New Plugin Proposal: A Buzztouch App Duplicator And Simple Solution plugin, to be known as: A BAD ASS plugin From our discussion previously it been determined that a new itemType can be inserted into the JSON data with the appropriate screen setting box. Really knew that already since you can enter your address and other data strings in various screens. Suppose instead of entering my address I copied the Config file from another app and pasted it into the data entry box. Perhaps I copied just the array starting with BT_screen #1 object to the end of the last BT_screen object. Pressed save. Seems like the app would be duplicated, the Config file would be on the Control Panel and additional screens could be created via the Control Panel. Just some musing to pass the time. Fred

This would work if the proposed plugin would take the config information and process it to individual database entries for the server. If this was an easy task, it would probably already be done by now. Its most likely possible using MySQL queries to duplicate the app to be usable in the control panel. But at some point, its almost as easy to create a second app, add the screens to the app that are unique from the first app, and then copy/paste portions of the BT_Config.txt into the new app. I definitely see the benefits of having the option to duplicate an existing app. But as it's not included in the control panel as an option from BuzzTouch, I've often wondered if it was to avoid encouraging the making of "cookie-cutter" apps rapidly.

Avoid "cookie-cutter" apps? Don't have a specific cite, but from previous posts don't think Buzztouch would have a problem with that. Yes, I agree MySQL is a method to accomplish same. Haven't opened up the database to explore this. A plugin would have the following advantages: Don't need Administrator access Don't have to learn MySQL (already read several tutorial) I really would like to see a plugin called "A BAD ASS plugin" Fred

I'm right with you on all three advantages. Especially #3 !

Duplicating an app via JSON, and not having the information in the database, would certainly work, but would make maintaining the screens exceedingly difficult. Any changes would have to be done via the JSON file, which, while not all that hard if you apply yourself to learning JSON, does add a level of complexity that buzztouch tries to abstract in order to make app development more appealing to the masses. As @stobe points out, and @Fred acknowledges, having the information in the database is a much better solution. I'm pretty sure it's on the list of things to do for @David, but certainly lower priority than the many other things on his list. Somebody could score a bazillion forum points from @David if they figured out how to copy the SQL information from one app to another! Mark

Hey all, Something like this was proposed by a user (don't remember who) waaaaay back in the buzzstone age - only it was for duplicating apps on buzztouch.com. @David responded, stating that this could fill up their database with "potentially" thousands of unused applications taking up space and database storage. This is why they never implemented it. Since I last talked to David, he stated that now BT-Server is out, there is absolutely no reason to NOT have this feature anymore, but obviously, it's not a top priority. @GoNorthWest I'm going to check it out tomorrow night after my finals are finished and get back to you guys with what I find. Really it should be simple, simply duplicate an application from the mysql database (create a mysql query) and have the website process the information to the back-end (after choosing the database from a drop down? with a list of apps called from the database). This wouldn't be a plugin, I think this would be a mod/tweak/hack that we might have to edit some of the core files for. I think that would be easier then designing a plugin to do the job. Regards, David buzztouchmods.com

David, The ability to edit the info would create the ability to duplicate/move a BTv1.5 app into a BTv2.0 app. Perhaps a few tools to reshape the BTv1.5 data into BTv2.0 data. Search and replace a BTv1.5 itemType and replace with a BTv2.0 itemType and perhaps remove in appropriate screen properties. Or, Another perhaps simpler but ugly solution is to modify a similar BTv2.0 Plugin that is fitted to use the BTv1.5 data. Fred PS plus being able to add data directly to the database would allow the ability to create screens effortlessly.