Initial thoughts

[SpudR]

At the risk of being out on a limb and all alone here, I must ask what's the point of this release?
IMHO it's appalling!
The clear simplicity of MP1 appears to have gone out the window, the new versions handling of folders etc is awful.
I too have also had issues with crashes - but as previously stated this is pre-alpha.
MP2 appears to be in the usual stages of pre development, that is to say that things WILL change as the project matures.
With this in mind I have to ask why the release?
If it was to show us the 'future' of MP, I for one am far from impressed.
If it was to show the slick graphics - surel a few screenies would do that?
If it was to show the speed of the interface - surely a small video would have provided that?

I'm left feeling a little disappointed and worried 'bout the future of probably the best HTPC software out there...

I must add at this point, before someone takes some kind of offence at my words, I AM AWARE this is a very early release, and I in NO WAY want to disuade the devs from the fantastic job they do. It's just for me, this is a pointless glimpse in to a future I don't want!

[infinityloop]

Originally Posted by SpudR

At the risk of being out on a limb and all alone here, I must ask what's the point of this release?

since MediaPortal and MediaPortal 2 are an open source project, we want to involve the community.

it is correct that MP2 is nowhere near beeing complete or features are tweaked and optimiced allready.
many/all features will indeed change during the next weeks and months. same for the current skin which also is alpha.

thats why you cant realy compare it with MediaPortal 0.2.3.0 atm. you should have seen the first alpha versions of MediaPortal *lol*.


the most work for the first alpha was done "under the hood" to create the core/engine. now during the next weeks and months we can focus on the features which are "visible" for the enduser and their useability.

[Darre]

@ Spudr:

I don't agree. Its cool to actually get to try stuff for our selves, and for those who don't want to try it before its finished; you _can_ wait for the final rls. For the rest of us this is a great way to be able to tell the devs what we love/hate/want/dont want.

I must say what I've seen this far looks awesome and I cant wait for more features to be added.

And Spudr: I'm certain that "the way it handles folders" easily can be made simpler by a skin. If its the animations you are worried about? I don't see a strong skin-engine as a weakness; you can make simple skins with it too.

@ Infinity:

About how often will these alphas be released? I know you cant put accurate dates, but I'm just wondering.. Every 2 weeks? 4 weeks? 8 weeks?

[James]

We are damned if we do and damned if we don't

In an attempt not to repeat iloop. The most important parts of the new release will not be seen by most people. Those are the core framework and plugin system.

This is really a Technology preview. To show what the new system can do, rather then how seemless the user experience will be in the final product.

I would like to hear from any developers who look at how the new system works, compared to the old one?

[SpudR]

not damned in my book - blessed by angels
IL - guess you are saying this is just a proof of concept then - kinda 'look the core works'?
Darre - guess you missed the point too then
James - I see! 'fixing' the foundation then??

The whole thing just reminded me very much of the software that came with the iMon remote. a VERY poor package IMHO

[EMKO]

wow what are you talking about the new way they handle folders is 100x better now you can choose all the folders to watch from inside of media portal you don't have to load up the configuration.exe and do it there.

What i love the most about Mediaportal 2 is how you can change everything with in the program while its running and it updates the changed with out restarting the program this is awesome. Reminds me of XBMC which is a good thing

Looks like you guys did a good job on make it very easy the way you choose your folders and all the settings.

Good job guys

[Inker]

Originally Posted by SpudR

'fixing' the foundation then??

Thats exactly the point, and if your a dev take a look at the sources, you'll be amazed...

[frodo]

Why did we release this ?


MP is an opensource project
Perhaps you have read the requests from the community that they would like to get more involved.
People's opinion was that we where not open enough and not sharing enough information about whats happening
This is precisely what we're doing now.
By releasing an ALPHA version of MP-II we give the community the chance to play with it and give us feedback about whats good and whats bad. Also developers and skinners now get the first chance to look at the new stuff

By releasing the alpha this early we can listen to the community and change things needed. This would be much harder when MP-II was in a final stage.

As this is alpha software you cannot expect that it is a complete-finished mediacenter application which can compete with other applications like MP-1 for example. As said things will indeed change because of several reasons. One of those reasons is the feedback we're expecting from the community.

Sure we could have posted some videos or screenshots, but i think most people here like to play with the
new stuff themselves and a screenshot of video is not as nice as the real bits ;-)

If you expected that MP-II was already in a final-release state, then i'm sorry
I think the team clearly stated that its premature and in an alpha state in every discussion and announcement we have made before...




Frodo

[aidbish]

best thing i've seen on the net all day, keep it coming
cant wait for the next instalment.

[SpudR]

Apologies before I start...

Originally Posted by frodo

Why did we release this ?


MP is an opensource project
Perhaps you have read the requests from the community that they would like to get more involved.
People's opinion was that we where not open enough and not sharing enough information about whats happening
This is precisely what we're doing now.

me too!
Just not a 'popular, lets all pat everyone on the back' opinion.
Oh dear - Should I just keep away from this "erm - discussion" then, if I happen not to agree with the masses?

Just to surmise - I dont like the new folder thing - some will, some wont, i dont
I NEVER compared it to the current stable release - how could a 'preview' version EVER be compared to an RC??
The new skin ENGINE I like (i have wandered throught the code - most was WAY over my head :lol: )
I hope the new plugin background bits make things simpler for all the devs concerned.

I am involved in several professional think tanks and product development forums - most people learn quite quickly NOT to ask for opinions unless you actually want them!

MP2 has, at the moment fantastic 'potential' that's all - dispite what some people are saying it's not 'amazing' etc etc.
I would like to think that a REAL opinion is what would be needed! Even at the risk of offending people (which I did say at the beginning )