Nifty free Gun database (in beta)

[MrToad]

On another forum a member pointed me to this site, where a free gun database is in the works (free beta right now). Called Intelligent Firearm Solution database, it runs via Adobe Air on either Windows or Linux. I've been playing around with it and it's pretty cool.

Disclaimer: I do not get any compensation or reward from mentioning this, just thought I'd pass along the info to folks who are interested in maintaining a gun database. Check it out. It has many handy features, plus allows users to encrypt their databases.

[TucsonMTB]

Do you know anything about the folks providing this service? It's hard not to be suspicious of anyone who wants you to effectively register your firearms on the Internet. Yes, I might be paranoid, but with so many scams on the Internet . . .

[MrToad]

The person that referred me to the program is a staff member of wvcdl.org (West Virginia Citizens Defense League), and is a friend of the developer.

My understanding is that this is a downloadable application that runs and stores the database locally (you can specify on your system where you'd like it saved and also where to keep a secondary backup locally). This does not appear to be a cloud application that stores data on some foreign website. The only internet connectivity required is for downloading updates or for searches you specify on gun auction sites. Feel free to contact the developer on his site with questions...he's started a little mini-forum on the site for discussions about the beta testing and the IFS database.

[TucsonMTB]

Cool! The description makes it sound like it might be stored on their site.

Edited to add: My bad, sorry. I need to read more carefully and completely. They are clear about my concern, "MyGunDB is a downloadable program that stores everything encrypted on your system, not online."

Still, if you care about these folks you might suggest that they add some identification. I would never have guessed it were supported by West Virginia Citizens Defense League from their domain registration informaiton:

Secret Registration
c/o myifsgundb.com
816 Elm Street
Box 606
Manchester, NH 03101
US

Domain name: MYIFSGUNDB.COM

Like I said, I might be paranoid . . . but, as many people as I know personally who have suffered badly because they or a family member was too trusting . . . it's hard to be otherwise.

[MrToad]

That's an excellent suggestion. I've contacted him to suggest he offer some identification on his page so people know who he is. The developer's name is Alan Ellis (there is a facebook link on his site as well), FYI.

[MrToad]

Wow, I just got an email back from him minutes after sending him a message on his site:

I'll add an About Me section on there. Thanks for the suggestions

As a heads up, the app is signed with a code signing cert which is pretty much tied to my drivers license, home phone (they had to contact me on it for verification), etc so they can be sure I am who I say I am, and if anything malicious was done with my code, the cert provider would revoke it -- Just one of the ways I am trying to reassure users.

I added a mention about the code signing cert with a link that helps explain what it is. Hope that'll help. I really do understand the requirement for security and privacy and I'm doing everything I can to demonstrate it.

But hey, thanks for trying out the app! Let me know if you have any other suggestions! I love hearing feedback from users.

[mr surveyor]

I ain't even typing in my library card number on the internet. Oh, I forgot, I don't have a liberry card. Ain't no such thing as a "secure site"!


surv

[TucsonMTB]

Wow, I just got an email back from him minutes after sending him a message on his site: . . .

Very cool! That's better than relying on a FaceBook link that many people will avoid because of the bad press surrounding Zuckerberg's handling of other people's data.

I presume you are aware that every time you use such a link it adds more information to the FaceBook databases allowing them to further zero in on who you are and what you do? Oh, and then FB sells the aggregate data to advertisers and retailers. Ever wonder how so many websites seem to know what you are looking for as soon as you arrive? On first glance, it might seem like a convenience, but FaceBook is worth a lot of money because it can sell everything about you to anyone who is willing to pay.

[TucsonMTB]

I ain't even typing in my library card number on the internet. Oh, I forgot, I don't have a liberry card. Ain't no such thing as a "secure site"!


surv

A healthy paranoia, in my opinion!

Hey Surv! We just had our third day in excess of 100 degrees. How is Texas treating you?

[Wolfrage]

Still, if you care about these folks you might suggest that they add some identification. I would never have guessed it were supported by West Virginia Citizens Defense League from their domain registration informaiton:

Secret Registration
c/o myifsgundb.com
816 Elm Street
Box 606
Manchester, NH 03101
US

Domain name: MYIFSGUNDB.COM

Like I said, I might be paranoid . . . but, as many people as I know personally who have suffered badly because they or a family member was too trusting . . . it's hard to be otherwise.

Sorry to jump in, I'm actually the developer. Couple things: 1) the WVCDL isn't partnered with me -- I'm friends with a member who was letting people know about the app since he liked it. Just wanted to make it clear

2) The secret registration is setup because of 2 reasons. The first is that since this is developed on a personal level and not a business, I don't want to have phone calls in the middle of the night The second is that the domain is registered with the company I actually work at and I want to keep the two separate to avoid confusion about it.

I understand your concerns, and that's why I have encrypted databases for users, signed the app with a verified Code Signing cert which verifies my identity, etc.

My father was an FFL and I'm a C&R, and this app is being made to replace a hardcopy bound book for us. Your bound book is safer encrypted than being hardcopy -- anyone can read a hardcopy book, but not an encrypted database.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know!

[TucsonMTB]

Welcome to the forum, Mr. Wolfrage!

With any luck, you will find many people here who appreciate the value of your application. There are several active members who are or were part of the firearms industry.

Please don't let the old curmudgeons like me discourage you.

Oh, and just so it is not lost in the babble, here is the Link to My IFS Gun Database.

[Wolfrage]

Ha thanks, looking forward to meeting everyone. And hell, people like you help keep everyone else honest! But hey, even if you don't want to use mgdb for "real", you could always play with it and see if you can break it, or have a better idea on how to do something. While I generally don't have to worry about running out of people online willing to tell me what I'm doing wrong, I could always use another pov heh

[MrToad]

Welcome to the forum, Wolfrage! Once I get Ubuntu working to my liking I'll try the app in Linux. I'll probably switch to Linux Mint at some point though...

[Wolfrage]

Someone else mentioned Mint too, need to check it out. I'm an Ubuntu guy for my linux box. But I use Windows and OSX as well, which just means I get to confuse keyboard shortcuts more often than normal

And thanks for the welcome, I'm already enjoying the general chat this morning!

[MrToad]

I'm not sure what I think about the new Unity interface. I didn't mind a similar layout for the Netbook version in the past year or two, but for the stock desktop I'm not sure what I think yet. I'm not so keen on abrupt GUI paradigm shifts.