How did RI4M work with respect to DDD?

[curious d]

Recently, I came across a problem at work regarding new software being implemented. The user interface is intimidating for those who don't like using computers. Many of menus seen are cumbersome and use features not needed for my group. I noticed that RI4M utilized DVD Decrypter and automated some of its features so that the user did not have to actually start, setup DVD Decrypter. I want to understand the terminology so I can present the idea to our IT department. Does RI4M serve as a shell or GUI program for DVD Decrypter? Is this something that can be done for any program? If a program appears too cumbersome for a user, can a program be devised to clean up the UI and yet still maintain the original program's use?

Sorry to post this question in this forum, but I found RI4M on this forum and I figure that those who know the program will be able to answer this question. I lament the lost of RI4M and wish those who developed it well.

[LoloMc]

Hi,
DvdDecrypter has a command line mode, made 2 years ago by the author, Lightning Uk!. RI4Me just use it.

++

[curious d]

So a program must be programmed with a command code line in order to have a shell program work? Can a program work without it (perhaps with scripts or such)?

[linx05]

RipIt4Me used the powerful PSL files. It would quickly scan the DVD and find the protected cells. Once it completed that it would create a PSL file which was then loaded into DVD Decrypter. This then allowed the program to successfully rip the DVD, skipping the bad cells.

[writersblock29]

@currious d

There's many programs out there that simplify processes. AutoGK comes to mind as a frontend for simplifying Divx and Xvid encodes via Gordian Knot. DVD Rebuilder automatically sets many of CCE's encoding settings so that users don't have to fiddle with them. DVD2SVCD ties together many different softwares, many times showing only the bare basics for those programs' settings... again, reducing end-user confusion.

Nero Recode would be an example of a program that has default settings which are recommended for average use (and is nearly one-click if you were to use those settings), yet has the option of allowing advanced users to tweak settings if they wish. Both Nero and Roxio have front-ends which show the most popular uses, and speeds the process for doing so.

Yet another example of a front end that ties many processes together would be found on any Home Theater Personal Computer, such as Windows Media Center.

In the software world, you've got many examples of how a user interface can radically simplify a process. Or complicate it!

Really, the method can be applied to nearly any program. This is because each mouse click or typed order sets up a command line or argument which gets responded to. Create a shell that uses only the command lines you want, skin it, and you've got yourself a front-end that can control as many different programs as you want it to, and make use of only the functions you'd like it to use. Which is really how RipIt4Me began; it used various functions of DVD Decypter and FixVTS. Later, it used its own internal method in place of FixVTS--but that's something only the author(s) can really comment on. But it's all based off of the understanding of what command lines are fed into a program when a given function is called on... and creating a front-end that uses only the command lines needed. The advantage is, of course, automation and simplicity. The disadvantage is the lack of ability for the end user to customize and change functions.

[curious d]

"Command line entry" - My understanding on this is limited. I seem to recall a certain emulation program that required one to use MSDOS entry to get a program running. Certain functions of a program were started with a string of letters and symbols. Is this what "command line entry" is? If so, then how does one determine if a program has such a feature? Do all Windows programs have such a feature? For instance (as an example), someone dislikes Norton Systemworks' user interface and decides to create a more simple frontend. Will it work? Can a program be locked in a way to prevent command line entry? Thanks.

I'm going to IT tomorrow and I'm going to pitch the idea for a frontend for the program we will be forced to use in a month. I'm wondering if we can use a frontend and if it can be designed soon.

Thanks for all the replies to this off topic discussion. To the moderator, I ask for indulgence for a little while longer and thanks for your patience. I won't further clutter this forum up after tomorrow.