Just idea: online B4X emulation compiler, sandbox... for just code example testing.
Say, declare a virtual MCU port of a chosen controller and near declare a virtual COM-port of B4J, or Android's notification, or any virtual XUI view...
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Welcome to B4X forum!
B4X is a set of simple and powerful cross platform RAD tools:
- B4A (free) - Android development
- B4J (free) - Desktop and Server development
- B4i - iOS development
- B4R (free) - Arduino, ESP8266 and ESP32 development
There's been a lot of talking about taking B4X to "the next level"...
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Just idea: online B4X emulation compiler, sandbox... for just code example testing.
Say, declare a virtual MCU port of a chosen controller and near declare a virtual COM-port of B4J, or Android's notification, or any virtual XUI view...
But it all looks like an invention try of tons of (maybe non-needed) work for Erel ?
That damned bug...i kept chasing it until I decided to scroll down to find it wasn't just me.
Sorry guys but social media is not your answer.
Yes I have done promotions on social media and with seo on websites to help associated activities. It isn't that hard, and you get hits and traction but...you spend money on addressing others curiosity - many don't actually do anything. So as I see it it would be a waste of time for what is a programming group.
Besides, what the posts on here also confirm, is that programming people are not into marketing and for that matter marketing people are not into programming.
So, what can you do to promote b4x?
My suggestion is to develop and promote very simple programs that people need, have a sales page, and sell them - a bit like an app store but with a b4x logo - and where relevant in all of b4a b4i b4j. They should be programs that are something that can be taken off the shelf and easily adapted to work.
A recent suggestion that I asked a member to work on for me is for a sporting club I attend. There is something that can be hired and for much of the week it is not used, or if was, it is not paid for. So I suggested a booking site that can be either logged into or preferably accessed via a QR code and enables payment when a time is selected. I want it so people can just "rock up" [ie visit] and do their transactions there and then quickly and easily - but if they wanted to book in ahead of time they could.
As i see it there are lots of uses and users for something like that.
Then you have people who might want to check if their lotto entry had a win. Key in the winning numbers and scan the ticket for a prize.
An app that lets an organizer know if someone is coming to a sporting event, or a meeting, or an activity - either by tracking them or by responding to a calendar entry.
Or something that lets people know if an event is cancelled. Say its a game of tennis and the courts are too wet - instead of driving there - you can find out if its too wet or not, It might even be for surfers to say the waves are no good, etc
An app that tells you if one of your team is either on the phone or in a meeting - ie are they available to be contacted.
Then there are for small groups: meeting agenda's, minutes, treasurers reports, all of which can be pre-propulated or automated [to a degree].
If someone wanted to business efficiency programs could be developed. How often do you scan documents and they are saved under some meaningless code in a single folder when they can be renamed, and placed in a suitable structured folder. For example, recently I was given an electronic folder of bank statements back to 2014 [9 years worth] in just the scanned names from a photocopier - no identifying which year or month they related to - except via the date the file was saved.
Then there is AI, apply those tools to simple everyday tasks and make it easier for people. Sadly, some programmers try to make things too complicated, too big, too hard, to cover every eventuality.
As I see it for simple programs that save time or that meet a single need will see traffic and interest in b4x grow. After all isn't that one of the selling points of b4x. To have rapid development of applications and therefore rapid solutions?
But we have to make the little things, and not so little things, simpler - that way b4x will become better known and recognised.
Sorry guys but social media is not your answer.
Yes I have done promotions on social media and with seo on websites to help associated activities. It isn't that hard, and you get hits and traction but...you spend money on addressing others curiosity - many don't actually do anything. So as I see it it would be a waste of time for what is a programming group.
Besides, what the posts on here also confirm, is that programming people are not into marketing and for that matter marketing people are not into programming.
So, what can you do to promote b4x?
My suggestion is to develop and promote very simple programs that people need, have a sales page, and sell them - a bit like an app store but with a b4x logo - and where relevant in all of b4a b4i b4j. They should be programs that are something that can be taken off the shelf and easily adapted to work.
A recent suggestion that I asked a member to work on for me is for a sporting club I attend. There is something that can be hired and for much of the week it is not used, or if was, it is not paid for. So I suggested a booking site that can be either logged into or preferably accessed via a QR code and enables payment when a time is selected. I want it so people can just "rock up" [ie visit] and do their transactions there and then quickly and easily - but if they wanted to book in ahead of time they could.
As i see it there are lots of uses and users for something like that.
Then you have people who might want to check if their lotto entry had a win. Key in the winning numbers and scan the ticket for a prize.
An app that lets an organizer know if someone is coming to a sporting event, or a meeting, or an activity - either by tracking them or by responding to a calendar entry.
Or something that lets people know if an event is cancelled. Say its a game of tennis and the courts are too wet - instead of driving there - you can find out if its too wet or not, It might even be for surfers to say the waves are no good, etc
An app that tells you if one of your team is either on the phone or in a meeting - ie are they available to be contacted.
Then there are for small groups: meeting agenda's, minutes, treasurers reports, all of which can be pre-propulated or automated [to a degree].
If someone wanted to business efficiency programs could be developed. How often do you scan documents and they are saved under some meaningless code in a single folder when they can be renamed, and placed in a suitable structured folder. For example, recently I was given an electronic folder of bank statements back to 2014 [9 years worth] in just the scanned names from a photocopier - no identifying which year or month they related to - except via the date the file was saved.
Then there is AI, apply those tools to simple everyday tasks and make it easier for people. Sadly, some programmers try to make things too complicated, too big, too hard, to cover every eventuality.
As I see it for simple programs that save time or that meet a single need will see traffic and interest in b4x grow. After all isn't that one of the selling points of b4x. To have rapid development of applications and therefore rapid solutions?
But we have to make the little things, and not so little things, simpler - that way b4x will become better known and recognised.
I don't know any apps similar to you have mentioned above are written in another languages.
I don't see any end products promoting the programming language they are using.
What I see is many Programming language or Frameworks publish on their websites that many companies are using them. I thought B4X website already doing the same. But why ...
Sometimes I think good product doesn't necessary become popular.
Take Linux (desktop) OS as an example. The problem is corporate doesn't use it. PC is shipped with Windows.
Managers recommend what they heard from the Internet. Seminar or webinar promotes technologies sponsored by big companies.
At the end, it is about money. Who is going to spend money on the R&D.
100% right
Marketing and spreading of B4X is crucial step.
Also we should see close competitors.
B4X vs React - Reputation and Marketing Aspect..
I choose React because it is technically use the same approach of B4X .. B4X translates vb code to java code, React translates js to java code!
We love B4X, we need a big push for it.
Let us to see:
B4A released in 2010
React released in 2011
Now in market share, React is a big and mostly known and recognized by all developers worldwide, B4X is neglectable compared to React.
Why B4X not?
From my marketing viewpoint I see the following is the main cause of B4X spread limitation:
- Not backed by global big company (React backed by Facebook)
So, the best and fastest pushing method is hooking B4X with famous social accounts.
It is better than spending money in Facebook and Google ads.
So if anyone know one of those accounts, tell him to spread B4X.
And B4X should have commercial promotion ads videos/images assets to be linked.
We must all help our loved B4X to be more and more global programming trend.
...Well... I think that B4X already have a big portfolio of APPS (new apps-programs not included at showcase of b4x)...
Ofcourse portfolio of apps not a big thing if not used by some big companies... that is the real advertising..
General speaking... I think ... and stop me if I am not "OK"... we look the "Tree" and not the whole "Forest"......
We want with a tree (a program, and app)... make money... but what about if have many ... a Forest..
what about get paying for services and have all these... or the most of programs open source code and Free...
...or create new programs simple to understand with no extras (plugins)
like a CMS, ERP, Remote APP, Chat, Video Chat, API for all these... etc...
have the code open source... and work all together to make for those apps plugins...
and then... all will have work, for extras... and also b4x will boost
Ofcourse portfolio of apps not a big thing if not used by some big companies... that is the real advertising..
General speaking... I think ... and stop me if I am not "OK"... we look the "Tree" and not the whole "Forest"......
We want with a tree (a program, and app)... make money... but what about if have many ... a Forest..
what about get paying for services and have all these... or the most of programs open source code and Free...
...or create new programs simple to understand with no extras (plugins)
like a CMS, ERP, Remote APP, Chat, Video Chat, API for all these... etc...
have the code open source... and work all together to make for those apps plugins...
and then... all will have work, for extras... and also b4x will boost
React is not only backed by Facebook, it is created by Facebook.
Angular (formerly AngularJS) is created by Google but it is declining.
TypeScript is created by Microsoft. Now Huawei is using some kind of TS variant to develop HarmonyOS apps.
Imagine how many employees in these companies are using them.
and i am continue.. what i was saying (sorry guys)...
..i am continue that... because may be not understanding me - my bad english not helping me...
....Let's check Wordpress.... example.... yes there are plenty extras are free... but many are with payment... also themes for it...
Have a look to LibreOffice... yes it totally free... but can give donations...
other examples Linux are free for individuals but not for business.... or goverments.. also there are plenty of extras you must pay to have a secure system.
I think that Erel guide us... with the same language.. giving to us ... for free..
Is it so difficult to make a start ?
* Also I am not taking that Java we are using is not commercial - so the solutions giving too... may be also... not be commercials too..
not searching that... because if I search.. I will dissapoint... we will need to pay a lot to oracle (because Java we are using is belong to them)
So we must think clearly a move to Open Source... may be starting a group... creating the libs we need and the basic apps... that will give the world what needs for free and and if need more will pay extra... This can be stand also from donations, and will donate B4X too...
Think about it...
..i am continue that... because may be not understanding me - my bad english not helping me...
....Let's check Wordpress.... example.... yes there are plenty extras are free... but many are with payment... also themes for it...
Have a look to LibreOffice... yes it totally free... but can give donations...
other examples Linux are free for individuals but not for business.... or goverments.. also there are plenty of extras you must pay to have a secure system.
I think that Erel guide us... with the same language.. giving to us ... for free..
Is it so difficult to make a start ?
* Also I am not taking that Java we are using is not commercial - so the solutions giving too... may be also... not be commercials too..
not searching that... because if I search.. I will dissapoint... we will need to pay a lot to oracle (because Java we are using is belong to them)
So we must think clearly a move to Open Source... may be starting a group... creating the libs we need and the basic apps... that will give the world what needs for free and and if need more will pay extra... This can be stand also from donations, and will donate B4X too...
Think about it...
Why not try out Jitsi.
It is free and has support for almost unlimited members.
My humble suggestion is to go with Telegram Channel as it has support for very large number of members.
never tried...Why not try out Jitsi.
It is free and has support for almost unlimited members.
we can try it some day... now we already Go with Google Meet.. hope it can handle us...
next time will have much more time...We can try everything... and it will be nice to have a channel-Team at Viber to have fast questions and answers...
...I know there are only some hours left...
to have our first (1st) Online Meeting... and I am not going to tell "lie" I was checking every some minutes (sorry Erel - I am not a stalker) the members connected to the forum... Seeing a lot of members old and new just checking those threads... I want to talk for old members that are not talking, posting to these threads about the Meeting coming up... and i am afraid that will not participate/attend/talk/join... whatever is this in our mind...
I think that will lose an opportunity to share their thoughts... or to make new partners...
because one developer alone can't stand... to those big companies..
but many... may be could make the difference... at least... we can try...
Please don't afraid... you have nothing to lose... you can only WIN !
I was think PM some of members (not doing... is a spam).. everyday sharing their knowledge here and i am sure that want something more... some of them not developers as first job but they have B4X knowledge... much more from many...
Plz come, add you name to RSVP list or just click at the meeting the right time...
don't wait others to signup...
to have our first (1st) Online Meeting... and I am not going to tell "lie" I was checking every some minutes (sorry Erel - I am not a stalker) the members connected to the forum... Seeing a lot of members old and new just checking those threads... I want to talk for old members that are not talking, posting to these threads about the Meeting coming up... and i am afraid that will not participate/attend/talk/join... whatever is this in our mind...
I think that will lose an opportunity to share their thoughts... or to make new partners...
because one developer alone can't stand... to those big companies..
but many... may be could make the difference... at least... we can try...
Please don't afraid... you have nothing to lose... you can only WIN !
I was think PM some of members (not doing... is a spam).. everyday sharing their knowledge here and i am sure that want something more... some of them not developers as first job but they have B4X knowledge... much more from many...
Plz come, add you name to RSVP list or just click at the meeting the right time...
don't wait others to signup...
Not sure how you can compare React with B4X. The whole point of B4X is to be able to write code in a more VB like language - I thought?
I think the strength of B4X is simplicity.
It is not necessary to know programming to be able to make a small application.
The structure of the language is very simple and powerful.
When I searched for a language to create Android apps and saw B4X, I thought "That's great",
anyone can create Android apps with this thing. This is not the case with other languages.
This is the strength of B4X.
First of all, I think we shouldn't deal with people who already program with another language,
but with new programmers who want to use B4X.
Young people will make the future.
It is not necessary to know programming to be able to make a small application.
The structure of the language is very simple and powerful.
When I searched for a language to create Android apps and saw B4X, I thought "That's great",
anyone can create Android apps with this thing. This is not the case with other languages.
This is the strength of B4X.
First of all, I think we shouldn't deal with people who already program with another language,
but with new programmers who want to use B4X.
Young people will make the future.
The "meeting" was nice... but subject was only for Business/Professional.... not bad... but Collaboration/Partnership not means only that... Sometimes is more simple ... It means sharing parts of work-project...
As aeric said something... in conversation... we need to have "Trust"... we must win that... Trust... between some members to a project together...
So targetting at Professional / Business Group is step after some other steps...
First of all - we must agree that we are all Happy users of B4X Family... then we must know the Secrets of this Language (we need help of Erel and members involved years with B4X)... but i think the most important when we talk about B4X and collaboration - is the member will be future partners to want to involved in developing with this language...
Ofcourse at projects we need Marketing, Organizing, Hardware, paying Web Services - Database Services, APIs... we all know that to have a commercial or a good result, we need a big Group - Team... but hey... let's make first small steps...
we don;t know - each other... Waiting for next Meeting...
ps: I didn't keep notes...
ps2: Next time will be more organized...
ps3: we ve made a start...
As aeric said something... in conversation... we need to have "Trust"... we must win that... Trust... between some members to a project together...
So targetting at Professional / Business Group is step after some other steps...
First of all - we must agree that we are all Happy users of B4X Family... then we must know the Secrets of this Language (we need help of Erel and members involved years with B4X)... but i think the most important when we talk about B4X and collaboration - is the member will be future partners to want to involved in developing with this language...
Ofcourse at projects we need Marketing, Organizing, Hardware, paying Web Services - Database Services, APIs... we all know that to have a commercial or a good result, we need a big Group - Team... but hey... let's make first small steps...
we don;t know - each other... Waiting for next Meeting...
ps: I didn't keep notes...
ps2: Next time will be more organized...
ps3: we ve made a start...
First I apologise for leaving the meeting soo soon, but family takes precedence.
If I'm not mistaken the meeting lasted almost 2 hours, and the 30mins I stayed, we were not even at half the presentations.
Big group meetings like this will never be suited for collaboration/partenerships talkings... there were a lot of "stepping over" each other, un-intended of course, due to lag, and the "who's next" lingering feeling.
In my opinion, these meetings, along with forum interation, will serve to consolidate trust between those who attend, and then make them at ease to take that next step... first contact.
Unless we set theses meeting like a TED talk, with a "single" person leading the meeting, and talking about his own experiences and maybe answering some questions, these meetings will always be a "sunday BBQ" .... and I am always ready for one!
If I'm not mistaken the meeting lasted almost 2 hours, and the 30mins I stayed, we were not even at half the presentations.
Big group meetings like this will never be suited for collaboration/partenerships talkings... there were a lot of "stepping over" each other, un-intended of course, due to lag, and the "who's next" lingering feeling.
In my opinion, these meetings, along with forum interation, will serve to consolidate trust between those who attend, and then make them at ease to take that next step... first contact.
Unless we set theses meeting like a TED talk, with a "single" person leading the meeting, and talking about his own experiences and maybe answering some questions, these meetings will always be a "sunday BBQ" .... and I am always ready for one!
You can watch the videos I uploaded so you don't miss so much of the discussion.First I apologise for leaving the meeting soo soon, but family takes precedence.
If I'm not mistaken the meeting lasted almost 2 hours, and the 30mins I stayed, we were not even at half the presentations.
Big group meetings like this will never be suited for collaboration/partenerships talkings... there were a lot of "stepping over" each other, un-intended of course, due to lag, and the "who's next" lingering feeling.
In my opinion, these meetings, along with forum interation, will serve to consolidate trust between those who attend, and then make them at ease to take that next step... first contact.
Unless we set theses meeting like a TED talk, with a "single" person leading the meeting, and talking about his own experiences and maybe answering some questions, these meetings will always be a "sunday BBQ" .... and I am always ready for one!
I agree with you. Coming forward, I prefer a speaker presents his ideas like a webinar or keynote speech. He will demo the project or concept with PowerPoint slides. In the middle and before ending, there will be interaction such as Q&A section.
I consent in every aspect of this post. IMHO the biggest selling point for B4X is: Simple Apps could be done by everybody. And then there is a lot room for growing in the ecosphere of the IDE. But who is in need for simple apps? No, the answer is not "App-Developers" and programmers. The target group are people who have a daily job to do and who want to smoothen out their daily tasks. This is a market that is at the moment driven by MS-Office products. And this is the opportunity for B4X to sneak its way into corporate environments. There is the momentum and there is the chance to become indispensible. But fullfills the current ecosystem of B4X the needs of those non-programmer people in the coporate world? I'm afraid not. They need tutorials about setting up a simple database in a language that suits them. They need the confidence, that there is a safe way to bring their apps onto the web and they want to know exactly why is B4X the better option to do that in comparison to that regarding JS-Solution which is fully and understandable explained on youtube. Those guys dont want to see fancy experimental things which could be done with B4X. They want to see, how it could be done simple, right and stable. Who is to blame for the lack of target-audience related content on this forum and social media? Erel is not. He is the greatest programmer on earth but has never worked in coprorate environments. He couldn't help even if he wants to. Could this community do this? Could Erel sponsor some tutorials? Is it possible to win over some MS-Access Guys to show the world how B4X could be a successor for their tool? I don't have the answers but I'm quite sure, that my suggested direction is the way to go. For my part, I'm quite good in VBA, but i have never managed to do some really meaningfull in B4X. The curve is still too steep for me. Maybe I'm not alone.
Other houghts: Almost never starts a corporate project with a mobile app. This is one of the last phases a business-application is passing. And for those guys mentioned above its hard to install their self made tool on prem at their workplace. If they want to have their processes more automated, they must do it in some form of webapp. And this must be the direction for B4X in the future to stay alive.