Some recent reviews and sightings of Songbird crossed my radar recently. Mostly words of love (thanks guys!), with some good feature requests. Given that I’m a glass-is-half-full kinda guy, I choose to interpret them as RFEs instead of criticisms 
So howzabout it? I’ve summarised the RFEs from the 3 blogs here, and reworded them slightly in the hopes of convincing you, my gentle reader, to feel inspired to develop an add-on to supply said functionality 
- Library Management
- This should be an add-on which helps manage the filesystem backing a user’s media library. For a start, it could be what iTunes does; namely organise your library into a folder/file hierarchy like: Music/Artist/Album/Track.mp3.
- Add the ability to delete a track from the filesystem (this could perhaps be done as an overlay on the contextual menu to add a “Purge Track” option to delete the file in addition to removing it from the library
- Library Tab Management
- If the library is already open in an existing tab, clicking on the “Library” in the servicepane should switch to the active tab instead of changing the contents of the current tab.
- Party Shuffle
- This one is also one I’d love to have. I will personally buy a 6-pack out of my own pocket for anyone who implements this.
- skyfaller describes it in good detail on his blog entry
- This one is also one I’d love to have. I will personally buy a 6-pack out of my own pocket for anyone who implements this.
11 Comments
SubscribeI really like to see a library management system, especially a customisable one.
Thanks for listening (and linking)!
I personally hate itunes behaviour, having this strict “Music/Artist/Album/Track.mp3″ sorting going at the directory level. i like to access my music both from songbird AND from the explorer, so if songbird started to mess with my folder structure i think i would run into difficulties finding some tracks… especially from multi-artist compilations and so on….
so if you’re implementing this, please make it customizable or “opt-out-able”
I agree with the rest, tho… bring it on!
Have you considered working with the Creative Commons people? If not, you should especially consider coordinating with ccMixter, Magnatune and Jamendo. It’s free music for the existing users of Songbird and integration would provide incentive for adoption within the CC music scene. It would provide additional exposure and mutual benefit to both projects. It’s just a thought and you’re welcome to take it or leave it. However, I do believe this would be a great opportunity for the Creative Commons scene and the Songbird project. Cheers!
Peter Casey
I like all of those addons. I really like the way iTunes organizes my music. I’m very album driven in my purchases so that hierarchy works well for me.
I, too, like the library management tools idea. I can also see the need to “opt out” as mentioned above.
One other thing that came to mind was a way to have the “library” (organized music file structure) and the “incoming” folder. When I get new music from the net (blogs, etc), I’m never sure I want to have it in the library until I decide I like it. For me, new music is “quarantined” in my incoming music folder, and then pushed into the library when i decide i like it enough. It would be nice to have this sort of capability for the library management tools.
I also like the idea of joining forces with the Creative Commons Community.
Party shuffle, and deleting tracks from inside SB.
Those two are the ones I want the most.
Too bad I can’t code.
@superkoop: it’s never too late to learn
I think this is expected behaviour for most people now, so I’m wondering if it should be an add-on, or a standard (optional) feature. At the very least, it should be one of the Add-ons you choose on first-run.
A lot of people have this misconception that iTunes forces you to give up control on where your files are. People moan about it all the time, and it’s wrong. If people looked in Preferences, they’d see the options.
Equally, lots of people (probably the majority) like iTunes to organise their music. Those people would find an Add-on even more difficult to find and may not even complain, but go straight back to iTunes.
So I’d make this is a standard question to ask on first-run of Songbird. “How would like to organise your music files?” something like “Let Songbird organise them for me” or “I will organise the files myself”. You could also say to users that more advanced options are available in Preferences/Options.
It’s a fundamental feature, so make it as clear as humanly possible for the users who don’t like to explore.
Chris
@Stevel
Oh I have been trying to learn how to code (Python and Ruby) for the past year or so, on and off. But I still try, and I continue to look into various programs source to help me get it figured out.
I’m hoping that one day it will just kinda like, click, and I’ll understand it and be able to help out coding programs. Until then, I’ll just keep reading and experimenting.
I am very enthusiastic about Songbird. I am not able, however, to find answers to two questions I have.:
)
1. Is smart or auto playlists being considered (Please say yes… sincerely
2. Any estimate of when the first official release of Songbird will be?
and…. Could you PLEASE include an equalizer?
I use Itunes, but have been going between that and mediamonkey. From what I am seeing, everyone I point to songbird, as well as myself.. are drooling and INPATIENTLY awaiting the official release. PLEASE give me a period…. even a ‘not likely before X date. Because, the wait and the not knowing is killing ALL of us.
I especially like Chris’s post .
LOVING What I am seeing on Songbird.
Jahk