good program to create encyclopedia type app? - General Questions and Answers

Hey guys! I know there are lots of tools out there for creating apps. Im looking to create an information-type app. you might call it an encyclopedia app, or an indexing app. because of its extreme simplicity, i feel like its within my means to develop, even though i have very limited actual development skills.
because of all of the tools out there, which would you suggest is best for someone looking to create an app like i mentioned?
despite its 'simple' complexity, its entirely possible for me to pour hundreds of hours into organizing and providing information into the app. its also possible that some day, i may want to work on the app in another more sophisticated program, if my development skills ever improve, or i want to collaborate with someone more knowledgeable.
all this said, here is a very basic idea of how the app would work
List
Item 1
A
Red
Blue
Green
Purple
B
C
Item 2
Item 3​
then clicking Red, Green, Blue, or Purple will show you a description.
anywho, so thats a really basic example of what im looking to do. what type of program do you suggest would be best/easiest to do something like this in?
*using windows

Related

Settlers of Catan

Hey there,
There is a Settlers of Catan game for the iPhone. I'm wondering if anyone knew of that game being ported to Android any time soon? All I can find for Android is the 'Better Settlers' which helps with setting up the board.
Thanks in advance for any info!
Jeremy
shameless "bump!"
I would guess there would be copyright issues or some such :S
well you could try developing your own game..
I'd like to see settlers of catan on this platform too!
Me too, if someone is interested in doing the gameplay, maybe graphics, or whatever else. I would be happy to do the development.
Doesn't neccessarily have to be clone as such, it can have similar gameplay. Try playing something like Travian, it's similar but not exact.
It's a game I'd love to have on my phone . . . don't know it well enough to have a go at dev, but I'd be happy to alpha/beta/gamma test if someone gave it a crack . . .
there was a flash game i found a while ago - never got it working on my mogul though. Also I could help with graphics if a new game was designed
I'd love a SoC game for my Evo. Any new info on this?
Sent from my HTC Evo using Tapatalk + Swype
This would really be great. Id like a version where you could play with others on different phones via wifi/3g. It would be a lot of fun to play with friends and coworkers through out the day (or week as needed)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
mesasone said:
This would really be great. Id like a version where you could play with others on different phones via wifi/3g. It would be a lot of fun to play with friends and coworkers through out the day (or week as needed)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. This would be an awesome
Multi-player app especially if you could save and resume a game. You'd almost have to have one person host the game so the data is all housed on one SD card.
Other thoughts are the ability to change the rules before starting, built in chat and or push to talk functionality, bartering alerts, next turn alerts, review of score and previous actions, the list goes on.
If someone is serious about developing this then I am totally willing to help think it through and create graphics. Send me a PM.
Sent from my HTC Vogue FroYo using XDA App
Settlers of Catan Android game in the works
I've been having a dabble with android development and have been working on a Settlers of Catan game as it is such a great game and it's a good way to learn android dev.
I'm ready to admit that someone might beat me to it, whether by making the iphone version available to android or whatever, but still if anyone is interested in a) helping out on the project b) doing some testing or c) pimping the game, let me know! You can contact me on cettlersofsatan at gmail dot com.
It's currently in SVN online in a single user repository. But I would happily move it to Google Code or something if others were interested.
I'm as eager as everyone else to see this project pull through. And stone do NOT lose faith. It is always better to have an option then only one option for a game/app.
I have assembled a list of people who expressed interest in helping:
stoneskin - work in progress
niknah - dev
Willuknight - graphics
ii Candor ii - graphics/thinktank
DJGibbon - test
You guys should really get together especially with stone and get cracking! Heard some good ideas and plenty of offers to help. The XDA community NEEDS A SETTLERS!
Thanks guys!
I'd love to help too. I don't think can commit the time to help with development though. Real life is just too hectic lately. However, I'd love to help testing.
If the time opens up, I'm interested in helping with development.
As to graphics, just no skills to bring to the table. Although, I did have a thought last night on this subject. The game might be more playable with simpler graphics. Instead of trying to have an understandable picture of sheep/ore/... on the hexes, just use colors. Light green for wool/sheep, dark green or brown for lumber, goldenrod/yellow for wheat, dark grey for ore and dark red for brick.
Work in progress!
Gino, Latenk, thanks for the feedback. Here's the deal.
I agree, simple graphics to start with, I've uploaded a screenshot, but before anyone analyses it too much , let me state what I want from the project initially.
1) The basic game (i.e. no expansions) in full.
2) Multi-player (up to 4 initially) or single-player (with AI) on one phone.
3) Basic graphics, but a clean separation in implementation so that the graphics, special effects, zoom, board rotation, whatever the monkey-magic one wants, can be added ON TOP OF the rest of the app.
4) Game is free (shouldn't be any copyright issues right?) and would be great if it could get onto Android Market or equivalent.
5) Open source?
I hate graphics, hate the tweaking, fiddling, pixel-adjusting and so on, so I've knocked up the simplest GUI imaginable. I've slapped on a handful of buttons which as you can see, have rubbish little text labels - RD = Roll Dice (in one of the screenshots it's displaying the number rolled), BR/BS/BC are build road/settlement/city, MR = Move Robber, C=Cancel, D=Done, X=exit.
In these shots I'm not even playing a game, I'm in a test mode where I'm just free-building. My colour is white. So a hex-side is painted white for a road, the small circles are settlements, the large circle is a city. The large red circle is me selecting a vertices. As you can see, the current player (Bob) has no resources (free-building) but resources are laid out with shoddy little cards.
So the graphics are v. poor. But I'm not too concerned right about it right now.
Where have I got to?
I've got the basic 'model' in place. That is the game model that maintains hexes, vertices, hex-sides and their roads/settlements/cities.
I haven't even touched on AI, ports, trading.
I'm trying to build the app cleanly, so the views have no concrete knowledge of the game model, and any calls to it are interfaced out.
But this is my first Android app, so I'm learning from scratch, possibly comitting all sorts of Android crimes.
I'm a full-time .Net developer, so I'm kinda fitting this in around job/family and so on, so progress is slow.
Here are my thoughts. I'll aim to get this to a clean/stable state within the next week or so, then if others want to get involved in dev I'll create a Google Code project (or equivalent) and sort it out from there.
I'm currently building against 1.6 because I have an X10 mini. It would be great to support up to the latest API versions.
Ok, uploading the images now. Graphics ARE AWFUL but I'm focussing on the game at the moment.
By the way, if anyone knows what licensing/copyright issues there are with something like this please let me know. I've currently called the project 'Cettlers of Satan' 'cos that made me smile. If rights issues meant it can't go through market places then so be it, but would be great if someone could research this.
Haha, you know that is a basic layout but gets the job done! What you could do is have the game map be at least twice as large as say the resolution of a N1 screen. Enable finger scrolling and/or pinch to zoom (comlpex perhaps but a thought) and let people move around the game map as needed. That'd allow for better graphics, larger maps, and a larger feel to the game. The HUD could possibly go up either side of the game map. In fact I'd say make landscape mode MANDATORY so you have the extra real estate.
Check this out: http://games.asobrain.com/
That is what I envision this game like. That game is everything this game COULD be and he even found ways around copyright. Check that game out, play a round or two and it will give you plenty to think about/use as inspiration. Obviously no need to copy, but you can use it for ideas.
Lastly, the previous statement someone made about notifications is pure gold. Allow people to play their turns then pass to the next with a notification appearing. Great ideas.
I've been there before, but a while ago and he's closed all unactive accounts and stopped registration unfortunately.
If you are a member maybe you could upload a couple of screenshots or explain to me how the GUI works in more detail.
I love the idea of finger scrolling/pinch/zoom etc. I'm gonna give some of that a go tomorrow. But like I say, what I'm initially trying to achieve is
GUI
Model
in a clean separation. So any visual representation would be possible. I'll try and knock out some basic zoom/finger scroll effects just to convince myself that my rudimentary framework will hold together.
Thanks for the quick feedback mate.
This shows the basic layout, how it all works, the HUD and such. Again this would have to be adjusted for the handheld, but in general it looks and works great!
In the top left is a pane for the players in the game. It shows Player Name, Player Color, a count of the cards in the players hand, any held and/or played D cards. This pane can be hidden if the player wishes.
The pane on the bottom left shows all things the plyer can buy and what it takes for the player to buy them. (in the android version I imagine this being a tab you can bring up to buy/see what you need and have.
Below that pane is Played Cards, and Table cards which speak for themselves.
Of course along the bottom you see your hand.
On the bottom right you have 3 buttons, claim victory, trade, and end turn.
And of course you see the dice.
Top right is the chat box.
All of this again is simply for inspiration and not for copying. This gives you a great idea of a fleshed out game and how it could look on a handset.
This is a trade window.
Two things of note here. First notice the top left. WHen a player gets cards on a roll, they show up face up for a brief moment. GREAT idea if possible to implement something similar.
Secondly, bottom right is what appears to be a chart. That shows how many times a number has been rolled. This is more advanced than what we'd need, but an interesting idea and prob easy to implement.
Now on this one a couple things to point out. Look at how they do cities and roads. Similar to what you've suggested. I was thinking maybe circles with symbols on the top (kind of like tokens or markers). Of course maybe more intricate and detailed models could be added later.
Also, that speech bubble that popped up shows where the person played their road or city or settlement. This is ESSENTIAL in some form or another on this game. Plan to include SOMETHING like it.
And lastly, this picture shows what it looks like when a person trades succesfully. Again not necessary but certainly handy.
I must repeat again that I DO NOT CONDONE OUTRIGHT PLAGIARISM with anything Asobrain has done. This is purely for inspiration and research. This should give you PLENTY of ideas!
I've got tons!
This is a beautiful start. Couple thoughts.
- The desert color isn't clearly distinct from wheat.
- The name will have to be something other than "Settlers of Catan". I'd avoid the current name for two reasons. One, a lot of us will take some degree of exception to the Satan reference. Two, it's not really different enough to dodge trademark concerns.
- I despise needing to scroll around in a game to see everything. This is my main complaint with "Pirates & Traders".
- On such a small screen, keep the UI as simple as possible. AsoBrain is wonderful. But, it is designed for a largish screen. (BTW, I hate that he killed old accounts when closing registration. I was away for just about the exact period to get locked-out).
- As we proceed, I'd like to plan for a multi-device/network play. This game would be awesome in a peer-to-peer, networked model.
Thanks for getting this started.
P.S. I *REALLY* like how you did the board. The buttons: meh. The board: Wow!
GinoAMelone said:
This is a beautiful start. Couple thoughts.
- The desert color isn't clearly distinct from wheat.
- The name will have to be something other than "Settlers of Catan". I'd avoid the current name for two reasons. One, a lot of us will take some degree of exception to the Satan reference. Two, it's not really different enough to dodge trademark concerns.
- I despise needing to scroll around in a game to see everything. This is my main complaint with "Pirates & Traders".
- On such a small screen, keep the UI as simple as possible. AsoBrain is wonderful. But, it is designed for a largish screen. (BTW, I hate that he killed old accounts when closing registration. I was away for just about the exact period to get locked-out).
- As we proceed, I'd like to plan for a multi-device/network play. This game would be awesome in a peer-to-peer, networked model.
Thanks for getting this started.
P.S. I *REALLY* like how you did the board. The buttons: meh. The board: Wow!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Agreed, the desert should be a tan, and wheat clearly a gold.
2. Also agree. It cannot even closely resemble Settlers. We can worry about the name when we have a game worth naming (I was thinking something like Travista, or something resembling travelers).
3. That is why it'd also be prudent to include a pinch to zoom or zoom controls. Let the player get in close if they wish, or let them sit way back and view it all from a distance.
4. Agreed. Simple yet elegant/complex in its design is what I'd like to see. Again give the player the option of getting as complicated as they wish. This can be easily accomplished with tabs that the player can pull out as needed. The only thing that should remain on the screen is the players hand, and a few essential buttons. Look at a game called PocketEmpires, use that idea for assembling tabs. I do feel that certain tabs should be entirely devoted to one type of action (like a building tab).
5. Once you have a basic game framework laid, you can work on making it work across the board and with all devices. The dev should focus on getting it to work native first, then move onward. As for a p2p network GREAT IDEA! If there is a way we can link this either by device or via a server that'd be the best way. Allow players to run through an entire game, or let players take their turns and move on to another player (IE pass it back and forth via notifications, similar to how Scrabble works on the iPhone).
I only wish I knew any code/dev tools to help with. All these ideas and nothing to do about it!

[discussion] THINK DIFFERENTLY

Hello everyone and thank you for your attention in the meantime!
We already notice that I am using Google Translate to communicate a bit 'better with you ... unfortunately my English is bad ...
With this question I would ask some of your impressions about the development of new ROM for Android.
I unfortunately delivery a bit 'at a disadvantage because I'm not a developer but just a noob playing with phones and test the different solutions that you offer through your releases.
Indeed, from this point of view I can say that I have tried almost all the main ROM and hybrid versions with kernel taken here and there.
But I've always noticed that the experiences of use, graphically speaking (UI), always remain similar, because the part of louncher is never developed, but the aim is to create a very user interface customization through changes color and background or placement of the elements.
For me it is not easy to explain, because I know that the topic is vast and Android is famous for it to be customizable, but my question is this: why do not you propose something really different and complete? A new ROM and can express a different concept of "personalization" ..
I think to some Louncher, type Listener (which I'm using now and I must say I really like it despite some bugs), or Splay (as a concept that I liked very much!), Or other similar but are not always reflected among users .. .
You may think that they are not customizable as it is for example Paranoid ROM that allows you to change many aspects of the UI are different ... but .. I do not know how to explain it .. try to focus on each other and to give news!
So I would suggest to you that you created ROM and the main team: why do not you join to create something new that is stable, fast and creative?
You have very capable graphics, you are the masters of code, so why not go beyond what is android now and try to find the best that each of you has to offer to create something extraordinary?
I'm sure each of you has at least once thought, "how I wish that notifications appear in a different way" (as the team made ​​it through Holo Paranoid ..!).
So .. create something .. UbuntuPhone style but also beyond .. looking for a concept to follow .. for example the samsung has developed its own theme focusing it on the nature .. but then: why not develop a UI based on a tree ? Or on a leaf! Do you understand?
I know it's a giant work but you are the best community of developers for mobile phones and I am sure that if you join forces, you can do a job never seen before ... because you can have a continuous feedback with millions of Android users who can help you in your work on ideas, tips, feedback, etc.!
What do you think?
Thank you for your attention!
I will to try to give to you (how much "to" :silly an idea about my theard:
so I will image the UI like an Infograph or a white pepper. And image in this space something as an virtual ambient thet will be familiar to "costumers" (sorry for the word but I don't know which one to use) and it's can be something of real live, like a desk with paper, pens and so on, that each one of them rappresents a category of apps. For exemple, the calculator rappresents the calculator'app!
So, if you like to change subject you can image a small city as "desktop" of the phone where the apps are graphites on the wall and ther's a person that walks in differents ways for change the differents views!
Or you can image the apps like "animals" that they grow older if the app will not use for a long time! (image the game "poo") and you can have all this animals in different fences divided into different category...
I can go on for years to give some ideas...but the concept is: create a new way of UI!
Something of different that can change the way of we use the phone! A new way that make older the other louncher! A new way that allow the developers to create differents wolrds!.. And integrate each of this ecosystem with utilities like weather (the weather can change in the "desktop" if change in real life...or can change the time with sun and moon! and so on..)!
Or you can think about a something of more easier, like a real infograph where the apps are in a white space and the user can choose the way to connect them and he can move in this space with different effect or with different way (like drag the screen or using some arrows that indicate the ways to move)...
So...something of new! The only problem can be define a commons libraries that allow to create this UI.
I think about HTML 5 and it's ability to be flexible...I know that java is more complicated but maybe can be a way to streamline the code!
Let me know what do you think about and if it can be possible, on your opinion! :highfive:

Rate it or Hate it

Hello there,
im new to programming. Did some HTML back in 2000, but its not worth to mention.
Well, i want to do some app programming and i dont know where and how to start.
Got an Idea in Mind and i need an independent valuation if its doable for a Newbie.
General thoughts are: What do i need, how long would it take? Meaning, what language should i learn to get this done
and how long would it take to programm for me. Since you Guys here got serious skills id like to here an opinion on this.
------------------------------
App should run on ios,android.
A Database is needed.
App needs to go online to access it.
No GPS needed.
It basically is an App that provides just Information from the DB.
First Screen are a Searchbar and 2 Dropdown Menus.
Second Screen you can specify further, there are some Categories to choose from.
Third Screen presents your Information.
Some fancy Graphics/Pictures and a Menu Sidebar on the left Side.
I hope to get this done in maby 6-7 Month working 1 hour per day?
Am i to optimistic or is it such a simple thing to programm =)

Hooked on your phone/p0rn? Help make the first HumaneTech smartphone experience

Hello everybody
Small intro:
I'm building a startup to create the first HumaneTech smartphone experience. For you.
Our project is to create a smartphone experience that is: Excellent. But not addictive.
A smartphone experience that respects your brain. And doesn't mess with your neurotransmitters. To allow you to use your phone without getting hooked, If you want.
To do that, we want to remove/redesign features that are addictive (believe me ! ) :
Glowing colors on screens
Notifications (the pings, the red numbered icons)
Thumb scrolling down (twitter/fb/etc news feed scrolling)
(and many other things)
We understand the psychology of it but we don't have tech skills (yet).
Let's say you have a smartphone/internet/p*rn addiction. And you want your own phone to help you.
Can you imagine android with :
AI based image recognition & filtering
One unique browser (designed to filter p*rn)
DNS/ HOSTS file based p*rn site filtering
Forced Google/Bing/etc SafeSearch
Phone use analytics (amount of time spend on X website/app etc)
Customisable "self parental controls" (limit the amount of time you can use an app, access a website,etc to keep you more productive) that you cant easily remove once set, to protect you
Customisable internet filters (hard to remove)
And in a moment of weakness, no easy way for you to remove it?
We thought of an app but all it takes is to boot in safe mode to bypass it (or not?)
Can we develop a customised Android that flashes like a ROM on a users phone and makes these changes?
We realise anybody motivated enough could do most of the above on his phone himself. By installing 4-5 third party apps, for example. But it wouldn't be perfect.
It could be easily removed. And the average user wants it easy to install.
Any ideas? I have very little technical skills and I'm still looking for answers on how to do this.
Thank you !
P.S.
First post so I'm not allowed to post links
Please go to HumaneTech dot com to understand what this is about.
There is a already a Chrome extension that filters nude images using AI. Its called vRate and works through a server
P.P.S.
I apologise in advance if I posted this in the wrong area.
This is in no way intended to promote a product. Nothing has been coded yet. I'm even willing to pay for a short conversation with someone who can answer these questions.

A simple dialer for kids

Hello guys,
I'm looking for an Android app that can only show (configured or not) phone IDs and icons and blocks anything except these contacts.
I need this for my son, just to see mine and my wife's phone Contact IDs but without the numbers(it's very important). I've been searching for a while but didn't find anything useful.
Could you please suggest/advice me?
BTW Samsung has similar application for they Kids Home/mode with name My phone, but the kid's phone is Sony and I can't port/install it.
I'm not aware of any app like this. But, Tasker (an automation app) can be configured to do what you want. If you're not familiar with Tasker, it's a bit of a learning curve, but extremely powerful.
If you would like to go in this direction, post in the Tasker forum and tag me (@ symbol in front of my username). I'll help you get started and create an app for that [emoji6]
You can consider buying your kids another device instead of a phone, like a wearable device. I see many cheap wearable band that have basic dial-up features, they re really easy for kids to use

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