- December 28, 2007
- 4
- 0
I believe one of the fundamental concepts that confuses most first time users (and causes them to say "it didn't work, it was so slow, it's not ready yet etc).... is the concept of Shares vs Database.
For this reason, I would like to suggest that the UI for first time users gear itself towards database views, and explains to the user that they should populate the database/s with the data found in the shares. Of course, they should be offered the chance to just view the shares directly, but be warned of the slowness of this.
This might sound quite partisan towards database, and a little 'niche'.... but having seen so many postings by people trying media portal for the first time.... a large percentage of them are caused by not grasping the views / database concept... and the fact that MediaPortal is initially configured to view shares! (I can understand the logic here, since it gives the most certain and rapid confirmation to the user that media is being found, but it's steering them down the wrong path!).
Ok, that's my piece said.
/The Analog Kid
For this reason, I would like to suggest that the UI for first time users gear itself towards database views, and explains to the user that they should populate the database/s with the data found in the shares. Of course, they should be offered the chance to just view the shares directly, but be warned of the slowness of this.
This might sound quite partisan towards database, and a little 'niche'.... but having seen so many postings by people trying media portal for the first time.... a large percentage of them are caused by not grasping the views / database concept... and the fact that MediaPortal is initially configured to view shares! (I can understand the logic here, since it gives the most certain and rapid confirmation to the user that media is being found, but it's steering them down the wrong path!).
Ok, that's my piece said.
/The Analog Kid