Migrating Web Apps - any interest?

[jusjoken]

I wanted something different to learn so I have been looking into updating the webapp solution for SageTV to Jetty 9.x. The current VERY outdated version is 6.x so this is a LARGE change and the solution is pretty much a rewrite rather than an update. And I have NO Jetty experience and limited web development experience but that's never stopped me before

Jetty 9.x supports a minimum Java version of 1.8 (8) and supports all the way up to 16 and higher and is fully supported still (even though there is a Jetty 10 and 11 now). This should give us a good foundation and still allow 1.8 to be the minimum version.

Once Jetty is working within SageTV then each of the current webapps will need updating as well. BMT I can likely do as the source is available on GitHub. I will need to find the source for the other webapps (mobile and the main web app) and or reach out to anyone who has recently modified them to see if I can work with them to get them updated.

This may amount to nothing or may be part of bringing SageTV interface into the "here and now" and allow growth in the web UI space (something all the competition do really well).

So...what web based apps do you use and feel need to be migrated to a new Jetty base ?

K

[wayner]

First off - thanks so much for doing this!

Here is what I have and still use that build from the Jetty server.

1. Sage Recording extender - SRE. This is crucial for those of us that watch sports. (Base URL localhost:8080/livepvrdata/events) written by Slugger, now maintained by skiingwiz
   
2. SageAlert would also be useful. (Base URL localhost:8080/sagealert/) written by Slugger
   
3. The SageX API web server. (Base URL localhost:8080/sagex/api)
   
4. The SageX web server API documentation. (Base URL localhost:8080/sagex/apidocs)
   
5. The SJQ additions to the menu of the main web page written by Slugger

In one of his last updates of the Web page, Slugger allowed the last point on this list. He also allowed you to use Groovy to write additional Sage WebUI pages. I created something I call Sage Client Manager that let's me see the status of all of the SageTV clients (extenders, PlaceShifter, Client, Android) that have ever connected to the PC. It would be great if this functionality still existed and I could then release this for others as well.

There would probably be future functionality people would like to have, like the ability to be able to play back content from the web UI.

Feature Requests
I believe that stuckless was planning to essentially merge BMT with the main UI. But then he decided to move away from Sage before he ever did that. If you were feeling really energetic that could be an idea.

It would also be nice to be able to do other tasks from the web UI, like everything available in the Setup menus of the UI. Especially stuff like adding/deleting channels. Essentially any configuration should be able to be done from the Web UI. Right now that is not really the case, although you can do a log of config stuff through BMT.

I have a backup server and I could turn on another test server as well so I can help doing beta testing that won't F up a system.

[AlphaCrew]

I use the web app quite a bit.

[VCRUser]

I would prefer that the new app wouldn't replace the current web apps (since I have some issues with Java 1.8+ in some cases), but would be a separate app so that users could use either the old or the new. For a new app, the most important feature for me would be the ability to at least run a preview of recordings, including recordings in progress. Essentially, I sometimes have a need to do a quick check to make sure a recording is going ok (the show didn't start late or run late, and wasn't mistuned) - essentially anything that would require an intervention to fix the problem. In that vein, it would be really cool to be able to tell my server to resend the tuning command. I use USBUIRT to send IR codes to my tuners, and sometimes they miscommunicate, giving me channel 4 or 488 instead of 48, for example.

[jusjoken]

Originally Posted by VCRUser

I would prefer that the new app wouldn't replace the current web apps (since I have some issues with Java 1.8+ in some cases), but would be a separate app so that users could use either the old or the new. For a new app, the most important feature for me would be the ability to at least run a preview of recordings, including recordings in progress. Essentially, I sometimes have a need to do a quick check to make sure a recording is going ok (the show didn't start late or run late, and wasn't mistuned) - essentially anything that would require an intervention to fix the problem. In that vein, it would be really cool to be able to tell my server to resend the tuning command. I use USBUIRT to send IR codes to my tuners, and sometimes they miscommunicate, giving me channel 4 or 488 instead of 48, for example.

I understand the desire to keep them separate and so I will look into this but it has its issues including current users that don't frequent the forum would not be aware of the update.

Curious what the 1.8 issues are...i thought the main issue for those staying on 1.7 was the web app solution ?

K

[wayner]

FYI - I have been on Java 8 for a long time and I don't have any issues. It is possible that there is an issue with the Mobile app, but I don't use that.

[VCRUser]

My issue is that I rely on Place-Shifter every day to watch stuff while I'm doing email etc. on my computer. Anything after 1.6 lacks the always-on-top feature, which is essential to me for my multi-tasking.

[wnjj]

Originally Posted by VCRUser

My issue is that I rely on Place-Shifter every day to watch stuff while I'm doing email etc. on my computer. Anything after 1.6 lacks the always-on-top feature, which is essential to me for my multi-tasking.

That looks like a simple one line change to fix. I assuming the Java 1.5 and 1.6 check was put in there when the were new and 1.4 didn’t support the feature.

https://github.com/google/sagetv/blo...indow.java#L77

[UgaData]

+1 :

I still have my blinders on and refuse to read the writing on the wall

[VCRUser]

Originally Posted by wnjj

That looks like a simple one line change to fix. I assuming the Java 1.5 and 1.6 check was put in there when the were new and 1.4 didn’t support the feature.

https://github.com/google/sagetv/blo...indow.java#L77

I don't do Java, but assume this would need to be compiled. Is that easy for a non-Java programmer to do? (If so, a pointer to instructions would be helpful, but if not, and if anyone can do it and post a new .exe somewhere, that would be great).

The AlwaysOnTop is the main reason I use PS instead of Client, since PS 6 will work with Server 9, but Client6 won't.

I am currently using a version 6 PlaceShifter, and the version 9 one I have doesn't do the always-on-top, but it succeeds in playing a few videos that the v6 one doesn't, so I use it when necessary, but otherwise stick to the v6 version. It is set to run using a 1.7 runtime, since I keep both around. I open the v9 version via a batch file using the command:
"C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin\javaw" -cp "c:\download\software\sagestuff\placeshifter 9 installed\MiniClient.jar;jogl.jar;gluegen-rt.jar" -Xmx1024m sage.miniclient.MiniClient



(I probably found that command somewhere in the forums and modified it a bit until it worked).

[wnjj]

Originally Posted by VCRUser

I don't do Java, but assume this would need to be compiled. Is that easy for a non-Java programmer to do? (If so, a pointer to instructions would be helpful, but if not, and if anyone can do it and post a new .exe somewhere, that would be great).

The AlwaysOnTop is the main reason I use PS instead of Client, since PS 6 will work with Server 9, but Client6 won't.

I am currently using a version 6 PlaceShifter, and the version 9 one I have doesn't do the always-on-top, but it succeeds in playing a few videos that the v6 one doesn't, so I use it when necessary, but otherwise stick to the v6 version. It is set to run using a 1.7 runtime, since I keep both around. I open the v9 version via a batch file using the command:
"C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin\javaw" -cp "c:\download\software\sagestuff\placeshifter 9 installed\MiniClient.jar;jogl.jar;gluegen-rt.jar" -Xmx1024m sage.miniclient.MiniClient



(I probably found that command somewhere in the forums and modified it a bit until it worked).

Unless Narflex knows a good reason why it can’t be changed, ideally the code would get updated to remove that restriction. For Java, it’s compiled into a .jar file which is what you’d need updated. Are you running the latest version right now? I could compile an updated jar with that change so long as I know what version you’re using today.

[VCRUser]

Originally Posted by wnjj

. For Java, it’s compiled into a .jar file which is what you’d need updated. Are you running the latest version right now? I could compile an updated jar with that change so long as I know what version you’re using today.

The one I run that needs fixing to allow always-on-top is 9.2.2.441 (not sure whether it's the latest. I currently call it from the batch file I referenced that invokes JRE 1.7 (it won't run on anything less), and in that context lacks always-on-top. The jar is named MiniClient.jar and is 699,189 bytes, dated (as are several of the dlls) 5/16/20. There are also executables (SageTVPlaceshifter.exe and SageTVPlayer.exe), and a handful of dlls, but I gather from your post that those don't need to be adjusted.

I'd be thrilled to have a fixed version of that.
Thanks!

[waynedunham]

Originally Posted by AlphaCrew

I use the web app quite a bit.

I do also, it's critical for me when I'm spending a month up at my camp in Maine. I have to keep an eye on what's scheduled, what IR "thinks" I want to record, etc.

Several options in the SageTV web app are "broken" in Java 1.8. Any time you try to search the EPG it fails. Dang, I can't recall offhand what other things are broken, but there are a few that I use from time to time.

I know there's at least one that doesn't work in the Mobile Web App that still work in the old remote app, and I think search is one of them.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by waynedunham

I do also, it's critical for me when I'm spending a month up at my camp in Maine. I have to keep an eye on what's scheduled, what IR "thinks" I want to record, etc.

Several options in the SageTV web app are "broken" in Java 1.8. Any time you try to search the EPG it fails. Dang, I can't recall offhand what other things are broken, but there are a few that I use from time to time.

I know there's at least one that doesn't work in the Mobile Web App that still work in the old remote app, and I think search is one of them.

When you say "old remote app", are you talking about what was branded as the
"Phoenix Remote" app in the Android store at one point?
That's the one I've always used, although it's Java and Jetty have been outdated so things like Guide listings and Search do not function anymore.
But it's design was really nice.

[jusjoken]

Originally Posted by waynedunham

I do also, it's critical for me when I'm spending a month up at my camp in Maine. I have to keep an eye on what's scheduled, what IR "thinks" I want to record, etc.

Several options in the SageTV web app are "broken" in Java 1.8. Any time you try to search the EPG it fails. Dang, I can't recall offhand what other things are broken, but there are a few that I use from time to time.

I know there's at least one that doesn't work in the Mobile Web App that still work in the old remote app, and I think search is one of them.

Adding this comment here from your other post so I can keep this together....

Oh, one other thing I'd love to see in the Mobile Web App is something that is in the older remote app. Being able to restart SageTV from the menu. Right now I have to browse to the old app to do that. Sure would be nice to be able to do it from the newer "formatted for my tablet" Mobile Web App.

Can you let me know what this "older remote app" is as they are ALL old...

K

[wayner]

Originally Posted by waynedunham

I do also, it's critical for me when I'm spending a month up at my camp in Maine. I have to keep an eye on what's scheduled, what IR "thinks" I want to record, etc.

Several options in the SageTV web app are "broken" in Java 1.8. Any time you try to search the EPG it fails. Dang, I can't recall offhand what other things are broken, but there are a few that I use from time to time.

I know there's at least one that doesn't work in the Mobile Web App that still work in the old remote app, and I think search is one of them.

Search EPG works for me in the web UI with Java 8 on both Windows 10 and unRAID.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by wayner

Search EPG works for me in the web UI with Java 8 on both Windows 10 and unRAID.

When you say “web ui”, is this what you’re using:

“youripaddress:8080/sage/“

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by jusjoken

Adding this comment here from your other post so I can keep this together....

Oh, one other thing I'd love to see in the Mobile Web App is something that is in the older remote app. Being able to restart SageTV from the menu. Right now I have to browse to the old app to do that. Sure would be nice to be able to do it from the newer "formatted for my tablet" Mobile Web App.

Can you let me know what this "older remote app" is as they are ALL old...

K

This is the Android app I’ve always used, and kept the .apk, because it appears to be gone from the Android Store. Still the best, quickest small-screen SageTV interface:

https://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59248

[wayner]

When you say “web ui”, is this what you’re using:

“youripaddress:8080/sage/“

Yes, although in one instance I am using a different port number for the Jetty web server.

[wayner]

Should be pretty easy to reboot SageTV from the web UI as I think you can do that with a call to the SageX API. So you can do it right now with a URL get.