The term "share" should be "(base) folder"

pbb · 2006-11-17, 17:26

MediaPortal Version: all

MediaPortal interface and documentation use the term "share" for folders that may have nothing to do with sharing.

While it is true that FTP- and network-folders can be called "shares", MediaPortal supports more types of folders. The default "shares" for movies and music are "...\My Documents\My Movies" and "...\My Documents\My Music"; these are not shares at all!

The term "share" implies that the folder is being shared or at least available for sharing. It also demands that the host is reachable through a network. These demands do not need to be filled for folders selected in MediaPortal.

My suggestion is to use the more general term "folder", or possibly "base folder" if you want to clearly show that underlying subfolders are also available.

Peter

idioteque · 2006-11-17, 19:06

I agree

elliottmc · 2006-11-17, 19:34

Hi,

While I understand your point here, I think that this is so trivial to be irrelevant. Someone new to MediaPortal will quickly figure out what this all means, and it won't be an issue.

My interpretation is that these are the folders that are shared with MediaPortal. You don't normally have your entire hard disk accessible to MP.

The developers are working on a lot of interesting new features - TV engine, music engine, animations, skin engine. Let's not bog them down with minutiae. After all, calling these folders "shares" is exactly what was intended, so it cannot be called a bug.

Mark

pbb · 2006-11-17, 21:46

Hmmm...

Firstly I don't really agree that if something is by design, it cannot be a bug. The design can be wrong also.

Secondly, the use of the term "shares" in MediaPortal is not consistent. Take, for example, the "Music Database" page from the setup. It talks about "Scan Music Folders" and "Treat tracks in a individual folder as an album", but also about "Monitor shares for changes" and "Update database from selected shares". Apart from being confusing, this can also be seen as a certain level of nonchalance from the developers.

Taipan · 2006-11-17, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by elliottmc

I think that this is so trivial to be irrelevant. Someone new to MediaPortal will quickly figure out what this all means, and it won't be an issue.

I don't think that this issue is trivial at all - I have been using MediaPortal for about 18 months now and I still find this concept of "Shares" as it is used in MediaPortal very confusing. Then again, maybe I am just a bit thick ...

I agree with pbb - the terminology needs to be consistent and it needs to be what is generally understood by "normal PC users". I actually thought that this concept of folders being called "shares" was a "European thing", so I have just accepted it. But it seems that is not the case ...

Spragleknas · 2006-11-17, 23:24

Yes, this has made me confused when getting help several times

chefkoch · 2006-11-18, 01:24

Hi guys

I tried latest svn and don't find the term "shares" anymore, so i think, if we could they it was a bug, it is fixed.

regards
chefkoch

pbb · 2006-11-18, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefkoch

I tried latest svn and don't find the term "shares" anymore, so i think, if we could they it was a bug, it is fixed.

Interesting! Me is going to digg into the svn versions

2006-11-17, 17:26	#1 (permalink)
pbb Docs Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Trondheim Age: 36 Posts: 296 Thanks: 5 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts Country: My System	The term "share" should be "(base) folder" MediaPortal Version: all MediaPortal interface and documentation use the term "share" for folders that may have nothing to do with sharing. While it is true that FTP- and network-folders can be called "shares", MediaPortal supports more types of folders. The default "shares" for movies and music are "...\My Documents\My Movies" and "...\My Documents\My Music"; these are not shares at all! The term "share" implies that the folder is being shared or at least available for sharing. It also demands that the host is reachable through a network. These demands do not need to be filled for folders selected in MediaPortal. My suggestion is to use the more general term "folder", or possibly "base folder" if you want to clearly show that underlying subfolders are also available. Peter

2006-11-17, 19:06	#2 (permalink)
idioteque Retired Team Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 618 Thanks: 5 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts Country: My System	I agree __________________ go to the new My Music Wiki, to expand the capabilities of your music collection: http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/UsingMyMusic

2006-11-17, 23:24	#6 (permalink)
Spragleknas Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rogaland Age: 32 Posts: 3,701 Thanks: 171 Thanked 77 Times in 66 Posts Country: My System	Yes, this has made me confused when getting help several times __________________ Please read -> HOW TO START A SUPPORT THREAD !!! Support MediaPortal! Donate by clicking HERE Dedicated HTPC board (Norway) -> MSPC.no

2006-11-18, 01:24	#7 (permalink)
chefkoch Portal Developer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Germany, Dresden Age: 22 Posts: 770 Thanks: 153 Thanked 48 Times in 31 Posts Country: My System	Hi guys I tried latest svn and don't find the term "shares" anymore, so i think, if we could they it was a bug, it is fixed. regards chefkoch __________________ Do not start to moan if something is not working as you want it to be. Remember that MediaPortal is Open Source. YOU can improve it!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2006-11-17, 19:34	#3 (permalink)
elliottmc Portal Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Cardiff, UK Age: 39 Posts: 180 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts My System	Hi, While I understand your point here, I think that this is so trivial to be irrelevant. Someone new to MediaPortal will quickly figure out what this all means, and it won't be an issue. My interpretation is that these are the folders that are shared with MediaPortal. You don't normally have your entire hard disk accessible to MP. The developers are working on a lot of interesting new features - TV engine, music engine, animations, skin engine. Let's not bog them down with minutiae. After all, calling these folders "shares" is exactly what was intended, so it cannot be called a bug. Mark

2006-11-17, 21:46	#4 (permalink)
pbb Docs Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Trondheim Age: 36 Posts: 296 Thanks: 5 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts Country: My System	Hmmm... Firstly I don't really agree that if something is by design, it cannot be a bug. The design can be wrong also. Secondly, the use of the term "shares" in MediaPortal is not consistent. Take, for example, the "Music Database" page from the setup. It talks about "Scan Music Folders" and "Treat tracks in a individual folder as an album", but also about "Monitor shares for changes" and "Update database from selected shares". Apart from being confusing, this can also be seen as a certain level of nonchalance from the developers.