- What's new with the BMVD?
- Who are you guys?
- Why has everything changed?
- What are the features of the new script?
- Do you guys need any help?
- Anything other questions?
Site FAQ
What's new with the BMVD?
Well, for one thing, it's under new ownership. here's luck and bonibaru have turned it over to Sarah and Laura, also known as thestalkycop and fractal_bat, respectively. We're very enthusiastic about this project, and we hope that people with come to us with any queries or feedback they have on the new database script.
Secondly, we are running on a different system. Originally, the site ran on a hacked version of the AutomatedArchive by Shallott. Now it runs on a hacked version of eFiction, by Tammy Keefer. The main reason for this change is so that Vidders are able to take control of their own vids. Instead of reposting the same information when you update, move or remaster a vid, you can simply edit the original posting yourself, without having to email an admin and wait for a response. Another reason for the change is that Sarah, the coding bod, isn't very comfortable with cgi and perl, whereas she thrives on php and mySQL.
We have also changed a few settings, added characters (such as Lindsey, Lilah and Illyria, for starters) and added various pairings too. Instead of having "M/F", "M/M" and "F/F" in the pairings, we have now added them to the categories as "Romance: Het" and "Romance: Slash". Additionally, there is a category of "Romance: Unconventional", which covers any non-cannon relationship. Everything will be covered in more detail in the "Getting Started" section, and we really do advise that you have a read of it, just to understand exactly how to list your vid.
Who are you guys?
Sarah and Laura are two random bods who enjoy vidding, but rarely post their work. In the case of Sarah, she rarely finishes what she starts. They met when Sarah offered to take over the BMVD, and here's luck passed on the details of people interested in helping maintain it. They hit it off and bonded over a lack of love for Spike, and a weak spot for Wesley, not to mention the bizarre coincidence of Sarah having seen Laura's almost-never released vid, and Laura being in love with Sarah's main fandom, which is exceptionally small and almost unheard of in the USA.
Why has everything changed?
The short version? Sarah fears perl.
The long version? Sarah fears perl and loves php, and Laura is already obedient enough to back her up on it! No, the real reason is that a more interactive script seemed important.
What are the features of the new script?
Many, and they're all worth having, in our opinion, but to give an overview…
The ability to:
- let the vidder log in and manage their own vids, without having to wait for the admins to manually change the contents of the database
- mark vids and/or vidders as favourites
- leave reviews and respond to reviews
- rate vids on a 1-10 scale
- receive emailed updates when your favourite vidder updates
- fill out a bio, linking to your website, youtube profile, LJ and other things like that
- email other vidders/members through the site
- create an RSS feed that can be subscribed to
Also, the script appears to be easier on the admins, which is always a bonus. Though the ground work was hard. Sarah and Laura began to dream in spreadsheets and coding while sorting the database.
Do you guys need any help?
I think we'll never say no to that offer. We have just done a huge purge of the database, getting rid of all the dead links, and updating details - such as adding Illyria and changing Wes/Other, to Wes/Illyria, so we're on top of things from that angle. However, there may come a time when we need more help, so feel free to offer your services. Also, if you're a php guru and would like to look at the script to see if it can be further steamlined, then any help would be gratefully accepted.
Anything other questions?
Check the other FAQs and if they don't help, Email Sarah and Laura