download section - would you use it allot?

Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:13 pm

I'm thinking of programming a download section so we can be like a mini "download.com" but only for registered members. Anyone would be able to add listings and of course download. I'd probably integrate a search feature into it as well. It would be sort of like a directory.

But before I work on coding it, I just want to know if it's worth it or not so that's why I want your input.

We often run by interesting utilities so it would be a great place to have them. The download links would go to the software's download page.

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Chris Vogel · Post by **Chris Vogel** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:17 pm

I think this would be nice!

EDIT: I didn't answer the question! I would use it sometimes.

I think it would be a good addition to Iceteks.

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Wren · Post by **Wren** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:19 pm

Good idea, I'm always looking for something to try.

There may be something I can add as well.

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rovingcowboy · Post by **rovingcowboy** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:15 am

somebody hog tie that squirrel before he kills his bandwidth again??

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:01 am

We'll be getting some more bandwidth shortly.

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Wren · Post by **Wren** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 1:46 pm

Cowboy, keep your lasso ready.

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manadren_it · Post by **manadren_it** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:11 pm

That would be pretty swank. I'd probably use a download section a good deal depending on what's posted. Still I think it would be a good idea to use links to downloads [at download.com, sourceforge, software company's website, etc.] whenever possible. You may be getting more bandwidth, put I wouldn't push your luck too much quite yet. Save your bandwidth for the stuff that's hard to find.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:2135, old post ID:18194

Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:28 pm

Well for sure I would not host any. In fact this host does not even allow hosting of programs, or media (video/sound). I'll probably link to the author's main download page. Well basically to add an item it will be the same as adding to download.com, you'll have to enter a link to the file, but in our case, a link to the download page. There will probably be a report broken link section and if someone clicks it, it will send a PM or email to the person who posted it. That will keep the library clean from bad links.

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manadren_it · Post by **manadren_it** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 5:32 pm

Red Squirrel wrote: Well for sure I would not host any. In fact this host does not even allow hosting of programs, or media (video/sound). I'll probably link to the author's main download page. Well basically to add an item it will be the same as adding to download.com, you'll have to enter a link to the file, but in our case, a link to the download page. There will probably be a report broken link section and if someone clicks it, it will send a PM or email to the person who posted it. That will keep the library clean from bad links.

Ah, sorry. Misread. In that case I really don't see a problem in it. I doubt it would be that much busier that the regular forums after awhile. heh, may even convince newbies to stick around a bit longer

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wldkos · Post by **wldkos** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 8:02 pm

How about a link with a description to a place to get the file... hardly any bandwidth used on your part.

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:22 pm

wldkos wrote: How about a link with a description to a place to get the file... hardly any bandwidth used on your part.

That's how it would work. There would be a description here, but it would link to the main page that has the description, that way if they update it or whatnot, you are sure to get the best info off the author's site. When submitting a program there will also be a place to add keywords.

I'll probably integrate it right into the forum and use the site's layout for it. I'll have a forum with a redirect that goes to it. I'll even put an option to rate programs, maybe even write quick reviews etc... Basically it will be like a mini cnet, but only for members.

I'm working on a trouble ticket script for my local Intranet, and once that's done I'll probably get started on the download script. I'll either use a seperate database or shove it all in the forum database (badly organized, but easier to backup and restore.

)

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:2135, old post ID:18207

Triple6_wild · Post by **Triple6_wild** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 5:29 am

i voted sometimes ...... its a great idea tho hehehe might help keep my stuff upto date n help me find odd progs but depending on how offen its updated with new stuff is how much i would use it so if theres new stuff all the time then i would probly be there alot

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:2135, old post ID:18218

Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:12 pm

I'm probably going to get started on this a bit later tonight.

I'm planing to have these features:

- unlimited category, sub categories etc.
- user rating with feedback, using a 5 star scale
- integration with the forum database - only registered members will be able to submit software / post feedback and it will automatically be under the username
- guest may be able to download, still not sure on this yet. I might restrict it to members only
- (if the last one = false), fully spider friendly browsing, to make the download pages apear under google.
- ability to track clicks and display how many times an item has been clicked on to most likely be downloaded
- ability to report broken/changed link to make sure the list stays clean

...and more features as I think of them while programing.

This will be an added link in the site navigation. I think I will let guests access it to download, but you will still have to be registered to post a program or feedback.

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:45 pm

Teaser.

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manadren_it · Post by **manadren_it** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:42 pm

Looks pretty swank

though I'd swap out those rating x's for some snowflakes or or something

But I assume you're thinking about this already, just haven't worked it out yet

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:11 pm

Actualy I was trying to make stars but I had trouble so I figured Xes are easier. But I might replace them with something else. Snowflakes soundlike a good idea.

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:45 am

Wow I'm a slacker. I was planing to finish this up tonight but it's only 1:00am and I'm already tired.

I'll probably continue and finish up tomorow. I have the base of it done, I just need to add the software view section (download page, with user opinions and stuff) and add the basic db functions such as the submission form for software and feedback.

I'll also make it so you can sort the list by the item of choice (rating, # of downloads etc)

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 7:24 pm

Everything is excellent so far. Got the comment system working, the category/download listing system is done. All I really need to do now is make the submit software form and handler (the script that puts it in the database) and then some final tweaking here and there and then I should be all set to release it. Meanwhile, I need ideas for categories so if anyone has ideas let me know here. Categories can only be added by me.

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:15 am

I'll have to delay the release of this script. I keep getting a sql error for no reason. I need to figure out a way around it. The query is 100% valid and is almost the same as another query which works.

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 1:28 am

It's almost done.

I still don't get the problem with the query... but I changed the good quotes ' into the ugly dreaded ones ` and it worked.

I think I'm going to add a search feature and we should be all set. On the other hand, the database won't be that big at start so I think we can do without the search and I can add it later on when there's more stuff.

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Triple6_wild · Post by **Triple6_wild** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 4:50 pm

hey hey its lookin alright

just needs a games section for me lol

its hard to find a really good game ya can dowload for free

keep up the good work red

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:2135, old post ID:18348

DaHen · Post by **DaHen** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 7:31 pm

Was a time when I would download and try everything.
But then my machine here wouldn't like some of them and I
would end of getting in trouble.
Thus, I would hardly download. But, will take a peek from time
to time to see ifin there is anything interesting.

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:00 pm

There's a game category but no one submitted anything yet.

http://www.iceteks.com/downloads/index.php?cat=3&

But we're getting somewhere. there's more downloads then categories now.

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Wren · Post by **Wren** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:07 pm

A lot of those free games come loaded with spyware.

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:11 pm

Yeah that's true. We'll make sure to only add games that don't have spyware that's for sure.

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