by defrag on Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:39 pm 
Grab it here Please make sure you read all this post before jumping in!!!
v1.6 Update: Bug in numerical sorting fixed.
v1.5 Update: Ability to add multiple sort databases from the same base category (see post dated 23 March from me in this thread - will update this top post when I've time.
v1.4 Update: New plugin commands, "Refresh All" refreshes all databases. There is also an auto generated list of your categories to refresh so you can do them individually.
NOTE ON DB REFRESH: If you running this on a fat client the refresh will not work - sorry nothing I can do. It works on a stand alone or a server.
This is the results of the initial work detailed here and I was amazed how far I'd got before getting totally sidetracked by xLiveShout.
Ok, so what does this do.. well it allows you to create a sorted new category database limited to the number of records you want to create, sorted on any field available in the database. So, as a few examples, you could create the last 10 tv episodes added (if you store the date aired or added), or the top 50 music tracks if you have a way of monitoring amount played (see S Pittaways excellent xMusic plugin - http://www.xlobby.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5438)
Some instructions (you will need these). Install the contents of the zip into your plugins directory. Fire up xlobby, hit (or press) F2 to bring up the settings and goto plugins. Find the xTopPicks plugin and click configure. All being well you will be rewarded with the following dialog:
Scary stuff. The top drop down list should contain all the databases in your database folder. Like so:
If you select one then click add, the category will be parsed and filled in with the name and number of items (this is the total number of item elements).
You can then select the field you wish to sort on (note that all fields stored in the information elements are prefixed with an (i) - this is for my benefit!!!)
You then choose the type of field it is, date, numerical or text and whether you want the list ascending or descending sort.
Pick the number of records to return and whether you want to pull display name and coverart from parent items. This is really usefull, as if you are just listing tracks, you can also pull back the album name too!!! Or Series Name for TV episodes.
Ok, we have a test button - click it!!! It will scan the category to see how many records can be sorted by your options.. like so..
You have the ability to create a database now if you wish.
All databases are named xtoppicks-[your database name].xml - so if you were doing music then it would be xtoppicks-music.xml
Once you are happy, click save (the one next to test!) and it will add your configuration into the list at the right.
Finally click the save at the bottom of the dialog to save your preferences.
Make sure you click the Run at startup option if you want your database to be refreshed each time xlobby starts.
Enjoy
