xboxscene.org forums

Pages: 1 2 [3] 4

Author Topic: Mxm Skin: Devoid  (Read 474 times)

koldfuzion

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1226
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #30 on: June 20, 2003, 07:32:00 AM »
QUOTE (StrongBad @ Jun 20 2003, 01:52 PM)
Yeah, I agree.  Speaking of which, we need to find a way to mass market MXM.  

There are probably two reasons why we lag behind the other dashes (as seen in poll):
1. Configuration
-The configuration process is still a bit more involved than the others.  With the advent of the newer releases, BJ, you've relaxed the process with a couple autoconfig features.  But we need to keep at it to finally reach a psuedo plug and play status with things like sorting and such.  We, as in the MXM community, also need to work hard at writing up an improved guide and some more tutorials covering everything from configuration to encoding WMV.

2. Exposure
-This is probably the biggest reason, but for this, I'm not quite sure how we can improve.  Maybe we can learn from others.  What made AvaLaunch so popular?  Was it the IRC client?  A [supposively] kickass feature that no other dash had, hence the hype?  It wasn't that pretty upon launch IMO, but they're getting better with new skins and new proposed engine.  Maybe function is the key.  Maybe we should finally be satisfied with the extremely flexible GUI component that exists within MXM and switch focus to conjure up some nice complementary functional features (e.g. the new webclient).

my 2 cents,
sb

QUOTE
Better doco would be great, but I **did** write some quick-and-dirty guides, and nobody ever reads them  Seems like somebody is always asking how to do the basic things described there. Still, individual guides, perhaps a "Dummies Guide" for each task, would get people reading.


Mind if I add your docs to the AXS tuturials section (html and .doc format)?  And of course, I will post any decent tutorials for setting up and using MXM if anyone feels the desire to make them, as would x-s.com

I think BJ used the right word. - uninitiated.  

Generally speaking, I dont think many people are truely aware of the MXM features and customization.  Or maybe its just too difficult for a lot of users to deal with?  Definitely config apps and skin editors assist in the making of a xbox dashboard. Without them (the pc apps), the user is left to decipher the xml and ini files (read: mess them up), and settle for a skin they "like" but that they would "love" if they could tweak it themselves to be a little different or they end up with a dashboard they cant get working right, due to lack of xml, knowledge.

I dont think it's that people don't like MXM, I think it is simply a lot of newcomers have   already adopted Evox because of the simplicity (which really sucks about it.. grrr wallpaper skins) and not being initiated to the future dashboards.  Evox made it because it was first and it was simple to change, but, sorry, that day is going.... going......

And, correct me if i am wrong, but MXM was originally a disc-based Multi-Game menu replacement for CPX-MenuX.   Which makes the ideal of the app a little harder for some to associate with 'dashboards'.

Did IRC make avalaunch popular? No. I doubt many really use it.  I think what makes it popular is the integrated file manager, the future skinnability offered by MomDads API,  Downloadable dashboard updates, Game Saves, Skins and Icons without having to FTP the skins/icons to the dash ever again (for those reasons) and the fact that they have 4 programmers dedicated to the project...each to their own section. Or maybe its just the brand name... i dunno.

I think the key is to get those that do the mods to break their habits and introduce the new stuff to the new users.  I bet you, the person that mods a box for someone else ALWAYS installs evox as the dash and never anything else.. xbmp, avalaunch, mxm included. If they do install the new stuff.. they are far and few between.


To me, there are only 2 'future' dashboards.   MXM and Avalaunch.

Red Pill or Blue Pill?

Logged

koldfuzion

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1226
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #31 on: June 20, 2003, 07:36:00 AM »
QUOTE (BenJeremy @ Jun 20 2003, 03:52 PM)
Would it be possible to use animated GIFs as previews? I'm thinking smaller ones, for sure, maybe only thumnail sized to keep it tight?

Would you prefer the video previews?
Logged

StrongBad

  • Archived User
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 112
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #32 on: June 20, 2003, 07:55:00 AM »
QUOTE (koldfuzion @ Jun 20 2003, 11:36 AM)
Would you prefer the video previews?

Ohhhhhh yes!  Video previews would be awesome.  Just give us the max file size and format, and us skinners will cook up the previews to meet spec.  Thanks koldfuzion!
Logged

koldfuzion

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1226
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #33 on: June 20, 2003, 08:20:00 AM »
on the net smaller is always better, but whatever it takes to get a decent preview vid should be ok.

I think wmv should be the default format.  

I dont know what the status is of our pub ftp yet.. hopefully it is up. I will find out.

I will try to get the changes done tonight and add the previews that I have and those on the ftp that have been uploaded.  Might be later on tonight.. I still have to unpack and hug my xbox/pc.
Logged

thetruethugg

  • Archived User
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 432
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #34 on: June 20, 2003, 08:40:00 AM »
ohmy.gif
Logged

koldfuzion

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1226
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #35 on: June 20, 2003, 06:13:00 PM »
I need all sample videos for all the skins that have or need one.  I had a few of them, but not as many as I thought I had. (probably ran them straight from net instead of saving them)

I added a link below the preview images for the skins that have them.  I will add it to the featured section also.

Logged

StrongBad

  • Archived User
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 112
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #36 on: June 20, 2003, 06:30:00 PM »
pop.gif
Logged

StrongBad

  • Archived User
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 112
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #37 on: June 20, 2003, 09:49:00 PM »
Actually, if you're willing here's a suggestion, Shafted.  I was planning on doing this on my own, but am afraid I don't have that much time.  

Here's the deal:
Make an online alphabetical index of each and every xml tag (skin and menu) that MXM uses.  I was thinking an HTML format so it can be updated instantly if need be.  Clicking on a tag brings you to a description of the tag, the parent and/or children of the tag, and an example of the tag in use.  If you've done any Visual Studio programming.. think MSDN format.

Sometimes, when I'm bored, I go through an index like that and read what every little command or tag does.  It's a great way to find new features, etc.  I learned Unix that way.  Maybe it can be a good reference to MXM users.
Logged

vidgms4me

  • Archived User
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 494
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #38 on: June 21, 2003, 05:16:00 AM »
QUOTE (koldfuzion @ Jun 20 2003, 12:32 PM)
Generally speaking, I dont think many people are truely aware of the MXM features and customization.  Or maybe its just too difficult for a lot of users to deal with?  Definitely config apps and skin editors assist in the making of a xbox dashboard. Without them (the pc apps), the user is left to decipher the xml and ini files (read: mess them up), and settle for a skin they "like" but that they would "love" if they could tweak it themselves to be a little different or they end up with a dashboard they cant get working right, due to lack of xml, knowledge.

I dont think it's that people don't like MXM, I think it is simply a lot of newcomers have   already adopted Evox because of the simplicity (which really sucks about it.. grrr wallpaper skins) and not being initiated to the future dashboards.  Evox made it because it was first and it was simple to change, but, sorry, that day is going.... going......

And, correct me if i am wrong, but MXM was originally a disc-based Multi-Game menu replacement for CPX-MenuX.   Which makes the ideal of the app a little harder for some to associate with 'dashboards'.

Did IRC make avalaunch popular? No. I doubt many really use it.  I think what makes it popular is the integrated file manager, the future skinnability offered by MomDads API,  Downloadable dashboard updates, Game Saves, Skins and Icons without having to FTP the skins/icons to the dash ever again (for those reasons) and the fact that they have 4 programmers dedicated to the project...each to their own section. Or maybe its just the brand name... i dunno.

I think the key is to get those that do the mods to break their habits and introduce the new stuff to the new users.  I bet you, the person that mods a box for someone else ALWAYS installs evox as the dash and never anything else.. xbmp, avalaunch, mxm included. If they do install the new stuff.. they are far and few between.


To me, there are only 2 'future' dashboards.   MXM and Avalaunch.

Red Pill or Blue Pill?

First, I agree.  I had no idea what mxm was capable of until yesterday.  A couple of weeks ago, i downloaded mxm, looked at how it was broken into a weird menu, had a not very decent skin (no offennse BJ), and didnt look worth it.  Browsing on allxboxskins last night, I say some mxm skins, and set it up.  Now I'm very happy.

And I agree about what you said that "a lot of newcomers here have already adapted evox."  The main reason is that evox seams to be the simplest dash, due to, for the most part, its zero-configuration.  With mxm, all you see  is a list of all the drives at first.  I think if the menu.xml file was configured like the normal evox menu is, it would make the switch alot easier for many people.

And I diagree that MXM isnt a dashboard.  It has most of the features of a dashboard, and for what it doesnt, you can get specialized applications for.

And what DID make avalaunch popular... First of all its new.  They'res a lot of hype around it for being a new dash.  Second, it to, takes some work to configure, but they'res very little configuration involved.  Just load it and you have games, apps, etc.

And in conclusion, I beleive a Slayer-like app WOULD help.  Most of the people new to modding use slayers.  If we got a "slayers" for mxm, it would make the dash much more popular.

Well, just my two cents...
Logged

Xbox-Savage

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 857
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #39 on: June 29, 2003, 12:15:00 PM »
QUOTE (StrongBad @ Jun 18 2003, 02:43 AM)
Animated background, music, large preview, and five-item menu.  Low-resource when music ripped.  Keep game titles reasonably short.  Testing skinning app.
Logged

BenJeremy

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5645
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #40 on: June 29, 2003, 12:33:00 PM »
QUOTE (Seye @ Jun 29 2003, 04:30 PM)
try something like this, and edit the <media> section to point to where the vid is.

    <Item>
       <Title>NBA Streets</Title>
       <Description>Volume 2</Description>
       <Exe>f:gamesnbastreet2default.xbe</Exe>
       <Media>f:gamesnbastreet2nbastreet.WMV</Media>
       <AutoDir />
       <Passcode />
       <Thumbnail>f:gamesnbastreet2default.xbe</Thumbnail>
     </Item>

Or he could search on "MXM_SS" in this forum for an easy method (described many times already, and also explained in the doco, which for some reason, nobody ever reads sad.gif ).
Logged

Xbox-Savage

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 857
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #41 on: June 29, 2003, 12:45:00 PM »
QUOTE (Seye @ Jun 29 2003, 05:30 PM)
try something like this, and edit the <media> section to point to where the vid is.

    <Item>
       <Title>NBA Streets</Title>
       <Description>Volume 2</Description>
       <Exe>f:gamesnbastreet2default.xbe</Exe>
       <Media>f:gamesnbastreet2nbastreet.WMV</Media>
       <AutoDir />
       <Passcode />
       <Thumbnail>f:gamesnbastreet2default.xbe</Thumbnail>
     </Item>

and where does this goes on the skin xml or MXM xml?
Logged

BenJeremy

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5645
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #42 on: June 29, 2003, 12:47:00 PM »
QUOTE (Xbox-Savage @ Jun 29 2003, 04:45 PM)
QUOTE (Seye @ Jun 29 2003, 05:30 PM)
try something like this, and edit the <media> section to point to where the vid is.

     <Item>
        <Title>NBA Streets</Title>
        <Description>Volume 2</Description>
        <Exe>f:gamesnbastreet2default.xbe</Exe>
        <Media>f:gamesnbastreet2nbastreet.WMV</Media>
        <AutoDir />
        <Passcode />
        <Thumbnail>f:gamesnbastreet2default.xbe</Thumbnail>
      </Item>

and where does this goes on the skin xml or MXM xml?

:::sigh:::

Please, Read the doco!! There's a USER'S GUIDE.

Item entries can be used in a number of ways. MXM_Entry.xml files (in the game directory, found in autodir searches), menu.xml files, in the mxm.xml file.

Please search on MXM_SS for an easier way, anyhow.
Logged

Xbox-Savage

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 857
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #43 on: June 29, 2003, 12:55:00 PM »
biggrin.gif got the video to launch by deleting autodir , but now is the only thing that shows , i lost the Games , Apps , Emulators menu ,  sad.gif , im understanding this by the minute  blink.gif
Logged

Xbox-Savage

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 857
Mxm Skin: Devoid
« Reply #44 on: June 29, 2003, 01:06:00 PM »
laugh.gif wheeeeee , i made my MXM menu in just 2 minutes, the only prob is the music does turn off, i edited the music to off and it didnt turn off then i deleted everything that said music and it keeps playing.  sad.gif
Logged
Pages: 1 2 [3] 4
« previous next »