[mythtv-users] Google's Summer of Code 2006 idea

[Dean Collins]

Way cool. 

I know someone at Rentrack who might be able to locate a mentor/coach or
at least provide an overview of how they collect this information from
the cable companies at the moment.

Get back to me if you think that would help.


Regards,


Dean Collins
Cognation Pty Ltd



> -----Original Message-----
> From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org [mailto:mythtv-users-
> bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Dean Wilson
> Sent: Friday, 5 May 2006 6:23 PM
> To: MythTV Users
> Subject: [mythtv-users] Google's Summer of Code 2006 idea
> 
> I know it's getting a little late for ideas, but I thought this might
> be useful...  If anyone can provide feedback (or a pointer as to how
> to get it accepted for google's summer of code) I'd appreciate it!
> 
> One of the things I've always hated is when TV shows I watch get
> canceled due to "low numbers."  This is particularly frustrating,
> since I think that the data gathering that Nielson uses is inaccurate
> and antiquated, considering they could easily gather data directly
> from DVR users as to what shows individuals watch.
> 
> I would like to set up a method for MythTV to gather and present this
> information.  Due to privacy concerns, the program should probably be
> opt-in (as opposed to opt-out, which could be accidentally overlooked)
>  However,  I think many users would want the networks to know what
> shows they're interested in.
> 
> Care would have to be taken that they system would be tamper-proof to
> ensure that the data was valid.  (The temptation to increase the count
> of your favorite shows by a few thousand viewers might be too much for
> some people.  Obviously we'd want accurate numbers, in order for the
> results to have any meaning to companies such as Nielson.)
> 
> This information could not only be provided to companies like Nielson,
> it could also provide information as to how many MythTV users are out
> there (and possibly what hardware they're using?)  This information is
> valuable, because it points to how many people have been successful in
> setting up and using MythTV.  This is important because when people
> first start researching MythTV, they find the mythtv-users group,
> which is primarily filled with people writing in with problems.
> Information showing how many people are happy with MythTV could only
> help the cause.  ;)
> 
> I'm not sure what the procedure is for submitting ideas such as this
> one for the Summer of Code.  If there's something more that I need to
> do, would you point me in the right direction?
> 
> Thanks for your time,
> ~Dean Wilson
> 
> On 5/1/06, Isaac Richards <ijr at case.edu> wrote:
> > As you may be aware, MythTV is a 'mentoring organization' for this
year's
> > Google Summer of Code.  This means that a few students can get paid
for doing
> > some summer work on Myth.  Should be fun. =)
> >
> > Looks like student applications should be going live very soon, and
are open
> > until May 8th.  So, if you're interested, get an application in
soon.  I have
> > no idea how many students we'll eventually get assigned.
> >
> > http://code.google.com/soc/
> >
> > We've put up a few project ideas:
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/SoC2006
> >
> > Not tied to those few ideas, of course.  Feel free to submit your
own ideas if
> > you're thinking of applying to work on this stuff.
> >
> > Note:  If you're _not_ a student going to apply, sorry, but I'm not
looking
> > for more project ideas anymore.
> >
> > Isaac
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> >
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