Hobby Intel is now My Hobby Info

[Iron Mike]

While visiting the AMPS International show in Atlanta, I met Bill Plunk, CEO of Hobby Intel Services, LLC, who showed me a way to build a better stash (like I needed help with that! :laugh: )

Bill has developed a program to keep track of the kits in your current stash, make a wish list and to find pricing of military kits. The software seems pretty easy to use and one can customize stash lists. Bill provided a login and password to the demo software if you'd like to try it.

Log in at www.hobbyintel.com and use [email protected] as the login and AMPSdemo as the password. If you like what you see, sign up, it's completely free. :drinks

 

[moon puppy]

Hobby Intel

Bill was super nice and knew what he was talking about, we got our IT geek on for a bit so it's obvious that he walks the walk as well as talk the talk.

I think he's got a great idea working here, it could be expanded in multiple directions. I wish him luck with getting the vendors on board with competitive pricing. I could see this move into an online trading post amongst modelers as well. Neat thing about it, Bill could take it any direction he would like.

One thing I would like to see, like the old Greatmodel website use to have products cross referenced to aftermarket items and vise versa. I miss that, don't think Spruebros is keeping that up to date. I'd love to click on the kit I'm thinking about and see what aftermarket is out there and who has it.

Well it's a really neat idea and I think the more folks take advantage of it the better chance Bill will have pulling this off. I'll join up

 

[AndyFettes]

Hobby Intel

what a great idea

 

[wbill76]

Hobby Intel

Enjoyed meeting both Mike and Bob at the show as well as a couple other members! The idea of having a cross-index to aftermarket is something that could be considered for the future but is a massive undertaking. The world of aftermarket stuff is exponentially larger than it is for kits simply because of the sheer number of items offered out there by various makers for different brands and kits.

I too miss the old GM method...GM only created a cross-index within their own product lines and offerings though in terms of what they offered. Squadron kind of does that and Sprue Bros doesn't do it at all unfortunately.

 

[Iron Mike]

Hobby Intel

Welcome aboard, Bill! It was really nice to meet you and I appreciate your taking time to go through the program with us!

 

[moon puppy]

Hobby Intel

Howdy Bill, welcome aboard.

The idea of having a cross-index to aftermarket is something that could be considered for the future but is a massive undertaking. The world of aftermarket stuff is exponentially larger than it is for kits simply because of the sheer number of items offered out there by various makers for different brands and kits.

I too miss the old GM method...GM only created a cross-index within their own product lines and offerings though in terms of what they offered. Squadron kind of does that and Sprue Bros doesn't do it at all unfortunately.

Ha, I didn't say it would be easy...

Could have it user driven. Say Mike and I have our kits loaded up on the system. We associate an aftermarket product with that specific kit, that information could be related to another table that others could look up. Think that would take some work load off you. Could probably do the same with prices.

Just thinking out-loud.

 

[wbill76]

Hobby Intel

That would likely be the only way to do it. A 'crowd sourcing' approach if you will that would be built up over time. Currently the focus is on getting the kit side of things nailed down first with Ships being the next military genre to tackle fully as currently they are only partially represented in the system.

Associating prices is a little harder, that requires unique items in the database to relate the retailer products to for the search engines to function properly and is a chicken-and-egg situation. The AM item catalog database/tables have to exist first before you can relate prices back to them in any meaningful way.

System is an evolving and dynamic effort and will continue to expand/grow in the coming weeks and months. For those who are on Facebook, you can follow updates/announcements there as well: https://www.facebook.com/hobbyintel

 

[jknaus]

Hobby Intel

Looks very interesting. Is it all online based, or will a persons stash and wish list be on their desktop only? What I mean is will other people be able to see it?
JAmes

 

[moon puppy]

Hobby Intel

'crowd sourcing'

That's it, I try to keep up with IT stuff, everything but the ever evolving terms and TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms).

I'd get you'd have to have a master list of the kits, something locked down that some malicious user could not alter. But could you not have the users list the price they see from Vendor X and have that info shared out some how? Maybe have another verify that price before it update the master list?

 

[wbill76]

Hobby Intel

Looks very interesting. Is it all online based, or will a persons stash and wish list be on their desktop only? What I mean is will other people be able to see it?
JAmes

All online, no software to download or install. User accounts are segregated and secure, no one else can see/view your information. You can export your information to Excel however as a means of manipulating it offline, to print, email, etc.
HTH!

 

[wbill76]

Hobby Intel

'crowd sourcing'

That's it, I try to keep up with IT stuff, everything but the ever evolving terms and TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms).

I'd get you'd have to have a master list of the kits, something locked down that some malicious user could not alter. But could you not have the users list the price they see from Vendor X and have that info shared out some how? Maybe have another verify that price before it update the master list?

Have to walk before we run Bob. Having a QC approach to price or added information is similar to what's in place now with the
Suggest Kit feature for example. Anything user submitted would have to undergo a review before being accepted to ensure no
duplicates and system integrity remains intact. It's something that is doable but not high on the priority list for now.

 

[phantom II]

Hobby Intel

Hey Bill, nice to hear from you so soon but after all you are the computer guy

Thanks for taking the time for the nice demo.

Still believe it has a lot of potential .

Cheers, Christian B)

 

[dukwhunter]

Hobby Intel

Hi Bill ,


Welcome to MA ! Wish i could have made the show , but had a prior commitment !

Have looked at the Hobby Intel Program looks very promising , may have to sign up for this soon .



best regards
Joey aka Dukwhunter

 

[nerdling]

Hobby Intel

I just signed up for my account. Will be nice to finally have a way to keep track of the stash of doom.

 

[Iron Mike]

Hobby Intel

The trick is not letting the wife see the $$ value of the stash! :laugh:

 

[nerdling]

Hobby Intel

The trick is not letting the wife see the $$ value of the stash! :laugh:

Yep. If I ever just vanish one day, you will know Sarah saw the total price :smack

 

[wbill76]

Hobby Intel

Christian,

Enjoyed meeting you and getting the chance to show you what the system can do. The time at the show flew by but was fun!

Joey, sorry you couldn't be there, lots of great stuff on display and I heard the seminars were top notch as well. Look forward to seeing you sign up.

Mike and Nerdling, can't be held responsible for any spouse-related difficulties that arise. Choose your passwords and access wisely!

 

[phantom II]

Hobby Intel

Joey, sorry you couldn't be there, lots of great stuff on display and I heard the seminars were top notch as well. Look forward to seeing you sign up.

Hey Joey, time flew by but so did the money .

Not sure why you need this, I always though you were the original repository for this info

Bill, I knew I should have just kept on walking when I first noticed you . See what you started ?

Actually, this info would be most practical to me when I'm out and about like at a show, so I would probably need a tablet or be able to download to a memory stick.

The price should require a special password to protect the innocent.


Cheers, Christian B)

 

[wbill76]

Hobby Intel

Bill, I knew I should have just kept on walking when I first noticed you . See what you started ?

Actually, this info would be most practical to me when I'm out and about like at a show, so I would probably need a tablet or be able to download to a memory stick.

The price should require a special password to protect the innocent.

I think you've hit on a great business idea, spouse protection insurance! B) The system works on any web-enabled device
so a smart phone or tablet would make it easily accessible for shows and the like.

 

[moon puppy]

Hobby Intel

I think you've hit on a great business idea, spouse protection insurance!

Or Blackmail... :coolio