> ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Karl vom Dorff" <karl@xxxxxxxxxx> > To: openbeos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: [openbeos] Site Audit > Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:59:55 -0400 > > > Dear Community, > > It's probably no surprise to many of you (as you see the number of files on > Haikuware increase) that I've been spending the last while auditing BeBits. > > I think it's important to have a software base ready for when Haiku's ready, > and if users have to deal with the vast amount of missing software at BeBits > where ~35% (conservative estimate) of the files are missing, they will > surely get frustrated! Some may argue, why bother? The software is old! To > them I would say - old software doesn't necessarily equate to bad > software... Also, imagine if BeBits were gone tomorrow. That would be a > great loss. > > To make a long story short, here's what I've been doing: > > > - downloading all available files. When there was missing software, I > would check against the file name at: a) BeShare b) Archive.org > c) Google d) > Check the Talkback comments for links. In short, if the missing files were > available somewhere on the net, they have to be hiding pretty good... > - importing the files, descriptions, dates, icons, etc. Adding archived > links to author homepages if they disappeared, etc. > - centralizing all the files on one server (later to be mirrored in > Europe and Asia) so that the infamous BeBits 'missing file/dead link' > never > happens again. > - linking files only to one category. BeBits is confusing and misleading > because files are listed in multiple categories (artificially inflating > the > file counts in each category. e.g total file count listed on > their frontpage > when adding all together = 6500, actual files = 3535). So when you're > browsing software, you don't know whether you've already passed by the > file > you're looking at or not therefore wasting time. Not to mention > wasting time > finding a link that works or visiting unwelcomed porn sites hehe. > - removed Zeta software. > > > I'm 90% complete the task, and will be spending the next 2-3 weeks > finishing. BeBits lists 3535 'files' on their website, of which I estimate > 35% are gone (= 2298 actual files). Today I uploaded the 2222nd file to > Haikuware, meaning very shortly, Haikuware may be the largest (but not most > popular) online provider of BeOS (and Haiku if Haiku R1 achieves binary > compatibilty) software (and maybe retro software in general)... But that's > not really the point. > > *The point is, I'd like to salvage as much BeOS software as possible. I'd > like to ask the community to contribute any missing files (that I'm sure > they have on CDs in their basements) my way, so I can fill the missing gaps. > I've tried to keep a record (sometimes GoogleDocs crashed on me) of the > missing files, and for the most part, should be pretty complete. You can > view the documents here (in XLS, ODF): * > > http://www.haikuware.com/downloads/registered/haikuware.zip > > Although I would hope most people see this endeavour as a good thing, I can > appreciate that some developers may not like their software hosted at > Haikuware. Please contact me, and I'll remove whatever you wish. > > Lastly, I know the design of Haikuware lacks in function, speed, and > aesthetics (compared to BeBits). Once I'm done with all the files, I'll be > re-designing the website and hope to have it ready for the Alpha 1 release. > I'm looking at an RoR design perhaps. Something that will be able to stand a > huge database and lots of traffic. I'm also looking to create a unique > website that will combine the best parts of VersionTracker, BeBits, > Download.com, etc. Therefore, if anyone can recommend a good developer/team > or has any suggestions I'd be greatful. Also, if anyone here thinks they may > be up to this task (I'd like to keep the work in the community if possible), > contact me privately with your resume. It has to be someone with serious > credentials (not a Joomla hacker like me) with 6-8 weeks of > *full-time*labour. A full proposal is in the works, and will probably > be 20-30 pages. > Ask for my budget - serious enquiries only please. > > > > > -- > Karl vom Dorff > B.Sc (Hons) Biology, (German minor) > > http://www.karlvd.com > http://www.clubloreley.org > http://www.haikuware.com Great work! Could you also make an unsorted but alphabetical list of it? I guess many -other- people will have just a single 'BeOSfiles' folder somewhere on their HD or CD. The software that opened the .xls file can't seem to do this (though I almost never use it). Meanwhile = -- Powered by Outblaze