Simple little exercise, "Pointing Your Online Config File to Dropbox": **** See updated method at: http://www.buzztouch.com/forum/thread.php?tid=8C9947BD787B15FB24CDBF4&command= **** In a previous post I detailed a technique that allows you to take advantage of using Dropbox to host your online Config file. This technique allows you to make modifications in the Control Panel without annoying your app users or breaking the app while you make modifications in the Control Panel. In the most recent Buzzcast poll, the results indicated no one was taking their app offline. The poll didn't indicate if users were using a third party online Config file (Dropbox or your website) or using the control panel online Config file (the default setting).  Either way here's a quick little tutorial on how-to. Step 1.: Post a copy of the BT_config.txt file to Dropbox. (Don't worry about modifying the file yet, you just need the Dropbox link, and post a second copy in a different folder. (Yes, you'll need both copies.) In BTv2.0 (Android) and BTv1.5 (Android) it's located in the Assets folder of the source code. In BTv2.0 (iOS) and BTv1.5 (iOS) it's located in the BT_Config folder. Don't try this with BTv1.4, it won't work. Step 2.: Open up Dropbox in your browser and get a "Public Link" to the file. A "Share Link" won't work. The file doesn't need to be in a "Public Folder". Dropbox is doing away with the "Public Folder" anyway, so new accounts won't even have the option of using a "Public Folder". If you already have a Dropbox account you can use the "Public folder" or not, either way use a "Public Link". Hint when grabbing the "Public Link" use the URL shortner. Step 3.: Open up the BT_Config.txt file you just posted to Dropbox. Step 4.: Look at the file, and find the Configuration Data URL In BTv2.0 and BTv1.5 it's in line #10 It will looked as follows: "dataURL":"http://www.buzztouch.com/appdata/v1.5.php?command=getAppData&appGuid=[buzztouchAppId]&apiKey=[buzztouchAPIKey]", Step 5.: Replace the data URL with the Dropbox URL so it looks like this: "dataURL":"[PLACE YOUR DROPBOX LINK HERE, WITHOUT THE BRACKETS, but with the quotes and the comma]", Step 6.: I know you're tempted to, but leave the "reportToCloudURL" alone. Don't remove it or modify it. Step 7.: Save the file and exit. Step 8.: Make a copy the modified BT_config.txt file from Dropbox to your source code and replace the existing file. (If your source code is in your Dropbox folder as I recommend, you don't have to worry about saving a un-modified copy of the file because Dropbox will automatically keep a copy for you. Besides you can always get a copy from the control panel.) Step 9.: Publish the new binary to the Apple App Store or Google Play as appropriate. Your app now has a Dropbox online Config file. Step 10.: Now replace the modified Config file with the un-modified Config file (Copy #2). Your source code now points to the Buzztouch control panel for the online Config file, and any changes you make in the control panel will be reflected when you run the app either in the Simulator (iOS) or Emulator (Android) when you refresh the apps data. Make all the modifications you wish and they will not be reflected in the "Published" app that users download from the respective app store. You may be thinking, "Since I keep my source code in my Dropbox folder anyway, I'll just use the link to the BT_config.txt file." We'll it won't work, because you'll need this copy to use for development of the app. You can now use the technique I outlined in this post: http://www.buzztouch.com/forum/thread.php?tid=8C9947BD787B15FB24CDBF4 The End. (Not really, there's a second method which I consist a better technique which I'll post tomorrow. It involves having two sets of source code, but it's simpler, therefore better.) Fred

Option #2 (I'll post this later .)

Nice writeup, Fred!

Thanks, but goodnight to one and all, sleep calls me. Fred

Fred, I want to thank you for the time you put in to do these exercises, writings and all the other "learning" stuff you post. Kudos to you!

Nice writeup Fred. But the results of the Buzzcast Poll you mentioned actually stated that everyone was using a config file either pointed to Buzztouch's server OR their own (website or dropbox). It didn't differentiate between BT and 3rd party. The results stated that no one was removing the link to the dataURL completely. (at least no on that voted).

@Stobe, Brain memory need upgrade. Thanks, will edit. Fred

No prob. Blame it on MMBD (Monday Morning Brain Disorder) :)

@OWC, it actually a great way to learn how-to, when you write it down it's easier to see missing. Fred

Great stuff Fred. David buzztouchmods.com