Introduction
I am creating this article for my Windows Azure Developer Contest entry. I have been wanting to create a personal library to keep track of all of my movies and video games. I hope that I can create a general outline and eventually expand this library to my books. I would also like to make a slight spin off that will allow me to enter in recipes that I normally use.
Once I have created a base for my library, I would like to add a user log-in aspect where my friends can see what I have in my library. I will also extend the library functionality to them, allowing them to set up and create their own personal library of items.
After I have multiple users and libraries set up, I would like to implement a sharing system that allows users to request movies/games, and "check out" items to other users. This functionality will allow my friends and I to see what each others has and borrow games and movies while keeping track of who has what and who has borrowed what.
Background
One of the main reasons I decided to pursue this project is that I realized that friends and family members have been borrowing movies and games and I forgot who has what and occasionally don't get them back.
I have a few ideas of how to accomplish the database side:
Movies Video Games User
Title Title User Name
Format Format First Name
Description Description Last Name
Owner Owner Email
Checked out to Checked out to Gamer tags (User Names)
Genre Genre
Rating Rating
Actors Number of Players
Director Online
Run Time Co-Op
Studio Publisher
Using Azure
This will be my first project using Azure, so I am excited that be working on this. I see great benefits in being able to expand my library as needed as I add movies and games (and books, etc.) as well as being able to do really quick searches on the fly both on a desktop and a mobile device.
Next Steps
- Getting Started - Completed!
- Build a Website
- I will be creating a website that will give a basic page with a log in screen and create users. There will also be links to my library as a general overview in which everything is shown on a high level. You will them be able to drill down into the movies and games. If time permits, I will try and add search functionality.
- Using SQL on Azure - I will create multiple databases (Movies, Games, Users) that will work with each other to complete all of the data. If possible, I will try to use APIs to pull in extra data about the contents.
- Virtual Machines
- Using the VM will
improve scalability, speed up searches, and enhance the user's experience.
- Mobile Access - A mobile application will allow a user to quickly look up his library and see what he has, and then check what is checked out. The user will also be able to view his friends and their libraries as well as request to borrow a game.
Points of Interest
Coming Soon!
History
Coming Soon!
