Next milestone features & donations

[len0x]

As can be found here:


The philosophy:
http://hcsoftware.sourceforge.net/jason-rohrer/freeDistribution.html

An example:
http://mute-net.sourceforge.net/index.shtml


I'm going to try out this approach on a small set of features. Basically I'll pick up some feature requests then set a donation target - once donations level is reached, those features will be implemented and released. Its not going to be a version milestone as in example above, but rather feature-based mailestone. This means that versions of AutoGK will still be out with bugfixes (and quality tuning we're doing now with custom matrixes etc.)

So far I have a couple of useful features to throw in:
- DTS support (both muxing and transcoding)
- support for external text subs to be burnt in to AVI

Any other small requests?

[Sharktooth]

MP4 container support.

[len0x]

Originally posted by Sharktooth
MP4 container support.

rather small request indeed :)

[Sharktooth]

I was in a hurry so maybe i should be more specific:
MP4 container output
MPEG-4 AAC encoding support
Anamorphic encoding with AR signaling option (Xvid only)

[len0x]

Only last option can be put into somewhat immediate plans (not now, but in the near future). The rest would mean quite a bit of work and will have high donate target which can slow thing considerably because not that many ppl would want that probably.

Anyway for now I'm looking for someting rather small in to test if the system would really work. Another thing to throw in would be:
- check for updates on startup
(Now I have three items).

[Sharktooth]

Xvid 1.1 VBV and B-VHQ support?

[len0x]

That will happen anyway when it gets released.

[CeeJay.dk]

Ability to choose other filters than RemoveGrain (as a hidden option)

I've been following the Custom matrix comparison going on in the Xvid section and read about other interesting filter there and elsewhere in the forum and I'd like to try other combinations for some of my tricky sources.

I have 1 DVD now that are quite hard to get a good encode of.
It has added noise into the original content to make it look "underground" .. the effect works well with the content but it also gives it a VERY low compresibility rating when I try AutoGK on it.
The result is a much lower quality than I'm used to because every pixel is in constant and random motion ude to al the noise.

I'd like to try a more aggresive noisefilter and a temporalnoisefilter/smoother and sharpen the endresult with Didée's new LimitedSharpen()


Other than that .. Ogg Vorbis support (and AAC but Sharktooth beat me to suggesting it).
MP3 is no longer the best audiocodec and I'd like to save some bits for audio so I can use more on video.
I don't have a hardwareplayer and if I ever get more serious about multimediacenters, I'll build a HTPC instead.
Besides hardwareplayer would never get support for vorbis if no one used it for their encodes (a chicken and the egg-problem).

MKV would be nice too (I can just convert the avi's produced by AutoGK though)

[jsquare]

- Select output by max. bitrate(Video+Audio).
- One pass encode based on size or bitrate.
- OGM support.
- Mono Audio and Lower CBR bitrates, for PocketPC encodes.
- Recovery option.
- Saving and Editing Job queue.
- Option to create different profiles, ex. one for PocketPC with max. total bitrate of 256k, audio at 32k Mono and max width of 320.

Hope is not too much to ask!

[sillKotscha]

Originally posted by jsquare

- Option to create different profiles, ex. one for PocketPC with max. total bitrate of 256k, audio at 32k Mono and max width of 320.

nice one - that is really a good request!!

[len0x]

About different codecs/containers, guys. You have to realize that it's gonna be rated pretty high. Imagine I put 1000$ as target sum for MKV/OGM support (with correspondig audio codecs). At current donate rate it would take more that half a year to reach that. And as I was not planning to make several milestones at the same time - this would mean that for half a year there will be no any other feature updates to AutoGK? Do you really want that? Of course I can do separate milestones at the same time, so that ppl can choose which feature they are donating for. But I don't think we can reach the target at all then for some of the features (how many ppl of those donated already would want MKV/OGM/MP4 support in there?).

About filters. There will be no official support for multiple filters, but when I encorporate all hidden options into one config file then I can introduce more flexibility of what can be added to avs scripts (but this will a standalone milestone which might also include a GUI for editiding that file).

[Tuning]

You have to realize that it's gonna be rated pretty high. Imagine I put 1000$ as target sum for MKV/OGM support (with correspondig audio codecs). At current donate rate it would take more that half a year to reach that.

Shall I visit some more sponsers on your site ? :devil: :D :D :D


PS : I think you will be getting more than 1000+ from your site each month. ;) :D :rolleyes:

[thop]

I have mixed feelings about this :( I fear that soon AGKnot will be bloated with lots of stuff just because someone paid for it (even though nobody else wants or needs it). Fair enough, and you certainly deserve the money but i hope you understand what i'm trying to say.

[len0x]

Originally posted by thop
I fear that soon AGKnot will be bloated with lots of stuff just because someone paid for it (even though nobody else wants or needs it).

Believe me - this should be the least of your problems.

P.S. Atm I'm evaluating some ways of keeping the project alive (i.e. adware for instance).

[len0x]

Anyway - I'm gonna try these three features first and see how far we can go:
- support for DTS
- support for external text subs file
- version check at startup

Target will be... 200$ :)

[bourtzovlakas]

If/When this target is reached,will the new version be available, right away,to all users or just the contributors?

[len0x]

First, when target is reached then I'll start doing the features (they won't be ready by then obviously).

Second, they may not be released in one version as I prefer to get them out for testing as soon as they are ready.

Third, yes - they will be available to everyone.

P.S. I'll anounce the start of first milestone AutoGK's home page.

[Darksoul71]

Hi len0x,

1st let me say that I fully respect the work you´ve put into GKnot and AutoGK. It is really demanding to support such tools with those constantly changing codecs and filters. Even without implementing new features you are kept quite busy keeping AutoGK / GKnot compatible with all codec versions.

Please forgive me that I didn´t take the time to read the philosophy link in depth. The following is solely my limited personal opinion.


Imagine I put 1000$ as target sum for MKV/OGM support (with correspondig audio codecs).
At current donate rate it would take more that half a year to reach that.

Well, now imagine:
You achieve your milestones before you have reached your "target sum".
Then you decide to release AutoGK as shareware... dooooohhhh !!!!!

As a freeware developer myself I always disliked freeware projects turning to "payware". There are several projects such as myHTPC or Girder going that route. But hey, it´s your source code. Do what you want. :D

Forget about your idea:
1) Define milestone
2) Define donation level bound to milestone
3) donation level reached
4) implement milestone

It should rather be:
1) Define milestone
2) Define the amout of $$$ you personally want to earn for the work you have to put into AutoGK to reach the milestone.
3) Implement milestone
4) Offer AutoGK as shareware
5) Hope that you get the money defined under 2)

Developing freeware is always the same. Either you´re convinced enough to do it at no charge or you will struggle sometimes.
After finishing my studies I´ve actually frozen my released versions and just developed new versions for myself without any further
documentation. I have the strong opinion that even though every freeware developer has the right to charge the users for his hard work, he might be better of quiting the development and start a commercial project when he needs money for motivation or external circumstances require him to earn money.

We all need to make a living. So asking money for your work is very understandable but do some math. Use a really low hourly wage. May be something like 5-10 U$ / €. Multiply this with the hours you´ve spent the last four weeks for developing and normally you´ll get a real big amount of money you "earn" per month. So if money is your primary driver, start making money with your work.

Just my 2 c,
-D$

[len0x]

Originally posted by Darksoul71
It should rather be:
1) Define milestone
2) Define the amout of $$$ you personally want to earn for the work you have to put into AutoGK to reach the milestone.
3) Implement milestone
4) Offer AutoGK as shareware
5) Hope that you get the money defined under 2)


I see a flaw: (5) might not happen :) I have no intentions to just hope. And shareware is the worst possible way of distributing your program - you spend lots of time on crippling it if you don't want it to be easy crackable (I know I can be obsessed about it personally)... Not worth it. I'd rather make it adware.

Originally posted by Darksoul71
Developing freeware is always the same. Either you´re convinced enough to do it at no charge or you will struggle sometimes.
After finishing my studies I´ve actually frozen my released versions and just developed new versions for myself without any further
documentation. I have the strong opinion that even though every freeware developer has the right to charge the users for his hard work, he might be better of quiting the development and start a commercial project when he needs money for motivation or external circumstances require him to earn money.


True, but I have niether time nor motivation to start commercial project. The only thing I want to make sure that what I'm doing is no longer completely free for me (but still available for everyone) - I do not expect ppl starting donating 10 times as much as now and therefore having lots of work to do. This will be a slow progress from one feature to another where every party knows exactly what to expect.

[SeeMoreDigital]

I'm with Sharktooth,

MP4 container support please... even if the finished file includes MP3 audio!


Cheers

[stax76]

in the past I stumbled across that concept 2 times and always thought it's a good idea. I'm curious if it works for AutoGK and if it becomes popular.

[len0x]

we all are :)

[len0x]

OK, M1 milestone is officially started. Let's see where it takes us.

[jeeproject]

I think that you should have a public list of everyone that contributes to these milestones.

[len0x]

I don't think everyone would want that...

[Bardock]

For Milestone M2, please: custom config file for advanced codec options like GMC, Qpel, Adaptive quantization, packed bitstream, max Bframes, VHQ... etc. Or some profiles like slow, standar, fast.

[len0x]

Let me think... no :)
Seriously, codec options will never be customisable in AutoGK as they interfere with its resizing algorithm.

[mrdutchie]

Would like to see a Save/Load Queue list, in case PC shutsdown caused no power.. since I have a lot of items in the queue everytime, I hate it to redo it everytime.

[len0x]

I'm a bit suprised seeing results of a survey on my website. AVI/DV feature is first as expected, but lots of ppl supporting other containers which just ain't right (i put that option just to test the opinion as still don't believe that it should be done before all others in a survey). On the other hand persistent queue don't seem to be doing well (may be I should have described it differently).

[kio]

i've just made donation for this project, for the second time :)

I love this software cause it's the only one which give me access to make my dvdrip movies and big thanks to you for that.

I only want you to keep your graphical interface software accessible to blind users, using JAWS (Job Access With Speech). The rest is nice if you keep that in mind :)

regards

[len0x]

Originally posted by kio
I only want you to keep your graphical interface software accessible to blind users, using JAWS (Job Access With Speech).

So now AutoGK is compliant for JAWS you might say? What prevents a software from being compliant, I wonder? (just so I know, because I'm not familiar with the system).

[Sharktooth]

uhm... blind users? i dont think that a blind user is able to WATCH a movie...

[kio]

Hello,

For keeping an accessible graphical interface users with JAWS, there are not special things to do. Everytime you modify your software interface, i have to check.

However, it's good if we have many hotkeys linked to important functions of autogk.

Actually, the interface is aproximatively good. Except we cannot access advanced options, start encode, and add to queue job with tab key. I need to emulate mouse for this kind of operation. Would by great if you may fixe that :)

Btw, blind people cannot watch movies (with their eyes), indeed. But like other humans, they have ears, and can understand most of what happend in a movy. The sound is very useful for blind users. And... it's not because they are blind they cannot rip DVD for themselves or friends anyway.

I think you would be surprised if you knew some of them play ps2 and other game consoles just with the sound :)

[len0x]

Originally posted by kio
Except we cannot access advanced options, start encode, and add to queue job with tab key. I need to emulate mouse for this kind of operation.

There are already shortcuts for all such operations - see shortcuts.txt in the AutoGK folder.

[kio]

very nice job. i've just seen them and, nothing to say except weldone ! :D

[quake74]

Dear len0x, let me say again, great job on AutoGK. As for the people asking for MKV/OGM support, I must admit I'm one of them :o The problem for me is that there is no tool to automatically produce a OGM/MKV file with as many audio tracks as I want and as many subtitles as I want. The closest one is dvdtoogm, but it doesn't work with MKV and they stopped developing it. GordianKnot only deals with 2 audio tracks and one (1) subtitle track. Dvdtomkv looks really good, but as of now it's vaporware (the new version I mean, not the old one). In my ignorance I thought that adding different containers wouldn't be so hard: add support for oggenc, then take the sum of the file sizes of audio and subtitles, use the difference to set the video bitrate, and then use avimux and/or mmg to mux into ogm/mkv. But this was before you said that that milestone would be worth more or less 2000$... Just giving you reasons. In the end it's YOUR fault, AutoGK makes it seems too easy ;)

[len0x]

Originally posted by quake74
The problem for me is that there is no tool to automatically produce a OGM/MKV file with as many audio tracks as I want and as many subtitles as I want.

You see - support for another container doesn't automatically mean support for all the features of it. Current version of GUI is pretty much fixed for 2 audio/subs streams, so even with another container support you won't be able to deal with as many audio tracks as you want. I have no desire of writing a new GUI...

Anyway container support is somewhat only imaginary at the moment.

[Hermann]

I've seen your proposal to develope a set of feautures after a monetary target is reached (Milestone). This is a good idea because the software remain free (so people continue to interest in it) and people are incentivated to donate but aren't obliged to pay.


Now I've made my first donation (my name: Armando) to this project but there is something I want to say about AutoGK and its license.

I see you don't want to turn AutoGK into Commercial or Shareware software and this is very good. So I don't see reasons for that AutoGK shouldn't turn into Opensource license. I think that Opensource could improve your software by creating a community of developers and power users but, if you prefer to work alone, anyway you can continue to do so. There a lot of new features to embed in AutoGK and new technlogies and standards arrives continuously and it's very difficult to be updated so a Opensource community can help. Opensource could make bug search more easy and people could propose improvement directly looking into source-code. Moreover releasing source-code could go in the way to grant the legitimate request of donors to see exactly for what they are donating for.
Don't worry about less donations. Development should go forward only if Development Milestone are reached so there is nothing different from now except that people prefer to donate for Opensource software. So I think you will have more money from AutoGK. I've already donated and I think I will re-donate but surely the amount of my donation will be higher when I'll be able to see the code. I see many people are thinking like me.
An idea could be to make a Milestone with the target of making Opensource AutoGK. This Milestone could have a high monetary target and procede parallel to the other feature-development target (two milestone at the same times).
At last let me underline that projects (Hcsoftware, Mute) that are breathing Milestone philosophy are all Opensource .....

I hope my request will have a positive response.

Thanks.



P.S. Apologize for my ''crazy'' English

[len0x]

@Hermann

I think ppl still don't understand the purpose of AutoGK. Open sourceness is overrated - it just leads to chaos and loss of user-friendly interface (although it does have its advantages of staying on cutting edge of techology, but quality software is not all about that). Whoever has free time starts hacking and releasing its own versions or at best everything is integrated into main application and we have GK version 2.0. If you have spent some time around this forum you would know how many feature requests I rejects every week not because there are difficult to implement but just because they do not fit into my vision of what AutoGK should do. I can guarantee you that M3 will not be about containers support despite the fact that most ppl want this feature (after AVI/DV support) exactly for that reason.

[hujer]

you are very wrong about opensourceness, it would be still you who decides what feature goes in and what dont, and if people actually fork it, still noone forces you to merge with it, see vdub and all the mods, its good for user, so many features are added that would not be added without this... but of course, you loose your current 100% control over it...

[len0x]

Originally posted by hujer
so many features are added that would not be added without this...

I don't believe AutoGK needs those features.

P.S. By the way - if you believe that you can persuade me - don't bother as AutoGK is going certain direction that excludes releasing of its sources. Soon you'll know :)

[Carraway]

Originally posted by len0x
P.S. By the way - if you believe that you can persuade me - don't bother as AutoGK is going certain direction that excludes releasing of its sources. Soon you'll know :)

This is not encouraging. Is AutoGK Pro on the way?

[len0x]

Originally posted by Carraway
This is not encouraging. Is AutoGK Pro on the way?

No, but if all goes well in the future I'll be able to go off "milestone" route.

[Hermann]

Originally posted by len0x
@Hermann
I think ppl still don't understand the purpose of AutoGK. Open sourceness is
overrated - it just leads to chaos and loss of user-friendly interface
(although it does have its advantages of staying on cutting edge of
techology, but quality software is not all about that).
Opensource doesn't means bad software. I know many good projects and I support them. You can release your code but surely this don't make AutoGK a bad software.
You have no obbligation of admit someone in your development team and you can continue to work alone if you like so.


Originally posted by len0x
Whoever has free time starts hacking and releasing its own versions or at
best everything is integrated into main application and we have GK version
2.0. If you have spent some time around this forum you would know how many
feature requests I rejects every week not because there are difficult to
implement but just because they do not fit into my vision of what AutoGK
should do. I can guarantee you that M3 will not be about containers support
despite the fact that most ppl want this feature (after AVI/DV support)
exactly for that reason.
This is another reason to go forward Opensource. I voted for another container because MKV seems more and more better then AVI. By releasing source-code you can continue to do your ''Official'' AutoGK version but who want can develop a support for MKV or anything else without disturb your work. You aren't obliged to merge Mod versions with your Official version. Mod versions can go parallel to Official version that ever remains the lighthouse of all Version and of all people interested in AutoGK.

There is another reason for that I ask the code: for anyone who is interested in digital video programming direct access to code is very educative to learn how a software work.

Last but not least: the only way to be sure that a software do what a people is asking is to look into source code and not the simple watching of how the software works.

The most important thing:
If for some reason you cannot continue the development of AutoGK in the future or if you plan to stop the development for more than a year, I ask you releasing the source code into public domain. This a very important thing to save money that people donated to AutoGK project. I ask you a reply to this point.



Really thanks for your work!

[len0x]

I think its time for the newcomers to read this:
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7770

[Hermann]

Originally posted by len0x
I think its time for the newcomers to read this:
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7770

In my words there wasn't the intention to rob something. I made only two threads about the argument and I don't understand why you get angry.
If you fears that someone can use your work to make money this is your lawful opinion and I respect it.
If you don't want to release source don't worry but don't tell me:''I don't release it because Opensource softwares don't work'' because this is not true and so I was only trying to explain why (for me) Opensource works better.
I buyed my rechargeable credit card mainly for donating AutoGK that seems a wonderful work so It's natural that I ask something to make it better and lasting (IMHO).


P.S. I don't know if my words sounds hard in english but don't worry I'm not angry with you. :-)


Hi!

[len0x]

Originally posted by Hermann
P.S. I don't know if my words sounds hard in english but don't worry I'm not angry with you. :-)


No worries. And I passed the point when I would get worked up about AutoGK comments long time ago :) I just don't want to go through this dicussion over and over again.

[len0x]

Originally posted by Hermann
Opensource doesn't means bad software. I know many good projects and I support them.

As it seems that more than just a few ppl had a problem interpreting what I meant - I need to clarify that for me quality of the software doesn't fully define whether its good or bad. I did not speak of any open source project in general, but simply stated that hacking of AutoGK source code will not do any good to its quality. I'm not sure how can one generalize my statement if I started with mentioning of purpose of AutoGK and making reference to its GUI... I hope we can move on now.

[Exoskeletor]

Len0x a good feature it would be to configure the default audio and subtitles track (So autogk will automaticly select them if it can find them. I mean for example the first english audio track no matter if it is dts or something else. )

With this a user who is using a lot of times autogk will have to hit only 5 clicks instead of 7 :D

[len0x]

yeah probably :)
I'll see what can be done if I'll be changing GUI.
(Alternatively last selected language can be remembered when opning new sources)

[Sharktooth]

Burn to CD/DVD option would be cool (not for batch encoding though).

[Exoskeletor]

no thats not nessesary. it is difficult and the new recorders will not be supported some times. no need to do that. there is nero for this job
(Also len0x the last selected input folder it could be great idea)

[Exoskeletor]

Now that im thinking again about burning it.. this could be done with nero api. (and not only burn it. with the HWMaker help http://dvd.stuff.gr/hwmaker/html/hwmakeren.html you can burn them with an autoplay feature). You dont need to use hwmaker. i am giving the link to see how it's working if you don't know the program. it is just the bsplayer, a menu, and some .ini files but it's pretty.

[len0x]

Burning to CDs will be less and less important feature as DVDR are gaining popularity (in fact its better to burn on DVDRs already due to better playback on standalones).

[Exoskeletor]

Len0x it would be better if the whole faq was on the autogk and not only the link. (you can post the link at the end)

[len0x]

Well, it would, but I hate maintaining several versions of the same text (that's why website has a link as well, but not a copy). I'll think about it.

[Exoskeletor]

i dont like the way that we have to enable 2nd audio stream and external subtitles. a lot of people will not see it. you can add 2 checkbox in the advanced settings. why you are not doing that?

it would also be a good idea to add in the progress bar (the bar with the settings xvid codec-audio auto etc) to add a message in the right "no update is avaliable". if you don't like this then just show it for only 1 minuet and then make it dissapear

[Exoskeletor]

Lenox i suggest you to make the form step 2 a little more longer (The distance between step 1 and step2 should be the same with step 2 and step 3).
Sorry if im boring you for small things but very good is not perfect :D

[SteveMML]

Hello,
For all the dorks with Archos, RCA, and other handheld players, can you include an MPEG-4 simple profile check box, since the fancy-shmancy B-frames, GMC, Qpixel and others don't play back on our handhelds. Thanks again for the awesome batching app.

[Exoskeletor]

Lenox are you going to release your program with other languages than english? i can help for the greek language

[len0x]

Originally posted by SteveMML
since the fancy-shmancy B-frames, GMC, Qpixel and others don't play back on our handhelds

GMC and Qpel are not used by AutoGK anyway. I didn't hear any complains about using 1 b-frame until now. Are you sure that its not playable?

[len0x]

Originally posted by Exoskeletor
Lenox i suggest you to make the form step 2 a little more longer (The distance between step 1 and step2 should be the same with step 2 and step 3).


You seem to be on a mission here :)
Size of panels doesn't look the same after I expanded step 1 for external subs indeed...

Originally posted by Exoskeletor
Lenox are you going to release your program with other languages than english? i can help for the greek language


Probably in the future - there is quite a few things to do before that.

[len0x]

You now what that means :)

P.S. It is indeed can be last milestone.

[ydobon]

Hello, Len0x.

Congrats on reaching M2. Thinking about new input formats I remembered something I noticed some time ago.

AutoGK can open program (.mpg) and transport (.ts) streams but when a program stream has more than one audio stream it doesn't detect it. I seem to remember you detect TS streams with DGTable, don't you?

DGTable doesn't work with PS but DGIndex opens (and demuxes) any number of audio streams. As for detecting them, you could use bbDMUX (part of bbTOOLS) which correctly identifies PS streams (but not TS ones).

Just an idea.


Regards,

[len0x]

I already have very nice utility for parsing both TS and PS - bbSummary that I coded from bbInfo, but I didn't think it was useful for PS and used it only for TS when PAT/PMT was not found by DGTable. I can try using it for PS as well (from my experience its much slower to parse PS that TS).

[BigDid]

Originally posted by len0x
You now what that means :)

P.S. It is indeed can be last milestone.
Hi Lenox

Speaking about future milestone or future features if no more milestone... :confused: :( :)

-Stand-alone compatibility- ?
If I understand well the way the Xvid 1.1 branch is evoluting, it will be possible via profiles to obtain a real compatibility with more and more chipset; atm:
- General purpose the AS@L5 with the vbv included gives already good results
- For the ESS chip, it seems the DXN HT PAL/NTSC sticks to that chipset specifications
- For the MTK (1389 De Ge) chip, Celtic-druid has given access for testing to a MTK PAL/NTSC profile and has said he could test more profiles if given the specs of more chipsets.
Could you incorporate the profiles either via a .dxn .mtk .whatsoeverprofile to come or via chekboxes inside autogk or select an existing profile via a drop menu, the last being open on future profiles ?

-Customizing the avs script- ?
Mainly for filtering, even if not high anymore on my wish list because it is not high in the poll concerning milestone to come and I am trying, and not always succeeding, to use ARCalculator for that purpose (for XP SP1 users, Avs2avi is also available).

Just asking as it seems the xvid 1.1 beta is coming soon :)

Happy new year to you and your family.

Did

[len0x]

New features will still be coming, but may be not in the milestone form (i.e. as before milestone program).

AVS filtering is not a high priority, but as soon as we have at least RC stage for XviD 1.1 I'll start look at what is has to offer regarding standalones support.

[len0x]

Originally posted by ydobon
AutoGK can open program (.mpg) and transport (.ts) streams but when a program stream has more than one audio stream it doesn't detect it.

I got dragged into this and in the end made new audio detection routine for PS files (including VOBs), so now AutoGK should be able to work with all sorts of mpeg2 files.

[ydobon]

Originally posted by len0x
I got dragged into this [...] now AutoGK should be able to work with all sorts of mpeg2 files.
Glad to know, thanks. I can't wait to test it :)


Regards,

[Exoskeletor]

Len0x don't you think that it is time to remove the paypal donate button? (I think the suggestion in the about window is enough)

[len0x]

No

[CeeJay.dk]

Please note that the new Californian Consumer Protection Against Spyware Act , was just approved.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4132143.stm

[len0x]

Originally posted by CeeJay.dk
Please note that the new Californian Consumer Protection Against Spyware Act , was just approved.


Can we please discuss it in appropriate place here (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=87056) and not in this thread.

[CeeJay.dk]

Originally posted by len0x
Can we please discuss it in appropriate place here (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=87056) and not in this thread.

You're absolutely right. In fact I thought I did .. guess I mistook one thread for another.

My apologies.

[Exoskeletor]

Lenox are you going to add an option to remove the temp folder in the end?

[Taurus]

Originally posted by Exoskeletor
Lenox are you going to add an option to remove the temp folder in the end?
....and maybe serve some toilet paper too? :D ;)
To me it's just right to leave the temp folder as it is.
cos sometimes you're in need of some of the files afterwards.
I understand that AutoGk is an automated tool, but a little "handwork",
deleting the leftovers is common practice for me after a long encoding and comparing sessions.

Cheers

Taurus

[fewtch]

Originally posted by Taurus
....and maybe serve some toilet paper too? :D ;)
To me it's just right to leave the temp folder as it is.
cos sometimes you're in need of some of the files afterwards.

I agree... also, since it usually stores the temp folder under VIDEO_TS anyway (which is assumed deleted after encoding) IMO it makes sense to leave it existing.

[chilled]

agree with fewtch, but I want to point that many ppl rip from one drive (partition) to another (i.e. video ts on C: and temp folder on E: ) becuase it is believed to be slightly faster (I really dont know myself)

[Carraway]

Originally posted by Taurus

To me it's just right to leave the temp folder as it is.
cos sometimes you're in need of some of the files afterwards.
I understand that AutoGk is an automated tool, but a little "handwork",
deleting the leftovers is common practice for me after a long encoding and comparing sessions.

It's not like the agk_tmp folder is getting deleted by default, though. It's an option that needs to be specifically turned on by the user, so they know what the implications are of doing it. If you think you might need the "leftovers", just don't turn the option on, ya know?

[chilled]

but the thing is that we ALWAYS MIGHT need the leftovers... we just dont know before pressing the start button!

[Carraway]

Originally posted by chilled
but the thing is that we ALWAYS MIGHT need the leftovers... we just dont know before pressing the start button!

I suppose that's the chance you take by turning the option on! :)

Seriously though, it's a voluntary advanced option, so the people using it are going to understand the implications of turning it on. If someone (you, for example) thought that for any reason they might need the temp folder, then simply leave it unchecked.

Arguing against this feature is like saying, "Don't add a manual crop option, people might accidentally crop it too much!" If people check the option and screw it up, it's their fault. That's the reason it's voluntary.

This entire discussion would make sense if Len0x Corp. was making AutoGK delete the temp folder by default, but when it's an opt-in option, any problems it might cause can be remedied by a simple "then don't use it." Personally, I'm a crazy risktaker so I intend to use the option, and if it turns out that after my encodes are done that I needed the agk_tmp folder, then I guess I'm out of luck. :)

[chilled]

I think I understand your arguments but if Im arguing against this option its just because I think AGK must remain newbie-oriented ( I assume that a newbie discovering this option will always choose it... its quite typical)
btw I would easily argue against the request of the manual cropping option if I knew that AGK does almost always quite nice cropping, but as I really dont know, then I wont.
I think AGK will never do ALL the rips without problems so as long as this tool is used mostly by ppl who doesnt give a f... about the temp files (and then always will choose the delete option), I think the fact that there IS the option is a bit harmful (ppl posting here for problems without the temp files so havind to reencode).
Finally, I think the improvement in AGK should be mostly on better and better encoding not in more and more almost-manually configurable options (which, I repeat, increase the capacity of the non-advanced user to mess all the things up, and I dont think AGK is aimed at ppl which can do the same rip 10 or 20 times changing options just to get the best result)
:)

[grindlestone]

I have only ever had one small problem with AutoGK and that is the icons in the ui. At present you use Alpha blended icons that display properly in XP only. On my Windows 2000 system they are surrounded by thick, jagged, black lines which make things look a bit less than professional. Is there any chance of working in some 256 colour icons to smooth things out a bit?

Small beer I know, but I just thought I'd mention since you were asking.

[len0x]

If someone wants to provide me with 256-color icons I'd be happy to use them.

[grindlestone]

Cheers,

Since I asked, I'll see what I can do in the next few days.

[len0x]

I'm already provided with some, so I'll see what I can do.

[grindlestone]

Cool.

[len0x]

Actually I don't quite understand why icons have to be 256 colors as only alpha-blending is suppose to cause the problem (btw how does it look like? I have no idea). Will just converting them to bmp solve the problem? I have no desire on actually loading two sets of icons dinamically and I do like how they look now in XP.

[len0x]

does this look any better by any chance: http://www.autogk.me.uk/AutoGK.exe

[ydobon]

Hi,

maybe if you can make this: http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/delphizeus/saveicons.html
work with your Delphi (in particular the Icon32To24File function) you can solve this cosmetic problem.


Regards,

[len0x]

The link above is updated, so you can check out how it looks now in win2000.

[apilone]

Hi len0x,
any idea about when AVI support will be released?

ciao

[len0x]

A lot of stuff for AVI support is already done (apart from audio part), so I'm just waiting for the release of stable version to start hacking the core of AutoGK. With a bit of luck stable version will come in 7-10 days. Within a week after that I should be able to get first beta with AVI support out.

[grindlestone]

Wow, thanks for getting onto this so fast.
Here is what AGK normally looks like in Win2k. You can see the black areas which coincide with the transpatent areas on alphblended icons.

http://www.uq.edu.au/~zziwilki/AGKorig.png


And here's what your new update looks like.

http://www.uq.edu.au/~zziwilki/AGKupdated.png

It loooks like you have found a way to fix it! Looks tops! Your Add job, start, abort and about could use the same treatment. I did make some icons for those if you'd like them (though they probably don't fit your overal look).

http://www.uq.edu.au/~zziwilki/AGKIcons.png

There are three sizes of each 32,24, and 16. Click here. (http://www.uq.edu.au/~zziwilki/agkicons.zip)

[len0x]

The buttons are impossible to make look cool as they require BMP image(they look exactly the same on all platforms now). The rest of icons were made PNGs that have native support for alpha channel.

[grindlestone]

Thanks for fixing this up. A small issue to be sure, but worthwhile anyway.

[MinosK]

Something small but... cool...
When you click on File mode, you can change the DVD icon to another... file icon.

and.. Hey len0x.. you are the best!

[len0x]

All I need is a PNG image for file mode (but not the same as output image).

[musicnyman]

i'd like to request mp4/matroska support as well :) i've donated twice and if you decide to go with it, i'll definitely donate again. i just got the new buffalo linktheater that supports mp4 support, so i'd love to use auto gk to create mp4 files. right now, i'm creating the mp4 files manually, but auto gk makes everything so easy and automatic...

[snobs]

i would suggest a manual 'audio file selection'...

the thing about it is, that i would like to be able to rip the movie with the audio streams beeing demuxed. that way i safe (for me) a lot of diskspace, since i am not in need of extracting them later on with DGIndex...

i hope i could explain myself thoroughly ;)

[estimable_sir]

bah, I don't care what anybody says. It would be so nice if I could use autogk to rip my 7 seasons of star trek tng with qpel instead of manually doing each one in GK just because I want to take advantage of ONE option. Yes, I know part of the "vision" for autogk is to make it easier for people to get xvid and divx to play on their standalones. If you bought a standalone, and it doesn't play movies encoded with qpel, well, then you bought a crappy standalone. Mine plays them just fine. Oh and please, please, no Adware, because we all know that adware is just SPYWARE. I don't need more of that crap on my computer. I'm sorry, but none of the reasons I've read regarding the open source issue make any sense. It amazes me that you'd even try to defend spyware as a means of funding the project rather than make it open source. The truth is, your like every other developer. You have pride in your work, and YOU want to control it and reap the benefits (which is of course your right that you most definately deserve) But please, don't tell me the reason you don't want to make it open source is because people will "hack" your code or defile the simplicity of the interface.

[sillKotscha]

lovely 1st post - well done

keep up your head up for len0x and he won't investigate into AGK in his free time anymore - for sure.

[Taurus]

@estimable_sir
You first post - a rant.
All you mentioned has been discussed to death.
And why is it posted in the "Next milestone features & donations " thread?
Use the search button, maybe this will enlighten you with some facts.
Just a little hint:
As far as I know, there's no more so called "Spyware" in the last updates of AutoGk.
And if you care: You don't have to use it. There are many other tools which will do the job. You only have to do some more work on your own.
len0x, thank you for this wonderful tool.

Cheers

Taurus

[estimable_sir]

Your right, it is a wonderful tool for noobs like you, but it could be an even better tool for people who want more than "just the basics" I use gordianknot for all my stuff and although its relatively easy to use, it can be tedious for big jobs. Autogk is wonderful for that, but it lacks some features I'd like to take advantage of. If including qpel has been "discussed to hell" then I guess I'm not the only one who wants it, I don't like it when a great feature is completely dismissed based on it not being within accordance of the "vision" autogk is trying to hold on to. Oh and how much money did you donate, bet it was nothing. I knew the first people to reply to this would be the forum flies and some wannabe len0x groupie, stop sucking up you little putz I'm sure he doesn't need you defending him. It's getting old by the way. When someone posts something that you don't like, reccomending that they "read" and use the "search" button is generally a tactic used by the semi-retarded. I read the forums, probably more than you're capable of reading in several months. If you knew how to read my original post, you would have taken notice of the fact that I was concerned about future inclusion of "adware" to support additional development. I know there is no responsetarget beyond the stable release. Adware and Responsetarget are two different things. So maybe YOU should do some searching on google before you move up to the "advanced" search button on doom9. Oh this might be concidered a "rude" post maybe you should also click the "advanced" report bad post button, someone might care.

Post Number 2: More ranting, who cares? Nobody. Now leave me the hell alone, its pasta night.

[Taurus]

I knew the first people to reply to this would be the forum flies and some wannabe len0x groupie, stop sucking up you little putz I'm sure he doesn't need you defending him.
Post Number 2: More ranting, who cares? Nobody. Now leave me the hell alone, its pasta night.

What makes you use such harsh and hurting words?
Maybe your ignorance and arrogance will lead you to nothing.
Might the pasta with you.

Cheers

Taurus

[manono]

Take it easy, estimable_sir-

Taurus was here well before you showed up, and he'll be here long after you've gone (which may be sooner rather than later, at the rate you're going). He's perfectly capable of using GKnot, encoding directly in VDubMod, or any other method you can think of. Like many others, he prefers the simplicity and ease of use of AutoGK for making high quality AVI backups. He's been a great help in this and other forums, and has earned the right to state his opinions without having to face the kind of garbage you're dishing out. Consider this a warning.

Struck for a Rule 4 Violation (http://forum.doom9.org/forum-rules.htm), use of the Yiddish vulgarity "putz", and generally insulting behavior.

[SNP]

estimable_sir, a**hole

sorry, forgot about rule #4, but you get my drift...

[estimable_sir]

rofl, yiddish vulgarity (surprised you knew the origins), you see i typed that while severely entoxicated with a substance that probably violates another forum rule if I mention it here. Sorry for acting in such an undignified, loutish and barbaric fashion. And to display a show of good faith, everyone offended by my previous posts are welcome to pasta night (and its not some garbage pasta from pasta fair or jarred sauce, its real authentic homemade marinara sauce) Lucky for everyone pasta "night" is really pasta "week" in an Italian home since we eat pasta virtually every night. Mangi bene.