This document presents the Xnfo project roadmap. It shows where it comes from,
where it is, and where it should go. This document is kept up-to-date to reflect
the evolution of the project.
Historic
What happened recently
After creating this project on sourceforge, I contacted some people on demoscene
to have a look at the concept. The main feedback I got was that it was a nice idea
but it would have to be concrete to be accepted and used.
Also, Gruiiik / epidemic, gave me a hand on the launcher.
Planning changes
Since, I decided to change planning and add a proof-of-concept step before the
first milestone. The idea was to use Xnfo before the specification was finished
to see if new ideas would come, or more compliant things should be needed.
In fact it takes also more time than expected, so we have to focus on what's
the most important.
What changed
We thought that, at first people may not care about XSD because it's not easy to use, and it's not well
supported. People should prefer simple working software, so XSD will come later.
Planning
Before 2003 :
Xnfo 1.0 Specification (internal draft in french).
January 2003 :
Xnfo introduction.
Examples Xnfos.
February 2003 :
Xnfo validator.
Xnfo launcher.
Xnfo online editing software.
Xnfo 1.1 Specification (draft) : This version focuses
on classic party productions (demo, intro, music, graphic, video), and on
party management (results mainly).
Xnfo user scenarios (draft) : Will focus on party
organisers scenarios, and also party attenders.
Xnfo glossary (draft).
March 2003 :
Xnfo 1.1 Specification (final) : Describes all kind
of information supported by Xnfo.
Xnfo example tools update to support full specification.
Xnfo user scenarios (final).
April 2003 :
More software, it depends of the demand.
Objective
As it's the beginning of the project, we must finish foundations. The
goals in priority order are :
Release a solid and consistent specification : this is
the primary objective for the moment.
Release nice samples, easy to use : samples that can be used in local
or online, or even internal party websites.
Help people supporting Xnfo : any people interested should
quickly consult Xnfo User Scenarios.
Any person motivated by the project and want to promote it, is welcome.
Once it's done, the second objective is adding support for integration
with online databases.
pouet.net :
Release extraction and release submission would be great.
scene.org :
Upload releases, and browse the archive information.
And the same for other databases like scene music.
Editor should be able to help linking information with databases.
Later, we'll see.
How can you help
To keep it simple as possible :
Make demos !
As party organisers, support Xnfo.
As demomakers, insert .xnfo files in your releases
(using the nice features like : screenshots/covers/...), it takes a few minutes
to do it and it would be really helpfull.