The relaunch of FTAList is really close now. The completely redesigned database is working well, and the new basic page layout is ready. I had hoped for a Feb. 1 relaunch, but now it looks like it might slip a few days past that. It’s just as well, because it would be great to get more input about what features and directions it should go.
First, a few background notes. Although the new database is set up to include them, there won’t be any C-band listings … yet. There will be a Troubleshooting page to address the most common problems that FTA viewers run into. Each channel list page will include a notes section, where you can read about recently lost channels, for example.
But here are some questions that you can help answer:
- Should we recognize channel updaters? Some folks are nice enough to pass along reports of channels that they’ve found. Should they be recognized on the channel list the way that LyngSat does it?
- In what ways should the lists be sortable? By name, of course. By language (for satellite pages). By satellite (for language pages). Probably by transponder (on satellite pages only). Maybe a selectable include / don’t include circular-polarity channels button? What else?
- What to do with the Movies & Sports page? Back in the glory days of a couple dozen OTA channels on FTA, it made a lot of sense to use the Movies & Sports page to round up the sports and movies that they’d have available. With those channels gone, do you still want to see this roundup? If so, which channels should be included?
- Should we have a forum? There are any number of fine online forums where you can discuss satellite TV. Do we want one more just because it would be the official FTAList forum?
- What else? No single person ever has as many good ideas as the group has together. What other ideas do you have to improve FTAList? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
5 Comments to 'What should FTAList 2.0 look like?'
January 30, 2010
Some sort of channel updates would be good.
The sorting sounds fine.
I couldn’t care less about sports, waste of airwaves but it would be nice to have a list of upcoming movies.
A forum would be good if it wasn’t one of the many hacker forums (that all say “no hacking allowed”). One where the people are actually just trying to watch FTA.
Some sort of alert would be nice, like new movie added, etc. As long as the page can be scanned by something like Feedblitz, that’s fine. Some people put so much Flash that it can’t be scanned.
Oh yes, no Flash if possible.
January 30, 2010
I think you have done a good job in providing the FTA veiwers with good info & schedules. The FTA blog is also is a nice addition. The movies/sports page has always been a favorite. But there has always been a dire need for an up to date program guide. Also a FTA forum page is a real asset to keep up to date. But the icing on the cake is the Free DBS venture!!
That would but FTA back on the front and center platform. I have had people that knew about FTA before ask “Well what can you get now?” And I have to be honest and say well there is still alot to watch, but you have to have a c-band bud, with a motor and a current list of frequencys and s.r.s. The truth is the general public is not going to go to that trouble. However with the economy down, and cable rates going up, the market is primed for a FTA KU stationary dish alternitve. Peole in rural areas, and some city dwellers are looking for that free tv option. I sure hope this Free DBS gets going soon before that market goes away. FTA LIST does a good job!! Keep up the good work!! We’ll keep watching!!
Thanks H. & C.
February 6, 2010
I would like to see a GLOSSARY tab, for us newbies.
February 11, 2010
List sorted by encryption.
February 18, 2010
Go ahead with the forum, just get a bunch of moderators that will keep the illegal crap off, i’d love to find a decent FTA forum that doesnt have illegal stuff on it.
I cant wait for the new look