| Hi, first congraz to the modified firmware, good work. A suggestion for the next version, is it possible to implement an entry of an own server address? The reason is that there is not much going on here in the forum lately, so when the database dies in addition (some day) we are lost with the device. If it is possible it would also be great to have a howto for setting up csv files and server. I also looked with wireshark and finally found the csv files downloadable. Maybe also local storing of csv files is possible? |
Thanks,
I have been very busy for a while with work related stuff. Even working during x-mas etc. So at those times I dont have time to respond quickly.
However, this does not mean the server and/or database is going to die. In fact, I paid for the domain until 2015 or so and have no desire to kill it after that either.
I have 2 Penbex radios myself used by my family (and the Audiotron player which also uses this database). My server is low cost and located at my own office. A backup server with a shadow image is ready to take over in case something happens with the server hardware. If there ever comes a day that this server will go offline, the best I can do is give instructions on how to run your own server so that the radio keeps working and make the database available for everyone. But this is unlikely to happen anytime soon 
The whole idea behind the firmware modifications and running this alternative 'community' server is based on the fact that Penbex has shown they are an unreliable party.
They have 2 or 3 hardware models and they only seem to make a firmware when they are in the process of selling one of these models under a specific brand name.
Once they have shipped the hardware they usually do not update the firmware for that brand anymore. Recently they also seem to have abandoned support of the service they had. (I will see if it can be created on this server as well) The Penbex devices are not that cheap and wifi enabled devices that can play radio streams are getting more common every day. So there will be a point where they simply will not be able to sell the radios anymore. I figure that they shut down their database as soon as they can and move to other projects. It seems they did not sell much in the second half of 2010..
Regarding the firmwares, the modified firmware always give you a way back to official firmware versions. Old or new. With the official Penbex firmware you have to rely on what they make available in their database. With the modified firmware you actually have control over what is in the database. One of the things any registered user has is the ability to create private and external links. Modifying the generic streams is available upon request. (I have given you moderator rights already)
Regarding local storage of CSV files, That could be arranged and there are some tests going on with this kind of rerouting at the moment to see how we can get localized podcasts.
However, I do hope you find it more useful to make the needed changes here to the database rather than creating a local solution. This way the community can benefit from it. If we all keep some parts up to date the work is limited and you have a full global coverage. We could even make `country` moderators or so.
I am also open to any suggestions you have to make the server/website/database/forum better.
Best Regards,
William
(Last Edited: January 18, 2011, 10:26 am)
