Talk:Jukebox Software

A template should be created for this page, or at least a standardized format for laying out the features of each software.

For example:

• One description lays out resolution, others don't
• One lays out orientation, others don't.
• One lays out skinning, others don't.
• One lays out OS it runs on, others don't.
• One doesn't say if it's freeware, while others do.

The reason I say this is because this is the exact same thing as going to each web page and fumbling through them to figure stuff out.

Also, just as with the emulators, this needs to be fleshed out more fully, such as the listing in the juke forum. An example is the emulators listings. Motch laid out a fistful of them so we could go back in and know what might be out there and flesh out those (or delete them if obsolete) later, rather than piecemeal them in one by one.

Lastly, while I know these may be freeware and you guys may want to point out the presence of a donation link, in the software description does not seem to be the place to do so (to me anyway). Mention it in the overview/summary at the top. Mentioning it up there, and then including a link within the description of each looks far cleaner. Donations aren't a "feature" of the software, although I CLEARLY understand they're greatly appreciated.

Drewkaree 09:01, 14 March 2006 (EST)

Template/Standardization points

Here is a small list of things I've noticed in looking through this small collection listed so far. More points obviously can/would be needed but here's a start on what I'm talking about.

• OS this runs on
• Freeware, shareware, or commercial (along with cost)
• Touchscreen compatible
• Media format(s) supported (mp3, Ogg, Ape, FLAC, etc)
• Skinnable (and are they preset, or end-user can create?)
• Additional requirements? (.NET Framework, specific version of WMP, any runtimes or .dll's, etc)
• Supported resolutions (or at least a range)
• Album-oriented, singles-oriented, or both
• Monitor orientations supported
•  ?

Obviously I don't think I've covered everything, but setting this up and being consistent will clearly make this easier for folks to sift through the info based on their needs and may introduce them to something they never even thought of that they might like to have.

Maybe a feature grid would help on the Jukebox/Emulation software pages? The header column could link to pages and have each jukebox/emulator their own page.

Jukebox	OS	Type	Touchscreen	Supported media
SoftwareX	Windows XP	Shareware	Yes	MP3, OGG
SoftwareY	Win98, Win2000, WinXP	Freeware	No	MP3

Felsir 09:40, 14 March 2006 (EST)

The Standardization Point....

Im look on that, when I have time later on this week. I'm should start one place, and I was thinking about this (but diddent have the time).

Here is a sample table (using my own software), do Im missing something? (it would been greatly if a smaller font can been used)

SOFTWARE	OS	Type	Skinnable	Additional	Style	Monitor	Media	Resoulutions	Controllers	Speciel
Arcade Music Box 2	Windows	Freeware Donation	Yes	None	Singles Albums	Horizontal Vertical	1) BASS 2) Videos 2) Netradio	320x240, 640x480 ArcadeVGA Dual Screen	Touchscreen Keys/Joys Trackball	Name that song CDG integrated HTPC interface

1) BASS sound system support: MP3, OGG, WAV, FLAC, MOD, XM and lots more
2) require Microsoft Media Player

--Spacefractal 17:45, 14 March 2006 (EST)

The grid is an AWESOME idea! I was thinking the same thing about the emulators pages, but I figured start small with something like this page and see what ideas were brought forth.

Perhaps to save space, have the features be listed as numbers and have a list of what the numbers correspond to below it? I've noticed looking at the second table, it extends beyond the screen. I'm certain there's a way to limit the width of the table, but how to fit everything in it then?

Thanks for the idea Felsir!

Drewkaree 18:32, 14 March 2006 (EST)

maybe switch Horizontal and Vertical (but this form is a MUCH harder to swich. Maybe we could table like this, and use a standaized destripction to the software itself?

Meybe you are right, using numbers instead, but would it not to have to many numbers? The width is a high problem with the large font. Using a small verdana font would help a lots.

--Spacefractal 18:38, 14 March 2006 (EST)

Perhaps it's a solution that has too many items needed to implement it properly.

Something else I'm wondering is perhaps a bullet-point list standardized so info just has to be plugged in as an = X feature thing.

Ex:

• OS = DOS, 98
• Cost = Commercial software ($35)
• Resolution = 800x600 for best results

and so forth. Maybe a small template to include the bullets, features list, and = sign could all be standardized and adding a new software could call up a "fill in the blanks" type of template.

I don't even know if that type of template is possible, so I could be talking out of my ass :)

Drewkaree 18:58, 14 March 2006 (EST)