I am a new coach in a CoderDojo where we work with App Inventor. This is my first post and I need help.
I am using DynamicComponents of the Image type to populate a VerticalScrollArrangement based on a list of URLs read from a Google SHEET column (via the SpreadSheet Component).
It works but is very slow to acquire only 8 pictures (about 10 seconds).
Off-topic: I was assigned this topic. I guess because @YvesB is also running a CoderDojo. Hi @YvesB, nice to meet you. I run a Dojo in Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Where are you from?
If you are using App Inventor and have some micro:bits or other microcontrollers you could also start using MicroBlocks. MicroBlocks makes it really easy to program microcontrollers in a live environment.
Since the url is the source for the image you the available image at the url determines the size of the image you download. The imaged is 'right sized' by App Inventor for your app's display size. This takes time. All considered your download experience you think is very slow to acquire only 8 pictures (about 10 seconds) is actually probably pretty good.
The download is probably faster or slower if you are using wifi versus data through your cell phone.
I actually did but I want the galerie that I display (the avatars of my ninjas) to be dynamic, ie not casted in the code. If I add (or remove) a new ninja + the URL of his avatar picture in my google sheet, then I want it the galery to refresh and adapt dynamically. This would not be possible with preloaded media.
I also tried the Listview component to display both an image and a text, but I can't define the image by an URL : it has to be preloaded (or at least I didn't succeed in another way).
Is there maybe a way in App Inventor to automate the adding/removal of images in the media library ? I guess no, because this happens all before compilation/packaging.
How would you recommend to achieve my purpose, which is displaying a dynamic list of images in a scroll layout ?
Thanks,
Yves
PS : by the way, thanks to all who replied to me so quickly. I did'nt expect that much return from my first question
Thanks for your message and the interesting material for Microblocks.
The Dojo I am in is located in Fernelmont, close to Namur in Belgium. It is a very small group, but we have fun with the kids. This year, we are starting with App Inventor, which is a great motivation for the 'older' ones (a bit fed up with Scratch).
We are trying to develop an app for our Dojo purposes in which that dynamic photo gallery takes place. If you have some tips on how to achieve this best, I take
One of the coach does some 'things' with micro:bits. I'll pass your information to him.
bus as I said, for the moment, the kids are all on Android development.
Maybe next year you could visit FOSDEM. Last couple of years my son and I organised workshops for children with the help of CoderDojo and developers of MicroBlocks, Snap, Turtlestitch, App Inventor and others.