Is there an Alternitive UI?

[mce_in_catford4]

Hi,
I have got past alsmot all of my thecnical issues with LinuxMCE but now I'm comming up with a lot of issues with the userinterface.
I have a Windows Media Centre PC but I am not a fan of microsoft. I hate the idea of all the DRM they are putting into windows and I want to move away from using propitery software I have no control over.

Although LinuxMCE is starting to make me change my opinion of windows media centre. A lot of the features I took for granted are simply not present in LinuxMCE. I have created a comparision documenting my exprences.

http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Metcarob's_Windows_MCE_vs_Linux_MCE_Comparison

I want to try out the advanced features on LinuxMCE, the media follow me, home security, home control, etc. but first I need to know it can do the media stuff that windows can.

I have a feeling there is something I am missing. Are there any alternative UI's for LinuxMCE that I can switch to?

[tschak909]

Orbiter is our one UI. It is highly retargetable however, and can be highly customized. You may wish to watch my Designer Screencasts.

-Thom

[tschak909]

You may also want to watch my screencast on how to properly handle media within the system, because most of your issues seem to stem from a gross lack of understanding of how it's supposed to work.

http://www.localeconcept.com/pub/Using_Media_in_LinuxMCE_part_1.ogg

There are specific directions we decided to take in media management that are very different from Windows Media Center. These are deliberate, and while they are not completely refined yet, we feel they are the right direction.

We consolidate all our media in one place. This is not going to change. Ever. However, we will improve the filtering and searching facilities, so that it is easier to find what you're looking for.

-Thom

[mce_in_catford4]

Hi,
Thanks I will listen to the link and look at the designer and try and educate myself in how to use LinuxMCE properley. I do have friends frequently come over and they sometimes end up using the Media Centre PC to select music while we are having a party or something. I am hoping my issues are with setup and it's actually easier than I'm making it.
Is there an easy way to group shows under the title so all the series are displayed together?

[totallymaxed]

Hi,
I have got past alsmot all of my thecnical issues with LinuxMCE but now I'm comming up with a lot of issues with the userinterface.
I have a Windows Media Centre PC but I am not a fan of microsoft. I hate the idea of all the DRM they are putting into windows and I want to move away from using propitery software I have no control over.

Although LinuxMCE is starting to make me change my opinion of windows media centre. A lot of the features I took for granted are simply not present in LinuxMCE. I have created a comparision documenting my exprences.

http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Metcarob's_Windows_MCE_vs_Linux_MCE_Comparison

I want to try out the advanced features on LinuxMCE, the media follow me, home security, home control, etc. but first I need to know it can do the media stuff that windows can.

I have a feeling there is something I am missing. Are there any alternative UI's for LinuxMCE that I can switch to?

See my comments on your Wiki page...there is a big difference. Yes there are some alternate UI's in development. But as Thom says here LinuxMCE delivers its UI across mulitiple devices already...touch based PDA's, mobile Phones, Laptops, in-wall Touch screens and Media Directors. The Windows MCE UI is limited to the so called '10 ft UI' and does not scale to other devices at all.

...and then of course there is the fact that LinuxMCE is far more than just a MediaCenter...thats just one part of the functionality that LinuxMCE delivers.

Andrew

[Domodude]

I want to try out the advanced features on LinuxMCE, the media follow me, home security, home control, etc. but first I need to know it can do the media stuff that windows can.
I have a feeling there is something I am missing. Are there any alternative UI's for LinuxMCE that I can switch to?

...and then of course there is the fact that LinuxMCE is far more than just a MediaCenter...thats just one part of the functionality that LinuxMCE delivers.

That is true.
But since the last three letters of LinuxMCE spell out Media Center Edition, the name is perhaps a little confusing. Something along the lines of Linux Smart Home would probably cause less misunderstandings as far as the capabilities of LinuxMCE go.
As for me, LinuxMCE just comes naturally when I talk about this system, but what do other people think? Is it worth the hassle to change the name so that people get a better first impression of system capabilities? Or should I not bring up this subject? 

[pigdog]

Name has been talked about...

http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=f1a9a71cbccf8f88823b513905e14b05&topic=7694.0

... but more about what to call LM not about changing the MCE part.

Cheers.

[Techstyle]

MCE in Catford,

I have just read your page as a person that used to use Windows MCE for years before switching to the Linux side:

1.  your XDA's will work fine with Wifi and that alone should sell your mates - sit on the sofa load up a playlist, turn on follow me then change the orbiter room on the XDA and hear the media switch - nice (yet another of Tom's videos explains this)

2.  Selecting sort by album in LMCE will show you the album covers as it does in WMCE, LMCE gives you the advantage of going to the first letter of the album name directly and gives you more items per screen than WMCE.  Other than that there is no difference.  As thom said I suggest you watch his video. 

3.  Adding a track to the playlist (Queue it up) is a feature that is missing from LMCE and has been talked about here many times.  I too hope this will get sorted at some point (and wish I had the ability to do it myself)

After watching a couple of Thom's video's I decided it would improve my understanding and usability if I watched them all - break out the popcorn.

On an alternate but very topical subject I believe the videos should be featured on the new LMCE website or a video tutorial section on the Wiki.





4. 

[totallymaxed]

I want to try out the advanced features on LinuxMCE, the media follow me, home security, home control, etc. but first I need to know it can do the media stuff that windows can.
I have a feeling there is something I am missing. Are there any alternative UI's for LinuxMCE that I can switch to?

...and then of course there is the fact that LinuxMCE is far more than just a MediaCenter...thats just one part of the functionality that LinuxMCE delivers.

That is true.
But since the last three letters of LinuxMCE spell out Media Center Edition, the name is perhaps a little confusing. Something along the lines of Linux Smart Home would probably cause less misunderstandings as far as the capabilities of LinuxMCE go.
As for me, LinuxMCE just comes naturally when I talk about this system, but what do other people think? Is it worth the hassle to change the name so that people get a better first impression of system capabilities? Or should I not bring up this subject? 

Well I agree the name 'may' imply something that is more media centric... but a small amount of reading here and on the Wiki will clear that confusion up. A name change would not be too big a deal in my opinion...and it might make it easier for some people to understand what this software actually is ;-)

Andrew

[mce_in_catford4]

I have watched screen cast part 1. It has explained some things. Is there a part 2, I would be intrested in how to tag media.
Also, the screen cast dosn't cover recording TV programs and selecting and viewing them. This would be useful as it's what I'm having trouble with.