Well I’m veteran IT specialist and Square Dance caller – at current slowly phasing out. However I am still trying to stay up to date with IT matters as well as Square Dance.

For years I have developed my own programs for Callers: CallerToolBox. Although I guess I‘m the only one really using it – however – it is available. If you want to have a look: https://ctb.nanninga.me

Recently I have tried to get a grip on the AI development. How can I use it?. How good are they? What implications willl this have on all our life? I have my own conclusions and let me say I‘m afraid of the consequences. Not the tools per se – but our ability to use them the right way. But that‘s another discussion.

I tried several of the coding assistants and tried to do something for my Windows desktop apps. But all tools were not very convincing. After a while I gave up, because they delivered more errors and used more time than I would have used doing it myself. But I guess I didn‘t understand them good enough. I‘ll give it another try one day.

But then I came across AIStudio by Google. The first answer from the tool was that it is not designed for Desktop, but could provide help developing Web Applications. I thought: „Fine – I have all the data in my Desktop programs – why not try them as Web application“.

And I must say: I‘m still amazed what this program can do. It delivers solutions for problems I used months to develop as Desktop application within minutes. As an example it immediately came up with a solution how to extract data from .mp3 files. I remember how long it took me to program that myself.

So within a few sessions I developed a Square Dance music player that is completely running within any browser.

The big surprise for me came when I realized that this setup can be deployed easily on any platform. I started with a docker installation suggested by the AI Studio. This setup made it possible to make the App available anywhere I have internet access and a Browser. This means I am able to use it on my mobile phone and on my tablet. It works fine within the limits given by screen size and processing power – and off course requires internet access which is not readily available in every Square Dance hall.

But it can be installed locally on Windows, Linux and MacOS. It depends on Node.js which is available free of charge for any platform. After download and installation of Node.js you only needs to unpack my application and copy your music files to the right location. From there you can start with a „Master reset“ and it will come up with your files.

As I do not really need this application – I‘m wondering whether somebody is interested in the tool. If so – please contact me.