Wow. That's way too big and costly! You're basically asking for
maintenance on user submitted scripts and plug-ins?
People know that if they try something free from another user then
they're usually on their own. (script, plug-in, shaders)
I hate to say this but...Autodesk's AREA seems to be doing well. They
even have developers and Master artists(as they call them) blog about
tricks and explanation, events etc(similar to www.xsi-blog.com)
Here the site:
http://area.autodesk.com
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-xsi(at)Softimage.COM [mailto:owner-xsi(at)Softimage.COM] On Behalf
Of Matt Lind
Sent: May 1, 2007 9:04 AM
To: xsi(at)Softimage.COM
Subject: Re: online assets and resources, was Re: Framestore jobs?
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
