New Website and Downloads Repository!
Perhaps you have noticed we have a brand new website? 
You didn't? Well stop tweaking MediaPortal for five minutes and take a tour!
We have been working day and night (mostly nights!) for well over a year to complete, and translate to German, the more than 274 pages about MediaPortal. That does not even include all the slideshows and modules that present latest news, tips and highlights of our plugins and skins.
The new website uses a new version of Joomla (1.5), an open source content management system (CMS) with many new plugins and extensions. New features, such as the Skins Gallery, or random modules of Statistics and Sponsors, provide easier access to the information you need, and help you keep up to date on the latest changes.
The new design is a big step in our plans for a more polished and sophisticated image for MediaPortal. Much of the content has been written to attract new users to MediaPortal, but still offers a lot for our devoted MediaPortal fans. Our new banner and menus have been added to our Forums and will be added to our new Wiki in the coming days.
Stayed tuned for more details in the upcoming Inside Scoop Blog. Continue reading for details about our New Downloads Repository.
New Downloads Repository
One of the most significant features of our new website is the Downloads Repository for Extensions: Plugins, Skins, Logos and even software for your HTPC.
As many of you know, we have been trying to improve our downloads repository for more than two years. Now, thanks to the genius of our web administrator high, we have a flexible extension for Joomla called Mosets Tree, which allows much greater flexibility in implementing changes in future.
For users, it offers much better searching and access to extensions. All extensions now list the version(s) of MediaPortal they support, so you can search for all skins or plugins that support your installed version. Categories now conform to our Forum structure and to our new website, so it is much easier to find the extensions you want. Besides that, the display is significantly improved as well. 
One of the most important features for extension developers is the ability to update submissions without needing to resubmit the download file. For skins, the option to update and reorder screenshots is a huge advantage.
Extensions can be listed in multiple categories to ensure new users find them wherever they choose to look. Thus, you may list extensions according to the all the feature(s) they offer to users.
Extensions using the MediaPortal Extensions Installer (MPEI) can now add their online update.xml file to their submission.
Unfortunately, we cannot transfer submissions from our old Downloads Repository. The structure is not compatible and there is no easy export/import option. Since, many of the listed extensions are badly out of date, it is good to have a fresh start. The old Repository will still be available as an Archive, accessible via the Menu > Download Plugins & Skins sub menu.
All Extension developers should submit their extensions to the new Downloads Repository ASAP!
The easiest way to enter your submission is:
- Go to Main Menu > Downloads > Plugins & Skins
- Navigate to the main category where you wish to enter your extension (e.g. Plugins > Movies & Videos
- Press the 'Add your extension here' button
The extension will automatically be added to the category where you submit it, however, you can use the Categories button to add additional categories.
New submissions still require approval, however, we will try and approve them as quickly as possible.
The submission form is quite intuitive, and we have added instructions where relevant to assist you. If you copy and paste from your existing submission in the old Repository, please review it carefully as the format is not 100% compatible and some non-breaking space codes may display.
If you wish to redirect links, such as those in forum posts, to your previous submission in the old Repository, or if you need any help adding your extension please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please post feedback regarding the new website and downloads repository in our Website/Forum/Wiki Feedback sub forum. Open a new thread for each suggestion or problem you encounter.
Thanks. We hope you enjoy the new website and downloads repository.
NOTE: If you subscribe to our RSS Feeds, please re-subscribe as they have changed. If you use the Infoservice plugin you will need to edit the Feed URLs there as well.
