INTERACT FORUM

More => Old Versions => Media Center 11 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: Gene on January 19, 2006, 09:04:04 pm

Title: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: Gene on January 19, 2006, 09:04:04 pm
We're trying to determine where Podcasting should go in the tree.

First we tried the root, but decided Podcasting was mostly audio, so we moved it to the Audio branch.  But now we are making video, photo & data podcasts fully functional.  So audio is not the place.  :-[

Tonite's build has Podcasting under Services.   Is that the right place?  Where should it go?  ?
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: micahmj11 on January 19, 2006, 10:07:59 pm
I cast my vote for the root.  I am a big podcast user who, so the easier it is to get to the better.  It also doesn't really belong in audio, images, or video, especially once it supports all three types.
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: bennyd on January 20, 2006, 03:25:03 am
Root, I use Podcasts a lot for Audio and Video.

For new users, if they don't see a Podcast item if it's somewhere hidden in Services or somewhere else, they will think MC doesn't support Podcasts
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: marko on January 20, 2006, 03:41:54 am
I think Podcasts should be displayed in the root, it doesn't belong in Audio or in Services & Plugins.

Podcasts are not just Audio, it contains Video as well.

Plus Podcasts are getting very popular, hiding it in Services & Plugins or somewhere else would think that MC does not support Podcasts.
fair enough, but once you're aware, you might prefer it to be somewhere else, so, hopefully, it stays where it is (services is a logical place to me seeing as that's what a podcast is, a service provided to us by the host). Maybe we'll get to choose, I hope so, then we'd both be happy.
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: bennyd on January 20, 2006, 04:53:10 am
Quote
fair enough, but once you're aware, you might prefer it to be somewhere else, so, hopefully, it stays where it is (services is a logical place to me seeing as that's what a podcast is, a service provided to us by the host). Maybe we'll get to choose, I hope so, then we'd both be happy.

If it stays in Services, there should be a button available in the top/bottom toolbar or the MC menu's that refer to Podcasts.
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: Jaguu on January 20, 2006, 06:01:55 am
Why don't you want to offer more flexibility and configurability to the tree to move it wherever the user wants it to have it or if not needed to hide it altogether?

This not only for podcasts, but for all other root items in the root tree. A number of features (Web radio, Tivo etc. I never use and it would be handy to hide them), A DisplayAll feature would allow to show everything again!
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: GHammer on January 20, 2006, 06:18:38 am
I'd say to put it is the root and allow me to hide it.
Allow me to not have podcast directories created, etc.
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: Gene on January 20, 2006, 11:59:15 am
Sounds like we are split, with a few more votes for the root, and a few suggestions to move stuff wherever you want it.

Should we be able to drag and drop anything in the tree so you can put it wherever you want?

Or will it cause problems when you forget where you put things?

Maybe some things can move and some not?  (e.g. Images under "Audio")

We are split internally on all these issues.  :-\
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: Dutch Peter on January 20, 2006, 05:23:53 pm
Root!!!
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: JustinChase on January 20, 2006, 06:47:24 pm
I vote for the root as well, but the ability to hide it would be welcome by many, I'm sure.  The ability to customize the tree (with limitations as given in example above) would, I think, make many people happy.

Side note:  Any chance that podcasts can some day be listed in the podcasts menu item on 5G iPods, instead of under music playlists?  Please ;D
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: alanl on January 20, 2006, 06:47:46 pm
Root.

But get something on public release soon or you'll miss the podcast bandwagon.  Both iTunes and WinAmp have public releases of podcatchers, but neither is perfect.  MC's current beta is better than both.  Don't go for perfection.  Do a public release of 11.1 soon and sort out the aesthetics later.

Alan
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: JimH on January 20, 2006, 06:49:55 pm
Both iTunes and WinAmp have public releases of podcatchers, but neither is perfect.  MC's current beta is better than both.  Don't go for perfection.  Do a public release of 11.1 soon and sort out the aesthetics later.
Thank you.  Probably next week.
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: Alex B on January 20, 2006, 07:16:59 pm
- root by default

- a hide & stop switch as an option.
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: johnp on January 20, 2006, 07:48:41 pm
I'd like the option to move it around at will.  My use would be Audio mostly, but I can see it at root also.

If I had to make a choice I'd say audio...

Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: Gene on January 21, 2006, 12:03:48 pm
Side note:  Any chance that podcasts can some day be listed in the podcasts menu item on 5G iPods, instead of under music playlists?  Please ;D

We are working on that feature, and will have have it before long.

I don't know if you have tried it, but when you listen to "Podcasts" on the iPod it plays them one-at-a-time, so you have to keep fiddling with the buttons.

Suggest you try our new Smartlist.  Start with the "Smarlist Rule":

         Podcasts -- Audio Podcasts (sorted by Date)
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: GHammer on January 21, 2006, 01:02:55 pm
Sounds like we are split, with a few more votes for the root, and a few suggestions to move stuff wherever you want it.

Should we be able to drag and drop anything in the tree so you can put it wherever you want?


I'd like that. As for 'forgetting', have a toggle somewhere for default arrangement.
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: Mr ChriZ on January 21, 2006, 01:10:14 pm

Should we be able to drag and drop anything in the tree so you can put it wherever you want?


That would be fantastic, although I think there should be an option to lock it
like Microsofts Toolbars allow you to lock them so that once you've set it
up the way you want it you can't accidently move something :)
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: KingSparta on January 21, 2006, 05:17:12 pm
Quote
We're trying to determine where Podcasting should go in the tree.

User defined
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: datdude on January 21, 2006, 05:49:18 pm
User defined

Services sounds ok, but this plays nicely into my argument of having tabbed viewing. 

Keep it where it is in the tree (which would be the first default tab always) and allow the user if they use it more often to have it in a dedicated tab. ;D
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: JaredH on January 21, 2006, 07:20:56 pm
I like the idea of it being user defined.
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: JimH on January 21, 2006, 07:28:29 pm
We'll probably put it in the root for now.  We'll try to make this customizable in a future version.
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: johnp on January 21, 2006, 09:51:02 pm
Sounds like we are split, with a few more votes for the root, and a few suggestions to move stuff wherever you want it.

Should we be able to drag and drop anything in the tree so you can put it wherever you want?

Or will it cause problems when you forget where you put things?

Maybe some things can move and some not?  (e.g. Images under "Audio")

We are split internally on all these issues.  :-\



I think that would be most excellent.  Customizability is always a good thing as long as you have a way to reset back to factory defaults if you get dazed and confused.
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: Dutch Peter on January 22, 2006, 02:57:02 am
We'll probably put it in the root for now.  We'll try to make this customizable in a future version.

Great!!
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: Alex B on January 22, 2006, 07:06:27 am
Don't put Podcasts in the root unless there is an option for hiding it.

It is good to have it visible by default so new users can see it, but an option is needed. Personally, I don't use it (at least for now).
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: Alex B on January 22, 2006, 10:28:38 am
I suppose an option like this would be easy to add:

(http://kotisivu.mtv3.fi/alexb/pix/podcast.png)

No one would accidentally hide the icon. Also, it would be easy to stop and start it again without changing the preferred options.
Title: Re: Where should Podcasts go?
Post by: JimH on January 22, 2006, 10:30:18 am
We'll probably put it in the root for now.  We'll try to make this customizable in a future version.