EduGeek Android App

[LosOjos]

I've just started getting in to Android development (actually, I've just started getting in to Android full stop!) and need a project to sink my teeth in to. By way of the poll, would anybody be interested in this?

 

And on the technical/security front, would the kind people of EduGeek allow me the kind of [read-only] access I'd need to develop this if it was a popular suggestion?

[creese]

I'll give anything Android a go.

[LosOjos]

3 votes (OK, 2, one of them is mine) not a bad start, but thought maybe a bit of brainstorming might peak peoples interest a little, so here are a few ideas I have so far:

 

• Initially it'd start out as an Android optimized forum view (got to be a good place to start eh?)
  
• Notifications for subscriptions (possibly on a per-subscription basis) and PM's
  
• A widget to signify if there are new posts on any of your subscriptions, maybe also with a text message style counter
  
• Ability to view profiles on an optimized display
  
• an IM style 'online friends' list
  

 

Just a few idea's, I'm always open to suggestions...

[featured_spectre]

I see the logic behind it, but would it not be better to code something up so that the website is optimised for android users like the iphone/ipod users get?

[creese]

I'd love an iSpy Live Posts page.

[ZeroHour]

Not read up about andor dev yet. What language they using and whats needed to get started?

[localzuk]

Not read up about andor dev yet. What language they using and whats needed to get started?

 

Java is the language used in Android apps. And I'd be guessing some form of web service API, or if that's not possible, database read access would be my next guess.

[ZeroHour]

Java is the language used in Android apps. And I'd be guessing some form of web service API, or if that's not possible, database read access would be my next guess.

 

Yeh just noticed that. I dont think Java is particularily good but it has similarities with c# which will help. At least you can dev on windows.

[SYNACK]

If we are able to get the site to output in XML and add a cross site permissions file with the appropriate parameters then making these kinds of apps for multiple platforms will be feasible. Without this each app will have to parse the html as a whole anyway and would be rather bad performance wise. I'm willing to help in making the site able to ouput XML if required though my PHP is rather rusty.

[Theblacksheep]

I'd use it... its a bit of a pain scrolling around in the browser.

[ZeroHour]

I see the logic behind it, but would it not be better to code something up so that the website is optimised for android users like the iphone/ipod users get?

 

A mobile optimised theme will exist anyway. Its just nice having an app I suppose.

[Hightower]

A mobile optimised theme will exist anyway. Its just nice having an app I suppose.

 

A theme just allows you to browse the site easily on a mobile device. An app however can provide additional functionality like widgets and alerts.

[jamesb]

I'll give anything Android a go.

 

Be careful, the Nexus models (also known as replicants in popular slang) have been known to go rogue.

[creese]

Be careful, the Nexus models (also known as replicants in popular slang) have been known to go rogue.

 

Unfortunately I have until December before I get new phone,

[SYNACK]

An app can also provide a speedier interface and much lower bandwidth usage both of which are important for a mobile applications limited by high latency, low speed mobile links.

[ZeroHour]

Apps do provide a lot of possible benefits. Plans were actually afoot to try this out but they were not announced as of yet.

[LosOjos]

The Android SDK actually includes support for SQL, so if an account was set up with read only access to the SQL database these forums are based on, retrieving the necessary data ought to be quick and easy

[ZeroHour]

I have made a group for us to get started now and I can get a rough idea of people involved. This will be converted into a full forum area later.

 

EduGeek Mobile Dev Group - EduGeek.net

 

Join that group and post your languages here.

[ZeroHour]

The Android SDK actually includes support for SQL, so if an account was set up with read only access to the SQL database these forums are based on, retrieving the necessary data ought to be quick and easy

 

Unless its amazing at hows it does it I have to say there is practically no reason I would ever let an app directly interface to the database on a port. It would be faster for dev but damn it can open big cans of earth based snakes.

Not that I dont want to sound disheartening, I just know of far far far too many issues with this.

[localzuk]

Unless its amazing at hows it does it I have to say there is practically no reason I would ever let an app directly interface to the database on a port. It would be faster for dev but damn it can open big cans of earth based snakes.

Not that I dont want to sound disheartening, I just know of far far far too many issues with this.

 

A much better solution is to expose some form of API - be it an XML version of the site, a SOAP or REST web service or whatever. That way, it is easy to keep the database access under control (as the web service is the only thing accessing it), and keep the apps at arms length.

[ZeroHour]

A much better solution is to expose some form of API - be it an XML version of the site, a SOAP or REST web service or whatever. That way, it is easy to keep the database access under control (as the web service is the only thing accessing it), and keep the apps at arms length.

 

Basically, yes that was my thinking . I find very few reasons for direct db access and tons against.

[localzuk]

Basically, yes that was my thinking . I find very few reasons for direct db access and tons against.

 

Once you have an API created, you can also then have many different apps connecting to it - such as custom iGoogle widgets, or Windows 7 Gadgets etc... Without having to worry about a client messing things up.

[featured_spectre]

A windows widget would also be a good sideline project, such as a log in and then 'downloads' new posts that users have subscribed too, that could also work as a 'lite' version of the app

[featured_spectre]

What woud everyone like to see in an app like this? I ask as obviously it's the users of edugeek that want it, and a list of what's wanted would be handy!

[SYNACK]

Personally I would like to see the follwing features:

• Browse Forums list
  
• Browse forum posts
  
• Use iSpy
  
• Open New posts
  
• Send and recive PMs
  
• Post threads and reply to threads
  
• Notification tone on subscribed thread when left on iSpy (for threads you are following really closely)
  

I think that this would be a good featureset to start working on.