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dkeds66
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01/30/12 07:24 PM (14 years ago)

Hope this Helps with Image Issues in HTML - Android BTv1.5

I have been struggling with getting my images in HTML to appear on the AVD and on a separate post, Fred kindly pointed me in the direction of this document....https://myskylla.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/links-how-to-the-buzztouch-way/ After reading it, I had a bit of a Eureka moment and I realised I was not doing it the buzztouch way :) so thought I would share for those new to BT who may have made the same mistake as me ...... Basically I have been selecting 'Custom HTML - Text' screens and then embedding my HTML within BT itself. Although this works, it's a problem on 2 counts:- 1) It's time consuming and restictive - every time you need to make a change to your HTML, you must change it in BT, then download and recompile your project in Eclipse. 2) There appears to be some limitation on use of non BT images via this route (although still not 100% sure why)..... my non BT images did not show in AVD. What I should been doing as per the document (and have just changed all my screens accordingly) is to use 'HTML Doc' screen types instead. This is a much more efficient method because it:- 1) Allows you to build and store your HTML forms & images together offline within Eclipse (in the assets/BT_Docs folder) - all you have to do is simply capture the name of your html document within the 'HTML Doc' screen in BT (this is a one time activity so no constant downloading / recompoling) 2) This approach fixes image problems, all of my non BT images now show in my AVD. Hope this helps some of you. Dave
 
Fred@mySkylla com
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01/30/12 10:22 PM (14 years ago)
Dave, I glad it help clear matters up for you, that's it's intended purpose. But, just to be clear, it's not about not using the Custom HTML text screen. Every screen has it's uses. And you're right the HTML Doc screen is much better for certain things, again each screen has it's day. But The Buzztouch Method is about looking at how, where and why Buzztouch has done various things and seeing the simplicity and beauty of how it's done. Then taking what they've done and playing around with it and making it yours. I call it the Buzztouch Method, because I'm merely calling attention to what Buzztouch put there for us. Thanks Buzztouch! So much easier to understand than any tutorial. Enjoy, Fred
 
GoNorthWest
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01/30/12 11:54 PM (14 years ago)
Hi Dave, Just a bit of clarification regarding the 'Custom HTML - Text' screen. It actually stores the content of that screen on the buzztouch server in whatever magical place they store that information. Thus, any app that contains a Custom HTML screen will require a network connection to fetch the contents of that screen. If you look in your BT_Config.txt file, you'll see something like the following for your Custom HTML screen (I replaced double quotes with single quotes for clarity): 'itemType':'BT_screen_customHTML', 'dataURL':'http://www.buzztouch.com/applications/EACC05968F07B3505804D0F20/customHTML-D167010E1FC785BCBBB8B2D.html' This being true, you should not have to download the source and recompile each time you make a change to a Custom HTML screen, as it gets its data online, and should refresh when your config file changes. If that's not happening, then there must be an issue or a misunderstanding somewhere about what's really going on. Ultimately, I prefer to use HTML Doc screen instead, because I can include them locally, and they can be read by offline apps. Mark
 
dkeds66
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01/31/12 01:04 AM (14 years ago)
Thanks guys, appreciate the clarity. Mark - so in essence, assuming Custom HTML screens work as intended (and I don't think they do for Android) does this drive changes through to end user devices automatically after go live then? If so this is quite a big benefit over storing HTML locally where I would have to push updates through to users device?
 
GoNorthWest
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01/31/12 01:17 AM (14 years ago)
Hi Dave, You are correct. Once you make changes to your Custom HTML file and save them, that updates your configuration file on the buzztouch server. Assuming that your app is 'online' and the Data URL still points to the buzztouch servers, the next time a user opens the app, or brings it to the forefront, the app will check for updates, see there is one, and prompt the user for a refresh. That's how it's supposed to work. If you don't think it's working for Android, you can monitor the Console window and see what happens when you open the app in your virtual device. That might shed some light on any potential problems. Mark
 
Fred@mySkylla com
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01/31/12 01:21 AM (14 years ago)
Yes, you're correct in your understanding, but if the HTML Doc is via a url, you can update the HTML Doc and get similar results. (If the HTML Doc is on a website others can edit the Doc, without going into Buzztouch. Nice way to have others contribute to your app without opening the entire app or account to everyone.) So many options, nice once you get the hang of it. Plus read the posts about online vs. off line updates. Then read the post about cool code, to see a neat trick with Custom HTML text and website (HTML Doc). I'll try to find the post later if you don't find it. Fred
 
dkeds66
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01/31/12 01:41 PM (14 years ago)
Thanks Mark/Fred - appreciate your help (Fred - if you can find those posts I would be really grateful)
 
Fred@mySkylla com
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01/31/12 02:08 PM (14 years ago)
<META HTTP-EQUIV=Refresh CONTENT=2; URL=putnewpagehere.html>
 
KevinPerry
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02/01/12 10:21 AM (14 years ago)
@dkeds66 You were working with the database before, do you have a thread here related specifically to that? I have made a headway and was wondering where you stood with the testing / getting it working. Will wait for different thread link before more info.
 
dkeds66
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02/02/12 08:32 AM (14 years ago)
Freescosoft I have created a new thread, Android and Databases - Data Entry in HTML Please can you add your comments / findings on that thread.
 
MyPC Solutions
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02/07/12 02:25 PM (14 years ago)
So let me get this striaght, I am supposed to use HTML.Doc in BZ, give it the name of an html file that I created for each of my screens?
 
MyPC Solutions
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02/07/12 02:27 PM (14 years ago)
took me a few times to read it, but makes sense to me.....so how do I reference my images from my bt_docs folder from inside each of my HTML files?
 
Fred@mySkylla com
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02/07/12 02:33 PM (14 years ago)
Rip open the sample.txt file (found every BT Source Code doesn't have to be the project you're working on) copy and paste. Replace image name with your image's name. Fred
 

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