Little App Launcher
Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 2:33 pm
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LATEST VERSION - Version 1.08 - 13th September 2011
http://birdslikewires.co.uk/download/jo ... Install.sh
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I wrote the Little App Launcher some time ago, in the hope that it would become a unified application launcher for the Joggler's native operating system. Every new app that came out appeared to be installing it's own web server to launch programs, which is wasteful of the Joggler's resources and actually completely unnecessary. However, because of the amount of work that needed to be put in to SqueezePlay, I never actually got around to telling anyone about the Little App Launcher.
If you are using SqueezePlay, you are already using Little App Launcher, as it handles any modifications needed to the applications.xml file.
What Does It Do?
At it's heart, Little App Launcher is a simple way of adding (and removing) custom apps from the Joggler's native user interface. Developers create a directory containing a small set of files in /media/launcher/apps - this is the Launcher for their application (and might actually contain the whole app). Their installer can then execute the Little App Launcher script which will deal with adding that app to applications.xml without disrupting others.
Removing an app is as simple as deleting the Launcher (and any associated files if needed) and triggering Little App Launcher again. There are two demo apps included with Little App Launcher in the /media/launcher/apps directory if you would like to test it out; Flash Earth and an Uptime application that runs from the web interface.
Did I not mention the web interface?
Web Interface
Any apps installed using Little App Launcher will appear in a web page that mimics the appearance of the Joggler's native UI. Clicking on an app will launch it, or quit it if it's already running. You can also make 'direct run' apps that just return an output to the web interface. They won't appear on the touchscreen interface, but might perform some kind of remote action and return a result. The 'Uptime' app is an example.
By default it runs on port 80, so just pop your Joggler's IP address into your browser (eg. http://192.168.0.1). If you're using gforums installer, Little App Launcher drops to port 8080 if it wasn't installed first (eg. http://192.168.0.1:8080).
Highlights:
Installation:
Then why not:
Don't forget to read the README. It has more detail on use.
One important point
If your app has additional files (as SqueezePlay does) I think we should centralise storage for all of these into /media/opt/<yourappname>. Saves on mess.
LATEST VERSION - Version 1.08 - 13th September 2011
http://birdslikewires.co.uk/download/jo ... Install.sh
-------------------------------------------
I wrote the Little App Launcher some time ago, in the hope that it would become a unified application launcher for the Joggler's native operating system. Every new app that came out appeared to be installing it's own web server to launch programs, which is wasteful of the Joggler's resources and actually completely unnecessary. However, because of the amount of work that needed to be put in to SqueezePlay, I never actually got around to telling anyone about the Little App Launcher.
If you are using SqueezePlay, you are already using Little App Launcher, as it handles any modifications needed to the applications.xml file.
What Does It Do?
At it's heart, Little App Launcher is a simple way of adding (and removing) custom apps from the Joggler's native user interface. Developers create a directory containing a small set of files in /media/launcher/apps - this is the Launcher for their application (and might actually contain the whole app). Their installer can then execute the Little App Launcher script which will deal with adding that app to applications.xml without disrupting others.
Removing an app is as simple as deleting the Launcher (and any associated files if needed) and triggering Little App Launcher again. There are two demo apps included with Little App Launcher in the /media/launcher/apps directory if you would like to test it out; Flash Earth and an Uptime application that runs from the web interface.
Did I not mention the web interface?
Web Interface
Any apps installed using Little App Launcher will appear in a web page that mimics the appearance of the Joggler's native UI. Clicking on an app will launch it, or quit it if it's already running. You can also make 'direct run' apps that just return an output to the web interface. They won't appear on the touchscreen interface, but might perform some kind of remote action and return a result. The 'Uptime' app is an example.
By default it runs on port 80, so just pop your Joggler's IP address into your browser (eg. http://192.168.0.1). If you're using gforums installer, Little App Launcher drops to port 8080 if it wasn't installed first (eg. http://192.168.0.1:8080).
Highlights:
- Quick and easy means of getting apps onto the UI without duplication of effort.
- No more messing about with the applications.xml file.
- The applications.xml file is 'integrity checked' on every run - no more vanishing icons!
- Applications will have their name underneath the icon - no more unidentified apps!
- Web interface for launching and killing apps.
- Web interface can be disabled if preferred.*
Installation:
Code: Select all
cd /media
wget http://birdslikewires.co.uk/download/joggler/native/launcher/launcherInstall.sh
chmod +x ./launcherInstall.sh
./launcherInstall.sh
Code: Select all
cd /media/launcher/apps
tar zxvf demoapps.tgz
/media/launcher/index.cgi
One important point
If your app has additional files (as SqueezePlay does) I think we should centralise storage for all of these into /media/opt/<yourappname>. Saves on mess.
.