8.4 Beta - Enhanced File Exchange

[Programmer]

8.4 Beta - Enhanced File Exchange

The File Exchange now contains extra columns providing additional information about each deck, namely:

a) Does it contain a CardData file?
b) Does it contain a Background file?
c) Does it contain a Cursor file?
d) Who shared it.

The first three columns were obviously needed. The last column, which is completely optional, and can be filled in when the user adds their shared decks, has been added for two reasons.

Now the deck sharing experience has been enhanced it is quite natural that a user might want to receive some kudos for their efforts in making sure that a deck contains pop-up notes, an appropriate background image etc. So then if they want to use their own name, or their OTZ nickname, or just invent some tag on the spur of the moment they can do that, or of course they can just leave that field blank.

The second reason is to help me try to debug the File Exchange. I set it up with the high ideal of making it completely anonymous, but this has caused me a headache because I don't always know who is sharing these files, and even when I can find out or think I can guess, I can't really use that information.

For example: at the moment there is someone who is sharing a lot of decks, who for some reason is always giving an error when you try to connect to them. In the past their decks have worked, so this could be the result of invalid memory in the Deck Service (in which case a reboot would fix it) or it could be something else. It would be useful to be able to say "Oi, Shakira (or whatever), would you mind rebooting...". At the moment I can't because I haven't asked for anyone's consent to do that. For testing and debugging purposes, especially in this beta stage of version 8.4, it would be very useful if anyone who didn't mind tagging the files they share could add a short post to this thread, just to facilitate this sort of exchange of information. I might even set up a separate Forum topic for this, if there is enough response. I have added a few decks with the nom de guerre of "Pimpernell".

Another enhancement is that the Exchange now hides duplicate decks (i.e. ones where the name is duplicated). It does this in a similar way to how a spreadsheet or database program does grouping. You will see a "+" icon next to any decks which are duplicated. Click on the "+" to see the duplicates.

In order to be consistent with the reorganisation of the PackInfo files (mentioned on another thread) the deck exchange now adds CardData files whenever they are present - it is not optional as before. The way it works therefore is:

CardData.xml - Always Added
PackInfo.xml - Always Added

PersonalCardData.xml - Never Added
PersonalPackInfo.xml - NeverAdded

[WebWeaver]

Hey Richard, just got my beta up and running. I've been really busy, and wasn't receiving notifications that there was activity on the boards. Anywho... here is a thought on Always sharing the carddata files. I don't use them as they are intended for every deck, which means if I want to share that deck I'll have to have a separate copy of that deck. With the size of hard drives today, this isn't really an issue, but I did think I should bring this issue up.

Great job on everything! I've got a ton of messages to get caught up on, so I'm sure I'll be speaking again

Shari

[Programmer]

It would not be to hard to an an override option "never share any of my card data". If so I would like to have it somewhere out of the way, such as on the DE Options form. Would that be of any use? Before it was on the Add Decks form, and speaking for myself I kept forgetting to set it, so that my shared decks would have card data or not depending on the vagaries of my memory. I think it definitely needs to default to yes.

[WebWeaver]

Well if I can't have it on a deck by deck, then yeah, I'd say put it in there somewhere for always or never. As long as it's understood the it's being shared when a deck is shared, then I think defaulting to shared is fine. Someone could have personal information in there

Shari

[Programmer]

Forgot to mention it, but I am pretty sure that the beta version 6 which I uploaded yesterday, ahem, Release Candidate 6, does include checkboxes on both the Options form and the Add Decks form, so you can decide on a case by case basis. Well, you have to keep the users happy don't you? ;-)