This add-on is made for PWA applications based on concrete5. Although it is also possible to cache "normal concrete5 websites" pages with this add-on, it is not recommended. Background: When loading the page for the first time, the complete page is downloaded and a loading screen will be displayed which locks the page until the loading process is finished. Depending on the number of assets (Javascript & CSS files) and other used resources like inserted images and videos, this process may take some time. For a normal website this would lead that the site visitors leave the page. For PWA applications, on the other hand, this add-on is just the right choice and, thanks to the generated Service Worker + Manifest file, a solid basis for a modern Progressive Web App.

Key facts

• Works with concrete5 version 8+
• Makes your entire website available offline
• Works seamlessly with the concrete5 core system
• Generates a MANIFEST file
• Generates all the necessary META tags for Apple devices
• Contains an own spider engine to crawl your website
• Updates the offline content of site visitors as soon as something has changed on the site
• Adds an add-to-home screen dialog for page visitors
• Automatically generates all sizes of the splash screen and the icon
• Generates a real BITMAP favicon
• Contains a loading screen (colors can be customized!)
• Works with all modern browsers
• Multilingual (German + English)

The "PWA" add-on (Progressive Web Apps) allows your users to save the complete site offline. This not only saves loading times into the millisecond range. The add-on also adds a solid basis for real offline apps, since the site is also accessible without any active internet connection.

The service worker works seamlessly with the core system. Once you have edited, deleted or added a page, the service worker downloads the new version automatically. In addition, the service worker recognizes whether you are e.g. in admin-mode and then turns off automatically.

On the settings page in the backend you have the possibility to configure the service worker in every detail. One special feature is the built-in crawler / web spider. He crawls your website from a user's point of view and tries to identify all the files (HTML / JavaScript / CSS / images etc.) that are needed to display your website. If not, everything has been found, you have the option to manually extend the list.

Furthermore, you have the option to configure the manifest file via the settings. In addition to the manifest file, the add-on also generates all the necessary META-tags to display the add-on on Apple-devices. It even generates a real bitmap favicon.

The add-on is available in German and English language.

Requirements

• A modern browser
• HTTPS must be activated
• The page must be publicly available
• Pretty URLs must be activated

iOS-Limitations

• The app can store offline data and files only up to 50 Mb
• If the user doesn’t use the app for a few weeks, iOS will free up the app’s files. The icon will still be there on the home screen, and when accessed the app will be downloaded again

Notes:

The add-to-homescreen dialog will only appear on Android devices after 30 seconds of heuristic user behavior. At Apple, the information dialog is version-dependent. However, the page can always be manually added to the homescreen.

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