Please note that we are using a core Joomla form element, the list element which allows you to manage multiple elements. We have NOT invented our own. The whole point of Admin Tools 7 was to use core Joomla everywhere.
You CAN add new elements to the list. Type a new user agent to block and press ENTER. It is added to the list. You can then save just fine.
We do NOT replace that list on update, ever. If you have data populated for that field your data is used. If you do, however, use the Quick Setup Wizard then yes they will be reset to the defaults — that's why there's a big warning when you run the Quick Setup Wizard about your settings being overwritten when you try to run the Quick Setup Wizard after you've already configured Admin Tools.
Also correct, when you are reloading the page the entire list is alpha-sorted. This is how Joomla does it, it's not under our control.
You are right that you cannot copy / paste list items between sites. Again, this is how Joomla chose to implement this feature and we are simply using Joomla's built-in form control.
You cannot directly edit the database very easily. The entire configuration is stored in a single key inside the #__admintools_storage table. The .htaccess Maker configuration stored as a base64-encoded JSON document in there. If you mess it up you'll lose all your Admin Tools settings.
Exporting and importing the entire .htaccess Maker configuration is inadvisable because it contains server-specific information, including the site's domain name. That's why we have not implemented this feature.
Bear in mind that the past ten years we were getting a lot of flak for not using Joomla's built-in controls. We were always saying that the reason we are not doing that is because we don't think Joomla's form controls are up to the task. Last March we had a core maintainer call for our software to be banned on his Twitter because of us not using core Joomla. So of course we immediately worked on using core Joomla everywhere in our Joomla 4 software, even if it means it becomes harder to use. What I don't know is WHY these people only ever took exception with OUR software when there are literal hundreds of extensions not using core Joomla for their interface elements like every page builder, many high profile SEF/SEO components, all of the editor plugins, most comment systems and so on and so forth. Is it unfair we are being singled out? Yes. Is it infuriating that we have to use a subpar user experience over a threat that we will not be allowed to make a living anymore? YES! But it is what it is and in the end of the day our clients having software that's harder to use because we're using core Joomla is better than having no software to use because we'd be out of business.
The only thing I can plausibly think of doing is allowing you to import and export this list in particular. At the very least nobody can claim that exporting to JSON and importing from JSON is somehow “not core Joomla” without letting us sue them to oblivion...
Nicholas K. Dionysopoulos
Lead Developer and Director
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