phpBB Web App - Browser App - phpBB PWA

[halil16]

Imagine our phpBB forum sites hosted on phones or computers like an app. Looking at it, it is no different from an application. Yes I am talking about PWA. This is a great feature that will take phpBB forums to the next level.

From Xenforo, the biggest alternative to phpBB, I would like to give this example: https://xenforo.com/community/threads/p ... pp.181448/

The nice thing about this is that when we click on our forum address in the search results or click on our forum link elsewhere, the PWA application opens immediately.

A shortcut link can be added to the quick links. And this PWA application disappears when downloaded. When the normal browser is opened, it may say "Switch to Application".

Also, Push Notifications are just as important. There is a paid phpBB plugin. This shows that this is possible. Already have a Push Notifications idea: viewtopic.php?f=436&t=2245421

I think the settings such as icon, short name, opening screen and type should be taken care of from the ACP.

Yours respectfully.

[Lumpy Burgertushie]

not needed. phpbb works just fine on all devices.


robert

[AbaddonOrmuz]

A progressive web app (PWA), it's not the same as a browser app.

It's possible but it would need some work, but I don't think the development team would accept a new feature for 3.3.x, maybe 4.0.0.

And even then, I believe it would need to be an extension.

not needed. phpbb works just fine on all devices.

Sure it does!

But that has nothing to do with a PWA.

[warmweer]

If it can be done, this will be one of the factors that will carry phpBB higher. We all need it, even if we deny it.

Please don't generalise; I don't need it and I'm certainly not denying that.

[halil16]

not needed. phpbb works just fine on all devices.

Of course. It works wonderfully on all devices. However, it is very goog for users to enter it as an application. Some find it very difficult to open the browser and enter the site.

A progressive web app (PWA), it's not the same as a browser app.
It's possible but it would need some work, but I don't think the development team would accept a new feature for 3.3.x, maybe 4.0.0.
And even then, I believe it would need to be an extension.

Thank you. I think PWA will be very useful especially in the mobile part.
So, is it possible to do something that takes care of this with a single click that can be shown to users to use the "Add shortcut to home screen" feature?

Please don't generalise; I don't need it and I'm certainly not denying that.

Well. Sorry.

[Mannix_]

You can use service like this to turn your website to apk https://websitetoapk.com/

[halil16]

You can use service like this to turn your website to apk https://websitetoapk.com/

It's not the same, unfortunately. If we want to put it in the market after making an APK, we have to pay a fee. We have to pay to show ads. Simple and effective as it is browser-based with PWA. It would be superb if phpBB did that, actually. But Push notifications are a nuisance. But maybe it is not possible.

[halil16]

can't be done with simple codes?

[halil16]

i in add new idea: viewtopic.php?f=436&t=2580686

[Tarantino]

What you should ask is for an API. If phpBB had an API we could create anything with phpBB. We could use Vue, React, Angular, Svelte and easily develop great solutions all making use of an phpBB API. So creating an PWA would be far easier.

Since 2012 many attempts were wrote, but no official development.
And in 2019 we had a new light shining, but it seems it will take ages to be a reality: viewtopic.php?t=2507096#p15252796

And that's is a real pity!

[Meis2M]

i am working on it

we need some things,

1- Web app manifests
2- Service Workers
3- Your site must running on HTTPS

Talking about section 1
i created a manifest.json
here it is:
https://www.php-bb.ir/forum/styles/Milk ... ifest.json
with two thing another , that should adding to header

Code: Select all

<link rel="manifest" href="https://www.php-bb.ir/forum/styles/Milk_v2/template/app/manifest.json" />
<meta name="theme-color" content="#317EFB"/>
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.php-bb.ir/forum/styles/Milk_v2/template/app/images/icon-192.png">

and this folder for images icons:
https://www.php-bb.ir/forum/styles/Milk ... pp/images/

with above codes section 1 is complete


Talking about section 2
we need service worker for running forum in offline mode

i don't know how add a service worker to phpBB system

here , information for service worker
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/doc ... ce_Workers


Point:
there is an extension on google chrome for checking PWA on ur site, that is Lighthouse
here:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/deta ... pbjk?hl=en

[halil16]

1- Web app manifests
2- Service Workers
3- Your site must running on HTTPS

Hello, you are awesome.
For the first one, there is someone who does this but gives a fee. [Here] But I know how you did it. Notifications seem to be a must, but not a must.
HTTPS is a must.

Now, as the first step, we need to create a file like https://www.php-bb.ir/forum/styles/Milk ... ifest.json for the theme. Is not it?
/template/app/manifest.json path required? I also don't have /app/. Should I create it?

Next, should we add this to the general_header.html (<head> </head>) file?

Code: Select all

<link rel="manifest" href="https://www.php-bb.ir/forum/styles/Milk_v2/template/app/manifest.json" />
<meta name="theme-color" content="#317EFB"/>
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.php-bb.ir/forum/styles/Milk_v2/template/app/images/icon-192.png">

For offline, anyone can create a unique offline.php file template.

I look forward to your work.

Yours respectfully.

[halil16]

For offline, anyone can create a unique offline.php file template.

Or it can be a standard offline.php template.

[Meis2M]

Now, as the first step, we need to create a file like https://www.php-bb.ir/forum/styles/Milk ... ifest.json for the theme. Is not it?

yes

/template/app/manifest.json path required? I also don't have /app/. Should I create it?

i created app folder but you can set anywhere

Next, should we add this to the general_header.html (<head> </head>) file?

styles/ur style/template/overal_header.html

[halil16]

Talking about section 2
we need service worker for running forum in offline mode

i don't know how add a service worker to phpBB system

This is probably the most difficult.