[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] HarryTheSatman:
Some general comments and questions, maybe creating a new app build on BarZilla

Hi all,

Even it looks like this project is not supported anymore, I would like to write a few lines. Maybe some of the forum members can contribute with some wise words ;-)

I came this far, reading every single post, to conclude that, where I had high hopes in the very beginning op this thread, hope was crumbling away the closer I came towards the end of the thread... But as long there is hope, there is life, right?

I was looking for a solution to make a project to improve budget control in the every day life. We all know the drill: living from one pay check to the next... . So I got involved in a local project called "from minus to pluss". Here all focus is on managing your expenses, and improve your spendings to get the most out of your pay check.

One thing I started testing is the use of a finance software, like SPB Finance. But there is more to it then keeping track of your money alone. I started investigating what is available in "Shopping list" software. Again here I found a few good application, but still not quite what I was looking for.

So I gathered that a cool app would be a shopping list that can read info from a database, and compare and suggest a shopping list when buying in store A, and what it would cost if you shop groceries in store B. Almost like Kelkoo.com, but then with focus on groceries. I can tell you that there is a lot of money to save if you plan your every day /weekly shopping.

Hypest, the maker of Barcorama, also posted a few words on this thread (I hope he is still following this thread). He has a second project called "Costpad", which is somehow the same idea as I am describing here. But also the Barcorame development has stalled (as he explains on his thread here : http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=8152572&postcount=606).

As Hypest stated earlier, the problem is to get the database populated with usefull information. One way is to do it your self, based on updating the price list every time you get a receipt when shopping. It will take a few weeks, maybe months before you got a good tool to work with.

Another way to do it is like Hypest did, to make a public database, where everybody can contribute. But again, the value of the information is only as good as the feedback it self.

A third way is to start a dialog with the local stores, and see if there is a way to make an API, and get information from their server. This info would be barcode number, product description, unit, price per unit, price per kg / liter, whatever... . If your local supermarked is interested in keeping up appearances, maybe they are interested in producing an export of there daily or weekly price list.

Combine all of this together, and you get a scanner app, where you can scan the barcode from the can of beans or the cereal box when updating you shopping list. Or by typing the number in, if scanning is not giving good results. The app would get the barcode info from the server (or local database in case of a private project). Or by typing it in by name in case a product has no barcode. Then the app could produce a shopping list, comparing between 2 or 3 shops in your area, and this way you full control over your economy, being pretty sure that you are paying the best price.

Looking forward to your 2 cents ;-)