Website for cataloging downloads, knowledge, tutorials etc.

[ClamsTheCat]

EDIT: UPDATE ON PAGE 4!!!

http://www.beyondhtpc.com

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in helping gather things like plugins, knowledge, etc. together so that I can create a website dedicated to not just basic BTV knowledge, but advanced setups. It seems like using the forums for storing files and whatnot is no very efficient, which makes it difficult to find things.

I wanted to create a site with dynamic content, user ratings, user uploadable scripts/plugins, chat rooms and more. I can put it together pretty easily so I was wondering if this would be of interest. I figure if no one thinks such a site is useful I will not spend my time setting it up. If there is any BTV gurus willing to write tutorials (very specific tutorials with photos etc.) or upload their colection of plugins it would be a great help. I think the key to the whole thing would be creating a single place people could look for things to extend their BTV experience. I know that the plugins for BTV/BM I have used so far make the experience so much better than something like TiVo could ever be.

I could add forums to the list as well, but I thought just telling people to use the official BTV forums would be better for everyone. So what do you think? Would it be kind of a waste, or would having a centralized place like that for 3rd party knowledge and add-ons be helpful?

[rakeshagrawal]

From the SnapStream side of things, I'd love to see something like this come together. If you wanted us to host it, for example, we'd be glad to do that. And in fact, starting next month, we'll have a bunch of paid-for extra bandwidth that we could dedicate to something like this.

[draven]

Originally Posted by ClamsTheCat

So what do you think?

I think that it is a great idea. I for one would be willing to contribute what little I know about creating skins, or general set up.

[ClamsTheCat]

I do PHP/MySQL work by trade for custom security applications for housing developments, rich people etc. So I am sure I can put it together, I just wanted to make sure there was interest and I was not wasting my time.

I will go ahead and start setting it up this weekend on my server, and start intigrating the uploader class and the file library. I think to start I will upload all the useful plugins and software that I can think of to get a good base developed before I let it go public. Maybe if it does well I will stick it on the Snapstream web server in exchange for a small ransom...like that Godzilla PVR you guys have collecting dust...

A few questions I have on what you guys think I should include...

1) Should I include older versions of software even AFTER a new version comes out (example would be drivers, plugins, etc.) or should I only keep the newest versions of the software on hand? I can see the wisdom in both, but I am leaning towards keeping all previous versions unless they have severe bugs, spyware etc.

2) Should I stick to BTV/BM plugins only or should I include 3rd party softwares like MPEG cutters for removing commercials, compression softwares, music players, codec packs, etc? (Example would be IGCutter, XP Codec Pack, etc.)

3) Would there be any real interest in having a chat room? I have a pretty cool flash /w php chat room that is really cool, and it is intigrated with several forums packages. It is pretty low bandwidth and also doesn't tax the server's CPU/Mem usage.

Just trying to get a feel for what people are interested in. My goal would be to make these software packages easier to find for beginners and gurus alike. As it is people have to troll the forums, search Google and whatnot to find the right software. This way it is all in one place to give people everything they could possibly ever want for their HTPC.

[Mistergq]

1) I think Snapstream needs to decide that.

2) I would like to see a link to program people are using. Also, don't forget VideoRedo for cutting commercials. I would also include FreeNas and NasLite.

3) Chat room would be cool, but I am not sure how many people would use it.

[ClamsTheCat]

Mistergg, I should clerify that when I say "old versions of programs" I mean all programs, not just Snapstream software. For instance if VideoRedo releases a new version, should I post it as a new download, or update the old upload with the new version?

I would have to work within the requirements of any software maker so if they don't want their stuff posted, then I won't post it. I think that if I help spread the word on how great BTV is though, I think Snapstream would be ok with that.

Thanks for the feedback! Also, I am a Chargers fan and I won't hold the whole Ravens thing against you

[Mistergq]

Originally Posted by ClamsTheCat

Mistergg, I should clerify that when I say "old versions of programs" I mean all programs, not just Snapstream software. For instance if VideoRedo releases a new version, should I post it as a new download, or update the old upload with the new version?

I would have to work within the requirements of any software maker so if they don't want their stuff posted, then I won't post it. I think that if I help spread the word on how great BTV is though, I think Snapstream would be ok with that.

Thanks for the feedback! Also, I am a Chargers fan and I won't hold the whole Ravens thing against you

Gotcha. That makes a lot of sense. There are times I would like to go back to an old version of the program, but its not out there.

And what NFL team we support does not become an issue until the Ravens host the Chargers on Oct 1.

[ClamsTheCat]

OK I have regstered the domain name and I am starting the scripts today. Depending on how complex I make the first incarnation, it could be up pretty quickly. If anyone has written a good FAQ, Article, tutorial etc. and wishes to have it posted please PM me. I am trying to get as much information/downloads into the system as possible to make it a one-stop experience.

By the way the URL will be http://www.beyondhtpc.com/ since it will be a site predominantly about BTV and programs/plugins to enhance the BTV experience.

[Saavik]

I really look forward to having the plugins in one place, I haven't even looked at most of them because there wasn't one place to see them. Great idea

[soham]

Saavik,

Obviously, this wouldn't displace the website, but if you haven't already seen it, visit code.snapstream.com. On the left nav bar, click on the product, and than click on downloads. It points back to the forums with all of the plugins in one group.

[ClamsTheCat]

soham,

I was not trying to give the impression I am "replacing" or displacing the Snapstream website. I did want to give the impression (correctly so) that the site is principally to discuss and host downloads that pertain directly to BTV.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Saavik]

I didn't take it as displacing the snapstream forum, but I really don't like the forum presentation. Some of those threads are a mile long. I hope to see a place that deals with the plugins with out the clutter. You know maybe some categories, current descriptions, and stuff like that. I was really impressed that Snapstream seemed to through their hat in too.

[Fonceur]

That site sounds like a good idea! I guess I should update my own site and send you the html files for my addons.

As for the older versions of drivers and software, rather than having them all, you should probably limit yourself to the ones that people recommand for special cases (i.e. use driver 1.23 because they introduced a bug in the following releases, etc.). For BTV itself, I can see a need for 3.6 ("Internationnal version"), 3.7.4 (last release before 4.x?) and probably a link to the latest version.

Once everything is setup, it would probably make sense to have everything hosted by SnapStream, this way you don't have to pay for the bandwith/hosting and should you stop working on it (other priorities and such...), it would still be available.

[ClamsTheCat]

Originally Posted by Fonceur

Once everything is setup, it would probably make sense to have everything hosted by SnapStream, this way you don't have to pay for the bandwith/hosting and should you stop working on it (other priorities and such...), it would still be available.

Great ideas! I think keeping just special versions of drivers that solve specific problems is a good idea. If you would like me to post the plugins and tutorials you already have, please let me know. I would be happy to add them so they are online when the site launches. The user upload form will be very simple and have cool features like a progress bar, KB/s and more.

After I get the site done if SnapStream still had that free bandwidth available I would definitely take them up on it. At the very least hosting the downloads themselves would save me like 90% of the site's bandwidth. We will see how everything goes. I think that SnapStream has already done the community a great service by releasing an SDK to allow 3rd party applications.

I don't feel they should be responsible for setting up a whole site for cataloging them as well. Then they end up in a wierd situation when it comes to offering support for the 3rd party programs, drivers etc. I think this is a situation where the community should come together and join in creating a place for 3rd party applications/plugins and advanced help topics, etc.

[soham]

clamsthecat,

sorry, my post was confusing. i was trying to point saavik to code.snapstream.com for now and i was trying to say that code.snapstream.com would not replace the idea of the site that you came up with. but it's a place that he can at least access the plugins meanwhile. your idea of creating a site is a great one. and i also agree with saavik that the forum presentation of the plugins is less than ideal.

good luck with the project!

soham