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    Invelos Forums->General: General Discussion Page: 1 2 3  Previous   Next
The dream Profiler: A thought experiment
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorGSyren
Profiling since 2001
Registered: March 14, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
Sweden Posts: 4,508
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Sometimes I get the notion that I could write my own Profiler. Then of course I realize that without an online collection it would be no match. But what if Invelos shuts down its servers? Well, you could still use DVD Profiler, of course. But it would lose that advantage.

Realistically, developing a better, offline, profiling program is a pipe dream, of course. But it’s kind of a thought experiment for me. What functionality would I add or change to make a better program?

I would like to invite your thoughts on this. What would you like to see?

Personally, I can think of several things right off the bat. Unlimited entries for multi value fields like Country of Origin, Studios, Media companies, Genres etc. “Not determined” defaults for fields where that would be relevant, like Subtitles. Unlimited number of images rather than just front and back cover. And, of course, XML import from Profiler export.

This would be a stand-alone program, so things like separating film data from product data (which has been a long standing wish for DVD Profiler) wouldn’t make much sense. But with that in mind, what would you want if you could just get any wish?
My freeware tools for DVD Profiler users.
Gunnar
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorzappman
Registered: September 6, 2008
Reputation: High Rating
Posts: 118
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The thing I would most is to be able to track my Video Game collection. I would like to have the program manage / keep a separate database of the video games, I would like to the video games to have their own collection numbers. Currently I use https://vgcollect.com/ to track my video games , it has a nice on-line database, but there is no stand alone program. It can export your collection (I can't remember if the the export is in CSV or XML format.)

The third type of collection I would like  to track is my books.

As far as collecting movies, instead of just front and back covers, I wish the program could handle images of the full cover and scans of the individual discs. Currently, I keep the  full cover scans and scans of the individual discs in the gallery, but I wish they would have their own fields like the front and back covers.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorGSyren
Profiling since 2001
Registered: March 14, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
Sweden Posts: 4,508
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Quoting zappman:
Quote:
The thing I would most is to be able to track my Video Game collection. I would like to have the program manage / keep a separate database of the video games, I would like to the video games to have their own collection numbers. Currently I use https://vgcollect.com/ to track my video games , it has a nice on-line database, but there is no stand alone program. It can export your collection (I can't remember if the the export is in CSV or XML format.)

The third type of collection I would like  to track is my books.

Well, there is nothing to stop you right now from creating separate databases for books and video games, and they would get their own collection numbers. It may not be 100% perfect, but it should be servicable. They would have no online collection, of course, but neither would the imagined program.

Quote:
As far as collecting movies, instead of just front and back covers, I wish the program could handle images of the full cover and scans of the individual discs. Currently, I keep the  full cover scans and scans of the individual discs in the gallery, but I wish they would have their own fields like the front and back covers.

Yes, that was on my list.
My freeware tools for DVD Profiler users.
Gunnar
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
Aim high. Ride the wind.
Registered: March 18, 2007
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I'm not sure how typical I am of Profiler users, but the greatest features for me are:

(1) the collaborative attention to the building of accurate and useful profile information
(2) the ability to almost effortlessly download information for a newly obtained DVD
(3) the ability to integrate other aspects of the media such as trailers, reviews, cast / crew info, and the movies themselves
(4) a collaborative forum for sharing information and ideas
(5) ability to customize the program via layouts, custom views, HTML windows, docking windows
(6) ability to use filters and create reports
(7) ability to augment the functionality via plugins
(8) cross platform sharing on Android and iOS
(9) cross platform client / server operations using a windows based server

None of the things that you mentioned would be important enough to me personally to switch from simply using DVD Profiler itself as a standalone program, even if I had to write my own plugin for "cloud" operations.

The very useful notion of separating film data from product data could possibly be accomplished by use of the custom and alternate profile IDs which were created partly to allow people to implement a different concept of metadata organization.

If you were to invest your formidable skills towards preserving the legacy of accurate metadata and collaboration among dedicated individuals, I would vote for a forum / online to pick up the slack in case of that awful event you mentioned. Having a better standalone, IMHO, does not address the greatest risk of losing Invelos - it is the risk of losing the value of collaboration and customization.
Thanks for your support.
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 Last edited: by mediadogg
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorzappman
Registered: September 6, 2008
Reputation: High Rating
Posts: 118
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Quoting GSyren:
Quote:
Quoting zappman:
Quote:
The thing I would most is to be able to track my Video Game collection. I would like to have the program manage / keep a separate database of the video games, I would like to the video games to have their own collection numbers. Currently I use https://vgcollect.com/ to track my video games , it has a nice on-line database, but there is no stand alone program. It can export your collection (I can't remember if the the export is in CSV or XML format.)


What steps do I need to do, to start a separate database for my video games, that will have different collection numbers from my movie collection?

I want it  to be totally separate form my DVD collection.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorDanae Cassandra
Registered: Apr 11, 2004
Registered: May 26, 2007
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If I was to add things I wish we had to Profiler now ...

The ability to correctly record the language of a film (none of this 'Other' crap) and to notate that a film has multiple languages - such as The Innocents (2016) which is in French and Polish, or The Great Match (2006) which is in Kazajo, Tamashek, and Tupi - in a single language track.

The ability to filter films in the iOS by country without having blank values for the non-major countries.

Like Gsyren said above, the ability to record more than 3 entries for country of origin and studio.
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
-- Thorin Oakenshield
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
Aim high. Ride the wind.
Registered: March 18, 2007
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Along the lines of my prior post, I have long wondered:

- would Invelos be willing to license / sell its technology (or even the company?)
- would Invelos be willing to offer a small financial interest to a set of dedicated users with the skills to augment program updates, website and database maintenance, support, forum moderation, etc.
- are there any users who would want to do any of the above?

The list of product features I made, IMHO would take an enormous effort in time and resources to duplicate or improve upon in a reasonable time frame. Think of the multi-million dollar companies that have not built a "better" version in all these years.

I would prefer to find a way to preserve what we have, vs. making an attempt to duplicate or compete with it.
Thanks for your support.
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Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
Aim high. Ride the wind.
Registered: March 18, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
United States Posts: 6,396
Posted:
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Quoting zappman:
Quote:
Quoting GSyren:
Quote:
Quoting zappman:
Quote:
The thing I would most is to be able to track my Video Game collection. I would like to have the program manage / keep a separate database of the video games, I would like to the video games to have their own collection numbers. Currently I use https://vgcollect.com/ to track my video games , it has a nice on-line database, but there is no stand alone program. It can export your collection (I can't remember if the the export is in CSV or XML format.)


What steps do I need to do, to start a separate database for my video games, that will have different collection numbers from my movie collection?

I want it  to be totally separate form my DVD collection.

There are a couple of users that have done this - way long ago. Try a forum search with "video games" or similar. Maybe you can find those old posts.
Thanks for your support.
Free Plugins available here.
Advanced plugins available here.
Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorGSyren
Profiling since 2001
Registered: March 14, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
Sweden Posts: 4,508
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mediadogg, maybe you missed the premiss for the discussion:
Quote:
Realistically, developing a better, offline, profiling program is a pipe dream, of course. But it’s kind of a thought experiment for me. What functionality would I add or change to make a better program?

So, this is a theoretical question for a local-only program. So collaboration is not on the table, and the neccessary effort to create it is not really interesting.
My freeware tools for DVD Profiler users.
Gunnar
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorGSyren
Profiling since 2001
Registered: March 14, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
Sweden Posts: 4,508
Posted:
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Quoting zappman:
Quote:
What steps do I need to do, to start a separate database for my video games, that will have different collection numbers from my movie collection?

I want it  to be totally separate form my DVD collection.


File / Open Database / New Database
My freeware tools for DVD Profiler users.
Gunnar
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
Aim high. Ride the wind.
Registered: March 18, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
United States Posts: 6,396
Posted:
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Quoting GSyren:
Quote:
Sometimes I get the notion that I could write my own Profiler. Then of course I realize that without an online collection it would be no match. But what if Invelos shuts down its servers? Well, you could still use DVD Profiler, of course. But it would lose that advantage.

Ok, I see now your premise: if you are stuck with stand-alone, what would be a better one than using Profiler ...

In that context, I have always dreamed of having a way to focus more on the artists. I have a fascination with artists: singers, dancers, actors, etc. I like to read the bios, keep up with what they are doing, and how they are progressing in their careers, especially young up and coming stars. It is fun to watch them grow in talent and accomplishments. So, yeah, some cool features that allows a focus on the artist - pictures, awards, family life, gossip - you name it, I want it!!! Case in point, your countryman, Alicia Vikander, what a stunning resume for somebody so young!
Thanks for your support.
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Advanced plugins available here.
Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
 Last edited: by mediadogg
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorzappman
Registered: September 6, 2008
Reputation: High Rating
Posts: 118
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Quoting GSyren:
Quote:
Quoting zappman:
Quote:
What steps do I need to do, to start a separate database for my video games, that will have different collection numbers from my movie collection?

I want it  to be totally separate form my DVD collection.


File / Open Database / New Database

Thanks!
So simple, but I did know that (or if I did, I forgot).
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorGSyren
Profiling since 2001
Registered: March 14, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
Sweden Posts: 4,508
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Quoting mediadogg:
Quote:
In that context, I have always dreamed of having a way to focus more on the artists.

Interesting! How would you envision that implemented? Would you be satisfied with a notes field plus links to external sites, or would you require some kind of structured data (to make it easier to search, perhaps?)
My freeware tools for DVD Profiler users.
Gunnar
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
Aim high. Ride the wind.
Registered: March 18, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
United States Posts: 6,396
Posted:
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Quoting GSyren:
Quote:
Quoting mediadogg:
Quote:
In that context, I have always dreamed of having a way to focus more on the artists.

Interesting! How would you envision that implemented? Would you be satisfied with a notes field plus links to external sites, or would you require some kind of structured data (to make it easier to search, perhaps?)

Oh man, please don't do any work on this!!!!    OMG I am not worth the effort. Please, any of your efforts focus on those guys who are the backbone of DVDP - the contributors!

But, following along just as a thought experiment, what I am thinking of goes way beyond a notes field. There was a thread a while back where somebody mentioned a site. I'll try to find it.  For example, often performers are members of groups prior to going solo. And they move around. So, who were the "XXX Band" in 1963? Or what groups did "Molly Milly" sing in from 2001 - 2008? Who were the members of Morning Musume in 2003? What bands did "Davey Drummer" play with before going solo in 1987?

Ability to save lots of pics and head shots. Links to and notes about trivia. Celebrity parent / sibling / spouse linkages. Stuff like that. Obviously there are tons of web sites devoted to that stuff. But it would be fun to keep tarck of a few of my favorites in the context of the movies or other media they have been a part of.
Thanks for your support.
Free Plugins available here.
Advanced plugins available here.
Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
 Last edited: by mediadogg
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorGSyren
Profiling since 2001
Registered: March 14, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
Sweden Posts: 4,508
Posted:
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Quoting mediadogg:
Quote:
Oh man, please don't do any work on this!!!!

He he, I may be crazy, but I'm not quite that crazy! 
I just like to visualize how it could be done.
My freeware tools for DVD Profiler users.
Gunnar
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar Contributormreeder50
I was outta bullets
Registered: March 29, 2007
Reputation: Superior Rating
United States Posts: 2,713
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Quoting Danae Cassandra:
Quote:
If I was to add things I wish we had to Profiler now ...

The ability to correctly record the language of a film (none of this 'Other' crap) and to notate that a film has multiple languages - such as The Innocents (2016) which is in French and Polish, or The Great Match (2006) which is in Kazajo, Tamashek, and Tupi - in a single language track.

The ability to filter films in the iOS by country without having blank values for the non-major countries.

Like Gsyren said above, the ability to record more than 3 entries for CoOs and studios.

I completely agree with removing the Other crap and having all languages and subtitle languages available including "country specific" Audio Descriptive, Audio Tracks and Subtitle Tracks. Also more than 3 Genres.

You cannot play 3D only discs on a regular Blu-ray player so it should have its own Media Type. Difinitive cover types to match all the possible cover and slip covers out there.
Marty - Registered July 10, 2004, User since 2002.
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