I'm curious if it would be possible to add a new 'series' entry into the database for the movie details. Reason I ask is I just became aware of the imdb+ scraper that is aware of movie series. It currently works by renaming the movie so that they sort correctly. This doesn't make much sense to me, as some movies get odd names. What would work more intuitively is if the scraper were to set a series entry that would then be sortable by the category system. So that the main list is sorted by name, but the sub category (the series) could be sorted by date.
Movie Details: Series (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Lehm
- Start date
United States of America
- Moderator
- #2
This is planned to be added in the future but it is not possible right now sorry. As for the IMDb+ scraper it has several features that would be better suited in the Moving Pictures plugin itself. I have tried to convince Rochess (it's creator) to try submitting a patch to Moving Pics but he refuses to learn C#.
- March 10, 2006
- 4,434
- 1,897
- Moderator
- #3
What odd names would that be? I'm more then happy to make adjustments to the default rename database, but it's hard to please everybody. This is why you can overrule any entry in the default rename database with your own preference in the custom rename database. If you need any help on that please ask over at the IMDb+ forum: IMDb+ - MediaPortal Forum
Yes, and I'm sure you spend years learning the Chinese language as well for those times you order take-out, instead of just asking an expert in the language to help you. The amount of C# knowledge to submit a patch for MovingPictures that will pass all scrutiny is simply well past the point of what I have the time or energy for.
The XML engine to create scraper-scripts however, alongside with the documentation that explains how it works, allowed me to get a grasp of it in a very short time and served a purpose for personal usage. But I wanted more function, so after patiently waiting for months, even years on some enhancement requests I was faced between; the inability to ever reach the C# skills required in a satisfying timeframe, waiting longer on somebody else to code the enhancement requests made, or push the XML scraper-script engine to its limits.
So I went with the last option.
Should I have just kept the IMDb+ scraper-script to myself then? Here I was embrasing the open-source concept and sharing my efforts.
- Moderator
- #4
Don't be silly, I am very grateful the IMDb+ script exists. A lot of people use it and it adds value to the plugin. It just makes me sad to see posts like this. The scraper engine was just not designed to do a lot of the stuff you are doing. That doesn't mean IMDb+ shouldn't exist, it just means those features will not be as an integrated experience as they could be if they were instead implemented as part of the plugin.
And you don't give yourself enough credit. You could learn C# well enough to make contributions if you wanted to. You are a smart and talented guy.
And you don't give yourself enough credit. You could learn C# well enough to make contributions if you wanted to. You are a smart and talented guy.
I agree with that statement. Without IMDB+ I'd be pulling my hair out (well, whats left anyway). Please keep up the fantastic work.
I love IMDB+ too and just wish it could also be used from the TV EPG and MyFilms. I don't know if either will ever be possible, but I'd imagine it would be less likely if it was integrated into MovingPictures rather than an XML scraper script.
Anyway fforde, I don't think it's very nice of you to be making barbed comments about RoChess "refusing" to learn C# (and then calling him silly for taking offence). He explained that he doesn't have the time, yet you persist in suggesting he just doesn't want to learn.
Perhaps if you already know C# it would be quicker for you to convert his work into part of MovingPictures, as you suggest.
Anyway fforde, I don't think it's very nice of you to be making barbed comments about RoChess "refusing" to learn C# (and then calling him silly for taking offence). He explained that he doesn't have the time, yet you persist in suggesting he just doesn't want to learn.
Perhaps if you already know C# it would be quicker for you to convert his work into part of MovingPictures, as you suggest.
- Moderator
- #7
My comments were not intended to be "barbed" and they were relevant to the original question. And I fully intend to get some of these features included in Moving Pictures proper, as I stated in my original reply. But I manage and am currently the only developer for Moving Pictures (not to mention Pandora MusicBox). I also have a day job and I of course have both family and friends as well. I simply don't have enough time to implement everything I want in Moving Pictures over night. So when I see Rochess working on IMDb+ I am grateful. But at the same time I am a bit frustrated because I know that because of the way grouping and other features are implemented in IMDb+, I will have to go back and address the same issue in Moving Pictures itself sooner or later.
EDIT: I could have phrased things better in my first reply though, I can understand why RoChess took offense. It wasn't meant maliciously and I am sorry it came across that way.
I appreciate your apology and I'm sure RoChess will too. No doubt he has similar pressures on his time and friends and family too, so please try and consider how you'd feel if someone came along telling you you could just get on and do x if you wanted to.
IMDB+ might not be the ideal implementation, but I hope we can try and make everyone feel appreciated for whatever contributions they're able to make to MP, or else we risk pushing people away and we'll all be the worse off.