hi, i am new to buzz touch. I know very basic programming (like vba) and would like to start creating my own apps. I have a few questions that maybe guys been through this can help. sorry some questions may be stupid. -i read that buzztouch is like Wordpress. Is it true that most apps can be built without having to touch the code ? i.e. simply choose your templates and fill out the relevant parameters with the relevant pictures? -What is the best way to approach the learning process? Has someone without much experience previously tried a particular sequence of learning that helped alot? I ask because I simply find too much information here and sometimes don't known what is the best way to approach it. -Self Host Question: I am using buzztouch control panel to build at the moment. seems there are not as many plug-ins as i expected. does switching to self host allow me to use alot more plugins? and if so where I can find them? -Self Host Question: Say I start making simple apps for my clients, how does self hosting actually help? Anyone here who is making apps for clients can share some lights? Would really appreciate if someone can point me to a path you recommend.

Hello @brianhclo, Welcome to buzztouch! Let me see if I can answer your questions: 1. It's true! You never need to look at a line of code if you don't want to...but it's all there if you do. You just piece together the screens you want, add the content for those screens, compile, test, submit, and you're done! And there are tons of tutorials that show you how to do each step. 2. For me, the best way to learn is to dig in and mess around. You can't break anything. There are tons of documents in the How-To section that address a lot of different topics. And here's a document that tells you what you need to get started: https://www.buzztouch.com/files/howtos/Things_You_Need_Before_You_Start_Developing_Apps_v1.1.pdf 3. Self-hosting won't get you anymore plugins than using the buzztouch.com account. What it will get you is your own "buzztouch server" that you are in control of, and that you can grant accounts on. But, you also have to find a place to host it, and then be in charge of administrative responsibilities. This option is mostly for those who want to make some money selling accounts, or providing accounts to customers so they can control their apps. 4. Self-hosting can allow you to provide your clients a login to the server where they can make updates to their own apps. It also means they can break their own apps if they're not careful! Hope this helps a bit! Don't hesitate to post with ANY questions you might have. Looking forward to seeing what apps you come up with! Mark

Hi @brianhclo, All of these questions can be answered in the learning path in your control panel here at buzztouch. You can watch the videos for IPhone and IOS and also in the "how to" section there are some great documents about self-hosted and the advantages. In sum, I would start there as it is the best approach. Hope this helps in some way. LA

Hi and welcome to BT, you'll not be disappointed. Typing this in my iPhone while eating a Starbucks Santa cookie so excuse the crumbs. 1. That is true but BT is so much more. Yes, it is possible to do what you say, you can get your hands as dirty as you like with code or, as you stated, add some parameters to prebuilt screens. 2. Read the forums and the excellent how-to's written by people like @GoNorthWest. Start looking at the BTU lessons, they are a superb and clear way to begin understanding how Apps, BT and Xcode/Eclipse all play together. @Stobe has some great podcast that you should subscribe too, some great lessons and testimonials from novices and experts alike. 3. The plugin market is growing all the time and you can add in many third party SDKs such as Parse (for push notifications) Scringo (for social sharing) and a whole host of others. The only limitation is your imagination, sounds cheesy but it is true. 4. You can setup clients with their own control panel login so they can manage and update their app. You can skin the control panel with your logo and such likes. Having an app online (search the forums for online / offline ) allows updates to many aspects of your app so the client can dynamically add info. For instance, if you had say a sports team app for a local team and they signed a new player and you / they wanted to add him to he app team list they can do so, via the control panel you set them up with without the need to resubmit to Apple. I store player bios on my server so I jut reference the remote file in the control panel and voila! The new signing is there. Hope some of this helps. Read, follow threads and people and don't ever hesitate to ask questions. Once again, welcome to Buzztouch.

Hi brianhclo, all great responses here. May I ask what your app objective is? What you would like to have your app do? The possibilities are endless the way that buzztouch is designed. They give you all the files and code for free so you can use "plugins" or even other awesome things like Scringo (which you'll love). Don't be intimidated. I can't believe how far I've come in a short time. We are all here to help. Ask away:)

thanks for all your answers. Its great to get so much feedback. My objective is to learn slowly. I don't have a programming background but i think if i build step by step then I will be able to make steady progress. I am trying build an app for my wedding to start with. then slowly learn how to implement other features and hoping to write apps for other small businesses. One more question. Given my situation do you think I should go straight to self host, or try to build a few apps and get comfortable first? If I decided to switch to self host is it possible to transfer my existing apps (and plug-ins) to my server? Thanks alot again.

Hi brianhclo, you definitely came to the right place. I was exactly where you are just months ago and now am building apps for actual clients! For real! I am a huge fan of self hosted. It will operate just like the control panel you see here but you will be ready for your future business if you want to give clients full control of their apps. Super easy to install. I could totally help if you need it. Right now there is no way "one button push" to duplicate your app from buzztouch.com to self hosted. Depending on the complexity of your app you could just use the Json Snippet plugin (or similar ideas) to recreate your app on your self hosted version. Plugins will be available on both buzztouch and self hosted. I would jump right in (on buzztouch.com) and get the source code downloaded onto your Simulator (Xcode or Eclipse) and start seeing how cool it is to add screens. This is REAL app development made easy:) Keep us posted! Ian

Unless you want to provide control panel access to clients or something, I'd stick with the buzztouch site. But know there's no way to migrate apps at the moment. If you're taking it slowly..get the free account, build a couple apps, and go from there. Mark

Hi guys another beginner here. One of the my main objectives for tha apps that I need to create is to have video in the actual app, is it true that I need to self host to do that using the AT53 video player. If so can someone guide me a bit with the process of self hosting? thanks a lot!!!

Hi Antonio, Send me an email and I can help you out with the self-hosting stuff. It's actually pretty easy, so long as your service provider supports it. Mark

Cool Mark thx!

Self hosting is awesome but you don't need it to have video in your app. You're in good hands with Mark Cheers! Ian