Whatbird.com

I have had iBird Pro for several months now, and have made some comments on errors in the software and things that needed to be improved. Every time I use it I find more, usually associated with the search databases and associations between birds (the custom search lists are a great idea but in places very problematic). You REALLY need to tighten this stuff up. For example, I was just in WA and saw a Sooty or Dusky Grouse (they were female, couldn't discern which). I looked them up in iBird and figured, seeing they were both just split from Blue Grouse, they'd be under each others "Similar" birds and I could flip back and forth and compare. They're not. Now the Kalij Pheasant, an Asian exotic introduced onto the big island of Hawaii, is included as a "similar" (I have no clue why), but the Sooty-Dusky connection is not there. This is the sort of thing that drives me nuts, maybe I am a little AR, but to me it seems a little careful QA would fix a whole lot.

 I was hoping that a new version is out and available (I am at 1.6.1). I see that version 1.7.0 is out, how does one go about getting it. I am really hopeful that at least some of these types of problems have been taken care of, but the first thing I have to figure out is how to get the new version (which I presume is available to previous purchasers). Can't see anything in iTunes app store.

 andyd

I upgraded this morning!

Before you sync your iPhone/iPod, click on the word "applications" in the iTunes window (down the left side of the screen, near the top). Then it will show all your applications. There is a place to click to check for upgrades in the bottom right corner of the screen. Click on that, and it will display all apps that currently have available upgrades. iBird Pro should be displayed.  Click on it where it indicates to download it to iTunes.

Then, sync your iPhone/iPod as normal and it should download and install the app.
It is a very large app, so it takes a while to load and process. At several points it looks like it is stalled, but be patient, that is what it is supposed to be doing.

My first impressions are -- GREAT!

Going to wait a few days to check out all the features then write another review, this time for the current version. Want to wait so I can be very specific as to the features I am referring to.

Doug

We spend a huge amount of time on Q&A and its never done. From what we hear from customers (and we get dozens of emails every day) they love the quality. Its not perfect by any means but neither are any books. And if you get really AR about it you could spend your life making lists of things to improve. I suggest its better to appreciate the good and report the errors without causing you angst. BTW the Sooty and Dusky Grouse should be on both lists and we will fix that.

In the future I suggest you send your corrections to us directly ( ibird at whatbird dot com).

Thanks

 

 

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iBird Explorer: Finally a field guide as light as a feather. See it at http://www.ibird.com

Doug in Escondido:

I upgraded this morning!

Before you sync your iPhone/iPod, click on the word "applications" in the iTunes window (down the left side of the screen, near the top). Then it will show all your applications. There is a place to click to check for upgrades in the bottom right corner of the screen. Click on that, and it will display all apps that currently have available upgrades. iBird Pro should be displayed.  Click on it where it indicates to download it to iTunes.

Then, sync your iPhone/iPod as normal and it should download and install the app.
It is a very large app, so it takes a while to load and process. At several points it looks like it is stalled, but be patient, that is what it is supposed to be doing.

My first impressions are -- GREAT!

Going to wait a few days to check out all the features then write another review, this time for the current version. Want to wait so I can be very specific as to the features I am referring to.

Doug

 

Thank you Doug for coming to the rescue, I know that upgrading can be baffling at times. I'm looking forward to your review as its always insightful and constructive.

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iBird Explorer: Finally a field guide as light as a feather. See it at http://www.ibird.com

Hi Doug in Escondido

 I'm about ready to jump in my car and drive down to Escondido to get your help on updating my iBird Pro.  ((just kidding))  I wish those directions that were posted would work for me!  I've tried them a half dozen times and my update notice on the iphone keeps showing that there's an update ready for iBird.  I've tried directly emailing for help but it keep getting stuck in FAQ pages and all kinds of red-letter notices of things I need to have before emailing (which I have but aren't recognized).  Joining and posting on this blog is my last chance (unless I can find a phone # for the software).  I can't spend any more time on this.    So... enough letting off steam.  I hope someone here can help when the above directions won't work!

Thanks,

Jeralee 

 

Hi Jeralee --

Sorry my suggestions didn't work.
I am "just" a (very, very happy satisfied) user -- I have no connection to Mitch Waite or any of the programmers and I am most certainly not a guru or expert or anything like that.

All I can say is that it worked for me, have gone thru a number of upgrades on both iBird PRO and iBird Plus and have never had a problem, and the app works GREAT for me.

Sorry, I couldn't be more help!

Best,
Doug