Top ten reasons why I should be a Windows alpha tester

**icecast** · March 29th, 2009, 08:41 PM

1. I have a dedicated HTPC running Windows where I watch ALL my TV
2. I am a techie, build my own PCs, prefer open source and willing to work with applications and features that are still in development.
3. I am a web/RIA developer by trade, I understand software and how to report bugs.
4. My wife is not a techie, her expectations are that of a standard user
5. I canceled cable and I am watching all my TV through the internet and I'm not enjoying the experience of using standard browsers for this.
6. I have machines running Vista and Windows 7 beta that I can test on.
7. I really really want to.
8. I've signed up for the alpha form a few times but never seen anything happen.
9. I have a netflix account that I have linked up to boxee already.
10. I pledge to be cool and not throw a hissy fit when something doesn't work.

I basically just really want to start using boxee on my HTPC and thought I'd make a case for it. I have it on my laptop (which is a Mac) and like it but don't really use the laptop for day to day TV watching. If I have to wait for a new round to start and there's a limited number of people that will get in that's cool, just tell me what hoops I have to jump through and I'll make sure to get it done.

I love the application, love that you guys are fighting the good fight with hulu/content providers... keep up the good work and let me play with the cool toys!!!

**badmoviesandbeer** · March 29th, 2009, 08:57 PM

you're a software dev, go download 9.9.5324 source and build windows release.

**shawnwchen** · March 30th, 2009, 08:55 PM

Where does he say that?

**icecast** · March 30th, 2009, 10:15 PM

It didn't even occur to me to compile it myself... I'm not versed in compiling C++ or Python but suppose I'll be able to work it out. For the Windows version I'm assuming I should compile it with C++ rather than Python?

Is there a reason you suggest to download 0.9.9.5324 rather than 0.9.10.5534?
I did a quick search for C++ compilers and stumbled upon what looks like a freee one made by Microsoft called VisualC++ Express Edition. Are there other compilers you would recommend instead?

Sigh... if only Netflix supported Linux...

**badmoviesandbeer** · March 30th, 2009, 10:36 PM

the documentation in the source archive has all you'll need. it will eventually lead you to the xbmc environment setup. once you have the environment setup you can just use the build scripts in the archive. I recommended the older version because I've actually got it to build on windows with that version. I tried to get the newer version to build, but it spits out errors. I'm assuming because they don't have the newest features working in the rev they put out.