Import/Export configuration profiles

[TouchTerm Support]

One of the first additions we'd like to include in TT Pro is the
ability to import and export configuration profiles (and keypad
definitions), so that users can share the configurations they've come
up with for certain situations. Also, this will allow easy backup of
configuration data (which can easily become complicated and hard to
reproduce if lost).

This will probably work in a way similar to the import/export of SSH
authentication keys. First, we'll have an XML-based file format for
configuration profiles. Then, you can "export" a profile by copying
this XML to the clipboard, and then pasting it into your current
session (eg, into a text editor). To import, connect to a server with
the XML file and then "cat" it to display it onscreen, and then use
TT's copy and paste to copy it to the clipboard, and then use that to
import the profile data.

We hope this will help foster community interaction and development of
new, interesting ways to use TT Pro!

[TouchTerm Support]

We've finished the import/export implementation, which will be
included in the TT Pro 1.1 update (should be ready for Apple within
the next few days).

Some quick notes on the implementation:

We'll have an XML file format -- we've posted an example of an export
of the default TT Pro configuration in the "Files" section (http://
groups.google.com/group/touchterm/web/sample1.ttpro), as well as a
(prospective) XML schema for validating files for import/export
(http://groups.google.com/group/touchterm/web/pro-data.xsd).

The 1.1 update will include the ability to export:

- The list of Saved Connections (passwords will not be exported)

- A single configuration Profile (including Options and Event
mappings)

- A single custom Keypad

- Or, the entire database of all Saved Connections, Configuration
Profiles, and Keypads (especially useful for backing up your config
data).

These will be exported to the Clipboard, so that you can either paste
them into an editor in your terminal session, or else send them in an
e-mail.

For importing, there are a couple of options: first, you can copy the
contents of a ".ttpro" XML file to the Clipboard, and then import
directly that way. Also, TTPro will support the "ttprodata://" URL
format: posting a file on the web and linking with that URL style will
automatically launch TT Pro and import the contents of the URL. We'll
be using this method to post several example configurations on our
site -- and we're hoping to get similar contributions from the
community, too! :)

The XML format is also nice for hand-editing: it's easy to change
offline in a text editor, which it makes it nice for setting up
complicated or repetitive configuration. The XML Schema will allow for
validation of your edits, to make sure the file is properly formatted
before importing it into TT Pro. We usually use the schemavalidate
task in "ant" (http://ant.apache.org) for schema validation (backed by
java's XML schema implementation), but there's also an online-
accessible validator at http://www.w3.org/2001/03/webdata/xsv (please
post if you know of other easy ways to run schema validation). We'll
also be fleshing out the schema to provide more detailed documentation
of the file format.

Some further refinements we're considering for future updates:

- Ability to import/export directly using files on the remote
filesystem (probably integrated with Directory Navigation mode)

- Option to import/export passwords? For now, we're staying on the
secure side and never exporting passwords; however, maybe this is a
convenience that is worth it for some users?

- Ability to import/export the Text Completions database: for example,
you could "build" a word-list of words you commonly use offline, and
then add it to your completions database; or, export your completions
DB and manually prune unused entries. Definitely let us know if this
sounds useful.

- Encryption/Decryption of import/export files: for the use case where
you'd like a backup or to transfer information, but have sensitive
data in the config files. Not sure if there would be much call for
this -- let us know if it sounds interesting.

Anyway...that's a quick overview of what's coming. Please let us know
if you have any further comments or suggestions!