Call For New Features - Community Input Requested

montego · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:38 pm

As mentioned in my Announcement post above, I'd like to gather input from the community as to what features you would like to see in this great add-on module.

For those of you who are not aware of what this module is for, here is the list of features from the README file:

- Each download now has it's own view setting:
- All Users
- Registered Users
- Administrators
- Any NSN Groups' Group User
- Enhanced Admin area.
- Stylish dual column display.
- Anti-Leach routine.
- Admins can set who can submit to any category.
- Admins can set if a category is to allow uploads.
- Checks uploaded file for allowed file extensions.
- Tracks how many files a users downloads and/or uploads.
- For Anonymous users it tracks downloads per ip.
- Graphics are theme selectable.
- Extensions for file uploads may be added or removed.
- Admin can choose the date display format.
- Security Code can be turned off/on thru admin.

I will add a post to this thread with my initial thoughts on some improvement ideas.

montego · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:49 pm

Here are some things BobMarion was looking to implement:

+ Image support
+ Mirror downloads

Here are some things that I was also looking to implement:

+ XHTML 1.0 Transitional compliance (RavenNuke 2.1.x folks will like this)

+ Add anti-leaching hack (to stop direct hot-linking)

+ Add support for NSN Groups view permissions at the category and download level (so, not just download lock-out).

+ Add nukeWYSIWYG support for download submittal and admin updates. But with this, I need to make some changes to allow for simply HTML formatting. So, this should also help with being able to spruce up the download details page quite a bit.

+ Integrate in the new CAPTCHA being used for RavenNuke 2.1.x

+ Provide for more configuration options (would need community input here for what is needed)

+ Add configurable terms and conditions and/or copyright text on various pages

Any other ideas out there? I hear the floodgates opening...

Guardian2003 · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 6:03 pm

Associated image for file type and the ability to add/edit/delete those images.
Example, you could add a Word icon and set this icon to display along side the description of the download so people can instantly see what the file type is (I have all the icons you need for this).

I would also like to be able to set a limit on how many times a specific user can download a file (perhaps as part of the ani-leaach for anonymous users or as prep work for a 'shop').

kguske · Site Admin Joined: Jun 04, 2004 Posts: 4537

I'll be happy to help with the nukeWYSIWYG support. On the images, are you thinking screenshot?

I think a featured downloads function would be great, too, and I'd be happy to contribute the featured downloads block to support that.

It would be kind of nice to be able to add dynamic attributes (e.g. requires theme modification) that could optionally have an icon to represent the value.

Guardian2003 · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:46 am

On images I was thinking along the lines that as you can add 'allowable file types' it might be good to have an associated 'file type image' so users can see at a glance the type of file they are downloading e.g. Word document, Zip file, pdf document, audio file, video file etc but now you mention it, 'preview images' might also be a really good idea especially for those who might make themes available for download. In fact two preview images would be good, a thmb nail and 'larger' image.

montego · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:04 pm

Awesome... keep it coming... My issue tracker has lots of room... now, if I can just free up more time. LOL.

Guardian2003 · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:45 am

but...
Considering 'time' is constant, isnt it weird how when you are doing something you hate for 2 hours it seems like a week yet, when you do something you enjoy for 2 hours it seems like 2 minutes.

montego · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:45 am

Guardian2003, so true... ok, back on topic. Wink

technocrat · Involved Joined: Jul 07, 2005 Posts: 487

I have already done:
Add anti-leaching hack (to stop direct hot-linking)
Integrate in the new CAPTCHA being used for RavenNuke 2.1.x
In Evo, so if you would like some help I would be happy to pitch in. My users are getting pretty antsy for a better download module. They keep wanting me to use EDL.

LiTh · New Member Joined: May 30, 2006 Posts: 12

i'd like to see in the config options different ways of showing the downloads, such as 1 column, 2 column, list, details, icons (almost like win explorer view options?) or atleast something to that affect

montego · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:31 am

technocrat, yeah, I already have these two implemented on my Montego Scripts site, but as soon as we settle down from the RN 2.10.00 release, I'll start pulling the release plan together. I appreciate the offer to help. I am sure that I'll need it. Wink

LiTh, I've always wanted more flexibility there too. Thx!

technocrat · Involved Joined: Jul 07, 2005 Posts: 487

Sure thing, hit me up when you are ready

sixf00t4 · Regular Joined: Nov 05, 2006 Posts: 51

first off, thanks for picking this project up! I've used this module for a while now and had been wanting some updates to it! Maybe next you'll pick up matyscripts statistics module Wink

heh.

anyway, the "verify downloads" function never really worked all that well. sometimes it would say files werent there when they were.

it'd be nice to be able to upload files to a location as you added the download. maybe into different folders too based on categories you have set up in the download system.
it'd be nice to have filesize determined automagically.
thumbnails/images as were suggested. could be used for videos.
i know i had a whole bunch more suggestions, but that should keep you busy for now! thanks again!

montego · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:58 am

Quote:

it'd be nice to be able to upload files to a location as you added the download. maybe into different folders too based on categories you have set up in the download system.

I thought this feature was already possible? You can set up at the category level what the upload directory should be and whether or not you want to allow uploads.

Am I not understanding your requirement well enough?

Susann · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 7:57 am

Tumbnails would be really great. I´ve always used images in my downloads in the past.
Also XHTML valid code because there are many errors and warnings when you use that like its now in RavenNUKE.
Short urls for Submit Downloads.
And of course optimized dynamic titles for this module.
Thats what I´m looking for. However, its a great modul and I´m sure Montego you can enhance some things within this modul by-and-by.

montego · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 1:52 pm

And now I just need to find the time... I'm working through my list and just haven't gotten here yet...

Susann · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:26 pm

I saw a download module with update function. This would be a nicel feature too I think.
I still don´t know exactly what to do with my old downloads added some years ago. They are not up-to-date but with visible last update function I would change these entries.

montego · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:09 am

Susann, not sure I understand as there is the ability to update each download within the module's administration pages. Could you explain a bit more what you are after? Thanks.

Susann · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:01 am

E.g. Last update for IP2Country like here:

Only registered users can see links on this board!
Get registered or login to the forums!

So you can easily see the updated files.

montego · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:04 am

Ah, ok! I get it now. Thanks!
(I need to dial up the strength on my coffee... lol)

Susann · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:15 am

No problem.Montego try Ayran a turkish milk produce its better for your health and its a perfect drink for this wheather with such high temperatures. Smile

montego · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:29 am

Sounds too healthy for me... LOL. I need the caffeine... Wink

kguske · Site Admin Joined: Jun 04, 2004 Posts: 4537

I agree that a Last Updated feature would be useful. It should only display if the file has been updated, which, of course, we would need to be able to maintain (or have automatically / conditionally updated when updating).

montego · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:02 pm

Yes, I understand the need. What I would probably do is upon an Add set the create date and last updated date the same and then just check to see if they are different and only display the last updated date if it is different.