Improved integration between user- and AppSheet-generated templates

[Kirk_Masden]

Here's the thrust of my proposal: Why not make AppSheet a little more like YouTube?  YouTube features user-generated content.  In AppSheet, user-generated guidance (the community) is valued but user-generated templates (samples) are not.  Here are some possibilities:

• an integrated database of published templates where "official" templates and user-generated templates are treated equality
• collection and display of statistics regarding templates (number of views, number of copies, number of shares in community, etc.)
• allow template creators to enable comments and/or likes, etc. on their templates
• establishment of tagging system for templates (featured functions, expressions, tasks accomplished, etc.)
• use of such statistics."likes", tags etc. to order the display of templates in response to a search

Personally, I have found templates / samples to be very good learning tools.  And, to be honest, I think I've learned more from user-generated templates than from official ones.  Nonetheless, it can be very difficult to find user-generated templates.  Most of the ones I have found have been shared in posts to the community.  That's great but it's as though the only way to find a YouTube video was to see a URL on some other webpage or in an e-mail -- that would be terrible, right?!

By the way, the idea I'm proposing has come up several times before.  Here are a couple of my own posts:

https://www.googlecloudcommunity.com/gc/Announcements/New-Templates/m-p/409821/highlight/true#M4185

https://www.googlecloudcommunity.com/gc/Announcements/Feedback-on-sample-apps/m-p/233974/highlight/t...

Finally, I'd like to point out some issues that are related to the rather sorry state of affairs with user-generated templates.  One is that "portfolio" pages take forever to open.  It is for that reason that I now ONLY ask people to open my templates directly.  Here's a post of mine where I explain how to share a template directly:
https://www.googlecloudcommunity.com/gc/Tips-Tricks/How-to-share-your-app-as-a-template-sample-app-v...

Another related problem is that creators are not able to establish branding on their templates / samples that remains consistent when templates are copied:

https://www.googlecloudcommunity.com/gc/Feature-Ideas/Allow-branding-of-deployed-prototype-apps-to-r...

So, all in all, my impression is that AppSheet has a long way to go in fully valuing and supporting user-generate templates / samples.

[Kirk_Masden]

@Grant_Stead @GreenFlux I wonder if either of you might be willing to support or comment on this proposal.  It's something we've discussed in the past.

[Grant_Stead]

@Kirk_Masden as always, great ideas. However, I'm not sure how much the google/appsheet team values our input these days. Thus, I limit the amount of brain power that I apply toward feature requests and non critical bugs. If you ever need anything feel free to DM me.

[Kirk_Masden]

Thanks a lot.  I certainly understand where you're coming from.  I'll continue to hope, though, that a sea change in this area will come eventually.

[Kirk_Masden]

OpenAI is already doing something similar to what I am recommending here:

The GPT Store is rolling out later this month Starting today, you can create GPTs and share them publicly. Later this month, we’re launching the GPT Store, featuring creations by verified builders. Once in the store, GPTs become searchable and may climb the leaderboards. We will also spotlight the most useful and delightful GPTs we come across in categories like productivity, education, and “just for fun”. In the coming months, you’ll also be able to earn money based on how many people are using your GPT.

https://openai.com/blog/introducing-gpts

I'm not sure that user-created templates need to be in a "store" but some more efficient way of sharing user creations (when the users are willing) seems like a good idea.

[Rifad]

Google is least interested in AppSheet ! Looks like will be a part of https://killedbygoogle.com/ in next 5 years. @Kirk_Masden 

[Kirk_Masden]

@Rifad That would be a serious problem for me.  I've spent more that 5 years gearing up to use AppSheet.  😞