Around month ago we added next webserver, site should be faster. Opensubtitles.org is now hosted on 4 servers (1 db server, 3 webservers). We changed also handling of sessions to separate memcached daemon. We decided to use Varnish as proxy, it seems it is working quite well for basic stuff - handling cookies is a little bit tricky From configuration - we also add next db server, should work as slave, so there will be hopefully more downtime, but it needs more work, which is not done yet.

I’d like to also let you know about some stats and facts about OpenSubtitles.org (1.1.2008 - 24.12.2008):

Google analytics stats for year 2008 (XMLRPC access is excluded):

• 25,525,923 Absolute Unique Visitors
• 54,344,707 Visits from 230 countries
• 210,968,180 Pageviews
• 3.88 Pages/Visit
• 31.99% Bounce Rate
• 00:03:33 Avg. Time on Site
• 45.91% % New Visits
• most visitors come from: Hungary, Brazil, Poland, France, Portugal, Finland and Czech Republic
• Browser popularity: Firefox 50%, Internet Explorer 40%, Opera 6%, Chrome 1%
• 23% increase of visitors from January to December
• 201,000 average daily visitors for last 30 days

Remember, here are not included stats from any program which use XMLRPC, or some scripts, because GA measuring is based on JS.

Some numbers from Internal statistics (357 days):

• 243,108 users registered, average 680 /day,
• 220,036 subtitles uploaded, average 618/day.
• 32,909,326 subtitles downloaded, average 92182/day, 1 second = 1 download
• in peak hours are on site 2000 web users and 1000 webservice users
• site is translated to 36 languages
• Queries per seconds in database: 30-850

Some facts from feedback:

• average feedback rate: 4.1 (from 5)
• most reported feedback: Compliment > Site content
• total of 665 feedback items

XMLRPC UploadSubtitles() was changed, now you can upload subtitles without language parameter - language of subtitles will be detected based on subtitle contents. For next improvement in XMLRPC is SearchSubtitles(), now it supports FULLTEXT searching. We also add CheckMovieHash2(), InsertMovieHash(), GetComments(). I write article about Movie Identification.

Recently was added ranking system, also users who want enjoy site without advertisment, can donate some money and become VIP members. We added direct link for downloading subtitles to RSS feed. Request area was a little bit improved, now it should show requests in right language. We added IMDB suggest to search box in search page, just write IMDB number there, for example 1129442 and you get Transporter 3

Did you ever heard of Boxee ? I love it. Basically I am watching movies on my XBOX using XBMC, which is really nice piece of software. Boxee is opensource next-generation of media center based on XBMC, I really suggest you should try it. According their blog, they will open downloads for Max and Ubuntu users at 8. January 2009, if you can not wait, just drop me mail and I will send you invitation. Windows version is in very beta stage. Boxee was one of the reason why I bought MacBook black, and I am next happy Mac user (but still developing on Windows, shame on me… Why I am also writing this? Of course it must have something with subtitles. Boxee as some other programs supports among a lot of its great features nice implementation of OpenSubtitles.org - but it needs more work. So everybody who can code in Python and like Boxee are welcome to help to develop it. I think we will hear about Boxee a LOT in future.

Guys from VSO software are giving some gifts to users. If you don’t know what I am talking about, they made really nice (at least I use it personally and I like it) piece of software called CovertXtoDVD. This program allow add subtitles to DVD - so you have movie (AVI, MPG…), you have subtitles (sub,srt…) and now you want to make a DVD with subtitles (not rendered in movie). Some time ago I publish guide how to do that. And now comes good news - they offer 20% off of all of their products for Christmas. Just click here or use coupon ” XMAS2008 ” while checking out. Their other products include: CopyToDVD, BlindWrite, VSO PhotoDVD, VSO Inspector, Image Resizer. When coupon expire - we don’t know, I think it will be valid till end of this year, so if you are thinking making some order, now is right time

Offtopic: Sometimes we are going snowboarding to Livigno, it is really nice to place for relax, and also you can buy there cheap stuff like alcohol and so on. Livigno offer FREE SKI PASS for some days in season. We made for Livigno Apartments a booking with livigno-appartements.com - they are nice guys, but just have pay attention on their page, you are on livigno-appartements.com domain and they promote livigno appartements, but they best offer Tre Signore hotel is situated 50km far from Livigno in Santa Caterina…

Anyway, that’s all folks for now, at the beggining of new year I will go to holiday, so I will not develop anything new, but then I will be back in “work” and prepare something nice for you.

Enjoy XMAS and New Year time and be happy

So if you want downloading some stuff and you want give a try, follow these simple steps:

1. Download UseNeXT client

2. Install it

3. Start it, input your email address (no spam), receive code and use it

I think it can not be more simple than this. Screen shot:

Program is localized into several languages as: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Netherlands, Romanian, Portuguese and Turkish. Client provides full access to binary groups in Usenet.

You can try it for free for full 14 days or when you download more than 1GB. After that you will decide if you like this program and you can register it from 8 EUR.

You are welcome to give a feedback what do you think about this program.

• Vom c?uta s? traduc? din englez? în alte limbi GUI ALLPLayera
• Vi søker å oversette fra engelsk til andre språk GUI ALLPLayera
• Chúng tôi tìm ??n d?ch t? ti?ng Anh vào các ngôn ng? khác GUI ALLPLayera

write me on andy@allplayer.org and you will get the ini file, that can be opened in any NotePad and you can begin translation.

This feature is working with the video editor - ALLContainer ™, which allows  automatically create chapters with screenshots or individual files on your hard disk. It let also getting subtitles in any language, album covers and the description of the movie.

Thanks to  OSD, ALLCoverFlow ™ display shows video clips on your TV. Simply press on the remote key  to select AVI MENU in  OSD and start  the 3D menu.

Guide - How to enable ALLCoverFlow ™

Step 1: Fire up the movie (ALLPlayer adds the cover and description).

Step 2: Pick the left side of the screen using the mouse cursor or a universal remote control - AVI MENU

Step 3: You will find the 3D menu (Cover Flow)

Launching the best Media Player for those who love TV shows.

1. ALLContainer & ALLMenu & ALLCoverFlow

* Enables automatic downloading and matching subtitles
* Will find the cover and a description of the movie
* Subtitles, cover and a description input to file of the movie
* Gives the possibility of adding the signature and add links to your  community
* Protect and password the file
* Adding the menu has never been so easy. Just a screen shot, and 3D menu will be established immediately
* A new way of viewing the film - you do not need to buy a Mac to enjoy own movies (ALLCoverFlow)

in the queue waiting (version 3.7)

* Adding  the cover and  description to the 3D menu
* 3D Playlista
* New OSD & better cooperation with a remote

2. LiveUpdate 2.0 - a new, more friendly and stronger than ever

* Separate place for Programs
* Added lector IVONA via liveupdate
* Improved support for DVD codecs
* Improved loading skins
* Better service codes

3. The new plugins and patches

* MKV Converter for DivX HD (Manta & Ferguson)
* OpenSubtitles.org icon in the setup
* Improved support for servers OpenSubtitles.org
* Clearer  OSD (better mouse handling sizing  of subtitles)
* Disabling the popping  subtitles from the catalogue for direct finding subtitles on OpenSubtitles.org
* Changing the size of the ALLPlayer Toolbar
* New features available at the right button of your mouse
* Better autoresume.
* Corrected  small and cumbersome errors, which were submitted to the forum

TorrentPrivacy.com - that’s the home page of the service, they make nice video tutorial, how to communication is done. They offer modified pre-configured uTorrent client, which uses SSH protocol with 128 bit encryption, so nobody can see what are you really downloading, and also helps against P2P traffic shaping. All P2P communication is done with TorrentPrivacy servers located in Europe, USA and Canada, your IP is completely hidden, so you are safe while downloading torrents.

They also configured web-proxy, so you can visit more than 300 torrent sites anonymously.

It is not free service - which basically cannot be free, but we thing prices are fair - for 100 Mbit/s and no bandwidth capping. Prices:

• One week - $2.95
• One month - $9.95
• One year - $99.95

Payments are done with SegPay (similar to PayPal, they accept major credit cards), but for one year subscription is possible to use PayPal.

We confirm that TorrentPrivacy.com is real service which helps torrent users get private while downloading through Bittorrent. We tested Torrentprivacy’s software solution and found it stable, user friendly and virus free.

We beleive that in the age when all of us are being pushed for using Bittorrent TorrentPrivacy is the right thing in the right time. If you wish to hide your personal activity while downloading through Bittorrent, then TorrenPrivacy.com is what you need for sure!

What you must do ? Not much - you must have at least 20 subtitles uploaded and write your username in comment in this post. After that you become VIP member and you can enjoy site… also you are welcome to comment how you like site as VIP member

That’s it, more to come soon

Anyway, read the initial mail I get:

Dear Manager,

Asia Network is the company of internet services that the domain registration is one of the major online style of our service range. Now we have something need to confirm with you. We hope you to cooperate with us. On Oct 14th 2008, we received an application from one person named “Karl Fischer” who wants to register some domains(opensubtitles.in opensubtitles.hk opensubtitles.sg opensubtitles.asia opensubtitles.com.tw )and internet brand(opensubtitles). According to our investigation, we found that domain names have relevance to your company’s name and trademark, so we send this email for you to confirm it. We are dealing with this affair in these days, so we wish to get the confirmation and the assent of your company. If Karl Fischer doesn’t belong to your company and you don’t authorize him to register these domains, Pls contact with me asap in order to prevent some guy from abusing your trademarks and the company names.

In addition, I must state that we have time limited for one person or one company’s registration. It is just 15 days. If your company files doesn’t resent within the time limited. We will unconditionally authorized the application of Karl Fischer. In order to deal with this issue better,please let some one who is responsible for trademark or domain name contact me asap. Thank you for your cooperate.

Best Regards,

David Lee

Sponsoring Registrar:
Asia Network
Add:UNITS A&B 15/F NEICH TOWER 128 GLOUCESTER RD WANCHAI,HK

Tel: (852)3118 1808
Fax: (852)3187 5548 /(852)3065 8189
Email: david@asianetworks.asia

Website: www.asianetworks.asia

My answer:

os>  Single registration fee:
os> (.cn/.com.cn/.net.cn/.org.cn)               Domain name:160USD/ 5 Years Per Name
os> (.hk/.tw)                                  Domain name:405USD/ 5 Years Per Name
os> (.mobi)                                   Domain name:320USD/ 5 Years Per Name
os> (.cc)                                      Domain name:340USD/ 5 Years Per Name
os> (.asia)                                     Domain name:840USD/ 5 Years Per Name
os> .Internet brand keyword:                        705EUR/ 5 Years Per Name

His answer:

Through your letter, I do not quite understand your point, Please elaborate, Waiting for your reply as soon as possible. I would like to know is that Karl Fischer is not a member of your company.

My answer:

os> DL> Through your letter, I do not quite understand your point, Please

os> you will.

os> DL> elaborate, Waiting for your reply as soon as possible. I would
os> DL> like to know is that Karl Fischer is not a member of your company.

os> Karl Fisher is not member of our company, maybe he is member of your
os> company…?

His answer:

Thank you for your prompt reply. Now I can confirm that Karl fischer doesn’t belong to your company. But you must know domain name register takes openly, it is equal for everyone to register. this is international domain name registration rule,and we only follow the basis “ first come, first serve.”so we have no right to prevent Karl Fischer’s application. Nowadays more and more cybersquatters online want to register quantities of domains , then they will resell these domains for another company or another guy by high prices. Then they can earn high profits. So inform your company to protect your interest. But as the company whose trademarks relate to the applied domains,so you will have the priority to register in order to prevent other guy from abusing your trademarks.

If you have business in asia or you want to develop business in asia in the near future, so I think these domain names are very important for you! Of course, each company has their own idea. If you don’t think their application will affect your company, you can give up, we will finish their registration. But if you think these domain names are useful for your company, we can send an application form to you and help you register these within dispute period. This is the only way to prevent domain name grab.Pls let us know your decision as soon as possible.

My answer:

os> thanks for fast reply, send application form.

His answer:

Sorry to trouble you!We haven’t received your reply so far.do you mean that you want to give up the registration?if so,we will sign the registration agreement with Karl Fischer. you will be responsible for the loss caused by the matter yourself.Otherwise,if you want to register these domain names go head instead of our client,we can send the application form and registration procedure to you.You have preferential right to register these domain names,if you have any questions,contact me freely.

My answer:

os> in my last mail I wrote you you can send application form, that means
os> you can send application form and registration procedure with prices.

His answer:

Thanks for your letter.if you want to register these domain names,Pls assist us, and operate according to the following procedures:

1.Fill in the application form which contains the cost of registration, send the form back.

2.We will cancel Karl Fischer registration after receiving your application form. And we will help you to register these domain names and internet brand under the name of your company.

3.We will send a invoice to you.

4.We will finish your registration completely after receiving the payment. And send the certificates to you.

Attached you will find the introduction of Internet brand and the application form, pls check, Wishing to confirm your decision ,If you have any questions, pls feel free to contact us.

he send this file.

My answer:

os> ok, thanks for info. I know this mail is scam from beginning, if you
os> remember, my first answer was:

os> Single registration fee:
os> (.cn/.com.cn/.net.cn/.org.cn) Domain name:160USD/ 5 Years Per Name
os> (.hk/.tw) Domain name:405USD/ 5 Years Per Name
os> (.mobi) Domain name:320USD/ 5 Years Per Name
os> (.cc) Domain name:340USD/ 5 Years Per Name
os> (.asia) Domain name:840USD/ 5 Years Per Name
os> .Internet brand keyword: 705EUR/ 5 Years Per Name

os> so now you changed the prices alittle bit, and it should be:

os> .in Domain name:85USD/ year .hk Domain name:75USD/ year
os> .sg Domain name:100USD/ year .asia Domain name:75USD/ year
os> .com.tw Domain name:75USD/ year Internet Brand:145USD/ year

os> I know the real prices for domains, I am not stupid…

os> Anyway, you are really famous, I think I will write about you on my
os> blog also, so you will be more famous even. I am looking for next
os> scam from you.

os> http://trusted.md/feed/items/system/2008/01/29/asia_domain_name_registration_scam
os> http://www.google.co.th/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&hs=YJU&q=karl+fischer+domain+scam&btnG=Search&meta=

His answer:

You are not registered or not registered, this is not my business, the first: You said that the cost of five years, and I am talking about the cost of a year, second: Since the money will certainly help you register, we are afraid Chi Guansi it? It is impossible not to register, and when you look to your company’s name known, At that time you will know the look.

My answer:

os> you dont understand me. You are scammer. There is a lot of things
os> write about you on internet, read that, if you dont know, I post a
os> links.

os> I can register those domains for 1/2 prices, if not cheaper.

os> I dont understand, how you can sleep properly. You are not afraid
os> somebody will go to your place and will kill you ?

His answer:

fuck you

I copy text from ALLPlayer blog, where is explanation Why ALLPlayer?

We know that for non English speaking people, watching movies without subtitles is a pain. We took it very seriously and built the most advanced MediaPlayer that was in the process of creation and development for 15 years. All the needs of the users (2 mln unique users worldwide) sends us their queries for features that we build in. With our MediaPlayer you can discover special IQ TEXT technology that enables you to watch movies with even wrong written subtitles. If you have problems with codecs or your PC is weak to play Internet Content, the LiveUpdate service is at hand to clean, update and fix your playback problems. Years of experience let us create the best breed of codec packs available at one place.

ALLPlayer is great spreaded in Poland, but not so well known in other countries. Personally I still use Media Player Classic, but this is big competitor, because for its subtitle support Some of features:

• play all multimedia files likes: MKV, DivX, Xvid, Flash, QuickTime, DVD, MP3, FLAC…
• subtitles to voice - you can hear subtitles
• Live Update - for latest codecs
• repair corrupted media files
• OpenSubtitles support (download, upload, vote for subtitles,…)
• take a snapshot of movie
• various skins
• IQ Text - better subtitles handling
• ALLtoAVI - Convert mkv, mp4 or any format to avi
• Better support for HD movies, Playlists, PrivateDRM and many more

Screenshots:

1. Basic skin of ALLPLayer

2. Subtitle settings

3. Downloading subtitles

Download ALLPlayer and let us know, if you like it. I’d like to see this nice subtitles features in more multimedia players.