Dubstepforum.com Cross Platform Mobile Application

[Rahul]

I don't have a problem with using this forum on my iPhone through safari...

This....works fine thru safari

[ashley]

Agree with Ashely, although I don't have a problem with using this forum on my iPhone through safari... Is it difficult for some or what?

Well for a starters you're downloading a lot of shit you don't need.

Smilies, banners, logos, avatars, sig bullshit and other nonsense.

right, i understand i don't need them, but i like avatars & smilies and my phone never has a problem processing any of it... don't really see the point of creating a whole new "app" just so you don't see smilies. avatars, sigs and banners? i'm happy with the forum looking exactly as it does on my comp, but to each their own i suppose....

You might like them etc, but when you're on a train blitzing through the country side with a choppy connection, you want it to be as efficient as possible!

[deficit]

Been thinking about this some more...

I think the best approach would be to build an HTML5/JS app embedded in PhoneGap. All the benefits of native api's + platform portabilty. No need to maintain codebases in different languages.

Then there are two Approaches

1. Implement some kind of JSON REST (or even RPC) API, build an HTML5/PhoneGap
app from the ground up as a client for the new API.

2. Build a lightweight html5/PhoneGap app which just loads up the site in the device's embedded browser and injects platform specific CSS. It could even be based around Jqtouch/sencha or some other CSS/HTML/JS framework. (I'm taking jquery as a given)


In all honesty, the second approach is by far the easiest to implement, but it is a bit half baked and hacky.

I might just get on this anyway. As mentioned above there is clearly a Market for a robust phpbb API so maybe I concentrate on getting something to Market and then revitalise this thread.

Anyways. Way too late. Been up since 7am.

Wrote this on my iphone4 on safari. Fiddly shit! Can't scroll up to see what I've written. Apologies if it's gibberish. (yes, I know there's a preview button).

Peace! (and thanks for the inspiration!)

[deficit]

Just wanted to add. With the second option, you probably wouldn't get all the of the benefits of a mobile optimised app (i.e reduced bandwidth usage) as you'll probably have to wait for the DOM to load before you can do anything useful, there may be some clever background Ajax loading and parsing we could do but for the second best option I think it's a bit overkill / stupid.

If it were my call, I'd say build a solid API, build a solid HTML5 crossplatform mobile and then see how far you could take it. To begin with, I'm talking better ui/ux & mobile application optimisation (the mobile Market is one if the fastest growing markets ever) later I'm talking slick soundcloud & other tight web app integration. The possibilities are pretty exciting. I'm not just talking iPhones and desires or iPads and galaxies. Trying to think bigger!

[fractal]

Agree with Ashely, although I don't have a problem with using this forum on my iPhone through safari... Is it difficult for some or what?

Well for a starters you're downloading a lot of shit you don't need.

Smilies, banners, logos, avatars, sig bullshit and other nonsense.

right, i understand i don't need them, but i like avatars & smilies and my phone never has a problem processing any of it... don't really see the point of creating a whole new "app" just so you don't see smilies. avatars, sigs and banners? i'm happy with the forum looking exactly as it does on my comp, but to each their own i suppose....

You might like them etc, but when you're on a train blitzing through the country side with a choppy connection, you want it to be as efficient as possible!

Guess I can't really see where you're coming from since "the country" in my part of the world is 3G at worst and trains are seldom used... The town I work in (Bellevue) gives free wifi to the whole city so its never a problem. Plus if I am truly in the country (rainforest or desert) my phone is usually off or at home

[fractal]

But for people in developing countries, I think what y'all are discussing would be a good thing

Heeee

[Cali]

Im no technological genius, but this sounds like a great idea.
Im willing to help out however i can.
Cheers

[deficit]

Then there are two Approaches

1. Implement some kind of JSON REST (or even RPC) API, build an HTML5/PhoneGap
app from the ground up as a client for the new API.

2. Build a lightweight html5/PhoneGap app which just loads up the site in the device's embedded browser and injects platform specific CSS. It could even be based around Jqtouch/sencha or some other CSS/HTML/JS framework. (I'm taking jquery as a given)

The other option I forgot to add (sometimes it's easy to not state the obvious), which has already been mentioned a couple of times would simply just to have a Mobile 'skin' (CSS, using media queries etc) and people just access the site as normal with an enhanced UI/UX. It would then be fairly trivial (but entirely pointless) to port this to a native App.

I really don't understand all the hate/negativity. No one's suggesting anyone will be forced to use the mobile app, it's just another offering. A classic case study of where this has worked is Reddit. Reddit has a HUGE user base, and it ticks over just fine, but people are happy to BUY the Alien Blue application because it makes the whole experience much nicer. There's nothing stopping Reddit users from just using the site normally, but a lot of people favour the native application because it's quick, slick and provides a far greater mobile enhanced user experience. Incase you missed it, I was suggesting doing it for free, so it wouldn't even cost you a penny.

[fractal]

No hate at all, just couldn't understand the need for it, but ash summed it up for me

Good luck

[hayze99]

If you need any straight up graphics, give me a PM - I don't know any coding though.

[Karoshi]

I don't understand the hate either, someone offering their services for free to create something for the community and there's all this negativity. TBH i don't understand why people wouldn't want an app to browse DSF quicker/easier. Plus, it sounds like the guy knows what he is doing, and is pretty enthusiastic about it, i say go for it!

[badger]

it's not hate in the slightest - it's people highlighting problems that are likely to arise

if he can genuinely create something that's going to work perfectly without any of the problems mentioned then great

[AxeD]

Fractal, you live in a place where they don't use trains? Missing out then, they are great for transporting a lot of people
at a time.