104 replies to this topic

[Drybonz]

Take it easy on the new guys, everyone... they are just trying to find a way to make things easier on themselves.  They aren't talking about packing tables for commercial gain.  I think we all might be in "shark tank" mode still, a bit.  When I first got here I hated it because the files I was trying to find were scattered all over the site, downloads could be slow, etc... so I can sympathize.  I don't know if a big pack of files is the answer... I downloaded one, myself, very recently at another site and it was poorly maintained, old files, out-dated, stuff not working, etc... I ended up deleting it and individually downloading a bunch of the stuff anyway... but the attitude that it needs to be hard for the new guys is just a little elitist.  They are just trying to play some pinball.

 

To the new guys... I, personally, like to download the files individually because you get to interact with the authors and other people using the tables and it just makes it more fun... but that's just my opinion.

 

Also, new guys... try to have some tact and common sense when you are presenting your ideas.  You aren't going to make any friends here if you come off as demanding and belligerent.

[allknowing2012]

What about an install pack thread - each post contains links to each of the pieces required for that table. People can add to that post and it could become the Showcase/Showoff/FAQ/EZ Install thread.

Edited by allknowing2012, 14 July 2016 - 01:24 PM.

[patrickfx]

Interresting points.

Then, a good compromise should be to fill mandatory form to keep things linked for developper. Roms, b2s, tables...all virtual link.

And yes, there are 2 types of users. Regular user who have 1 hour per week, just like to plug and play. No time to search the good update on thread 13344566987666.

Power user who have 1 to 20 hours per week to tweak, get the maximum of vp, have time to give idea.

Me, it depend on the month.

Note when i said keep thing related, that mean they have at the root a table name. A kind of tree.

This is possible.
A thread, personaly, not the best solution but better then nothing. The problem with thread it s the number of page...
And keep things unstructured. But at least all same place

[sawbill]

In my opinion, obtaining the files to setup a table is not rocket science. There are only 4 files you need; table, rom, b2s, and wheel logo or hpmp. So just type the table name in the downloads search field, and it is all there. You don't even worry anymore about finding table, back glass, & DMD videos, because there is a nifty program that captures all of your videos on your own rig for you. Personally, I don't see the added value in trying to fix something that really isn't a problem; or broken.

[Drybonz]

Personally, I don't see the added value in trying to fix something that really isn't a problem; or broken.

 

They want to make it easier and more organized.  Pretty simple and it actually makes sense.

What about an install pack thread - each post contains links to each of the pieces required for that table. People can add to that post and it could become the FAQ/EZ Install thread.

 

Good idea... this could actually just be done through the downloads section but would probably require someone to maintain it.  If there was a person maintaining the downloads, keeping it organized, approving uploads in a timely manner, etc... it would probably make things a lot better for everyone in general.

[Noah Fentz]

Approvals aren't as easy as just clicking 'approve'.

First and foremost, it's virus checked. Then, research has to be done to ensure it's not an unauthorized mod. This may require awaiting a response from previous authors.

We can't just approve a submission because it's there.

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[Drybonz]

Approvals aren't as easy as just clicking 'approve'.

First and foremost, it's virus checked. Then, research has to be done to ensure it's not an unauthorized mod. This may require awaiting a response from previous authors.

We can't just approve a submission because it's there.

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Sorry, Noah... I didn't mean to shift the focus of the discussion to approvals.

[Noah Fentz]

No worries. I've seen people unhappy about the time it's taken in the past. Just wanted to clarify the process.

The easiest way, imo, to download a table for a cab is to first find the table itself. While it's downloading, copy a keyword from the title and paste it into the search box. Since you're in the download section, it searches just the downloads.

Once submitted, it finds everything related to that table. Download the media pack and the ROM, and you have enough to run the table. Once up and running, find the backglass of choice.

It's very easy, if your system is setup properly. For my customers, I've set things up as a simple drag and drop, copy/paste process.

As a multi submitter hobby as we are, we'd have to get permission from every author before bundling anything. It's a matter of respect. If they wanted it bundled, most authors would do it themselves, as most authors have done more than one table.

Another issue with bundling is bandwidth. We go through 1.6+ TB monthly here, and host over 300GB. Bundles would increase bandwidth usage and disk usage, and, to make matters worse, it would be downloaded repeatedly by people who never get it running or to simply 'check it out', wasting a lot of resources.

Site performance would suffer, expenses here would increase, and authors may be offended by the exclusion of their work.

It's just not as easy as it sounds once you factor everything in. The new guys aren't familiar with our community and the respect we maintain for our authors. That's probably why it seems like it should be easy.

Note: Please keep the discussion civil, guys. A lot of profanity outside the BBB, and a lot of hostility.

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[Drybonz]

There's some little things that could be done to help new guys.

 

One great example is backglasses.  Pretend we are a new guy and don't already know where this stuff is.  At the top of the page we see "tables" and we go download our table.  Next, we know we want the backglass.  Beside the tables, we have "roms", but nothing about backglass.  We search around and eventually find it under "frontends and addons".  Already some frustration.  Now that we are there we are presented with the decision "UVP" or "B2S".  We don't know what either of those things are, so we pick UVP because it's listed first, download something to find out it's old and outdated... go back for the B2S... no general instructions in this same area as to how to use these, so another search begins... 

 

So, all this makes the new guy frustrated... it would be best if the link to the backglass just said "Backglass", was next to the tables downloads, and went straight to the DB2S area, with the UVP's being archived away somewhere.

 

This is just one example.  There are some things authors have requested, here:  http://www.vpforums....showtopic=34724 to be able to edit posts so they would make more sense to new guys, and wouldn't have old versions, etc.  A W.I.P. download section (similar to the main table downloads section) would be great for organization as WIPs and betas seem to get lost in the forums.  I'm sure we could all get together and think of bunch of ideas to make navigation easier for everyone, in general.  In my humble opinion, this gets at the root of guys saying they want it to be easier.

 

*edit*  I should add that any little organization improvements like this eliminate multiple repetitive questions on the main forum that the regulars get tired of answering, I'm sure.

Edited by Drybonz, 14 July 2016 - 01:21 PM.

[Replay]

Some great points there Drybonz, some sort of organized system would definitely be an improvement

[Drybonz]

Some great points there Drybonz, some sort of organized system would definitely be an improvement

 

Ok, well don't miss my other points about being nice to the table authors and showing some respect.  That's important too.

[Noah Fentz]

Some sort? How about by category, alphabetical?

Is this too difficult to navigate?

You can also sort by date of submission, date update, and other sort options.

I have never had any issue finding what I'm looking for, yet people have been claiming there's no organization for years.

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[Drybonz]

I have never had any issue finding what I'm looking for, yet people have been claiming there's no organization for years.
 

 

Well, with respect, you are the site administrator... it would make sense that you are able to find things.

[Noah Fentz]

All the new VirtuaPin owners I show around have no issue either.

It's straight up categorized. Not rocket science.

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[Drybonz]

All the new VirtuaPin owners I show around have no issue either.

It's straight up categorized. Not rocket science.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

Ok, man... fair enough... I gave my feedback... don't want to push the issue.  Thanks for reading.

[laylow]

Some sort? How about by category, alphabetical?

Is this too difficult to navigate?

You can also sort by date of submission, date update, and other sort options.

I have never had any issue finding what I'm looking for, yet people have been claiming there's no organization for years.

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Don't forget the tutorials, I doubt if anyone reads them first before complaining, if it's here, you can find it easily! 

[BorgDog]

It would be nice if part of your approval process made sure the tables were in the correct catagory.  I've seen several SS tables (ie need rom and vpinmame) in the VP Recreation as opposed to the VPinMame Recreation section.  Also for the Vpinmame the ROM link should be a required field.  And frankly the search is messed up for anything smaller than 4 characters, I understand that one you probably can't do anything about.  So recently someone was trying to find the db2s for Nip-It and search was useless, and just try to browse to the "db2s Animated Backglasses" seciton.  It doesn't exist in the drop down menus at the top of the page, and even if you go to the download page it is hidden under FrontEnds and Addons, which honestly makes little sense to me, it is important enough that it should be it's own major catagory and have links in the drop down menus.  Then there is the naming of VP Recreation and VPinMAME Recreation, which until you learn what that means doesn't make a lot of sense to new people.  Better names would be EM Recreations and SoildState Recreations so that anybody who knows pinball would understand what you are talking about.  

 

Just some random thoughts, sorry for the ramble.

[Noah Fentz]

Ramble away!

 

Did you try searching " Nip* "?

 

I'll add backglass categories to the dropdown during my lunch.

[Noah Fentz]

Done.

 

Let me know if anyone has any issues or other ideas.

 

Thanks, guys!

[sliderpoint]

Since your are taking requests...

 

From the main page, site navigation > click Downloads. db2s Backglasses should be on that initial category list without having to click 'view all' and searching for it at the bottom.

 

How about going through all the forums and unpin all the ridiculously old pinned topics that are not relevant to the current versions of software. 

 

-Mike