That's great and all, but the main problem with XSI Net the first time it
was launched was that it required somebody from Softimage to maintain it.
Softimage has fewer employees today than it did 5 years ago - and 5 years
ago they weren't able to keep up. So I don't see where the push to get this
done is gonna come from.
A 2nd problem is that the submissions to XSI Net are not regulated. Who
determines which plugins/scripts/shaders are worthy of installation onto a
user's machine? Who updates the code when Softimage releases another
version of XSI? Who tests the submissions for stability and validity?
There are a lot of good ideas out there, but there are also even more bad
ones, or simply good ideas implemented very poorly such as an artist's
trying to pass off copy/paste from a history log as a stable script or
plugin. When Softimage hosts such a site and its loaded with tons of crap,
it reflects poorly on the system. If the portal is open to anybody under
the sun, then it's better for a place like XSIBase.com to host the goodies.
XSI Net only makes sense if the site is rigorously maintained at all levels.
It can certainly be open for submissions from anybody, but heavily filtered
to maintain quality control.
Ideally XSI Net should be the portal to tech support to improve the user's
experience to make sure the working environment is as optimal as possible.
Supply patches, service
packs, QFE's, and other pertinent info that's normally reserved for the tech
support
channel. Notify the customer of maintenance status and new releases. If
individual tools aren't working, offer a .dll for the affected and have it
available for download and
install. XSI Net should have a direct line into the knowledge base, FAQ's,
and all important things related to the customer's direct user experience
with XSI. Basically, XSI Net should be a connection similar in scope to a
car owner and the local car dealer. But, of course, this is only useful if
the database and channels are fully supported and maintained.
Matt
--------------------------
Matt Lind
Animator / Technical Director
Softimage certified instructor:
Softimage|3D
Softimage|XSI
Matt.Lind(at)Mantom.net
Date : Tue, 01 May 2007
To : XSI(at)Softimage.COM
