Restore dev branch's README.md to keep it separate

Author: No0ne558

README.md

@@ -1,234 +1,111 @@
-<div align="center">
+# ViewTouch Development Branch
 
-# ViewTouch©
+Welcome to the **dev** branch! This is a dedicated development environment for exploring, testing, and improving the ViewTouch codebase.
 
-**The Original Graphical Touchscreen Restaurant Point of Sale Interface**
+## What is This Branch?
 
-[![Build Status](https://img.shields.io/travis/ViewTouch/viewtouch/master.svg?label=Travis)](https://travis-ci.org/ViewTouch/viewtouch/builds)
-[![Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/YOUR_SERVER_ID?color=7289da&label=Discord&logo=discord&logoColor=white)](https://discord.com/invite/ySmH2U2Mzb)
-[![Join the chat at https://gitter.im/ViewTouch/viewtouch](https://badges.gitter.im/ViewTouch/viewtouch.svg)](https://gitter.im/ViewTouch/viewtouch?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=badge&utm_campaign=pr-badge&utm_content=badge)
-[![License: GPL v3](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-GPLv3-blue.svg)](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0)
+The `dev` branch serves as an **experimental and testing ground** for new features, improvements, and refactoring. Unlike the `master` branch (which mirrors the official ViewTouch repository), the `dev` branch contains:
 
-*ViewTouch is a registered trademark in the USA*
+- Latest code changes and enhancements
+- Work-in-progress features
+- Community-driven improvements
+- Modern C++ refactoring and modernizations
+- Static analysis fixes and code quality improvements
 
-[Website](http://www.viewtouch.com) • [Wiki & Documentation](../../wiki) • [Download Image](http://www.viewtouch.com/nc.html)
+## For Developers & Community Contributors
 
-</div>
+ViewTouch is **open to the community**! We welcome developers of all skill levels to:
 
----
-
-## Table of Contents
-
-- [About](#about)
-- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
-- [Hardware](#hardware)
-- [Screenshots](#screenshots)
-- [History](#history)
-- [Contact & Support](#contact--support)
-- [License](#license)
-
----
-
-## About
-
-ViewTouch is a powerful, open-source Point of Sale system designed specifically for the restaurant and hospitality industry. With over four decades of development, it combines the reliability of Linux with the flexibility of the X Window System to deliver a robust, network-transparent POS solution.
-
-### Key Features
-
-- **Full High Definition Graphical Interface** - ViewTouch runs on (*requires*) displays with 1920 x 1080 resolution
-- **Lightning-fast performance** - Entire transaction history kept in RAM for instant reporting
-- **Network transparency** - Remote display capability via X Window System
-- **Comprehensive reporting** - Real-time drill-down analytics and decision support
-- **Labor management** - Interactive time clock with overtime alerts and cost control
-- **Cross-platform** - Runs on Raspberry Pi 4/5, x86, and ARM architectures
-- **Mobile integration** - Android tableside order entry support
-- **Multilingual support** - Built-in language pack system
-- **Cross platform solution** - Can be used on a wide variaty of linux distros thanks to the universal installer
-
-> **Note:** For build instructions and the latest announcements, visit the [Wiki](../../wiki).
-
----
-
-## Quick Start
-
-### Download Pre-built Image
-
-[Download the latest ViewTouch image](http://www.viewtouch.com/nc.html) for Raspberry Pi (4 or 5). Write the image to a 32GB or larger microSD card, and boot directly to the ViewTouch desktop with full POS functionality.
-
-#### Building
-
-See the [Wiki](../../wiki) for detailed build instructions and development setup.  Make sure your display is 1920 x 1080.
-
----
-
-## Hardware
-
-### Official ViewTouch Point of Sale Computer
-
-<div align="center">
-
-![ViewTouch Point of Sale Computer with 15.8" Display](https://www.viewtouch.com/poscomputer.avif)
-
-**15.8" All-in-One Touchscreen POS Computer**  
-Powered by Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5  
-Manufactured by Chipsee, Beijing, China
-
-</div>
-
-ViewTouch offers all-in-one Point of Sale computers featuring:
-- 15.8" capacitive touchscreen display (1920×1080 resolution, which is the required resolution for any display running ViewTouch)
-- Raspberry Pi 5 Compute Module
-- Pre-installed ViewTouch software
-- Network-ready for multi-terminal setups
-
-With open-source code and Raspberry Pi hardware, restaurateurs can now fully automate their operations with complete control over their POS system, including source code access.
-
-### Mobile Support
-
-Thanks to Pelya (Sergii Pylypenko) and Ariel Brambila Pelayo for ensuring that with [Xsdl](https://apkpure.com/xserver-xsdl/x.org.server) mobile Android devices as wireless ViewTouch tableside order entry displays.
-
----
-
-## Screenshots
-
-> *Screenshots shown in 1280×1024 resolution, however, note that the Default (*required*) ViewTouch display resolution is 1920×1080 !*
-
-### Time Clock and Secure Log On
+✅ **Test your coding skills** — Improve and expand the ViewTouch codebase  
+✅ **Learn by doing** — Work with a real POS system written in modern C++  
+✅ **Use AI assistance** — Leverage tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, or Claude to accelerate development  
+✅ **Contribute improvements** — Submit pull requests with enhancements, bug fixes, and optimizations  
+✅ **Collaborate** — Join an active community dedicated to advancing ViewTouch
 
-![Touchscreen Password, Log On and Timeclock](http://www.viewtouch.com/vtscrn1.png)
+## ⚠️ Important Warning: Development Build Instability
 
----
-
-### Order Entry - Lightning Fast Interface
-
-**Order Breakfast, then Display and/or Print in Kitchen**
-
-![Order Breakfast, then Display and/or Print in Kitchen](http://www.viewtouch.com/vtscrn6.png)
-
----
-
-### Labor Management
-
-**Time Clock Review and Edit - Control Labor Expense**  
-Back Office, Comprehensive Labor Costing, Overtime Alerts, Interactive Time Clock Review and Editing
-
-![Time Clock Review and Edit - Control Labor Expense](http://www.viewtouch.com/vtscrn3.png)
-
----
-
-### Real-time Analytics
-
-**Decision Support: Fly-Over, Drill-Down in Real Time**  
-Touch 'n' View Any Day or Any Period Updated Every Minute
-
-![Decision Support: Fly-Over, Drill-Down in Real Time](http://www.viewtouch.com/vtscrn5.png)
-
-ViewTouch doesn't just store your data—it keeps your entire transaction history in RAM for perfect accuracy and lightning speed. Auditors can see compliance across every period. Control non-cash revenue adjustments and labor costs, including non-intuitive details, shift by shift, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly.
-
----
+**THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT BUILD** — Expect bugs, incomplete features, and breaking changes.
 
-## History
+- **Frequent Changes**: Code is actively being modified and tested
+- **Known Issues**: This branch will contain bugs and incomplete implementations
+- **Not Production Ready**: Do NOT use this build in production environments
+- **Testing Required**: Features may fail or behave unexpectedly
 
-### Origins (1979-1986)
+## Reporting Issues
 
-Gene Mosher began writing Point of Sale code on an Apple ][ in 1979. ViewTouch© as we know it today was first created by restaurateur Gene Mosher and C programmer Nick Colley in **1986**, making it the **ORIGINAL Graphical Touchscreen Restaurant Point of Sale Interface**.
+Found a bug? Help us improve! Please report issues on our [Issues Page](../../issues) with:
 
-**First Public Demonstration:** ComDex, Las Vegas, November 1986  
-[See historical photo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Comdex_1986.png)
+📝 **Detailed Information**:
+- Steps to reproduce the issue
+- Expected vs. actual behavior
+- Screenshots or error logs (if applicable)
+- Your environment (OS, ViewTouch version, build type)
+- Relevant code snippets or stack traces
 
-**Early Platform:** Atari ST computers (1986-1993/4 under Jack Tramiel)
+📋 **Issue Template**:
+```
+**Describe the bug:**
+[Clear description of the issue]
 
-**Initial Funding & Support:**
-- Ed Ramsay (1986 - code development funding)
-- Barbara Mosher (1986 - present, ongoing financial support)
-- John King, M.D., Chicago (early funding)
+**Steps to reproduce:**
+1. [First step]
+2. [Second step]
+3. [What happens]
 
-### Modern Era (1995-1998)
+**Expected behavior:**
+[What should happen]
 
-The current version of ViewTouch was created by Gene Mosher and C programmer Richard Bradley, transitioning to:
-- **UNIX (AIX)** on Motorola PowerPC (1995)
-- **MIT's X Window System** for network-transparent graphical interface (1995)
-- **Linux on Intel x86** (1997)
+**Environment:**
+- OS: [e.g., Ubuntu 20.04]
+- ViewTouch Version: [e.g., dev branch, commit hash]
+- Build Type: [Debug/Release]
 
-**Major Funding:** Billy Foster (1995-1998)
+**Additional context:**
+[Any other relevant information]
+```
 
-### Enhancement Period (2000-2004)
+## Getting Started
 
-- **C to C++ transition** (2000-present day)
-- Extensive code enhancement by Bruce King (2000-2004) Ariel Brambila Pelayo (2025)
-- **Major Funding:** Doug DeLeeuw
+### Build and Test
 
-### Open Source Era (2014-Present)
+```bash
+# Clone the repository
+git clone https://github.com/ViewTouch/viewtouch.git
+cd viewtouch
+git checkout dev
 
-ViewTouch released under GNU Public License (GPL v3) with code hosted on GitHub. Significant modernization and refinement by the open-source community:
+# Build (Debug)
+cmake -S . -B build -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug
+cmake --build build -j$(nproc)
 
-**Key Contributors:**
-- **Jack Morrison** - Amazing debugging skills
-- **NeroBurner (Reinhold Gschweicher)** - Major refactoring and standardization
-- **NoOne558 (Ariel Brambila Pelayo)** - Upgraded to Xft scalable fonts, mobile integration, AI-empowered refactoring of the entire ViewTouch code base.
-- **Gene and Barbara Mosher** - Lifetime support and funding
-- **Ariel Brambila Pelayo** - awarded co-ownership status of ViewTouch code and documentation at GitHub
+# Run tests
+cd build && ctest --output-on-failure -j$(nproc)
 
-### Platform Evolution
+# Build (Release)
+cmake -S . -B build -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
+cmake --build build -j$(nproc)
+```
 
-| Year | Platform | Key Technology |
-|------|----------|----------------|
-| 1979 | Apple ][ | Initial POS code |
-| 1986 | Atari ST | First GUI touchscreen POS |
-| 1995 | AIX/PowerPC | UNIX + X Window System |
-| 1997 | Linux/x86 | Intel architecture |
-| 2000 | Linux/x86 | C++ transition |
-| 2016+ | Raspberry Pi | Default platform (Pi 4/5) |
+### Contribute
 
-**Current Stack:**
-- **OS:** Debian Linux with XFCE desktop
-- **Display:** X Window System (network-transparent)
-- **Default Hardware:** Raspberry Pi family
-- **Auto-update:** Desktop icon compiles and installs latest code from GitHub
+1. **Create a feature branch** from `dev`
+2. **Make your changes** and commit with clear messages
+3. **Test thoroughly** — build, run tests, smoke test the UI
+4. **Submit a pull request** with detailed description
+5. **Respond to feedback** and iterate
 
-Gene Mosher's passion and vision has overseen the development, management, and maintenance of ViewTouch code across six decades, spanning a wide array of computers and point of sale equipment. Gene owns the ViewTouch copyright and remains active in ViewTouch in 2025.  A personal note to everyone from Gene: I am getting on in years and everyone has always wanted me to tell them what will happen to ViewTouch if/when something happens to me. In 2025 I can reassure that I will be participating in the development of ViewTouch until my last breath, which could easily be 2050 (I'll be 101 then), and with Ariel, who is about half a century younger than I am, being awarded co-ownership of the ViewTouch code and documentation at ViewTouch/GitHub, nothing bad can happen, is going to happen, to ViewTouch.  I myself used to wonder about the future of ViewTouch, but I no longer do wonder about the future of ViewTouch.  It's going to be alive, healthy, vibrant and dynamic for a long, long time.  A new chapter has been opened for ViewTouch in 2025 and I could not be happier about it.  Anyone can be a part of the future of ViewTouch - I welcome all who will join us.
+## Branch Strategy
 
----
-
-## Contact & Support
-
-### Commercial Support
-
-**ViewTouch Official**
-- **Website:** [www.viewtouch.com](http://www.viewtouch.com)
-- **Email:** gene@viewtouch.com
-- **Phone:** 541-515-5913
-
-### Community
+- **`master`**: Official ViewTouch repository mirror (stable, upstream-aligned)
+- **`dev`**: Development and testing branch (active work, may be unstable)
 
-- **Discord:** [Join our server](https://discord.com/invite/ySmH2U2Mzb)
-- **GitHub Issues:** Bug reports and feature requests
-- **Gitter Chat:** [Join the conversation](https://gitter.im/ViewTouch/viewtouch)
-- **Wiki:** Documentation and guides
+## Resources
 
-The availability of ViewTouch source code and documentation at GitHub benefits clients, customers, and associates of Gene Mosher, facilitating the enhancement and extension of ViewTouch source code.
+- 📚 [Documentation](./docs/)
+- 🐛 [Report Issues](../../issues)
+- 💬 [Discussions](../../discussions)
+- 📖 [Changelog](./docs/changelog.md)
 
 ---
 
-## License
-
-ViewTouch is released under the **GNU General Public License, version 3 (GPL v3)**.
-
-See [LICENSE](LICENSE) for full details.
-
----
-
-## Payment Processing
-
-ViewTouch does not manage electronic payment processing. Please make your own decisions with regard to Electronic Funds Transfer functionality.
-
----
-
-<div align="center">
-
-**ViewTouch** - *Six decades of innovation in restaurant technology*
-## Be sure to reach out to our team for any questions, we are always happy to help.😊
-
-Made with ❤️ by the ViewTouch community
-
-</div>
+**Happy coding! Together, we're building the future of ViewTouch.** 🚀