"Rune" <run### [at] inamecom> wrote in message
news:39f82bb0@news.povray.org...
> Hi Twyst!
>
> Welcome back!
>
> > Here's the thought - http://povray-central.net  - Somewhat
> > like the twysted.net of old, but much, much better.
>
> Sounds very interesting.
>
> > There are 2 reasons for my doing this.
> > 1) I've noticed that there still is no major web-based information
> portals -
>
> There are currently no "Ultimate POV-Ray Portal", but there's a few places
> that specialises in different areas that I think cannot be done better on
a
> central portal than they're done now.
>
> > - Multi-page article system - entirely web-based, with an optional
> > image on each page. This is similar to tomshardware.com.
>
> Sounds interesting, but what would the articles be about? (Tutorials are
> already covered elsewhere in your list.)
>

Oh, I don't know - Rants, articles on how things work, that sort of thing.

> > - Links Directory - Similar to the DMOZ.org system , but written
> > entirely by me. PHP is wonderful.
>
> The links section on povray.org is *very* extensive and it is well
organised
> by Ken Tyler. I don't see why we need a new links resource. Sure it would
be
> nice, but is it worth the effort when there's already an excellent one?
>

Ah, good point - I had forgotten about that links collection. =D

> > - Newsfeeds - from other graphics/povray related sites. - Possibly
> > newsgroups - but that would be a nightmare.
>
> How would that be an advantage over using regular newsgroups?

Some people don't have access to newsgroups... and by newsfeeds, I meant
stuff like headline grabbers, last 10 active newsgroup topics, that sort of
thing - not a replacement, but an enhancement.
>
> > - Code Gallery - Searchable, subcategorized code snippets.
>
> Sounds useful and convenient if coders would support it.
>
Yea, I'd  actually look at categorizing it like :

Functions | Objects | Textures | Animation

with subcategories in each, and possibly a preview image.

> > - Image Gallery - This is gonna be the fun one. All images stored
> > in the database, so no problems with duplicate filenames, etc.
>
> Exactly what would the purpose of the gallery be? Would it be for all
> POV-Ray users or restricted? Would it simply be a show-off gallery or
should
> it serve another purpose too? How much control would users have over how
the
> images are presented (with regard to comments about the images and so on)?
>

Well, I think it should be an open gallery, for showing off , with comments
, and possible ratings - something like www.ratemypicture.com - this way
people can get feedback, etc. One of the things I'll incorporate is a way to
'update' an image, so as the image progresses, people can see it. The nice
thing about doing web-based, as opposed to p.b.i, is that people just
randomly surfing by will go "oooh, pretty pictures, how can I make them?"

Note: At the time I wrote the original message, I didn't know about the
10best project.

> > - Threaded News Discussion, like slashdot.
>
> What would the advantage over news.povray.org be?

Again, web-accessible. Some people can't use newsreaders, due to
firewalling, or other silliness.
That, and there are people who surf the web to find interesting things.

>
> > - Software Reviews
>
> Sounds great!
>

Well, this'll be more of a "Here's the software. This is what it does.
Comments?" thing - so it's people who use it who can review it, and make
comments on it.

> > - Benchmarks
>
> Nice.

Well, It'd be started from scratch, with a few different benchmark files, to
give a more applicable benchmark - just because a computer can render
skyvase really quick, doesn't mean it can do media fast too.

>
> > - Tutorials (I have a good idea for this. =D )
>
> If people supported this it could be a great resource. I don't quite see
> though what the big advantage is of having all tutorials at one place
> instead of simply linking to different people's tutorials (like on
> povray.org/links ).
>

Well, the plan I have is to design a tutorial system, based on steps. Each
step has an optional image, and steps are displayed 5 per page. This allows
for a clear, consistant method of writing tutorials.


> > Anyways - I wanted to get some discussion on this.
>
> I'd like to discuss this: What exactly is the great advantage of having
> everything at one place? There are many general portals on the net, but I
> think most people use not just one portal for all their Internet
activities,
> but use some services from one portal, others from another portals, and do
> some things on their own.

Well, look at planetquake.com, for example. They have info on every aspect
of quake - from models to maps, configuration to customization. It's a
centralized jumping-off point, with constant updates and rants. Yes, there
are other resources you can use - IRC chat, newsgroups, ICQ, but many times,
if you're on the go, at someone else's house, or a cybercafe, you have to
install/configure a program to get on any of those, and many times you just
can't. So this becomes a viable alternative. That and there's a considerable
reduction in the 'spam' quota.

>
> The links collection on povray.org and these povray newsgroups are things
> that I think work fine as it is now, and I don't see why we need a new
links
> collection or new newsgroups.
>

Well, as I said, I had forgotten about the links collection by Ken-san.
(kenshin? oro? sorry .. anime reference) and I see no reason to set up 'new'
newsgroups.

> Don't get me wrong - I think your initiative is a great one; I'm just
being
> critical and joining the discussion as you requested :)
>

And I appreciate it - I've been out of touch for far too long, and how
better to get input?

> > One of the things that I will request, is that I get more
> > people than just me working on this
> > I don't mind doing the programming - it's consistant, steady
> > content that I have trouble with.
>
> I hope you will have success with the project.
>
> Greetings,
>
> Rune
> --
> \ Include files, tutorials, 3D images, raytracing jokes,
> / The POV Desktop Theme, and The POV-Ray Logo Contest can
> \ all be found at http://rsj.mobilixnet.dk (updated October 9)
> / Also visit http://www.povrayusers.org
>
>

Noel "Twyst" Bundy
----------------------
twy### [at] twystednet
http://anime-central.net
ICQ: 61606248

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