Every technology has limitations and drawbacks. In the case of home entertainment systems, a drawback is the need to organize and manage a collection of videos and dvds. Even when many videos are borrowed, rather than owned, we’d like to be able to track what we’ve seen, make a wish list, assign our own ratings, and create notes about particular movies. Ever stand in a video store with dvd in hand and wonder whether you already own that particular title?
The solution is a system for cataloging—but the system must be easy to use; that is, it must take advantage of what we already know. Software developers Mitch and Jim Haileare creating such a system—a web site called Take11.com where users can catalog their video collections.
Take11 is a web service: there is no software to buy, download, or update. Anyone who can use a web browser can use Take11. If you have a web-enabled mobile phone, you can access Take11 remotely, such as from your local dvd store. To add to your collection, you input just three or four key terms, and Take11 will fill in many details: actors, director, studio, running time—even a cover image. You can then add your own tags, comments, and ratings. As the number of Take11 users grows, so will its database, and this will allow users to explore other collections and search for little known gems from the film industry.
Take11 has just been released for public beta-testing: the developers need users who will explore the site, test features, and give constructive feedback. Anyone who regularly watches videos at home should give Take11 a look.
About the Developers
Mitch Haile earned a degree in computer science from The College of Wooster. He has been employed by Motorola and several Silicon Valley startups. Currently he is a freelance software engineer based in Boston.
Jim Haile earned an engineering degree from Vanderbilt and a PhD in engineering from the University of Florida. He has twenty-four years experience teaching science, engineering, and computer programming. Currently he resides in upstate South Carolina, where he is a freelance technical writer, editor, and web developer.
Their site is in public beta testing and developments can be followed on Twitter.
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