I got bored at work today, so I wrote this. I sent it to archie but he might have a different one ready to go, so I figured it might help someone here
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Poopli FAQ (as of 1/22/04)
What is Poopli?
Poopli is an online database of television shows available for sharing from ReplayTV users.
Why do I need Poopli?
A centralized database of television offerings is more efficient than the typical request and pray method. With Poopli, you will know in an instant what shows are available. If a show is not listed, there is a special request section.
I still don't understand.
Basically, without Poopli, you have a very slim chance of finding another user able and willing to send you the show you want.
Ok, so how do I use it?
First, you need to create a user account. Go to http://www.poopli.com and click New User Registration. On the next page, you will be prompted to select your Replay Type (this is your model number - if you have front panel control buttons, choose 4xxx. If you don't, choose 5xxx. If you want to get fancy, choose the actual model number you own.)
Next, enter your RTV ID. This number can be found on your ReplayTV by selecting with the remote control Menu, then Setup, then Internet Identity and Address Book. If you are prompted with a screen asking you to enter in a port number or screen name, do so. (Remember the port number you choose: you will need to instruct your router to forward all incoming requests for that port to your Replay's IP.) On the actual address entry screen, your RTV ID will be the 15 digit number in the upper right hand corner.
Choose your connection speed, then enter your email address and pick a username and password. Hit submit, and then wait for the email you will receive to activate your account.
I searched and searched, and I don't see Internet Identity and Address Book. Can I still use Poopli?
In a word, no. If you don't have that option in your Settings menu, you have a 55xx series ReplayTV. These units are not capable of Internet Video Sharing.
There's no option for dial-up. Can I still use Poopli?
No. These show files are massive; over a phone line they could take weeks to transfer. Therefore, the only way to share files is through a broadband internet connection.
Ok, I'm activated. Now what?
Go to http://www.poopli.com and login with your account. You will be taken to the Show Requests screen. Here you will find all the non-specific show requests (ie, requests for shows that are not available in the database.) You may see shows that recently aired listed here: This is because the server only syncs once a day, and the database may not have updated yet to show that show as recorded. If you see a show here that you have, feel free to click on the name of the show and initiate a transfer.
How do I initiate a transfer?
On the Show Requests, Show Transfers and Show Database screens, you will see television show names in the Show colum. Each of these links are clickable. Depending on the screen, a different pop-up window will open when you click on the name.
I got a popup that says Respond to show request. What do I do?
This appears when you click on a show name on the Show Requests page or the Show Transfers page under the Show Database - Shows others are requesting from me section. This screen is only for use when you are replying to a person who has requested something.
Assuming you have the show and are willing to send it, all the information you will need to contact the person is listed on this screen. On your ReplayTV unit, hit Replay Guide and select the requested show. On the resulting pop-up menu, click Send Show. Click Add New User and enter the Replay ID. Hit Done and wait for it to contact the unit. If it is successful, select the person's name on the send screen (an X will appear in the box to the right of their name) and then select Send Show. If you get a sent successfully message, return to the Poopli pop-up and select Send Show.
If they are not successfully added, return to the Poopli pop-up and select Could not contact unit.
If you change your mind and decide not to send the show, in the Poopli pop-up select Cancel.
I see letters in the Replay ID in the pop-up, but my Replay will only let me enter in numbers. What gives?
The person who has requested the show either has a 55xx series replay or did not correctly enter their Replay ID. Select Could not contact unit and ignore the request.
How do I request a show?
There are two ways to do this. First, you should click Show Database and search for the name of the show for which you are looking. If you find it, click on the name of the show. This will take you to a page where you will be able to choose from individual episodes. If you find the one you are looking for, click the show name to the left of the correct episode. In the resulting pop-up window, simply click Request Show and the other ReplayTV owner will be notified of your request. You may also select Cancel if you decide against the transfer.
If you are unable to locate the show you want in the database, click the Request a Show option in the Poopli Menu bar. Enter in the Show Name, Episode Name (if known) and the Air Date of the show you want. Click Submit Query and your request will now be visible on the Show Requests page.
How do I share my shows?
Click on the Account tab on the Poopli menu bar. The ID you entered when you signed up for a Poopli account should be displayed. Click on that ID.
A window will pop up called Replay Unit Details. Enter in the information that corresponds to your replay. The Unit Name is the name you selected when setting up the Internet Identity and Address Book on your ReplayTV unit. Click the box that says shared, and enter your http://My.ReplayTV.com username and password. Select Update Unit when done, or Cancel to exit the screen with no changes.
You can add as many units as you have by clicking Add a Unit on the Account Details page and then following the same steps above.
What the heck is http://My.ReplayTV.com and why would I give you my password?
The only way for Poopli to know what shows you have is to login to your MyReplayTV account. That website is hosted by Digital Networks North America, the owners of ReplayTV. Every time your ReplayTV connects for a guide update, it also transfers the listings of shows currently in your Replay Guide. Once a day, Poopli connects to MyReplayTV and downloads this information to populate its Show Database.
Without entering your login information, you will be unable to share shows on Poopli, but you may still receive them. For Poopli to thrive, however, we need as many people as possible sharing their show listings.
To find out more about MyReplayTV, click Menu and then select Setup on your ReplayTV unit, then select MyReplayTV Registration. All further information can be found through there.
Ok, I've responded to a request. What now?
Now, you are at the mercy of the person receiving the show. There is no way for you to know if they have received it unless they tell you. You can go to the Show Transfers screen at any time and look under Shows I am sending. In the Progress column, you can see the percentage of the transfer that has been completed as of the date/time in the Last Updated column. If you see N/A, either the transfer has not yet begun, or the user does not wish to update the progress manually. In this case, you may click on their name under the Sent To column and ask for a status update.
If the show you sent is not appearing anywhere on that page, check the Completed Transfers page. Once a show has moved there, it is safe for you to delete it from your ReplayTV unit.
I know I sent a show, but I can't find it on either the Show Transfers or Completed Transfers screen.
You most likely have multiple ReplayTV units registered with Poopli. In the Profile pull-down menu in the upper right of the Poopli window, select another ReplayTV unit. Follow the instructions above for each ReplayTV until you find the show.
If it is still nowhere to be found, send a message to [email protected] explaining there is a possible display bug.
Someone has agreed to send me a show. What do I do?
First, check your ReplayTV unit under the Received tab. Select the show title and from the resulting pop-up select Accept Show. Check on it every few hours to track the progress, and login to Poopli to enter that percentage in by going to the Show Transfers screen and clicking the show name, then entering in the % done in the corresponding box in the resulting pop-up window.
I got the email that says it is being sent, but I have nothing under Received on my Replay. How do I get the show?
The sender may be having problems contacting your machine. Click on their name in the Show Transfers screen and send them a message explaining the problem.
Can I request the same show from multiple people?
Sure you can. However, once you start receiving that show from one person, mark any other transfer requests for that show as cancelled or completed so the other users know you do not need the show anymore.
I have a problem/question that isn't listed here.
This FAQ was written in 30 minutes off the top of my head. Post your question and I'll answer it and add it.
Poopli FAQ (as of 1/22/04)
What is Poopli?
Poopli is an online database of television shows available for sharing from ReplayTV users.
Why do I need Poopli?
A centralized database of television offerings is more efficient than the typical request and pray method. With Poopli, you will know in an instant what shows are available. If a show is not listed, there is a special request section.
I still don't understand.
Basically, without Poopli, you have a very slim chance of finding another user able and willing to send you the show you want.
Ok, so how do I use it?
First, you need to create a user account. Go to http://www.poopli.com and click New User Registration. On the next page, you will be prompted to select your Replay Type (this is your model number - if you have front panel control buttons, choose 4xxx. If you don't, choose 5xxx. If you want to get fancy, choose the actual model number you own.)
Next, enter your RTV ID. This number can be found on your ReplayTV by selecting with the remote control Menu, then Setup, then Internet Identity and Address Book. If you are prompted with a screen asking you to enter in a port number or screen name, do so. (Remember the port number you choose: you will need to instruct your router to forward all incoming requests for that port to your Replay's IP.) On the actual address entry screen, your RTV ID will be the 15 digit number in the upper right hand corner.
Choose your connection speed, then enter your email address and pick a username and password. Hit submit, and then wait for the email you will receive to activate your account.
I searched and searched, and I don't see Internet Identity and Address Book. Can I still use Poopli?
In a word, no. If you don't have that option in your Settings menu, you have a 55xx series ReplayTV. These units are not capable of Internet Video Sharing.
There's no option for dial-up. Can I still use Poopli?
No. These show files are massive; over a phone line they could take weeks to transfer. Therefore, the only way to share files is through a broadband internet connection.
Ok, I'm activated. Now what?
Go to http://www.poopli.com and login with your account. You will be taken to the Show Requests screen. Here you will find all the non-specific show requests (ie, requests for shows that are not available in the database.) You may see shows that recently aired listed here: This is because the server only syncs once a day, and the database may not have updated yet to show that show as recorded. If you see a show here that you have, feel free to click on the name of the show and initiate a transfer.
How do I initiate a transfer?
On the Show Requests, Show Transfers and Show Database screens, you will see television show names in the Show colum. Each of these links are clickable. Depending on the screen, a different pop-up window will open when you click on the name.
I got a popup that says Respond to show request. What do I do?
This appears when you click on a show name on the Show Requests page or the Show Transfers page under the Show Database - Shows others are requesting from me section. This screen is only for use when you are replying to a person who has requested something.
Assuming you have the show and are willing to send it, all the information you will need to contact the person is listed on this screen. On your ReplayTV unit, hit Replay Guide and select the requested show. On the resulting pop-up menu, click Send Show. Click Add New User and enter the Replay ID. Hit Done and wait for it to contact the unit. If it is successful, select the person's name on the send screen (an X will appear in the box to the right of their name) and then select Send Show. If you get a sent successfully message, return to the Poopli pop-up and select Send Show.
If they are not successfully added, return to the Poopli pop-up and select Could not contact unit.
If you change your mind and decide not to send the show, in the Poopli pop-up select Cancel.
I see letters in the Replay ID in the pop-up, but my Replay will only let me enter in numbers. What gives?
The person who has requested the show either has a 55xx series replay or did not correctly enter their Replay ID. Select Could not contact unit and ignore the request.
How do I request a show?
There are two ways to do this. First, you should click Show Database and search for the name of the show for which you are looking. If you find it, click on the name of the show. This will take you to a page where you will be able to choose from individual episodes. If you find the one you are looking for, click the show name to the left of the correct episode. In the resulting pop-up window, simply click Request Show and the other ReplayTV owner will be notified of your request. You may also select Cancel if you decide against the transfer.
If you are unable to locate the show you want in the database, click the Request a Show option in the Poopli Menu bar. Enter in the Show Name, Episode Name (if known) and the Air Date of the show you want. Click Submit Query and your request will now be visible on the Show Requests page.
How do I share my shows?
Click on the Account tab on the Poopli menu bar. The ID you entered when you signed up for a Poopli account should be displayed. Click on that ID.
A window will pop up called Replay Unit Details. Enter in the information that corresponds to your replay. The Unit Name is the name you selected when setting up the Internet Identity and Address Book on your ReplayTV unit. Click the box that says shared, and enter your http://My.ReplayTV.com username and password. Select Update Unit when done, or Cancel to exit the screen with no changes.
You can add as many units as you have by clicking Add a Unit on the Account Details page and then following the same steps above.
What the heck is http://My.ReplayTV.com and why would I give you my password?
The only way for Poopli to know what shows you have is to login to your MyReplayTV account. That website is hosted by Digital Networks North America, the owners of ReplayTV. Every time your ReplayTV connects for a guide update, it also transfers the listings of shows currently in your Replay Guide. Once a day, Poopli connects to MyReplayTV and downloads this information to populate its Show Database.
Without entering your login information, you will be unable to share shows on Poopli, but you may still receive them. For Poopli to thrive, however, we need as many people as possible sharing their show listings.
To find out more about MyReplayTV, click Menu and then select Setup on your ReplayTV unit, then select MyReplayTV Registration. All further information can be found through there.
Ok, I've responded to a request. What now?
Now, you are at the mercy of the person receiving the show. There is no way for you to know if they have received it unless they tell you. You can go to the Show Transfers screen at any time and look under Shows I am sending. In the Progress column, you can see the percentage of the transfer that has been completed as of the date/time in the Last Updated column. If you see N/A, either the transfer has not yet begun, or the user does not wish to update the progress manually. In this case, you may click on their name under the Sent To column and ask for a status update.
If the show you sent is not appearing anywhere on that page, check the Completed Transfers page. Once a show has moved there, it is safe for you to delete it from your ReplayTV unit.
I know I sent a show, but I can't find it on either the Show Transfers or Completed Transfers screen.
You most likely have multiple ReplayTV units registered with Poopli. In the Profile pull-down menu in the upper right of the Poopli window, select another ReplayTV unit. Follow the instructions above for each ReplayTV until you find the show.
If it is still nowhere to be found, send a message to [email protected] explaining there is a possible display bug.
Someone has agreed to send me a show. What do I do?
First, check your ReplayTV unit under the Received tab. Select the show title and from the resulting pop-up select Accept Show. Check on it every few hours to track the progress, and login to Poopli to enter that percentage in by going to the Show Transfers screen and clicking the show name, then entering in the % done in the corresponding box in the resulting pop-up window.
I got the email that says it is being sent, but I have nothing under Received on my Replay. How do I get the show?
The sender may be having problems contacting your machine. Click on their name in the Show Transfers screen and send them a message explaining the problem.
Can I request the same show from multiple people?
Sure you can. However, once you start receiving that show from one person, mark any other transfer requests for that show as cancelled or completed so the other users know you do not need the show anymore.
I have a problem/question that isn't listed here.
This FAQ was written in 30 minutes off the top of my head. Post your question and I'll answer it and add it.
