MinimServer complexity (was Configuration Backup)

[simoncn]

(28-09-2014 22:58)DavidHB Wrote:  Briefly, it's about the implied relationship between the provider of the system resources (you in this case) and the users (us), and the expectations we have of each other. Assumptions have to be made on both sides as to how much skill/knowledge users will need to operate their systems effectively, and how much effort they will need to devote to this task.

As an obvious example, if the working of an application needs to be explained in a user manual, the expectation is that users will read and try to understand the manual before they start asking questions or complaining that the application 'doesn't work'. You know better than I that users do not always share this expectation.

The technology (including the technical protocols) associated with music streaming systems is, I believe, currently at a stage of development where significant user intervention is required to meet a wide range of specific user needs. Where user intervention is not allowed, as for example in DLNA-based systems, the product may, at a superficial level, be more user friendly (no pesky choices to make or settings to be confused by), but the user experience is correspondingly impoverished. For example, using a DLNA system out of the box to stream classical music is an exercise in frustration.

You have developed MinimServer in such a way that it offers greater scope for user intervention, and greater real-time responsiveness to users, than other servers. The price users pay for these benefits is that the MinimServer UI requires them to learn and involve themselves with more of the technical detail than if they were using a standard media server. In the sentence you asked me to explain, I was suggesting that this is a price worth paying.

Does that explain things? I could go on and on ...

David

Thanks for the explanation. I agree with most of what you say with one reservation: I would like the out-of-the-box user experience with the default MinimServer settings to be comparable to that of the more limited DLNA systems that you have described. I'm aware of a few aspects where this isn't yet the case and I'm working to address these. Any suggestions for things to add to this list would be welcome.