i liked the old player better than this brower bull@^$#. the browser was the best thing for gametap.y cant we go back to that? if we did you would get so many people back on gt.

click my gamer tag.

It's true that everything went to hell in a hand basket when the old desktop interface was replaced by the new browser plugin, and I personally do prefer a stand-alone application like most people.

However, I think it's important for everyone to understand that none of the problems we are currently experiencing are a direct result of the fact that the new interface is a browser plugin rather than a stand-alone desktop application.

The way applications are programmed, there is very little difference between the inherent abilities or quality of a browser plugin versus a stand alone app.

Let's keep our efforts focused simply on getting GameTap to FIX THE PROBLEMS ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. It serves no purpose to insist on a desktop interface over the browser plugin when there is nothing functionally better about either one.

SwiftHawk420 wrote: Let's keep our efforts focused simply on getting GameTap to FIX THE PROBLEMS ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. It serves no purpose to insist on a desktop interface over the browser plugin when there is nothing functionally better about either one.

I wholeheartedly disagree there, Swiftie, as the issue I am having is that the web player will not display games I have downloaded, nor will it allow me to play from the game page.

ToeJam,

What do you disagree with exactly?

The problems you are having are not due to the player being a browser plugin instead of a stand alone application.

The desktop app always seemed to work correctly, while the web player does exactly as unintended - it disallows play. I am unable to see what games I have installed, or download any new ones.

Thanks for the nickname, it makes me feel accepted!

ToeTags wrote: The desktop app always seemed to work correctly, while the web player does exactly as unintended - it disallows play. I am unable to see what games I have installed, or download any new ones.

The fact that you are having problems with the browser app that you may or may not have had with the desktop app doesn't mean that the problems are caused by the fact that it runs in the browser rather than by itself.

I seem to be missing something. What exactly do you disagree with?

Better functionality was my argument. I have a dysfunctional browser app.

There is no doubt about your argument (you keep repeating it), but you said that you disagreed with my assessment that the problems we are having is not because it is a browser plugin.

Why do you think the problems you are having is due to the application being a browser plugin instead of a desktop app?

In other words, what is it about desktop apps in general that makes one inherently better than any other form of installation? What technical information do you have about the difference between a browser plugin app and a stand alone desktop app that will explain why you are so sure that a desktop app is better?

Again, I'm not asking you why you don't like the current app. I'm asking why you are so convinced that it is all because of it being a browser plugin.

Did you even READ the post that you claim to disagree with? Do you actually understand my point? I ask these things because nothing you have posted addresses my point at all. You just keep saying that you are having problems, and nobody is disputing that.

Yes, I skimmed it, but that's not the point.

My stance is browser app. doesn't work (for me). I say that having come from playing the desktop app in the past and being very satisfied with its ability to function as intended while the browser app does not. I don't know how else to say it.

It'd be really interesting to see what would happen if a different developer suddenly took control of GT but kept the browser system. I can't help but think that if GT was run by a dev with the resources and a desire to actually fix their product, it'd be a much better product, even if it ran in a browser. That's my guess at least..... The only inherent disadvantage to using a browser plugin that I can see is that their install process is a bit more annoying...

Quote: I wholeheartedly disagree there, Swiftie

Um... YES, it IS the point. You made it the point when you said you disagreed with it.

Let's review:
1. I stated the following fact:
THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE APP DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY, NOT THAT IT IS A PLUG-IN.

2. You said that you disagreed with my statement.

3. Since then, you just keep repeating over and over again that the app doesn't work properly which does NOT disagree with me.

@shawnasativa,

I agree with you about the installation issue, and that is one reason why I too prefer a stand alone app.

To jump in here, I agree with you in that matters not if we are using the browser app or desktop app. Just by looking at some of the browser app's files there's still programs referencing the old Gametap desktop player. It just looks like that the program's been modified to work with an internet browser. Obviously, it acts nothing like the stand alone client everyone liked. Truthfully, I had constant problems with the old client to run, mainly due to using Vista and an Intel card back in the day I think. I remember it was excessively updated, sometimes 2-3 times a week. It would work and then after an update it wouldn't. I'm sure Metaboli could easily program a stand alone desktop app if they wanted to, and they'd have to staff additional people to support it. We're all still waiting for this tray client to come out, so we'll have to see how that plays out. A browser client is a pretty bland and is limited to features, plus if it doesn't work for all the subscribers, that defeats the purpose of offering the service.

@c_eddy5,

Generally well said and I tend to agree, but I think you are still making a distinction between the TYPE of applications that doesn't really exist.

Browser plugin, stand alone, or "tray app" are just ways of interacting with the user and nothing more. They are not necessarily programmed any differently, nor do they interact with the internal Windows system much differently.

To think that the performance, reliability, capability or indeed the overall quality of ANY application is directly connected to how the interface presents on the system is just not accurate. Quality code will do the job the right way, no matter what type of app it is. Likewise, crappy code will have problems and act badly, no matter what type of app it is.

I suspect GameTap's reason for the browser plugin choice is to allow for easy and dynamic changes to the content the users see at every step of their game playing experience. By keeping the content entirely web-based (server-side), they have better control over it. This is purely a marketing consideration, but of course that is a huge part of the business model.

BTW, I wish to thank you for also acknowledging my point and allowing for a logical exchange.

^^^^^^^^
Agreed. I'm sure that with the right know-how and some elbow grease, they could make a fully Flash-based interface that worked fine AND looks all snazzy. Considering how slow this website already is, even Flash seems like a viable choice!

EDIT: maybe Flash doesn't have the ability to access files/folders on the drive without a bit of help from a different language, but the point remains.

shawnasativa wrote: ^^^^^^^^ Agreed. I'm sure that with the right know-how and some elbow grease, they could make a fully Flash-based interface that worked fine AND looks all snazzy. Considering how slow this website already is, even Flash seems like a viable choice! EDIT: maybe Flash doesn't have the ability to access files/folders on the drive without a bit of help from a different language, but the point remains.

Do us all a favor and don't even THINK it.

A Flash-based interface might force me give up on GameTap entirely. The more I learn about Open Standards and Open Source / Free software, the more I hate Flush.

SwiftHawk420 wrote: shawnasativa wrote: ^^^^^^^^ Agreed. I'm sure that with the right know-how and some elbow grease, they could make a fully Flash-based interface that worked fine AND looks all snazzy. Considering how slow this website already is, even Flash seems like a viable choice! EDIT: maybe Flash doesn't have the ability to access files/folders on the drive without a bit of help from a different language, but the point remains. Do us all a favor and don't even THINK it. A Flash-based interface might force me give up on GameTap entirely. The more I learn about Open Standards and Open Source / Free software, the more I hate Flush.

Hahahahahaha, don't worry, it's just an extreme example!