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Author Topic: Using MC to organize Comics  (Read 3138 times)

dcpete

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Using MC to organize Comics
« on: April 24, 2006, 08:23:03 pm »

Just wondering if anyone has tried to use MC with CBR or CBZ files?

I don't see these file types under "import".  These file types have been around for years.  It seems a natural.  On a related topic, is there anyway to define your own file type if you can't find one in the pre-defined list of file types to import?  I couldn't find such a mechanism in MC.

Thanks, Chris
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IanG

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2006, 07:12:41 am »


On a related topic, is there anyway to define your own file type if you can't find one in the pre-defined list of file types to import?  I couldn't find such a mechanism in MC.


KingSparta's Auto Import plugin allows you to specify arbitrary file types.

Ian G.
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dcpete

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2006, 10:41:20 am »

Thanks for the info on the plug-in.  I'll give it a try.

Chris
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dcpete

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2006, 10:29:13 pm »

I checked out the plug-in.  It works well enough, I suppose.  I'm not thrilled with the fact that the imported files show up under "recently imported" and nowhere else, but I can live with that.  The real problem is file associations across the network.  Unfortunately I can't launch the cDisplay program remotely, even though this works locally with MC.  This makes it not useful, since I would like to keep my database on the Media Server.

So I guess I am now asking for a feature which I think would be incredibly useful.

1. The ability to import user-defined file types.
2. The ability for a MC client to launch the associated application when selecting that file from the MC server.
3. The ability to create a custom section in MC, like Audio or Images that displays the user-defined file types.

Or, just have MC natively support this common Media type.  After all, the MC tag line is

All Media - One Interface

Thanks, Chris
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IanG

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2006, 08:09:29 am »

I'm not thrilled with the fact that the imported files show up under "recently imported" and nowhere else, but I can live with that. 

You should see them under Documents / File Type, but I'd love to see your suggestions implemented.

Ian G.
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dcpete

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2006, 11:39:09 am »

Quote
You should see them under Documents / File Type

Sure enough, they are there.  They show up under Documents/File Type/unassigned.  Of course they aren't "unassigned" from my point of view.  I have seen mention of this type of "import" functionality added to MC 12.  I hope that happens.  I really believe that MC can be a great general-purpose media organizer.  It certainly excels with music and I love it for that.

To be clear about the file association problems I have across the network.  The file types cbr and cbz are associated with the app cDisplay.  cDisplay is a RAR jpeg viewer.  It works really nice for comic book viewing and is the defacto standard.  I can select one of these files (cbr or cbz) locally through MC and it launches cDisplay as expected.  However, when the file is sitting on a MC server and you are accessing the file from a MC client, it won't launch cDisplay.  This is the case, even though cDisplay is installed on the client side and the server side and is associated with those file types locally.

So the problem appears to be that file associates are not carried across the network when using MC servers and Clients.  I am running MC 11.1.

Chris
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glynor

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2006, 03:09:46 pm »

I agree completely with you that this shortcoming of the MC Server system is ... well, not good.  It would (I'm sure) keep me from natively opening PSD files I have in the library from inside MC if I used the server system.

IMHO, the whole system is several steps in the right direction, but hopefully in MC12 it will get some work.  For now, my workaround for many server-related deficiencies is to simply avoid using it.  Check out this thread on how to run MC with local library data stores, but on multiple machines (be sure to read down, I eventually posted my scripts which you can modify and re-use).  It basically involves keeping the separate Library Data folders in sync manually/automatically.

It works pretty well actually.  I'm able to make full use of MC's features on both of my machines, I have automated library backups, and I can edit Tags from my HTPC and my Main PC if I want to.
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darichman

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2006, 09:33:17 pm »

I've used MC with these files for a long time now. It works fine, so long as you don't rely on "Media Type" as a means of organising... I prefer to use my own categories (Albums, Film, Television, Books, Comics etc) so you can have mutiple media types existing together for a particular category.

The use of CDisplay in the background is largely tranparent, so it feels like MC is actually playing the files.
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dcpete

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2006, 11:58:21 pm »

Quote
I prefer to use my own categories (Albums, Film, Television, Books, Comics etc) so you can have mutiple media types existing together for a particular category.

Can you elaborate?  I'm not sure what you're doing.

Thanks, Chris
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hit_ny

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2006, 07:48:53 am »

If cDisplay does not work remotely, how bout using the Send To(external)..

You select what file you want in MC then right click->Send TO->Send To (external)->cDisplay

that should open it up once you configure it.

..or a simpler...

open cdisplay in the background, select what file you want, then drag drop from MC to cdisplay.

workaround of course till they ficx this problem.
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jgreen

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2006, 10:29:19 am »

dcpete or others--

This is somewhat OT, but I'm trying to get an idea of the current state-of-the-art of online illustrated comics or illustrated novels.  My interest is in non-juvenile, serialized illustrated novels (NOT "adult" content, however).  But I know nothing of the marketplace or what sites or authors are currently popular, or even what the delivery format is.  Anyone?
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dcpete

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2006, 02:19:50 am »

Sorry, can't help you on that one.

Chris
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jgreen

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2006, 10:58:06 am »

Er, okay.  But I followed your CBR/CBZ link to Mutant Liberation Front.  What is that?  I did use the word "nothing" to describe what I know about online comics.
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dcpete

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Re: Using MC to organize Comics
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2006, 12:32:14 pm »

I wasn't sure what you were talking about when you said "non-juvenile, serialized illustrated novels".

My interest is in mainstream comics from Marvel and DC and some others.  You know, super-hero stuff like Spiderman, etc.  People have been scanning in and trading comics online for years on Usenet and Torrent sites.  I really haven't been into it for that long - so I'm no expert.  However, the tools I described before are very nice and I find it's a convenient way to read comics.  Especially if you have a widescreen LCD that swivels to a vertical orientation - like I do.

Check out this link - http://www.zcultfm.com/~comic/index.php

Chris
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