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Question

Is it possible to develop this type of app?

Nov 4, 2014 7:00PM PST

Hi everyone!
I want to start a fundraiser for water.org that provides clean water to people in need. I know this sounds like it doesn't have to do with programming, but stick with me please. The average shower takes approximately 8 minutes, and with a standard water head, uses about 75 liters of water. The idea is to develop an app that calculates how much water is saved by your shower (comparing to the average shower time and water usage). What I want to do is get sponsors to donate the equivalent amount of water that you save to water.org, so that technically, by cutting down your shower by a minute or two, you are donating the water that you save to people that need it. I was wondering how the app could be developed, and whether it is possible at all. Thank you very much!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: app
Nov 4, 2014 7:11PM PST

Writing an app for this for iOS, Android and Windows is easy enough (although I wouldn't call it a DIY job if you have no experience in programming for that platform or using a platform-independent development tool). A website to use in a browser is about just as easy for anybody with the right experience in making interactive websites.
You could even decide to make it a facebook app.

But don't forget the backoffice: the exchange of information from your database with the sponsors (and possibly back to the app as feedback).

Kees

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Answer
So you're going after the smallest of uses?
Nov 4, 2014 11:24PM PST
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Like Bob said
Nov 7, 2014 4:35AM PST

A major cause of water waste is having a garden hose without a nozzel.

If you greenlight the app it should also measure water conserved in car washes and other outdoor water usage.

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Answer
First of all there are 2 types of apps you could create.
Dec 2, 2014 9:58PM PST

The first based on the the numbers you stated only. Example: First calculate the amount of water used in a specific time frame based on the averages say the person takes a 4 minute shower they would use 37.5 liters of water. But all this is based on the original average you stated.

The second way is more accurate if you could interface with a water company device that measures the true water usage then you could get a real amount. of usage for that shower. The first way is really an estimate because it's calculation uses an average. The second way uses the exact amount of water used. You could actaully use the second method to verify that the average used in the first way is accurate.

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In other words
Dec 2, 2014 10:04PM PST

it's an easy algorithm. Average water used 75 liters x 4/8 which equals 1/2 = N. 75 - N = X (the answer)
the second method uses the actual liters used and replaces the 75 in the same algorithm.