Homepage is confusing (MP TVServer Beta 1 Release & MP 0.2.1.0 Feature Release)

mzemina · 2006-10-25, 14:42

OK - On the homepage we have "MediaPortal TVServer Beta 1 Release" & "MediaPortal 0.2.1.0 Feature Release" right after it. I think that new users will be confused as to what is what. It doesn't describe that these are different and maybe some users that have been away for awhile will be confused as to what release they should get.

Nefius · 2006-10-25, 15:41

agreed.

Most of us will know what it is, because we stalk the forum 30 times a day, but then again.. we are insane.

Most of the people aren't insane and indeed won't understand what it is and what they need exactly.

mzemina · 2006-10-25, 16:13

Not to say there isn't detail provided in the news section but from a very high level it seems like people will flock to the lastest news post (yes even though it says beta) it just seems like both of these releases are beta in nature and should be addressed as such. The stable release should be mentioned in both news releases.

Spragleknas · 2006-10-25, 16:21

Perhaps beta news should be "hidden" unless you are a registered user (like a news about a certain skin <-DON'T GO THERE!).

infinityloop · 2006-10-25, 17:19

nah, homepage news is okay

every user who wants to download MediaPortal will cick the download button and end up here -> http://www.team-mediaportal.com/download.html

mzemina · 2006-10-25, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinityloop

nah, homepage news is okay

every user who wants to download MediaPortal will cick the download button and end up here -> http://www.team-mediaportal.com/download.html

OH!
<sarcasm> Like that is not confusing. </sarcasm>
'nuff said. I'll shutup about this.

quiller · 2006-11-30, 03:32

First, I apologize for bringing a slightly old topic into the limelight. Second, I completely agree that the front-page (actually, the entire first-time-user experience) is quite clumsy. In comparison to MP's cousin, MythTV, my first reaction to MediaPortal was "what exactly is going on?"

I find this confusion to be unacceptable, considering my background: I'm a geek, and although I'm new to the HTPC world (I have yet to build one), I have done a lot of reading in recent days, and I also knew essentially what MP was (pointed here from another article which suggested it as a Windows-based alternative to MythTV). Still, when I loaded the home page for the first time, it took a few minutes before finding a detailed explanation of Media Portal's features.

I suggest that the powers-that-be look at MythTV's documentation for an example of a good introduction to the software. While the front-page of MP does provide immediate download and "about" links, there's no clear-cut, well-written overview of the technical features. The "Features" page now only covers the basics for those that don't really know what HTPC software is all about, not the specifics (i.e. what exactly, in layman's terms is "TV Engine 3.x"). For the average person, all the available information is fine; unfortunately, I doubt there are many "average" people attempting to install and configure something like MP.

Food for thought: as I was reading through MythTV's introductory documentation, I was immediately and continually more comfortable about the concepts, options and requirements than with MP's documentation... and I've never installed Linux before!

Marx · 2006-12-04, 15:02

i'm new and I can confirm that home page is confusing and bad designed. Almost every page has "product" list with short description, MP isn't one product anymore so it should have such section too.

quiller · 2006-12-04, 19:18

On the same line: are there any plans to clean-up and organize the plug-ins? Since a number of them come pre-installed, there should be a way to differentiate between included-with-install plugins and otherwise.

2006-10-25, 14:42	#1 (permalink)
mzemina Retired Team Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ft Smith, AR Posts: 2,034 Thanks: 34 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts Country:	Homepage is confusing (MP TVServer Beta 1 Release & MP 0.2.1.0 Feature Release) OK - On the homepage we have "MediaPortal TVServer Beta 1 Release" & "MediaPortal 0.2.1.0 Feature Release" right after it. I think that new users will be confused as to what is what. It doesn't describe that these are different and maybe some users that have been away for awhile will be confused as to what release they should get. __________________

2006-10-25, 15:41	#2 (permalink)
Nefius Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	agreed. Most of us will know what it is, because we stalk the forum 30 times a day, but then again.. we are insane. Most of the people aren't insane and indeed won't understand what it is and what they need exactly. __________________ HTPC: Asus A8N-SLI * AMD Athlon 3000+ * 240GB Maxtor * 1024MB * Geforce 8500GT DX10* 2x Hauppage PVR 150MCE * Arctic Cooling Silentium case

2006-10-25, 16:13	#3 (permalink)
mzemina Retired Team Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ft Smith, AR Posts: 2,034 Thanks: 34 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts Country:	Not to say there isn't detail provided in the news section but from a very high level it seems like people will flock to the lastest news post (yes even though it says beta) it just seems like both of these releases are beta in nature and should be addressed as such. The stable release should be mentioned in both news releases. __________________

2006-10-25, 16:21	#4 (permalink)
Spragleknas Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rogaland Age: 32 Posts: 3,518 Thanks: 152 Thanked 70 Times in 60 Posts Country: My System	Perhaps beta news should be "hidden" unless you are a registered user (like a news about a certain skin <-DON'T GO THERE!). __________________ Please read -> HOW TO START A SUPPORT THREAD !!! Support MediaPortal! Donate by clicking HERE Dedicated HTPC board (Norway) -> MSPC.no

2006-10-25, 17:19	#5 (permalink)
infinityloop Project Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 127.0.0.1 Age: 28 Posts: 5,971 Thanks: 152 Thanked 114 Times in 80 Posts Country: My System	nah, homepage news is okay every user who wants to download MediaPortal will cick the download button and end up here -> http://www.team-mediaportal.com/download.html __________________ regards chris MediaPortal Project Coordinator Test Team Leader 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!

2006-11-30, 03:32	#7 (permalink)
quiller Portal Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nebraska Age: 23 Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Country: My System	First, I apologize for bringing a slightly old topic into the limelight. Second, I completely agree that the front-page (actually, the entire first-time-user experience) is quite clumsy. In comparison to MP's cousin, MythTV, my first reaction to MediaPortal was "what exactly is going on?" I find this confusion to be unacceptable, considering my background: I'm a geek, and although I'm new to the HTPC world (I have yet to build one), I have done a lot of reading in recent days, and I also knew essentially what MP was (pointed here from another article which suggested it as a Windows-based alternative to MythTV). Still, when I loaded the home page for the first time, it took a few minutes before finding a detailed explanation of Media Portal's features. I suggest that the powers-that-be look at MythTV's documentation for an example of a good introduction to the software. While the front-page of MP does provide immediate download and "about" links, there's no clear-cut, well-written overview of the technical features. The "Features" page now only covers the basics for those that don't really know what HTPC software is all about, not the specifics (i.e. what exactly, in layman's terms is "TV Engine 3.x"). For the average person, all the available information is fine; unfortunately, I doubt there are many "average" people attempting to install and configure something like MP. Food for thought: as I was reading through MythTV's introductory documentation, I was immediately and continually more comfortable about the concepts, options and requirements than with MP's documentation... and I've never installed Linux before!

2006-12-04, 15:02	#8 (permalink)
Marx Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Age: 36 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i'm new and I can confirm that home page is confusing and bad designed. Almost every page has "product" list with short description, MP isn't one product anymore so it should have such section too.

2006-12-04, 19:18	#9 (permalink)
quiller Portal Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nebraska Age: 23 Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Country: My System	On the same line: are there any plans to clean-up and organize the plug-ins? Since a number of them come pre-installed, there should be a way to differentiate between included-with-install plugins and otherwise.

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

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Release plans for Beta 2 (0.2)	frodo	MediaPortal 1 Talk	103	2006-06-08 00:52
H E X A G O N Pre Beta Release	theboxhead	Skins	9	2005-10-13 20:19