[outatouch0]

It all comes down to tagging (meta data) doesn't it? I mean, I could create a UI that allows you to pick a stored file (video or music file or even a playlist) and input the tags classifying the item selected. The UI would then build an XML file that is compatible with XBMC. But it doesn't spring forth already made unless vendors or 3rd party developers created them. Because if there is no meta data, it basically becomes a straightforward list or word search of the file name or derived from storing the files in categorized folders on the hard drive.

I know working on XBMC is great because almost anything is possible; you can develop so much in every area of the system. However, in the future would it help or hinder development to establish some rules about meta data?

I would like to be able to add/utilize search tags in the library (like certain websites use). Including custom search tags to TV SHOWS at the EPISODE LEVEL would help for sorting documentary content.

You have National Geographic, Natural World, Nature, etc. Lets say you wanted to watch something about 'Lions.' You would have to sort through all of the documentary channels individually to find the desired subject matter.
This would of course require me to could edit my .nfo files to add:
<tag>Animals&Wildlife</tag>
<tag>Lions</tag>
(not all episode titles neccesarily contain the tag word ('lions' in this eg.) desired.
Then I could create smart playlists based on the search tags. If there is a way to do this with Smart Playlists that I am not seeing please let me know.