Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Free Lake Martin App
Date:	4/2/2015 5:16:42 PM

Hey all, I hope y'all don't mind me posting here since it's free, but I have developed an app for Lake Martin. I got some coding help with it but have been working on it for several months. It has a real estate search on it, but also direct links to lake area restaurants (on and off water), shops, events, weather, water level, and other fun things to do (worship, hike, bike, etc). It was born partly out of a desire to have one good spot to tell visitors about so they know what's going on.

Here are the links if you are so inclined: Apple App Store

and also: Google / Android link

for an explanation page on my blog please see: Lake Martin Voice App

I discovered in this process that it's kind of like building a house - if you have the time and money, you can do just about anything. I had a real challenge to balance giving useful information, versus information overload. It won't have everything, but hopefully it has enough to be useful and intuitive.

Example - the weather - I really wanted a localized radar on there. I am a radar guy. But 1.) it's super expensive and 2.) the radar feed that I found that I could get would not be as good radar as on other apps. It would look crappy. Therefore I opted for the basics - overall weather for the week, and what's happening now, plus 3 hours future and 6 hours future. My thoughts were - if I am going on a boat ride, what will it be like in 6 hours?

Anyway, I hope it's helpful to visitors, lake veterans, and local businesses. Any suggestions for improvement please let me know. I am new at this!

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Free Lake Martin App
Date:	4/2/2015 6:02:25 PM

John

That's great. I am always impressed by anyone who takes the time to learn about app development. Your next step will be to do an app for each of the lakes within Lakes Online and then sell to Google for 100 million. Thanks for the app.

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Free Lake Martin App
Date:	4/2/2015 6:18:55 PM

ha ha!! that is a little beyond me. I will stick to Lake Martin. Plus - let me be clear - I did no coding whatsoever. I just worked on curating the content and that was hard enough. It takes a lot of research to figure out which business are open, closed, their hours, and what to include. For example, I like Zaxby's in AC, but I don't think anyone needs my help to find it. I tried to concentrate on local events or businesses or locations that might be hard for visitors to find. It's a work in progress, it won't ever be complete but I will keep at it!  Thanks!

Name:	lakeguy -	Reply
Subject:	Free Lake Martin App
Date:	4/2/2015 7:05:44 PM

Just got it and LOVE it!

Thank you for a much needed access point to all things Lake!

Name:	lakeguy -	Reply
Subject:	Free Lake Martin App
Date:	4/2/2015 7:05:56 PM

Just got it and LOVE it!

Thank you for a much needed access point to all things Lake!

Name:	PineNeedle -	Reply
Subject:	Free Lake Martin App
Date:	4/2/2015 8:50:08 PM

Great app!

Name:	HARRY -	Reply
Subject:	Free Lake Martin App
Date:	4/2/2015 10:00:02 PM

Thanks for the app. This will be very useful.

Name:	JSage -	Reply
Subject:	Free Lake Martin App
Date:	4/3/2015 12:36:45 AM

Very cool.  Taking a look at it right now.  Great work.

Name:	Beekeeper Tony -	Reply
Subject:	Free Lake Martin App
Date:	4/4/2015 9:47:23 PM

John C, you've done a great job with that and let's remind our locals and visitors as well that we now have a Alexander City Chamber App that is free. Good stuff there as well. Please forgive me John but we want everyone to have as much access to information as possible. Of course we all know well that posting a question or this forum will always steer ya in the right direction for services, entertainment etc. I have everyone enjoys the Easter weekend with family and friends. Be safe.

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Free Lake Martin App
Date:	4/6/2015 7:32:57 AM

yes, I agree, I have the chamber's app as well.

Name:	Lakewood -	Reply
Subject:	Free Lake Martin App
Date:	4/6/2015 3:35:51 PM

I couldn't get it to install yesterday, but today it was fine. Nice app!

App Store must have been cantankerous yesterday.