Been thinking about a way to get the fastest response for building with BT. Plus with travel, uncertain internet, it is tricky at times... but if i had it running on my laptop, I could use it anywhere. and when It's publish time, I'd just set the Data URL on a online webhost somewhere. ...would that work?

I genuinely don't know. The part you'll want to ensure is that the API key can be validated; remember, your app isn't 'really' coming from your BT control panel; it's coming from BT, with API authentication from your control panel. So although your configurations, plugins, all that happy stuff is *in* your self-hosted server, all the code you download is not. So, what happens is you 'request a package' for download. That's when the API Magic happens, and you'll need to be sure that your API setup is good. Your control panel (regardless of location) will 'talk' to the BT servers, and once everyone is happy, your configuration gets packaged up *at BT* and returned to your server for download. So, it 'could' work, but I'm not sure if you're going to get the advantages you think you will. It's not like you can be offline in Antarctica and get a code download... Hope this helps! Cheers! -- Smug Edit: All the stuff about having a config.txt file online somewhere 'can' be done. It's the code download part that will be the issue. It might help to read GoNorthWest's notes on Online/Offline apps. that will help some parts of your challenge... https://www.buzztouch.com/files/howtos/Understanding_App_Refresh_and_Offline_Apps_v1.0.pdf

I think it would work. As long as you're online when it comes time to download the code, that's really all you need. And like you said, you can configure the app to point to a configuration file anywhere, so, yep, I think you could do what you're looking to do! Easiest way to find out is to try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Mark

Fair enough. Yes I can be online for the source download. I think just the managing of customizing screens and dealing with images and stuff would be easier if it was all local. Easier = faster. So that once the code is done, and dropped into Xcode and on the device... I can then go offline if I wanted, and still make my changes....as long as the device and server are on the same local network. I hate having to wait on the browser because of a weak connection. Ok...will give it a try and see what happens. I've reviewed the self hosting docs...so hopefully it isn't too much of an ordeal. Here's another question. Is there a way to manually add a plugin to the Xcode project, without having it in the sever? I know I'll have to manage the settings in the json manually, but could that technically work. I know, I know... I tend to make things wayyyy more complicated than they need be. Thanks again . €

Yep; you can add a plugin 'outside' of BT. Just keep in mind if the control panel doesn't know it's there, it won't be included in the BT_Config.txt file; you'll have to add that manually. I wouldn't call it 'more complicated than it needs to be'. Everyone has different requirements. Just a little more attention to detail, that's all. Good luck, and let us know how things go for you. I'm curious about your LAMP/MAMP self hosting situation... Do you plan on using DynDNS or something like that? You ought to take notes while you're doing this... I don't think it's been done, and I'm sure more than a few people would be really interested in the outcome. Cheers! -- Smug

You can simply edit the hosts file within the /etc folder on your Mac. Use the existing entries as a template for the syntax. For example, I use NirajRocks.com as my fake entry into the hosts file because I know I will not be visiting that actual web site. And it is a unique phrase for doing global substitute when moving from the MacBook to a Production server. Alternatively, you can use the Production domain name in the Hosts file if you won't be accessing the real web server. -- Niraj

Did you manage to get this working? Im struggling, what is the application physical path and the root URL? Cheers Jeremy

No havent had a chance to try it yet.

damn. Im rather stuck. I have all the files in the right folder that MAMP recognises, however im not too sure what to put into the physical address and root address. any ideas?

* To access the site i go to " localhost:8888 " in my browser

does the site come up with that in the browser?

yes the login screen.

oh. then it sounds like you have it working? nicely done.

No, i haven't been able to set up the database. Application PHYSICAL PATH (like /var/vhosts/domain/httpdocs/BT-server (not a URL)) What goes here? Application ROOT URL like (http://www.domain.com/BT-server (not /install)) So would this just be " localhost/Users/Jeremy/Sites/BuzzTouch " ? Database Server like "localhost" localhost:8888 Database Name: (We have no idea...) BT Database User Name: (and won't try to guess...) Jlentriken Database Password: (so you'll have to know it.) ************ Database Table Prefix: This may not matter to you

ok... hmm seems you need the help of one of the pros for that.

ah i thought so. thanks. ill post up my success when it happens

Ok maybe you can help me, I got the database setup and working but i need to give it the root URL, and i am giving it a link to the file on my HDD but it doesnt work. any ideas?

Ok maybe you can help me, I got the database setup and working but i need to give it the root URL, and i am giving it a link to the file on my HDD but it doesnt work. any ideas?

I have done it! I made it work. Id like to help anyone else out, i will make a tutorial, is there a place that i can get it posted up?

@Jlentriken - A great tutorial to make would be to post a video of you doing it, and post it onto YouTube. Definitely I'll make use of it!

No worries, I decided to write up how i did it, (since the difficulty p***** me off so much!! lol), and i do things like that with a fair amount of detail. Ill make it available, and if still needed il do a video Jeremy

Hello Jeremy, Were you successful? I am considering running BT from my mac and require near brain dead instructions. Mike

Hi mike, I was able to get in set up and running, however I couldn't get it to download the projects. But I used mamp. If you think you can figure out how to make it download, I'd be happy to tell you how to do it. But no one was able to he me so I gave up.

Bummer. My skill set is limited. Years ago I built a WP site on my laptop and then uploaded it to my host. I would love to do that with BT. Let me know when you revisit. Mike

If your end result is to do it on a website with online hosting I'm sure that would work easily. Will let you know when I try it again.

Yes my end result is to run on a shared server. BlueHost is where my self hosted BT-Server is now. I set it up last year but only used it for testing and a couple of in house apps. I have started traveling and many campgrounds have horrible internet. Burning data through my mifi card can get expensive and quality of connection varies wildly. If I can run the BT-Server on my MBP, maybe work for a week at a time and then ftp the package when it is convenient, I would be a happy camper. Mike

Yes I can understand that! That was my main reason for trying. I've had an idea, don't know if you have heard Ora little device called a 'Raspberry pi' before, nut I am going to try and use that as a mini server. Will see how it goes.