[un1versal]

I wanted to clarify https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/pull/2660 especially when installing from ppa or compiling a XBMC version from master over existing installation(s) aka Upgrade.

@Montelesse said that he would be working on a wiki page once this was committed so already the need for this thread is justified, if only as a discussion place.

Introduction

4 tiered settings levels. Each mode unlocks more settings, and is available via side menu when in respective settings views are selected. This is early days and settings are still being reorganized into correct tears/modes.

1. Level 0 Basic - - Limited most settings not available. {much like a kiosk mode}
   
2. Level 1 Standard - Default A few more settings become available
   
3. Level 2 Advanced. - Will show all settings
   
4. Level 3 Expert - Currently only a placeholder, maybe used to bring some settings from advancedsettings.xml into the GUI
   
5. Reset - Will reset settings in a given area to their defaults values. (one now hopes that the Defaults are sane.
   

Affected areas of XBMC

1. Appearance Settings
   
2. Video Settings
   
3. Live TV Settings
   
4. Music Settings
   
5. Pictures Settings
   
6. Weather Settings
   
7. Add-ons -Not affected
   
8. Services
   
9. System Settings
   

What to expect
If your a current user and install a Nightly build with the above PR you will notice that by default most settings are hidden, or if your reading the wiki Settings (wiki) You will notice that screenshots show a great deal of settings that will only become visible depending on the mode selected. By default Standard mode is selected.

Is my existing Userdata (wiki) affected?
No, but backups should be maintained.

Any XML files created?
No. This change creates no additional configuration files

Any known issues?
See this thread posts for discussions.

How can I help?

Someone please start to clarify further to what is done until now. (as things get more settled) how this affects for end users in non geek speak as above. So if there's some documentation needed this thread can serve as a reference preferable with screenshots etc.

If anyone finds threads with info which pop up please move the information here perhaps merge threads or even if your a moderator edit the main posts and add information to main post (this post).
Ideally information would be updated/transposed to wiki with notes to Gotham changes as it happens.

Thank you for cooperation.

uNi

[Ned Scott]

I think a lot of it is still being hammered out. Good idea to make a thread about it. In the end, this not only improves things from a technical perspective, but will make things for users a lot easier.

[un1versal]

I noticed now two posts http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=164095 and http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=164158, I imagine this is going to keep going on until this topic is expanded on properly. I'll point those threads to here so if anyone participating on there and knows can use this thread to centralize. Until something proper comes along.

uNi

[un1versal]

Initial problems

1) Debugging setting is not present when basic mode is selected. Debugging shouldn't be made more complicated to access or add extra steps.
2) In basic mode Live tv is empty and cannot navigate to side menu via keyboard (to change mode level). If basic mode this is empty it should be disabled anyway right?
3) There is no difference seemingly between expert and advanced yet.

uNi

[Martijn]

1) disagree
2) noticed the same but haven't mentioned it internally.
3) because it isn't filled yet. really? we just implemented the setting refactor/change and are still cleaning up the closet and need some time. just hold back.

[un1versal]

@Martijn

Try to be a great deal more reasonable, There are tons of general documentation missing or incomplete for everything (unrelated to any Gotham changes), and I dont see anyone rushing to start it or complete it, as things get developed since us mere mortals dont have access to internal discussions, we dont know jack but what we told in dabs and often cryptical info so we are really far behind.

uNi

[Martijn]

What is there to explain. There are 4 levels of settings. Done.

[jmarshall]

We're currently figuring out what level each setting belongs in - it's not completely trivial as we're also still figuring out what each mode refers to. For example, the idea with the lowest level (Basic) is that it's equivalent to Kiosk mode. Standard is what it'll default to. It's not completely clear yet if we need a difference between Expert+Advanced.

So please feel free to state where you think settings should be, and whether various ones are producing odd results, as that is valuable information right now.

But at least for the meantime, there's not too much point documenting stuff until it settles a bit, else you'll just need to change it all again.

Cheers,
Jonathan

[Ned Scott]

Some of us on Team XBMC are still trying to figure it out for ourselves.

[spiff]

as we have desperately tried to get into your head is that the answers are no, no, no and none.

[un1versal]

@spiff and jmarshall

Thanks see updated main post as per your feedback.

uNi

[jjd-uk]

This info is incorrect

By default Basic mode is selected.

Standard Level is the default

[jjd-uk]

Oh and from a user perpective the levels go:

Level 0 - Basic - Limited
Level 1 - Standard - Default
Level 2 - Advanced - Will show all settings
Level 3 - Expert - Currently only a placeholder, maybe used to bring some settings from advancedsettings.xml into the GUI

[Martijn]

since when is addons also affected?

[un1versal]

This info is incorrect

By default Basic mode is selected.

Standard Level is the default

correct you are and added rest thanks.

@Martinjn Addons It was a temporary job, its not affected and updated to reflect that., relax trying to get all the facts right as they come.