[Ingraye]

Hi,

A little background I guess to start off. I don't have diabetes but I recently been involved with a diabetes website and have learned a great deal concerning it. One of the things that came up fairly often was people tracking their stats like blood sugar level, carbohydrate intake, etc.

Now, as it happened, a discussion arose of creating an online database that people can enter in their information. Generally, it will simply be an online log that can be used to track all pertinent information and "compare" it to others (if they want).

Unfortunately, the company that I'm working with has demographics that are in the mid-40s and older range which means that they are not as tech savvy and will probably not be interested (as much) in using such online tools (when pen and paper can do just fine) so this never really got anywhere.

I'm still interested in developing this but I'm curious if people will be interested in using it. In truth, even if a few people found it useful, I'd still be willing to spend some time working on it although I will probably need help in getting all the fine points settled.

[Jan B]

I'm almost 47 and would definitely use it if I wasn't capable of using Excel, or downloading my meter and pump info to Medtronic Carelink!

I feel guilty being a smart alec, but it's funny! I've worked with plenty of young know it alls, and just had to "bite" when you talk about those in their 40s and up only wanting to use a pen or pencil and paper!!!

[Jan B]

I don't doubt you are a nice person. Just wanted to let you know I remember well the days when I thought over 40 was ancient! I also don't think you intended any harm. Peace!

[Ingraye]

No offense taken. I just quoted information from the data we received from visitors to our site and it's not an indication of the overall demographics. They told us they prefer pen and paper over other things simply because it's "always" available. No need to turn on computer and wait for it to load, no need to log in to some online application, etc. Whether they transcribe that data later into Excel or some other application wasn't our noted.

Also since you're on this forum, we can pretty much already infer that you're more tech savvy =) than some people out there who simply read articles and such. It's one thing to go online and read, it's altogether something else to use, collaborate or talk.

[Moreno]

Something that would please me. Something to maybe add on to your ideal. Create a website, people with diabetes have to register and create an account. That way individuals can have spread sheets on their account. Have the spread sheet, automatic convert it into the a1c. Also, maybe some of this sort as well, it might cost money. but have accounts available to have like a mailing thing. Where the managers of site, print the spread sheets. Like print a data sheet, which tells what their blood sugars have been. And maybe 1 a month, have it show their estimated a1c is and have the option of mailing it to their homes.

[BriOnH]

You want to develop a site like i have? Diabuddies - For Diabetics, From Diabetics Takes a a lot of time and a lot of money.

[eric_s]

There are at least a few sites out there if that is what you are looking for.

Each has their own beat and ups and downs.

I don't know about Diabuddies mentioned in this thread.

Both of these let you sign up for an account and follow your numbers.
-------- (full disclosure - I work on this one)

---------- is widely used.

Good luck with whatever you choose, and good luck setting one up. If you are going to do it, I would see what is working with what is already out there, and what is missing that people want.

[Stuboy]

it's a nice thought... but there are already so many tracking sites/software out there... i think unless it was something really special it would just be "another" tracking site. No offense of course!

Personally i currently prefer "pen and paper" method of logged to be honest! I can take it everwhere i go... and log things straight away like the carbs i eat and the insulin i take, which saves having to remember for when im at my computer next... which is difficult for me as my memory is... ummm... what the word.... oh yeh... rubbish

If you were to develop a site for tracking, havig said that It's nice to be able to do it whereever you are instead of having ot remember until your at a computer... is a WAP tracking site... so you can enter info via your mobile phone. That could possibly be more of a niché area for diabetes tracking sites.

[Gerald]

As others have mentioned there are a few sites out there already. SugarStats.com looks like a nice one.

Anyways, as a software developer I looked at this myself as well but I see the website as a means to view and analyze your stats rather then as a means for people to enter stats. I prefer using something I have with me all the time and I could not be bothered to re-enter them into a website.

I think SugarStats does a decent job of this in terms of accepting stats through e-mail and twitter but I still prefer a more at-hand tool. At the moment I use Diabetes Pilot for Windows Mobile which keeps track of my stats and gives me a few simple reports on my phone. Since I always have my phone with it has generally worked well though there are things I wish it did better.

I'm looking at building something on the Google Android platform but have not had time to do anything serious yet on that front.

[Ingraye]

That's a lot of sites out there and I thank everyone for bringing them to my attention. I'll be sure to pass them on to people who visit my company for more "tech" solutions.

But the argument that there is too much competition isn't an argument. Competition is healthy and yes, while there is a lot out there, that doesn't mean it's all useful or good. People use what's comfortable and, for lack of better word, good. Feedburner vs Google Reader, Gmail vs Hotmail vs Yahoo, Thunderbird vs Outlook vs Apple Mail, etc. Some of them seem very nice and I'm sure they're quite flexible in giving you what you need.

I'll be doing a bit more research over the next few weeks to see building it with all the "availability" options as suggested like txt messaging, cell phone apps, etc is worth the time and money. Or if I can convince my company to do it.

[xMenace]

I'm working on a prototype myself - something I hope to use for my own needs - using the CSLA.net framework. I want to do things like
- identify tests by type
- add functionality for basal testing, I:C testing, food profiling, and insulin profiling.
- produce recommended basal rates and adjustments, bolus rates, correction rates, and identified basal gap dosages/carbs
- incorporate smarts for identifying gaps in basal rates, I:C's, activity, adjustments, etc.

basically make it much much more than six boxes a day with a straight line connecting them and not providing any useful recommendations.

There is one company in Canada producing something already and one announced this week in the UK.