Pepakura File Hosting Site

[Largo Usagi]

I am a software engineer, and some one who is very grateful for the help the 405th has provided in helping me get into the armor building hobby.

I am thinking of giving back to the community by providing a unified hosting solution for pepakura files. A place where people can upload files set licensing provide screenshots, categorize them, place resources for them such as .mdl/.obj files they are based off of, references, etc.

I have access to web space and a lot of bandwidth, and sinking a few dollars on a domain name is not a huge deal for me.

That being said what is the interest in a website that could do this. If there is a real community buy in I have a web designer to make it look nice as well as a few other engineers willing to help some.

 

[NoMaybeYes]

Im not trying to bash your idea because having a website you could post added models weekly to a front page whereas the database you have to check every few weeks, but what is the difference between your proposed site and the Database on 4shared?

 

[Largo Usagi]

So there could be a workflow for new entries something like this

1. Reference Pictures
2. 3d Model
3. Pepakura file

But then we could build relationships between the files and show sets, we could set up subscriptions/rss feeds or email alerts for contributors or sets.

Full blown search functionality.

Really the feature set would be up to us, that is why I brought it here, I started to build this locally for myself, I kind of horde data, and I work in BI so this is right up my alley for a good project to return to the community.

I brought the idea up here to see if there would be buy in on the idea and if there was flesh the concept out to something that would suite the community and the contributors.

 

[Dorvack]

Fantastic idea!

4Shared is okay, but it always feels like I'm going to get a virus from the site, and the large number of anime porn images that pop up on the site pages make the site impossible to access at work and make the start or the creative process feel a bit... tacky.

 

[Demogorgon]

I love this idea and have been hoping for a dedicated site for pepakura files for a long time. Although 4shared is free (to an extent), having a website dedicated to hosting all the files in one place would be great.

I'd also love to help you design and develop the website if you need/want my help. Feel free to PM me if you could use a hand.

 

[RobotChicken]

I too think it could be a good idea, but here are some other things to consider (in case you maybe hadn't thought of them).

1. Who would control the uploading of files (monitor appropriateness, categorize/sort them, scan for viruses, assume responsibility for content, etc)? Anybody who wishes to upload? That has potential for an eventual chaotic mess, and people could upload files that actually do contain viruses. Even setting up access permissions (like, only to registered users) wouldn't stop the malevolent uploader. One thing that's nice about the 4shared database is that (supposedly) not just anybody can write to it. This creates a sense of "officialness" to the database contents.

2. How secure is the web space? Hackers are always breaking into things (just to see if they can) and mess sites up or bring down a server, and you'd end up having a lot of disgruntled 405th members if they were trying to access the site because something was needed NOW for a project and the site was down.

3. After uploading a file, who then becomes the owner of the file? The original creator of the file and you're just hosting it, or you because the file now resides on your server for distribution?

I love the idea of keyword searches, screen-captures of the 3D models (so you can see what a model looks like before downloading the .pdo file), elimination of all the ad popups (your site would be ad-free if you own the domain, right?) and the ability to associate relationships across the files.

 

[Swatze]

Also, for the organization, for the launch we should have someone organize the files very well and people can donate what they have before it starts up. A paid section could be put up. And many of us are also members of The RPF, the 501st and such, will this site solely be for 405th members or for everyone?

 

[Largo Usagi]

I too think it could be a good idea, but here are some other things to consider (in case you maybe hadn't thought of them).

1. Who would control the uploading of files (monitor appropriateness, categorize/sort them, scan for viruses, assume responsibility for content, etc)? Anybody who wishes to upload? That has potential for an eventual chaotic mess, and people could upload files that actually do contain viruses. Even setting up access permissions (like, only to registered users) wouldn't stop the malevolent uploader. One thing that's nice about the 4shared database is that (supposedly) not just anybody can write to it. This creates a sense of "officialness" to the database contents.

2. How secure is the web space? Hackers are always breaking into things (just to see if they can) and mess sites up or bring down a server, and you'd end up having a lot of disgruntled 405th members if they were trying to access the site because something was needed NOW for a project and the site was down.

3. After uploading a file, who then becomes the owner of the file? The original creator of the file and you're just hosting it, or you because the file now resides on your server for distribution?

I love the idea of keyword searches, screen-captures of the 3D models (so you can what a model looks like before downloading the .pdo file), elimination of all the ad popups (your site would be ad-free if you own the domain, right?) and the ability to associate relationships across the files.

1. A sort of hybrid aproach is what I was thinking of, have a moderation queue where approved users check a files integrity before it is public. Those who are content creators will be able to publish their own work after receiving moderation approval IE we know this person does unfolds give them permissions. The file database could be regularly screened for viruses so that's something easy to keep track of.

2. This wouldn't be my first time doing this, I do regular penetration tests on my boxes and they all sit behind firewalls either managed by myself/other engineer I work with or the datacenter we have the server in. This is so much of a non issue to myself now I didn't consider it. The bottom line with safety is keeping the server up to date and knowing how to configure your host OS. I cold write many papers on this subject but the tl;dr version is I know information security and how to harden a box.

3. I planned on having a list of select able licenses you can choose to publish the file under. All variations of the CC and some more restrictive licenses as well as an all rights reserved license. There would be some legal **** sprinkled on the site about renders and downloads and things of that nature but the bottom line is the artist that created the model chooses the rights associated.

I thought about doing this when I started making my armor, but I didn't know how much I was going to enjoy this hobby back then so I just threw this idea on the back burner.

Now in terms of adds I would have one non intrusive google text add in the footer if it becomes costly due to traffic. It usually pays for sites like this until they start generating a LOT of traffic, and when that happens I can look into expanding its resources and seeing what it needs to be stable. I could very easily go add free and it may very well be that If the end design of the site doesn't allow for a small add that just blends in. I usually go No adds -> adds with lots of traffic If It starts getting to the point that It needs revenue to support itself and there is no realistic way to get said money.

 

[Largo Usagi]

Also, for the organization, for the launch we should have someone organize the files very well and people can donate what they have before it starts up. A paid section could be put up. And many of us are also members of The RPF, the 501st and such, will this site solely be for 405th members or for everyone?

Depends, I was thinking as a common location for every one, why make other communities double the work, but I would like it to have a focus towards the the 405th and its needs first. Then tackle other communities needs that may still exist after meeting our own needs here.

When you are talking about a paid section what would be the benifit, I hate having segregated content unless it is absolutely necessary so could you expand on the reason for this.

Edit, clarity on who I want this to be for.

 

[NoMaybeYes]

I would like to see a site that has models of everything like Swatze said. From Halo, Gears of War, Iron Man, and Star Wars that the RPF, 501st, 405th and prop builders in general could use. I have a database on my computer but its really annoying having to go from site to site looking for pep files. Everything in one place would be amazing.

 

[Swatze]

Depends, I was thinking as a common location for every one, why make other communities double the work, but I would like it to have a focus towards the the 405th and its needs first. Then tackle other communities needs that may still exist after meeting our own needs here.

When you are talking about a paid section what would be the benifit, I hate having segregated content unless it is absolutely necessary so could you expand on the reason for this.

Edit, clarity on who I want this to be for.

I also hate those paid sections, what I mean is a place where you can buy sell or trade everything prop-related. Also, is there a name in mind for this site? The site could have spot that says "Brought to you by those of the 405th" or something along those lines.

 

[Largo Usagi]

I don't want this tool to have a buy sell trad section that would start to form a community around itself and I don't want to take from the already established communities. A decent idea of what I am thinking about is akin to imgur for pep files.

I will start making some wireframes of my ideas today and hopefully get get those posted tonight. I may get distracted with peping though, I just got new ink for my printer so I can start new parts.

 

[Crimmson]

How would you handle game rips? The reason I ask is that they belong to the creators of the games but we found access to them, if the site would have ads generating revenue, it could get a little touchy. Some people prefer game rips that havebeen cleaned up, also it is much faster to get a pep file out. If they are hosted there the game company could argue t hat there model is what brought people to the site thus generating revenue. If a modeler uploads a game rip file that he or she edited which license would they choose? I like the idea though.The only thing I don't like is that it makes it to easy for people, the 405th , in my opinion, teaches people how to be self sufficient. You want some thing bad enough that you are willing to look for it, make it etc.

 

[Largo Usagi]

How would you handle game rips? The reason I ask is that they belong to the creators of the games but we found access to them, if the site would have ads generating revenue, it could get a little touchy. Some people prefer game rips that havebeen cleaned up, also it is much faster to get a pep file out. If they are hosted there the game company could argue t hat there model is what brought people to the site thus generating revenue. If a modeler uploads a game rip file that he or she edited which license would they choose? I like the idea though.The only thing I don't like is that it makes it to easy for people, the 405th , in my opinion, teaches people how to be self sufficient. You want some thing bad enough that you are willing to look for it, make it etc.

That is something that would probably have to be handled on a case by case basis, some companies are different than others, I don't plan on turning a profit of any type with this site and a lot of time fair use covers that. Worst case is a DMCA take down request where we can just mark that asset on the page as DMCA'd and put the request there in place of the asset. I don't see this being a big problem.

Here is a first run at a wireframe of a page where you could view a pep and download it.

 

[Crimmson]

That is something that would probably have to be handled on a case by case basis, some companies are different than others, I don't plan on turning a profit of any type with this site and a lot of time fair use covers that. Worst case is a DMCA take down request where we can just mark that asset on the page as DMCA'd and put the request there in place of the asset. I don't see this being a big problem.

Here is a first run at a wireframe of a page where you could view a pep and download it.

Ten four.

Can you add how many times it has been downloaded , viewed.

 

[Largo Usagi]

Here is one that has that with a pane on the side where we can list out all kinds of details add links etc.

Lets see what else we can come up with for this.

 

[Katsu]

You could also do what halocostumingwiki tried and failed to do, and create a central wiki based database of files. That gives you a lot of the moderation options, and could cut down on hosting costs.
Also, MissingSpartan7 is a go-to guy for the files. The 4shared is his baby so it may be prudent to get input from him too. (4shared was a lot less ugly and restrictive when the 405th 4shared was started)

 

[Largo Usagi]

You could also do what halocostumingwiki tried and failed to do, and create a central wiki based database of files. That gives you a lot of the moderation options, and could cut down on hosting costs.
Also, MissingSpartan7 is a go-to guy for the files. The 4shared is his baby so it may be prudent to get input from him too. (4shared was a lot less ugly and restrictive when the 405th 4shared was started)

The only real cost is going to be the bandwith for transferring the pep files around, wiki, CMS, or custom built application the cost will be the same.

I will reach out to MissingSpartan7 for input, Currently I am working out the back end and testing a few options. Everything is an option right now and the current solution will need to stand for a long time into the future any ways so lets take the time to do it right.

 

[JayOneSeven]

This needs to be made :/ If I could browse through a huge variety of Pep files, with a preview, it'd be awesome. It's tiresome having to download and open a pep file to see what it is. Make it so!

 

[Katsu]

If I can help at all, let me know.

I was thinking about doing some in-depth tutorials, and making them really easily accessible through a wiki, as that's another resource that is sorely missing on the 405th.

It may be neat to turn the hub into a resource not only for just files, or just tutorials, but both. Maybe host the files on a server, and then have links to them through a wiki or something. The people most commonly looking for files are going to be new people.. bundling!

Just spitballing.