New beta Pronto file area!

["Mark McCall" <mark@xxxxxxx>]

New beta Pronto file area!
Something that has been percolating at the back of my mind for a while
is
trying to come up with a better way to handle the file area. Indeed,
with
the Pronto section growing to mammoth proportions the need has become
even
greater. For the past few weeks I've been working on a new format.
Today I'm pleased to present a beta test of a brand new interactive
Pronto
file area. Eventually this will be expanded to all other file areas
(which,
incidentally, are even less automated than the Pronto section), but for
now
I've converted everything in the Pronto area to the new format.

Once again, this is beta quality - I'm sure there are many bugs, which
I
hope you'll report via email. In addition, I know the speed isn't
"snappy",
but it's the best possible.

So, what's changed? Take a look at some of the new features:

Now entirely database driven.
Previously, only a fraction of the file area was stored in database
format,
which meant, in addition to requiring a lot of extra work, that files
could
not be linked with others and there was no way to show only the files a
viewer really wanted to see.

Entire file archive keyword searchable.
You can now search the entire file area for specific files. As you work
deeper into various categories, the amount of the database that will be
searched is reduced. For instance, if you're under Pronto > Devices >
Sony >
DVD Players when you type in a keyword, only Sony DVD Players will be
searched. If you type in a keyword on the main Pronto index, the entire
file
database will be included. As well, you can limit a search to only file
models or titles.

User ratings on all files.
User-submitted file ratings have been extended from only system files to
all
file types. However, due to limitations, the rating is only shown on
the
"details" page, which is described below. This section is tied in
with the
forum accounts database, so you'll need your user name and password to
rate
a file. The file area supports automatic cookie-based name/password
entry,
but you'll have to reset your cookie under the forum's "Manage My
Account"
screen for it to work (don't change anything, just press
"Submit"). Files
can only be voted on once.

New file "details" page.
Each file now has a special "details" page that includes the
number of file
downloads, user file rating statistics and, if available, an extended
text
description. The file details page will also link components with any
other
models that reside inside the same file, and will also show the
description
and screen shots from the base system file, if available.

Find files by the same author.
Via a link on the "details" page you can search the entire file
area for
other files created by the same author.

Files can be sorted by title, date or author.
Systems, components and all other files can be sorted in title, date or
author order. Previously, authors were sorted by first name - they're
now
sorted properly by last.

Easier to find system files.
System files are sorted by "all", "color", "black
& white", "color" and
"original" categories. Each category can be sorted by title, date
or author,
and you can jump to system files alphabetically by author.

View new files.
At various points you can click on green "New Files!" links to
search for
recent additions to the file area.

"Focus" on particular types of remotes.
At any point you can "focus in" on files designed for color,
black & white
or large screen remote controls.

http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/files/rcfiles.cgi

_____________________________________
The UKs Premier Home Automation Site
http://www.automatedhome.co.uk
_____________________________________

Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

ADVERTISEMENT

For more information: http://www.automatedhome.co.uk
Post message: ukha_d@xxxxxxx 
Subscribe:  ukha_d-subscribe@xxxxxxx 
Unsubscribe:  ukha_d-unsubscribe@xxxxxxx 
List owner:  ukha_d-owner@xxxxxxx

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.