVE IT A NAME!* - It's likely that your shop name will be
more prominent (if this name is even visible at all) but it would be nice
to have something to call it when downloading or when talking amongst
ourselves
*Design a logo* - You might want to wait for the name
Otherwise wait for my next email (but don't hold your breath), I'll be
setting up a development environment so that people can jump on as they
can. We'll be more in need of experienced PHP developers in the beginning
stages to round out the framework, less experienced developers can hop on
in the later stages to build modules and themes.
Feel free to send questions or feedback (critical or otherwise)
directly to me if you'd like,
.godwin

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Shop software

Eric Honour