Why the cryptic country and channel codes? (1 Viewer)

[pbb]

Hi,

This may have been discussed here before, but I couldn't find it...

I am wondering why WebEPG uses cryptic codes for countries and channel names?

As a test, I renamed the WebEPG\Grabbers\NO directory to Norway, and changed the <section name="NO"> text into <section name="Norway"> in WebEPG\Channels\channels.xml.

I also changed some ChannelID's in both WebEPG\Channels\channels.xml and the WebEPG\Grabbers\Norway\(provider).xml files.

The result? Nice and readable labels in the WebEPG-config program, and no problems.

Is there any reason for the use of cryptic labels?

My guess is they the xml files have been converted from another system (xmlTV?) where they had to be cryptic. If so, it would not be much work to convert those to more readable labels when converting them for WebEPG usage? (The country-codes are standardized, and instead of ChannelID we can use FullName for the channels.)

-- Peter

 

[James]

Hi Peter,

1. Country names: I use the ISO country names because these are supported by .NET and the names can be displayed in the local language or english. Without me haven't to do any work (ie put strings in the language file etc). Also they are standardised, the same length, etc.

2. The cryptic channel codes, do indeed orignate from xmltv. However, not because of converting. I just started from there, and the idea was to try a have standard codes between different sites. If left to free text this my be harder to control?

If IDs appear in the channels file then they will have a friendly name in the configuration program. It is just that no one has updated this in a long time (include me).

/James

 

[pbb]

Thanks for the reply John! Are you the developer of WebEPG?

I use the ISO country names because these are supported by .NET and the names can be displayed in the local language or english. Without me haven't to do any work (ie put strings in the language file etc). Also they are standardised, the same length, etc.

I haven't been into .NET programming anymore for a while, but is it difficult to write a function to display the full (localized) countryname instead of the code?

The cryptic channel codes, do indeed orignate from xmltv. However, not because of converting. I just started from there, and the idea was to try a have standard codes between different sites. If left to free text this may be harder to control?

Basically they are now free-text also, just that there is a "standard" that advises to use internet-like standards. This is not very deeply documented; both URL- and email-like names are used, and their web-address is not always the first thing that comes to my mind when thinking about a TV channel.

If IDs appear in the channels file then they will have a friendly name in the configuration program.

This functionality seem to be broken; even though all my channels have FullName values (I assume that is the friendly names you talk about), none of them show up in the configuration program.

Thanks, Peter

 

[James]

Hi pbb,

Thanks for the reply John! Are you the developer of WebEPG?

John ??? Yes I am the developer of WebEPG.

To cut a long story short the current WebEPG config program shjould have died a long time ago and been replace with integrated configuration inside MP. However, it hasn't happened yet, but is still planned.

I'm always happy to hear suggestions for improvement. Maybe you should drop into IRC some time.

Cheers,

/James

 

[pbb]

Hi pbb,

Thanks for the reply John! Are you the developer of WebEPG?

John ??? Yes I am the developer of WebEPG.

Euhm.... John, James, some names are so difficult to distinguish!

To cut a long story short the current WebEPG config program shjould have died a long time ago and been replace with integrated configuration inside MP. However, it hasn't happened yet, but is still planned.

I guess that is what OS development is all about... Since it is all voluntary, there will always be things coming in between with higher priorities.

I'm always happy to hear suggestions for improvement. Maybe you should drop into IRC some time.

I've tried installing a few different IRC packages some time ago, but didn't succeed. Seems like I have to open a port in our router to get through, but haven't had time to read up on that yet. Anyways, my time for programming and other hobbies is so sparse and random, that I don't think real-time chat like IRC will work for me. (Unless you guys are on IRC 24/7, of course )

Don't know if my further suggestions would be of much use, since they clash with the sturctural design of WebEPG. For example, I want to combine TV listings from one site which offers more extensive descriptions to the programs, with those of a second site which offers program info for a much longer period. And we have a few channels which are automatically switched by our provider at 18:00. (For example Jetix before, and Hallmark after 18:00.) But I understand those are too difficult to implement in such a generic application. I think I will write my own script for those one of these days...

Thanks anyway,
Peter

 

[James]

Don't know if my further suggestions would be of much use, since they clash with the sturctural design of WebEPG. For example, I want to combine TV listings from one site which offers more extensive descriptions to the programs, with those of a second site which offers program info for a much longer period.

Planned

And we have a few channels which are automatically switched by our provider at 18:00. (For example Jetix before, and Hallmark after 18:00.)

Already possible

 

[pbb]

Cooool... Ok, I am going to dive into WebEPG again soon ;-)