Ideas for xboxarchive.org

[JayFoxRox]

@Ernegien has generously offered his xboxarchive.org domain on multiple occasions. However, the domain still remains unused.

So please let us know your ideas for xboxarchive.org

[Velocet]

• Game Database which shows information from and about the XBE (title id, size, checksum, etc.)
• The title information could be linked to redump and/or tosec (they only have Books, Comercials, Magazines and Manuals as of 2018)
• Mod database
• Widescreen/FoV hacks (from ps2wide and emuxtras)
• XBlive database (games, patches, DLCs, etc.)
• Should be Wiki based
• Should keep source code of xbox software like xbp, sdlx, xbmp, etc. via a git
• Should have a chat and upload form
• sub domains for hosting new (or old) projects

[JayFoxRox]

First thing upfront: I don't think xboxarchive.org should necessarily remain on XboxDev. It really depends on the direction this takes.

If it's user centric, it should probably be moved, so XboxDev can remain developer oriented. There's also a discussion on reddit currently, about user-centric Xbox wikis.

As a reminder: Completly different ideas are still welcome!

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I also had similar ideas @Velocet; So I'll just extend on your ideas:

Game Database which shows information from and about the XBE (title id, size, checksum, etc.) The title information could be linked to redump and/or tosec (they only have Books, Comercials, Magazines and Manuals as of 2018) XBlive database (games, patches, DLCs, etc.)

Yes! please:

I think it's very possible to make this website attractive to users, but also XboxDev readers (using advanced features which are hidden by default).

• I'd like to have technical information (which can be generated automatically from game images).

• I'd possibly also like to extend the information on redump by keeping a list who owns a (physical) game disc still. So that we can always have people run tests or improve information.

• In fact, I had been working on a bit of software for some time, to visualize the Xbox disc and then show where each file is store don the physical disc (this can help to isolate issues in DVD manufacturing for example, which might plague some DVDs).

• I'd also see block-wise and partition-wise hashing for redump ISOs.

• I'd also like to see artwork (cover, game disc, ..) - some of it can probably be stored legally.

• The website should then have an API so it could be integrated into emulation and game preservation tools.

• Also listing known commercial hardware would be good (controllers / gamepads etc.).

• An Xbox database could be added to collect Xbox hardware information and valid hardware configurations.

• I'd also like to see an option for users to donate physical games or hardware for dumping.

Mod database Widescreen/FoV hacks (from ps2wide and emuxtras)

From my exeprience, these 2 are known to result in piracy.

Should be Wiki based

Not sure. I think a dedicated software to handle this would be better.

Should keep source code of xbox software like xbp, sdlx, xbmp, etc. via a git

I think XboxDev could work for this (we already archive some projects). However, these XDK apps should possibly live on entirely independent ecosystem. I don't think it's a great idea to associate with them - not even with the source-code, which is typically based on XDK samples and headers.

Should have a chat

Not sure - if there's existing communities which have different political, ethical and social goals we should re-use existing ecosystems.

and upload form

I don't like this idea. Makes the platform attackable - copyrighted material would be added sooner or later, especially if you target such a wide audience.

sub domains for hosting new (or old) projects

Not sure; subdomains are so 90ies, and it might also lead to loss of focus for xboxarchive.org.

You probably want some brand-recognition. If people hear about xboxarchive.org you don't want to think: "oh, that xbox-linux host!". I personally think of xboxarchive.org as a standalone product, and not so much as a community (also affects my above decision about chat).

[Velocet]

• I'd possibly also like to extend the information on redump by keeping a list who owns a (physical) game disc still. So that we can always have people run tests or improve information.

I'm dreaming of server which hosts all isos (not available for download or open to anybody) where such tests could be performed...

• The website should then have an API so it could be integrated into emulation and game preservation tools.

Is there any standardized API?

• Not sure. I think a dedicated software to handle this would be better.

I don't like such an approach. Better go with a standardized software and expand it via a plugin or something like that if needed. Everything else makes more headaches in the long run from my experience...

• I think XboxDev could work for this (we already archive some projects). However, these XDK apps should possibly live on entirely independent ecosystem. I don't think it's a great idea to associate with them - not even with the source-code, which is typically based on XDK samples and headers.

Full ack. Should live on GitHub or somewhere else but could be linked to.

• Not sure; subdomains are so 90ies, and it might also lead to loss of focus for xboxarchive.org.

yeah.. it is.. but it's a very good approach to bundle other projects under one roof. I did this with some projects i did before and never had any loss in focus cause these projects would live independently.

You probably want some brand-recognition. If people hear about xboxarchive.org you don't want to think: "oh, that xbox-linux host!". I personally think of xboxarchive.org as a standalone product, and not so much as a community (also affects my above decision about chat).

I don't think that this will happen. It depends on which projects get hosted. If there will be no chat or dedicated forum then there will be no community?