So I've been working a lot on the server-hosted version of the web app. A few things to note:
- All pages, be it the main
www.mydjsongbook.com page or j-man.mydjsongbook.com, are fully SSL secured
So you get the padlock icon in your browser, but more importantly information transmitted over SSL is encrypted. So even over an open WiFi, that information cannot be intercepted. That goes for VDJ -> Server communications as well as Customer -> Server. For $4.99/month to get a fully hosted and SSL-secured web-app is practically a steal.
Note that if they type (or QR scan or whatever) a non-HTTPS link, it will automatically redirect them to the HTTPS secured version. So you don't have to tell people to type "HTTPS" etc... just go to "yourname.mydjsongbook.com" and the server/browser will take care of the rest.
- I used a free service to create various all of the (current) site icons for different platforms - mostly things like
for Android, and of course the obligatory
16x16 browser tab/address bar/bookmark icon. And everything in between, all the different Android and iPhone/iPad dimensions are available.
Because nobody likes to "play nice" every platform has a different format and asks for a different filename... things like apple-icon-76x76 or ms-icon-70x70 and so forth... so for now I have primitive versions of all (known at this time) variations that may be requested...
So if a user bookmarks whoever.mydjsongbook.com to their "home screen", it will use the appropriate icon for the platform. Not the most creative icon for sure, but "My DJ" is pretty clear and concise in its meaning...
At the moment they are all scaled-up versions of the 16x16 that I drew pixel-by-pixel. Later on I'll create specific, sharper icons for the other sizes. At the moment the 16x16 "favicon" that Microsoft introduced back in 2001 is still the most used format... most platforms still just look for /favicon.ico and that's it; but if they do request the apple-icon-114x114 version (certain iPads) or any number of other common variations, they are available.
- Soon I will have the integration necessary to release a 7.7 version, which will natively support using the server-hosted app. I won't remove the built-in app just yet -- but you would choose one or the other. If you want to pay for the hosted version, you get more features, real security, and eliminate router issues etc. Otherwise, you can still give your customers your local IP and use the less-feature-rich built-in version. There will be no new features added to the built-in, while the server-hosted app will evolve and get better as time goes on.
*NOTE*If you are among those using an unlicensed version of VDJ, or are sharing a license between more than one PC, for your own sake don't try to subscribe. It will enforce one license per machine, and of course it has to be a valid, purchased license; "cracked" or "patched" versions will not work as the server will know if your license is valid or not.
I'm still working on the little "menu" icon. It works well with mobile devices, but also works on the PC of course. Soon I will add the ability to change colors, upload your own background images, and other things to fully customize "your" app. I cannot allow certain HTML or JavaScript in the customization, or linking to external image files (SSL vs non-SSL), but you'll have an "assets" area where you can upload those custom images which will be securely served over the HTTPS connection. Mostly (at the moment) I'm thinking about a DJ Profile Picture, a background image, and down the road perhaps additional images (tip jar icon, etc) to be personalized.
Ideally the defaults should work for most; however, I will be adding additional features to allow you to (eventually) customize just about every "word" or "phrase" that is displayed, to hopefully support multiple languages. That will be in a future update however... it's a progressive and constantly improving platform.
So check out
https://j-man.mydjsongbook.com/ and play around - you can't break anything. Test it on your PC, tablet, or phone, and please by all means report any glitches or issues that need work. Submit requests; search for oddball things; try to break it! I'd rather find a problem now, than when it gets released.
I personally have been taking a DJ break for personal/medical reasons, but I'm making my comeback on Friday, March 17th, all dressed in green. So my goal is to have the hosted app up and running by then. It will be part of the 7.7 version, which I will release once I'm comfortable with the app, hopefully within the next 2 weeks (so I can iron out any initial bugs/problems before my "comeback" gig
)
Most of the "customer" side is functional.
FUTURE:I decided I do want to write a native Android app. This would provide a couple of advantages, mostly the ability to "notify" a singer when their turn is up (like a vibrating light-up coaster at a restaurant). I will try to integrate a browser within the app so the customer doesn't have to switch between browser and app - it would all be self-contained. This part however will be at a later time, when I have time to shift gears and start working on Android code... for now, the web-based app provides just about everything you would need, including (not finished yet) the ability to upload a "selfie" that you (the DJ) can choose to use as their "profile" pic or not.
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