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Suggestions for improving the Now Playing List
As we can see with all the topics here, there are still a lot of issues to improve, so that songbird can be THE PLAYER (I strongly believe it's just a matter of time). One of them is the Now Playing List. I know there's an add-on, but I think it doesn't function as it should, not to mention it shouldn't be an add-on but be in the core.
Well, but here's a list of suggestions for the Now Playing List:
- The way I see it, every mp3 I start to play should immediately be added to the Now Playing List.
- I should also be able to right click a song and choose "Play Now" (starting immediately, no matter if there's another track being played), "Play Next" (scheduled to play after the current song) or "Play Last" (adds the song to the end of the current Now Playing List).
- These options should also be available directly from within the file directory: "Play Now on Songbird", "Play Next on Songbird" and "Play Last on Songbird".
- The Now Playing List should also keep track of the tracks I've already heard, not only the one I'm listening to or the ones who follow it. Currently, it eliminates the songs I've heard as it gets along.
- To finish this list, I think the tracks I chose for the Now Playing List in one songbird session should be there on the following. I mean that if I have to close songbird I would like to keep listening to my selection of tracks the next time I open it
These suggestions and others have been made in several topics by more users. In order to keep track of them I've made a selection:
"We should also be able to right click on a mp3 on our desktop and add to songbird's now playing list whether it is there default player or not and whether it is running or not. And when an mp3 is being played it is automatically added to the Now playing list. the now playing list should also automatically save, without having to create a new custom playlist."
Source: http://gsfn.us/t/k2i
"The second one is implementing a "Now Playing" list, without the use of an add-on... Adding items to a playlist and then playing that is not really the same... When you double-click a file in the library, it should be added to "Now Playing", and start to play. =)"
Source: http://gsfn.us/t/k2k
"The NOW PLAYING LIST MUST BE ROLLED INTO THE CORE. now i would suggest the now playing list to be an entirely different section where songbird would have 2 tabs, "now playing" and "library" like realplayer, where under this tab there would also be VISUALIZATIONS (a very important aspect) the now playing list should also be saved without having to create a new playlist and whenever we open a file from our default music directory it shouldn't be added to the library, i mean its very annoying. i have to end up deleting a bunch of broken video shortcuts when im done watching them. and of course "Add to songbirds now playing list" is a must have feature upon right click on a file."
Source: http://gsfn.us/t/k2u
"I also think that a Now Playing screen is a basic component of a media player. (I know there is an add-on for this, but that seems to be something that is essential without having to use plug-in)"
Source: http://gsfn.us/t/k2e
"the ́"now" playing add on must be an integrated feature coming with the core install."
Source: http://gsfn.us/t/k2j
Thanks for paying attention!
Well, but here's a list of suggestions for the Now Playing List:
- The way I see it, every mp3 I start to play should immediately be added to the Now Playing List.
- I should also be able to right click a song and choose "Play Now" (starting immediately, no matter if there's another track being played), "Play Next" (scheduled to play after the current song) or "Play Last" (adds the song to the end of the current Now Playing List).
- These options should also be available directly from within the file directory: "Play Now on Songbird", "Play Next on Songbird" and "Play Last on Songbird".
- The Now Playing List should also keep track of the tracks I've already heard, not only the one I'm listening to or the ones who follow it. Currently, it eliminates the songs I've heard as it gets along.
- To finish this list, I think the tracks I chose for the Now Playing List in one songbird session should be there on the following. I mean that if I have to close songbird I would like to keep listening to my selection of tracks the next time I open it
These suggestions and others have been made in several topics by more users. In order to keep track of them I've made a selection:
"We should also be able to right click on a mp3 on our desktop and add to songbird's now playing list whether it is there default player or not and whether it is running or not. And when an mp3 is being played it is automatically added to the Now playing list. the now playing list should also automatically save, without having to create a new custom playlist."
Source: http://gsfn.us/t/k2i
"The second one is implementing a "Now Playing" list, without the use of an add-on... Adding items to a playlist and then playing that is not really the same... When you double-click a file in the library, it should be added to "Now Playing", and start to play. =)"
Source: http://gsfn.us/t/k2k
"The NOW PLAYING LIST MUST BE ROLLED INTO THE CORE. now i would suggest the now playing list to be an entirely different section where songbird would have 2 tabs, "now playing" and "library" like realplayer, where under this tab there would also be VISUALIZATIONS (a very important aspect) the now playing list should also be saved without having to create a new playlist and whenever we open a file from our default music directory it shouldn't be added to the library, i mean its very annoying. i have to end up deleting a bunch of broken video shortcuts when im done watching them. and of course "Add to songbirds now playing list" is a must have feature upon right click on a file."
Source: http://gsfn.us/t/k2u
"I also think that a Now Playing screen is a basic component of a media player. (I know there is an add-on for this, but that seems to be something that is essential without having to use plug-in)"
Source: http://gsfn.us/t/k2e
"the ́"now" playing add on must be an integrated feature coming with the core install."
Source: http://gsfn.us/t/k2j
Thanks for paying attention!
I’m confident
174
people like this idea
I like this idea!
Tell me when this idea gets some attention.
The more people who like this idea, the more it gets noticed.
The more people who like this idea, the more it gets noticed.
The company has this under consideration.
The best point from the company
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So what Donalb is saying is, I am due for a promotion? :-P
Ok, look, I get that you, nicbot and probably even the silent majority here are all frustrated, and even if you don't want me to say I hear you, I actually really do. And that's my job, to hear you and pass your feedback on to the developers.
That being said, Donalb actually made my point for me in spades. We have a handful of developers, (of which I am not, btw) a thousand things on fire, a million things to do, and not enough time to do it all.
Today this sounds like the most important thing on the list, but a month ago it was CD rip/burn and EQ both of which we are currently working on for our next release.
We do listen, we do NOT just say uh huh, yeah right, whatever, but I do not have anything else to report right now. When I do, I assure you I won't hold back.
I’m all yeah, uh huh, I hear ya...
4 people think
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The best points from everyone
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Firstly,
I love the way this thread has taken a life of it's own!
Secondly,
I've released a new version, which addresses most people's concerns. The three big improvements are filtering/searching is independent of the list, shuffling is integrated (no more disabled shuffled buttons, and extra randomise buttons) and column sorting works.
Unfortunately I couldn't get the feature where double clicking on a track queues it up, instead of replacing the now playing list. I was soo close, but there's a weird bug in Songbird itself preventing me from doing the final step. I shouldn't be telling you this but go to about:nowplayinglist for a taste of what I was gonna do. That page won't do anything though, it's just there to look pretty for the moment.
Cheers!
6 people think
this is one of the best points
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Why not let the user decide what happens on double click?
- Songbird should incorporate several playlist options (such as "play", "enqueue next", "enqueue last" etc) in a "mouse control" menu and give the user the possibility to choose from several actions (such as click on a song/album/link, double click, click+key combination) and thus make the controls completely customizable.
Concerning the problem of losing your current playlist by accidentally double-clicking etc:
- Songbird should provide an option to undo changes to your playlist, e.g. in the playlist's context menu (MediaMonkey has this) or as playlist control buttons.
- Furthermore, drag+drop for as many parts of the application as possible should be available, as it's the most intuitive way of using a program.
I’m hopeful
5 people think
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I didn't see this mentioned yet, but maybe a solution to the problem of some people wanting a song to play on double click and some wanting it to enqueue could be that the user has to hold down a key such as alt while double clicking for the track to enqueue, otherwise it will just play. In fact, maybe it could just be alt and single click so people don't have to worry about resetting the list they were making if they accidentally just double click because they aren't pressing alt hard enough. I used to use Winamp back in the day and I think it could do something similar.
3 people think
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Instead of starting a new thread, I thought I would add here that all lists in Songbird lack the ability to drag'n'drop.
To better illustrate my point, the feature I speak of is standard in Media Monkey. The user may re-arrange the tracks in their library view or playlist via dragging. Furthermore, the user may drag a track from their library view onto their playlist.
Having "Play Next" and "Play Last" available from a right click menu can be streamlined by the ability to drag and drop within a list and/or to another list (i.e. from Library view to Now Playing List). My main concern is to be able to re-arrange a playlist to my preferance.
My 2 cents.
3 people think
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after all the hassle today I also like to add my five cents.......
if you look at the "idea kitchen"
http://wiki.songbirdnest.com/User:Ste...
it is obvious that the priorities of the users of the getsatifaction panel are very
mature and sensible for a media-mp3 player software (still they like the farting).
first priority: "sound" (this is the!!!!! basic function")
second priority: library sorting (this is a i-tunes feature....that comes along with downloading and buying music on the net and not paying attention to your file managing. This is very much the "APPLE" way of intuitive and user friendly)
third priority: the way of keeping library and actual playlist separate.
this can be called the "winamp" way.
the next thing people agree upon is to make songbird a bigger success.
and on place number five: is the burning /ripping option that is scheduled for ISAN.
I think that all the people that are collected on this thread (I feel its 500 posts) for one or the other reason have some sentiments for the bird.
And all of them really wish that it will become as successful as firebird.
however judging from the different background people come from (Itunes /Winamp- style) their demands are different (something very understandable).
After following this board for quite some time I have the feeling that the software and developers are more attracted to the apple way of things.....(the ipod add-on always is a high priority).
However the Company has to keep in mind that Apple is trying to sell the whole package and if SOngbird concentrates on winning and keeping Macusers primarily they must be aware that a proprietary company can always lock them out!
This is already apparent when you look at the problems with the "IPOD"touch.
I understand that Laura only means it well when she appreciates the great activity within this thread. And I like it that she expresses it because of her own fascination with songbird and the community.
because from what I see her main job is to really help people that use this forum for the first time trying to get answers how to work the program and to survey for new ideas and channel them to bugzilla.
You do a great JOB!
But I also understand NICBOT and all the others who feel frustrated for they miss some more official answer or statement.
I that if you analyze the survey you did some time ago you can find out what your
your user and potential for growth are.
My feeling is that the songbird could very much profit from the suggeastion to appeal to both haters AND lovers of i-tunes.
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/t...
Finally, I think it is fair and good that the developers don`t spend their time on this forum but instead of this really work on the bird.
You did a great job on: stability, file sorting, GSTREAMER, and memory consumption.
You rule! PRAISE!!!!!!!
But concerning the now Playing issue:
pleas either mark it:
the company is workin on this
or
the company is considering this
or (as with the icons)
the company has no plans to do this.
Thanks for reading.
I’m missing it, but loving the bird
4 people think
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Of course the devs care, after all they're designing a product and if nobody likes it then nobody will use it and they will go out of business. It's in thier best interest to build the best player possible. There are lots of things which I'd ike to see included ranging from the particularly simple (eg fade out instead of stop) to the somewhat improbable (eg make me a grilled cheese sandwhich with the album art of the current track lightly taosted on to the front) but at the end of the day, we can't expect it all to happen at once. Rome wasn't built in a day etc etc. It's plain that plenty of notice is taken of the discussions on GetSat, by add-on authors and coders alike. If, like me, you don't fall in to that category, maybe this should serve as motivation to learn how we can do something of use to contribute - test a nightly or help out with simple problems on getsat, spread the word etc before we complain too loudly.
I’m determined to contribute something despite not knowing my C from my VB
4 people think
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Hi, I'd just like to add something. I've been using Winamp for a number of years now, but it's lack of significant development lately has encouraged me to try other music players. Songbird is at the top of my list. However, I plan on uninstalling Songbird within a few minutes and waiting for it to mature due mainly to this problem (that, and the poor interface). The "Now Playing" add-on is nice, and is definitely a step in the right direction, however, it is far from ideal.
When I double-click on a song, it should be added to my "Now Playing" list, and ONLY that song should be added. I simply cannot stand that when I tell Songbird to play it song, it automatically queues my entire library. I'm sorry, but I find this behavior completely unusable.
This is one thing that Winamp does PERFECTLY. Please check out Winamp and look into how playlists and the media library are implemented. Just because iTunes doesn't disassociate the two concepts doesn't make it right.
Also, as stated, the main program should have this implemented by default. In fact, the program as a whole should be modeled around this system, rather than the afterthought add-on that is available.
Songbird is a great piece of software. It just needs a lot of work before I can find it to be a feasible alternative.
4 people think
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This is most certainly a core feature of a media player.
The lack of this as part of a default songbird install is one of the applications greatest weaknesses. When non technical people don't immediately realize where to find it, they are unlikely to look for an extension. They are more likely to simply assume it doesn't exist and use another media player.
This should not be marked as "implemented".
I’m irritated that this thread is marked as implemented.
3 people think
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The Now Playing add on is nice, but needs to be more robust. Songbird as a company needs to embrace it and fix it, and not just refer to it, otherwise this core basic feature of a media player (queue song, play next) reflects on Songbird application as a whole, as half-baked.
I’m hopeful.
8 people think
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@moshy
Thanks for the update. I'm looking forward to see your plugin updated and working with 1.0. Have you ever talked with the developers regarding integrating your addon into the core? As you can it is very often requested here.
The idea to modify the current or create a new playlist is a very good one. Maybe a dropdown switcher for the playlists as I already suggested would be nice.
One comment for your screenshot: The options "Remove it from the queue" and "Scroll the list to the next track" should be able to work at the same time. Imagine you made a list which you want to play randomly. After playing a song you want to remove it and you also want the list to scroll to the next track. So please make checkboxes for these options instead of radio buttons.
One more thing. Let me insert here Winamp screenshot with a short description of it's behavior:
I think this is what most people (including me) are looking for.
7 people think
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How has this earned "The company implemented this idea."?? By an addon that has not been updated to work with the current version as of yet? I don't see any built in implementation of this 'idea'. Please advise or mark this thread 'outdated' if it is.
Although I love the addon capability of Songbird and will continue to, I am slowly starting to feel that Songbird is going to become a victim of it's own design.
Main issue; If an integral feature of a media player (ie- Now Playing window) is only available by an addon, then the end user is bound to that authors ability to update his addon promptly with every major release. This gets compounded with each addon the user chooses to incorporate in their setup.
I realize that Songbird is still young, but I feel this needs some review.
This specific feature should NOT be an addon and should be included in the core build.
Just my thoughts.
I’m ...yeah.
5 people think
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Hello Moshy!
Thanks for paying attention to the suggestions made. I think the new version is a step forward, although there's still a lot to get better, as the add-on is yet a little buggy.
Anyway, I've been testing it, but only now did I have the time to post here.
I found a significant number of bugs. Which leads me to think that somehow one should make a reflection on why is this add-on needed and what it should exactly do.
In my opinion it should simply keep track of what was played, what's playing and what will be played, and of course give the user the chance to add new songs and change the order they're supposed to play.
Let me try to describe the behaviour I'm thinking:
- Situation 1 - I open SB. Double click a song in the library or in a playlist. It starts playing. In this situation there should be a Now Playing option that basically would show the double clicked song and the ones who follow it in the library or playlist.
- Situation 2 - I double click another song in the library or playlist. The same thing happens, clearing the previous selection. However if I do this from within the Now Playing list I'm simply skipping the song that was being played and playing a new one.
- Situation 3 - I find a new song in the library or playlist that I want to listen to. I right click it and choose "Queue Now". By doing this I'm adding this song to the previously chosen selection, interrupting the song that was playing and starting this new one.
- Situation 4 - I find a new song in the library or playlist that I want to listen to. I right click it and choose "Queue Next". Once again I'm adding this new song to the selection, although this time it doesn't interrupt playback. It will only start once the current song ends.
- Situation 5 - I find a new song in the library or playlist that I want to listen to. I right click it and choose "Queue Last". This way I'm adding the chosen song to the end of the previous selection.
- Situation 6 - I'm checking the Now Playing list. I decide to change the playback order. I have the possibility to drag songs up or down and then drop them in their new position. This should be a possibility in every SB playlist, but not in the library.
- Situation 7 - I'm checking the Now Playing list. Just like it presently happens, I can reorder the tracks in the list by album, track title... However when I do this, I'm not reordering the entire library or playlists.
- Situation 8 - I close songbird, putting a stop to my selection. I open it again. The selection I had made is still there, so I can keep listening to it.
This is in a very simplistic way, how I think this add-on should behave. I'm probably forgetting something. If that's the case, I'm sorry.
Anyway, having this into consideration, here are some (re)suggestions:
- It should be possible to queue songs from playlists. Right now one can only do it from within the library.
- As I've said in my original post, I think the Play Queue should keep track of the tracks I've already heard, not only the one I'm listening to or the ones who follow it. Right now it still eliminates the songs as they get to be played.
- I think there should be an icon to represent Play Queue in the tree. It would look a whole lot better as it would integrate better with the SB design.
- Once again, as I said in my original post, I think that when I close songbird, putting a stop to my selection, I expect it to remember that selection the next time I open it. This still doesn't happen.
- The usual behaviour when double clicking a song is to eliminate the previously chosen selection to start a new one. This means, as someone said, that in order to prevent this behaviour, the user should be able to decide what a double click does or, at least, have the chance to undo the double click who ruined the selection made.
- If you think double clicking should behave as I've said before, then there should be a "Queue Now" option, that basically would interrupt playback, starting to play the new song without eliminating the selection made.
This is it. I hope this post, can be of some help to discuss what this add-on and Songbird should do on this matter.
Keep up the work.
I’m hoping these suggestions can be taken into consideration
5 people think
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Hi,
I have an idea, which might be close to this one, so I'll post it here.
The latest 0.7 version is very nice but it has some usability issues for me. Especially regarding playlists. Usually I have no idea from which playlist are songs currently playing. As I already posted in bugzilla, Songbird should scroll down to the currently played song and highlight it. But I would go a little further. First let's see my sketch:
As you can see, there's not much difference compared to how Songbird looks now. One small difference is to move the Albumart to the top left corner. Another thing is a playlist panel on the right side. On top there should be a dropdown box with playlists like default, browser results and any other user defined. If a song in the table below browser panels is doubleclicked, it will be added to the right playlist. Also if I doubleclick an album or artist in a browser panel, it should be added to playlist. The playlist should look like the one in Amarok 2.
Then since there are many UMPCs and MIDs computers on their way, I think we would need a different UI for these devices. There 2 big reasons: small display and touch navigation. So I would split the functionality into 3 tabs. My idea is this:
3 people think
this is one of the best points
Due to volume, only the 15 most recent replies are being displayed
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Inappropriate?I agree with this post! The absence of now playing is the most severe flaw in Songbird and adding this kind of functionality to the core should be the absolute number one priority. The available extension doesn't really do what it's supposed to...
I'd also like to add that please don't forget to add a proper API: I'd like to see extension like Smarty Pants merge themselves into standard NP-list.
Offtopic
Songbird's really got the potential to become the best music player. This is one of the few important steps needed. From my point of view the others might be:
- Complete session saving when Songbird is closed
- Working media key support on all system (couldn't get the extension hacks to work on linux)
- Easily customizable panes: drag-n'-drop, ability to add new panes, ability to move extension content from pane to another and last+least improved tabbing system (currently you need 2 clicks: open menu, switch tab)
I’m excited and waiting!
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Inappropriate?I agree with the idea. The only thing that Songbird misses for being THE PLAYER is some way of having a songs queue.
I’m sure they'll make it
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Inappropriate?When I updated to 1.2, the Now Playing list became a lot more functional. I think it was an update to the extension, though. Maybe the devs can just ask the developer of that add-on for permission to work it into the core code? :) -
Inappropriate?I think it would be cool if, when creating Now Playing List, the media player could queue songs from the local library and from internet sources. Possible internet music sources are Youtube, Last.fm, a particular station from Pandora, or even something simple like music in Sky Drive for hotmail users.
Hypothetical situation: I want to fall asleep to a playlist, and I want to hear
Stu's Tiger Song from the Hangover in that playlist, but I do not own that particular
song. If I could drag a link into the playlist or type out the url of the desired media, that would be awesome.
I think that this feature utilizes the strengths of having an integrated browser and media player. -
Inappropriate?^ With that you're going to have to either limit the songs in CC only or make it unable to just copy propriety music into your own filesystem. Something like musicovery.com could be used. Where you can listen, but not download.
I think getting songs from Youtube will be quite hard to implement, and youtube videos are recorded in mono, anyway. So it's not very good to listen to compared to stereo.1 Comment Add a comment
This is one of the best points
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Muziic has something similar http://www.muziic.com/ I'm sure something like that could be implemented as a plugin in Songbird, but it's just a matter of finding the time and coding skills to do it -
Inappropriate?Below there are few features which should be considered to be further implemented to NPL:
- Resume playing list after restart of SB: just resume the list and start playing from last played song;
- Autoscroll the list - so that the currently playing song is always visible on the list;
- Automatically find played song on list after searching - much handy if you have several thousand songs in the list.
All three suggestions are standard features in e.g. Winamp.
Cheers,
Damian
1 person thinks
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Inappropriate?I'm very happy with the latest version of NPL. Finally there is the feature to queue song by double clicking it. Thanks a lot moshy for this improvement. Also would it be possible to add this possibility to filter panes? I can use Drag&Drop, but doubleclick is much more comfortable.
1 person thinks
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This reply was removed on 08/28/09.
see the change log -
Inappropriate?I thought it would be useful if in context menu there is "play now" option instead of only "queue next/last" - sometimes you just want to play single song and not to remove all play list.
Moreover, the "status bar" in the lower right corner (where currently queued items are counted, just above the last.fm icon) should also show the total time of those songs - currently SB doesn't inform you about the total length of your playlist, which isn't helpful at all :)
