This page is a (non-working) sketch exploring how simple BASH (or command-line) scripts could be used as media plugins in an ActiveArchives system. A key issue is how to balance a graphical / "end-use"-oriented interface with the flexibility of text-based scripts.

In this case the script is a "one-liner" using ffmpeg to extract a portion of a clip as an MP3 audio file. The actual script contents could be hidden by default to present a "simple" interface for those not (immediately) interested in the code. Clicking on "show script" reveals the underlying script, allowing the interface to be instructive and suggestive of how one might alter/customize the script for their own uses. The text of the script changes in response to use of the slider controls.

In keeping with a UNIX command-line style, output of the script could be either: immediately downloaded (stdout), saved to a file on the server (redirected to a file), or sent as the input to another script for further processing (piped).

The speaker is Antoinette Rouvroy presenting as part of Constant's VJ10 conference. The sketch itself makes generous use of open-source plugins, incorporating the FlowPlayer, and a standard JQuery range slider control.