I first started this site to advertise a small buisness venture into videography, and video editing.  Though the venture didn't really take off, I've kept using the name "Mayhem Creations" and continue to use the site to document the many projects I have on the go, or have completed.  I do still enjoy video editing/compositing, they just have taken a backseat to my true love in hobbies: DIY (Do It Yourself) work with electronics and computers.  This passion has unfolded to a deep appreciation for home theater and hi quility audio.  This passion also helped me understand the role in which computers can serve in a home media enviroment.  Main projects that I'm working on, one can view from the links on the left side menu bar on this page.  Some of these major projects have spinoff projects such as: the MayIR and WinLIRC for the HTPC or the MayBALD and Maytrix for the multi-zoning, whole house audio distribution project.

 

Working on these computer based projects also exposed me to different frontend software, which gives everything a nice visual GUI, and background integration to retrieve the relavent media that you want to view, or listen to.  I've tried many frontend packages, but the one that seemed to suit my DIY thirst for many years is called XLOBBY.  Xlobby is a very customizable frontend program that alows an individual to enhance his/hers home theater experience.

 

Xlobby can be customized in the way of skinning different interfaces very easily and effenciently.  I've skinned interfaces for use on the HTPC, my MediaPVR and the music distribution system.  I've been a commited user to Xlobby, but unfortunately Xlobby has gone commercial, and there isn't anymore updates for the free version.  I've stuck with the free version, but I was finding the free version limited in certain aspects that I have been looking for...mainly nicely integrated TV capabilities.  Also, unfortunate, the V3 commercial version, though as great as it is, is to much for my requirement, and still doesn't offer integrated TV.  For the HTPC and MediaPVR, I had started to use MediaPortal which is a all in one open source frontend.  Even though it had a trouble past, and is still buggy in comparison to Xlobby, it has been stable enough to run on the HTPC...not so well on the MediaPVR.  So I have gotten to a crossroad with my media frontend software.  In one hand I have Xlobby, which has proven very reliable, and exceptional at being able to personalize my viewing habits.  The other hand, I have MediaPortal with its awesome skin (StreamedMP), and TV integration, but is still buggy.  Whichever route I do take in the end, and though I have been rather harsh on MediaPortal in the past, both programs are very well done.  Xlobby will always have a fondness in my heart, and will continue to be the defacto standard for me with my music distribution, but for all other aspects, I have seen that Xlobby may not be the program of choice anymore.  MediaPortal is pretty close to being stable enough that it is replacing my Xlobby frontends on my other machines.

I have a sister site (link below), that I hope to capture the essence of what Xlobby once was...one of the greatest, free programs that was light years ahead of any of its competitors both via free or comercial.

 

I hope that this site will be a very attractive, informative website.

 

 

Marbles.

 

P.S.  Check out my google site that contains information and stuff on the last "free" version of Xlobby...Xlobby Free.