JJOS.net

Today I added file uploading support for JJ OS screenshots, which can be embedded in the pages, and some other small improvements.

That should be enough for now. After I double-check everything, I can push it out, and start writing some content. Maybe tomorrow.

looks great nice one!!

Just had a peek Jamon, its coming along nicely.

Was thinking I'd be careful of mission creep and not stray off JJos into MPC too much.

But jolly good show my fine fellow.

Lookin' good Jamon!!!

I think a site like this would be great from a new potential user's point of view.. as a resource to finding all the info in one spot on one site to figure out how to get down with the OS..

for example, a FAQ would be nice, a comparison chart not only for various JJOS versions to show added features but to inform a new MPC user about what the JJOS offers over the akai OS's.. as well as some important info such as warranty stuff (about reloading the akai OS before returning your mpc to get fixed if you plan on sending to akai, or how reselling the mpc with the jjos does not devalue the machine)

the other thing is, new users might want the latest JJOS version, but explaining the route you must take to have that on your machine might be nice (you need such and such version installed before upgrading to such and such version)


while all this info is already available from here, and the JJOS website as well as who knows where on google... having everything you need to know all on one easy to read page might be great... especially when written by a musician for musicians.. this format has been proven, simply compare the mpc60 manual to the mpc2000xl manual... which is easier to read?


I think the idea is great and getting people who might not have known about the JJOS or that an alternative angle of modern MPCs is even available especially if someone is considering buying an mpc but has caught wind of akai's modern customer service and.or OS development. I mean, let's face it, how many of you would still own a 1000 or 2500 if it wasn't for JJOS?

Today I added a Problems section, for bugs, feature requests, and questions. I also polished some of the Page and File stuff. It's looking good for a release tomorrow.

I am not a user of JJOS but I do visit the site to keep an eye on developments.

After asking "why" earlier in this thread I now accept that the Jamons idea has some merit. I have yet to see any website that archives and explains the complete JJ experience and changelog in clear fluent and organised way. Even the JJOS forum here doesn't quite do a great job of informing JJ newcomers and guiding them through the maze of different versions IMHO.

I think MPC-tutor explained it all very well and I agree 100%.

The need to log in to access the site is a very bad idea so is the donation button. I'm not against donations for creating and hosting a site because there are both fixed and variable costs involved. But saying you will forward money to JJ is far too shady and fraught with potential conflicts. If the costs for hosting and site maintenance equal $xxx per month, donations should be capped at this amount to cover these costs. The idea that some could be profiting from this website is totally unacceptable.

Do the right thing, and good luck.

yeah a logon should only be used for contributors to prevent wiki spamming by anonymous bots

I definitely like the idea of a secondary site for JJOS since this can really help the users understanding it better. And I'm definitely all for a wiki as well. Just as long as you ask Mr. JJ for permission to open it under JJOS.net ofcourse.

There's lots of little things I could add and tweak, but the basics seem ready. It should be stable enough to begin using. If you encounter a bug, let me know. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I think it's a mistake to assume that just because someone can program great software they are effective website designers or technical writers. Completely different skill sets.

I'm all for a re-doing the manual in more concise language (and languages other than english too). From there you could add "footnotes" for people to add in their own experiences, tips, tricks, etc. I used the program "Sitesucker" to download it all from the JJOS website. I'm sure there are windows alternatives.

I mean, even small things like listing all the manual topics down the righthand side of the page and displaying the info on the left would be appreciated. Another example is that if you get a direct link to a manual page there is no way to go back to the table of contents.

Personally, I think that archives are fine, but should be "hidden". An email alert about new version would be great too, but again it should point you to the real site. (It's a shame the official site doesn't have HTML anchors so you don't have to scroll around and could link to the exact right area) You don't want people randomly coming to your site downloading the software and then not having an idea of where to buy it or how to get more help with it!

Consider this, if your site is successful and proves to be a great resource it will move up in google rank because most people only visit the official site to DL the new version. Also, a lot of browsers let you search right from the address bar so if someone types jjos there is a chance they will get to your site without ever seeing the official site.

Your website design has some really nice touches and tons of potential. It is a bit dark (hard to make out "OS" on the download), the "glow" around links is too flashy for my personal tastes and I think the real(?) JJ logo is much cleaner, with more modern design sensibilities about it. Now, I'd try to find whomever made it to get permission rather than take it though. Overall, it's a good start. I like the color hi-res screen shots and appreciate the effort you've put into the whole thing!

Today I started writing some pages, and polished the site a bit. I added support for the way they write in the Akai and JJ OS manual, like [MODE] and [F1] (LOOP). The software will automatically recognize that syntax, and format it differently than the other text. I also made the screenshots twice as big as before. I also uploaded some files I used in a page, added a question and bug, and tweaked the design a little.

foodeater wrote:I think the real(?) JJ logo is much cleaner, with more modern design sensibilities about it. Now, I'd try to find whomever made it to get permission rather than take it though. Overall, it's a good start. I like the color hi-res screen shots and appreciate the effort you've put into the whole thing!

I think that logo comes from the Stan Steez manual, and is credited to Defect.

Jamon wrote:Today I started writing some pages, and polished the site a bit. I added support for the way they write in the Akai and JJ OS manual, like [MODE] and [F1] (LOOP). The software will automatically recognize that syntax, and format it differently than the other text. I also made the screenshots twice as big as before. I also uploaded some files I used in a page, added a question and bug, and tweaked the design a little.

I like it! Hope I didn't come across as a dick.

Still not sure how I or others can help. Or if you want it?

I was wondering if there would be any situations animated images would come in handy? Say if there was a big virtual MPC and the buttons lit up in the oder you were supposed to press them. It'd be a lot of work to setup and I'm not sure of JJOS is complex enough to warrant that, just a random idea.

They can help by sharing information. When you visit the site to see if there's a new version of JJ OS, and there's nothing new, but you feel in the mood, then why not add something you're interested in? If there's a page with some missing info, and it's something you can share, hit "edit" and write something, or start a new one. Even if it's just a few words, or a sentence, it all adds up. Then as others do the same, you get paid back with their contributions, and might learn something new.