I know looking back on this I will see these as dumb questions, but for now, I need some help. I am up and running on self-hosting. Where is the simulator? I suspect it is in the Android SDK which I am just beginning to install. Is that correct?

Correct. Do you have an Android device? If so, I recommend you skip simmulator. Fred

Yes. Where can I read how to do it that way? I will buy a Mac once I know I can successfully build apps, using android as my pc testing ground

The Android Process www.myskylla.wordpress.com Go to INDEX also. Fred

thanks

Hi @Frno, Since skipping the simulator really isn't an option for most people (and it's an excellent way to flush out bugs), check these step-by-step, illustrated documents from the buzztouch site: http://www.buzztouch.com/resources/Things_You_Need_Before_You_Start_Developing_Apps_v1.0.pdf http://www.buzztouch.com/resources/Setting_Up_Your_Android_Development_Environment_v1.3.pdf http://www.buzztouch.com/resources/Compiling_Your_Android_Application_v1.0.pdf These should help get you going in Android dev in a jiffy! Post back if you run into any problems. Mark

Thanks

Just a comment for Xcode users out there. When you download Xcode the simulator is automatically downloaded as well. After using buzztouch to develop the first few stages of your app download the source code and hit "run". The simulator will launch if there are no errors.

Up and running on android SDK with simulator operating on-screen. Thanks for the help.

Just a slight clarification to what @ShatterBelt said...when you download your iOS source, double-click on the <appname>.xcodeproj file, and it should launch in Xcode. Then you can hit Run, and it should start up in the simulator...barring errors! Hmmm...seems like some good information for a tutorial! ;-) Mark

@Frno...awesome! Seems like it was a pretty painless process for you...that's good! Many people get stuck in configuring their Eclipse environment...it can be a pain sometimes. If you run into any errors, make sure you post info from the LogCat screen at the time of the error into your forum post so we can help. Test, test and test some more! Mark

Have to admit my computer guy is a strong professional programmer and he has solved most of my issues. Here is a theory question I am pondering: Buzztouch is on my server. I downloaded the code via an API call. Now the code exists on my pc on my desk. As I make changes to the screens on the app in the Buzztouch self hosted software, is it making the changes directly to the code on my pc? If so, does the simulator automatically refresh to show these changes, or o I have to take some action to refresh it?

Hey Frno, Good questions! When you make changes to your app in the control panel, you are making additions/subtractions/modifications to the Configuration Data file...which shows up at BT_Config.txt in your download package. When you launch your app, it uses what's called a Report to Cloud URL to check for updates to the app (the config file is most recent on your BT Server). If there are updates since the last time it checked, it downloads your config data, using the Configuration Data URL, and updates the app. The update info stays in the app in this case...nothing gets changed on your PC. Here is a doc that explains it a bit better, including the concept of an offline app: http://www.buzztouch.com/resources/Understanding_App_Refresh_and_Offline_Apps_v1.0.pdf Hope this helps a bit! Mark

Very much. Thanks

Thanks for clarifying what I was trying to say. You worded it a a lot better than I did.

So let's see if I get it now: When I downloaded the code via an API call, that is indeed the entire App. Included in that code is an instruction to go look at the my server and load all of the menus, images, links, etc. that I have "created" in buzztouch. If I now make a change to the app in my buzztouch back end, the config file has new instructions. These changes will not take effect until the user re-launches the app on their phone. So, there really is no "code" to upload to Android or Apple other than the original code I downloaded in the API call. When Android or Apple evaluates the app for approval they will be accessing the base code and all of the additional code that is retrieved from my server upon launch as a result of the instructions in the config file. There is nothing resident on my PC, only on my server. Therefore, every time I create a new page or change a color or add an image, I am adding or modifying a chunk of code and telling the config file to come look for it when the user launches the app. Am I catching on?

So let's see if I get it now: When I downloaded the code via an API call, that is indeed the entire App. Included in that code is an instruction to go look at the my server and load all of the menus, images, links, etc. that I have "created" in buzztouch. If I now make a change to the app in my buzztouch back end, the config file has new instructions. These changes will not take effect until the user re-launches the app on their phone. So, there really is no "code" to upload to Android or Apple other than the original code I downloaded in the API call. When Android or Apple evaluates the app for approval they will be accessing the base code and all of the additional code that is retrieved from my server upon launch as a result of the instructions in the config file. There is nothing resident on my PC, only on my server. Therefore, every time I create a new page or change a color or add an image, I am adding or modifying a chunk of code and telling the config file to come look for it when the user launches the app. Am I catching on?

That's correct, assuming you left the app online (default). You can copy the new config data and paste into the source code and re-export the app. Now everything is in the app (.apk or .ipa) until you make changes in control panel. Repeat process Fred

You download the source code package from buzztouch. You use that source to compile your app, and submit that app to the appropriate release area. That compile app contains your config file, or a reference to where the config file resides. Anybody installing your app installs the compiled package, which has no ties to your server at all. Mark