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View Full Version : Weight Watchers Points Calculator


Jason Dunn
07-22-2003, 02:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=81425' target='_blank'>http://www.handango.com/brainstore/...productId=81425</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.handango.com/pictures/384761/wwss.gif" /><br /><br />"This easy to use program will take the calories, fat grams, and dietary fiber grams on a per serving basis and provide you with the equivalent Weight Watchers points. This program is very useful when grocery shopping."<br /><br />I know someone on Weight Watchers (no, it's not me, although I could stand to lose a few pounds, that's for sure... :rawr:), and this might be useful to them. Even more useful though would be the Weight Watchers database of foods and points. [Affiliate]

Brian J. Burke
07-22-2003, 02:12 AM
Is this an officially sanctioned WW point calculator? They're pretty, ahem, dilligent about enforcing their IP when it comes to that system. Point calculators, even free ones, disappear pretty quick unfortunately.

Jeff Rutledge
07-22-2003, 02:15 AM
I'd say grab this while you can.

I remember about a year-and-a-half-or-so ago when my wife had us trying WW. A bunch of programs for the Palm (and I think one or two for the PPC) cropped up and were quickly removed. Apparently Weight Watchers was threatening legal action against these.

It's too bad, whatever helps I think.

On the other hand, maybe they've lightened up a little or maybe the developer got permission.

Also, to your question about a database of foods and points, there are one or two lists available for ListPro on the Ilium site.

Doug Raeburn
07-22-2003, 02:29 AM
About a year ago or so, Tiny Tech Software introduced a product called Pocket Points Tracker, which used the WW point system. After Weight Watchers threatened them with legal action, they revised the product and changed it to Pocket Diet Tracker. The new product doesn't reference the Points system at all.

Sven Johannsen
07-22-2003, 03:14 AM
I recall a good number of programs and sites that have incurred the attention of WW lawyers. If these guys haven't gotten permission (which I doubt they did) they have some garbonzos using the logo.

Jason Dunn
07-22-2003, 03:34 AM
I doubt the developer got permission to use the logo, but it begs the question, why doesn't WW come out with their OWN version? The could have hired an outside company to develop the application for the amount of money they spend on lawyers chasing down the "illegal" applications.

Kati Compton
07-22-2003, 03:43 AM
I think they get more money out of you by keeping you in the system than by releasing a program so you can go it on your own...

Jason Dunn
07-22-2003, 04:04 AM
I think they get more money out of you by keeping you in the system than by releasing a program so you can go it on your own...

Ah, good point! :|

Techtoys
07-22-2003, 08:31 AM
Actually, there web applications let you go it alone, and they sell a calculator / points tracker that has a database in it - you just have to put up with the hassle of carrying another device.

Ratel10mm
07-22-2003, 09:11 AM
I'm currently doing WW (Yes, it does work - for me anyway).
I brought up exactly this point - I do not want to have to carry several different gadgets all the time. That's one of the things I love about PDA's.
Frustratingly, when I e-mailed WW and asked if they would release a PDA version of the points database, they simply said 'We have no plans to do this'
The U.K. system does not take the fibre content into account, and annoyingly, if you transpose the equation to find the amount of fibre, using the points calculator (slide rule type thing) WW issue to give you the neccesary values, you find that the answer is inconsistent.
If anyone cleverer than me can come up with an answer, then I suspect that all UK users of this calculator would be eternally grateful.
By the way, I have used the Palm version of this calculator, and entered the fibre from the info on the packet, but it often doesn't really match up with the UK slider thingy.

Duncan
07-22-2003, 09:29 AM
It is worth pointing out that this program will not be useful for people following WW in the UK (don't know about other countries) as the way UK points are worked out is different.

JackTheTripper
07-22-2003, 05:20 PM
I was just talking with coworkers about this last week and now one of them wants to buy it. But when I try to "check out" to buy it I get an error. Anybody else getting this? I can't even get to the page where it requests my info and Credit card number. Can somebody try and see if it's just me?

Thanks.

Dizzy Devil
07-22-2003, 05:51 PM
It must have been pulled or something. I'm getting the same error. This usually happens when WW finds out and sends in the Legal Dept.


Diz

JackTheTripper
07-22-2003, 07:20 PM
Ah! Got it to work. Must have just been a glitch. Thanks though.

Sven Johannsen
07-22-2003, 09:44 PM
For those that might be interested in a more complete solution, there is a program called PLOG (http://www.graphxsoftware.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=3) that is configurable to various diet programs. It may even be useful to the UK crowd.

Incidentally, I think one of the reasons WW may not be interested in the PDA market is that they do support an online tracking system. They charge for that too BTW, but it does work. I haven't tried it from a PPC (or any PDA) though.

Jason Dunn
07-23-2003, 12:03 AM
It is worth pointing out that this program will not be useful for people following WW in the UK (don't know about other countries) as the way UK points are worked out is different.

You Brits digest food differently then? Hmm... :wink:

Jason Dunn
07-23-2003, 12:05 AM
Incidentally, I think one of the reasons WW may not be interested in the PDA market is that they do support an online tracking system. They charge for that too BTW, but it does work. I haven't tried it from a PPC (or any PDA) though.

They don't have a mobile site :cry: but they're apparently working on one.

What about a subscription-based application where you pay for monthly updates, or it shuts off if you don't pay every month? That would work out well.

Kati Compton
07-23-2003, 12:34 AM
What about a subscription-based application where you pay for monthly updates, or it shuts off if you don't pay every month? That would work out well.
I don't think that type of application would discourage others for writing this type of software. There really is demand for one-time-only purchase, rather than the "rental" or "license" that you're talking about. We've had this discussion before, just with regards to music instead...

Jason Dunn
07-23-2003, 01:01 AM
I don't think that type of application would discourage others for writing this type of software. There really is demand for one-time-only purchase, rather than the "rental" or "license" that you're talking about. We've had this discussion before, just with regards to music instead...

Yeah, but Weight Watchers makes their money from getting people in their program and keeping them there - I don't see how they could release one-time payment software, offer free updates, and still be profitable...

Duncan
07-23-2003, 01:01 AM
It is worth pointing out that this program will not be useful for people following WW in the UK (don't know about other countries) as the way UK points are worked out is different.

You Brits digest food differently then? Hmm... :wink:

Clearly! The British WW system uses sat. fats and calories only to work outpoints - the US system uses fibre (sorry - 'fiber'!) as well. So I guess American must have a real need for more fibre in their diet...! :wink:

WhyldMan
03-14-2005, 09:16 AM
Anyone liking the eMbedded vb Code for something that I wrote give me a buzz...