Where does XSIDatabase stand?

[EricTRocks]

Hey all,

I covered this in a recent post to the XSI List a bit, but I'm wondering more and more as I explore this new forum. Where does XSIDatabase.com stand in regards to being a resource web site for the XSI community.

This new forum has the ability to host files for materials, scripts, and plug-ins. What use does XSI Database have then? I know it will be another resource site but where would people rather post stuff? On XSIDB or here?

I'm just trying to wrap my head around what XSIDB should focus on. We've got a pretty sturdy setup for the materials section right now. I was looking into developing a scripts section and a tutorial section as well. But should I bother? I know KrisR explained that the more reliable the source (website) the more confidence people will have in it. Which I understand. But is it worth the time and effort into developing a web site that has the same functionality as one's that are already out there?

Any thoughts and opinions are welcome.

Thanks,
Eric T.

[Leo]

Hello Eric,

Though not being a 3D professional and I can totally understand and sympathize with the cornered position this website has put you in.

From one side, it's only natural that information and content creation starts to flow to an official community site. On the other hand, I think it's extremely healthy to the community to have high quality external resources. Problem though, is that this "perfect world" does not count for all the time and effort put by you (and other leading members of this community) against no financial compensation whatsoever! And although there is no competition per se between XSIDB and Softimage|Net, at the end, people will probably visit either one or the other if the exact same content is made available in both sites.

Since you asked for opinions, if I were in your place I'd shift my focus slightly towards content creation and leave all infrastructure development as is. I believe it would be wise to take a stand-by attitude and analyze over time how Softimage|Net will shape up, because I know for a fact that even when one builds a community website with a certain vision in mind, that vision does not always survive the first contact with the real world.

If the river runs to the sea, I foresee three different scenarios for you:
You quit XSIDB but keep developing content to be hosted here at Softimage|Net.
You keep XSIDB with the current structure and distribute the same content, both here and there.
You keep XSIDB trying to fill the gaps left by this and other community sites, turning XSIDB into a unique experience/resource site.To be honest with you, from a personal perspective, I think you should go with #1, though from a community perspective I'd hope for #3. Of course life is way more dynamic than this and at the end what really counts is motivation and satisfaction, so whatever route you decide to follow, I hope it leads you to personal happiness and I'm sure the XSI community will always get the best from you.

Good luck and thanks for all your generosity so far!

[miga]

Hey Eric. I always saw your site as a very good source for materials. And I think you should concentrate on the material section rather then building up a tutorial section, script section,... Basically a page like http://mxmgallery.maxwellrender.com/
And in my view this forum will be used for communication and displaying pictures (gallery). I'm not sure if the download section will be used very much (at the moment its quite hidden and not very dominant on the page).
So both sites (yours as a material database and this forum for communication and showing work) can live next to each other in harmony :)

[EricTRocks]

Hey Leo,

Thanks for the input. I don't feel cornered. I feel that I need some opinions from the community to see what they want from XSIDB. I know where I want to go with it, but if it won't be beneficial to the community I might shift the focus to certain other areas instead. Of your three options you stated, I think number three is the only option for me. #1 is entirely out of the question. Too much time and effort has been put forth my myself and many of the contributors to the database to just toss in the towel. I'll keep an eye out on the development of this site and see where that will lead me.

It was nice meeting you at Siggraph this last year and I'm glad to have you part of the Softimage crew. Keep up the good work.

Later,
Eric Thivierge
Admin / Founder
XSIDatabase.com

Hello Eric,

Though not being a 3D professional and I can totally understand and sympathize with the cornered position this website has put you in.

From one side, it's only natural that information and content creation starts to flow to an official community site. On the other hand, I think it's extremely healthy to the community to have high quality external resources. Problem though, is that this "perfect world" does not count for all the time and effort put by you (and other leading members of this community) against no financial compensation whatsoever! And although there is no competition per se between XSIDB and Softimage|Net, at the end, people will probably visit either one or the other if the exact same content is made available in both sites.

Since you asked for opinions, if I were in your place I'd shift my focus slightly towards content creation and leave all infrastructure development as is. I believe it would be wise to take a stand-by attitude and analyze over time how Softimage|Net will shape up, because I know for a fact that even when one builds a community website with a certain vision in mind, that vision does not always survive the first contact with the real world.

If the river runs to the sea, I foresee three different scenarios for you:
You quit XSIDB but keep developing content to be hosted here at Softimage|Net.
You keep XSIDB with the current structure and distribute the same content, both here and there.
You keep XSIDB trying to fill the gaps left by this and other community sites, turning XSIDB into a unique experience/resource site.To be honest with you, from a personal perspective, I think you should go with #1, though from a community perspective I'd hope for #3. Of course life is way more dynamic than this and at the end what really counts is motivation and satisfaction, so whatever route you decide to follow, I hope it leads you to personal happiness and I'm sure the XSI community will always get the best from you.

Good luck and thanks for all your generosity so far!

[Leonard]

Hey Leo,

...

It was nice meeting you at Siggraph this last year and I'm glad to have you part of the Softimage crew. Keep up the good work.

Later,
Eric Thivierge
Admin / Founder
XSIDatabase.com



Um... wrong Leo. LOL

Sorry I haven't responded to this yet as I'm at GDC and slammed with teething issues on the site. Will do soon though

Cheers,

Leo

[EricTRocks]

... my mistake. :)

Later,
Eric T.

[Leo]

Hehe... sorry about the confusion, but that's how mommy wanted so I'm Leo too! :wink:

Regardless, it is great to hear that #1 is out of the question!!! :clap:

[i3D_Jack]

LOL I'm also Leo ahhahahha

Seriously though, I think XSIDB is a unique site and completely different from the new SOFTIMAGE|NET. Just look at the design of XSIDB and all the materials available there. Besides, look at all the Maya and Max community sites; theres hundreds and they co-exist just fine. There's no rules that state there can be only one XSI community site; in fact, there should be many more. This will help to grow the XSI community as a whole. That's my two cents anyways. Smart thing to do, IMO, keep both sites.

[EricTRocks]

Yeah, I'm sticking with it. No worries.

Later,
Eric T.

[jgoldfin]

Hi Eric -

You saw my reply on this topic to the xsilist - I truly believe that this community portal will help showcase all the great material and information many community driven sites, like xsidatabase.com

One of the best things (IMO) is that the Softimage Community site will be a great place for all of our WW staff to reference what's going on out there. Everyone at Soft reads and follows serveral different websites based on preferences and regions, and the feeling I get from an internal perspective is that if all community sites are posting their new links and info here, the news will get to our field teams much quicker.

Does that make sense?

jen

[EricTRocks]

Yeah I agree. After your email the other day my resolve has now been re-solidified. I'm confident that the community will appreciate all the community sites working together.

Thanks a ton!

Eric T.

[i3D_Jack]

Great to see that you're not taking down XSIDB. XSI communities are popping up like all over now; XSIDB, SOFTIMAGE|NET, and over at i3DTutorials.com we have our own forum for XSI users.
Everything is rolling along Jen ;)