last.fm screensaver aggregator

Page 1 of 21 2 Next

- lukeweb said...
- Subscriber
- 7 Sep 2005, 19:36
last.fm screensaver aggregator

Hi, I've been working on a little random project of my own that I'd like to share with you all for thoughts - right now it's hard coded for personal use, in that it only supports 1280x1024 and the user lukeweb, but if anyone thought there was any potential interest in this, I'd probably be willing to open it up to general use.
Some screenshots follow, to give you an idea of what it does. Your thoughts are really really appreciated.
Basically it downloads and parses recent submissions, weekly top 10 artists and tracks and displays each 'chart'. It also includes some Winamp support, so will show the name of the current playing track as well as its cover art (retrieved via a last.fm query). Also, just to stop things getting too stale, if it fails to download content (ie. if last.fm is down or there's a local connection error) it takes the user to a basic winamp frame, showing current track info and allowing simple navigation around Winamp features.
Screenshots:
http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfm/downloading.jpg
^ Screen shown whilst downloading info...
http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfm/top10.jpg
^ Main chart display
http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfm/nowplaying.jpg
^ Current Winamp song and cover art shown, if available
http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfm/spotlight.jpg
^ Tracks are chosen at random to be the 'spotlight', where additional info is given
http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfm/winamp.jpg
^ If the connection fails, the user is taken to a custom Winamp skin until it is restored.

Thanks for taking a looooook :)

[quote][b][user]lukeweb[/user][/b] said: Hi, I've been working on a little random project of my own that I'd like to share with you all for thoughts - right now it's hard coded for personal use, in that it only supports 1280x1024 and the user lukeweb, but if anyone thought there was any potential interest in this, I'd probably be willing to open it up to general use. Some screenshots follow, to give you an idea of what it does. Your thoughts are really really appreciated. Basically it downloads and parses recent submissions, weekly top 10 artists and tracks and displays each 'chart'. It also includes some Winamp support, so will show the name of the current playing track as well as its cover art (retrieved via a last.fm query). Also, just to stop things getting too stale, if it fails to download content (ie. if last.fm is down or there's a local connection error) it takes the user to a basic winamp frame, showing current track info and allowing simple navigation around Winamp features. Screenshots: http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfm/downloading.jpg ^ Screen shown whilst downloading info... http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfm/top10.jpg ^ Main chart display http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfm/nowplaying.jpg ^ Current Winamp song and cover art shown, if available http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfm/spotlight.jpg ^ Tracks are chosen at random to be the 'spotlight', where additional info is given http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfm/winamp.jpg ^ If the connection fails, the user is taken to a custom Winamp skin until it is restored. Thanks for taking a looooook :) [/quote]

Permalink Quote
- Xon said...
- User
- 8 Sep 2005, 15:33
Very Interesting. Is this a general screen saver that can be used on windows XP? If so I'd like a copy of it.

[quote][b][user]Xon[/user][/b] said: Very Interesting. Is this a general screen saver that can be used on windows XP? If so I'd like a copy of it. [/quote]

Permalink Quote
- 777GOD777 said...
- User
- 8 Sep 2005, 16:16
I agree, very cool idea. I'd be interested in using it.

I don't use winamp or even have it installed however. Would that cause it to choke?

A live and kicking hardcore group.... only for the TRUE GABBERS:->Army of Hardcore

[quote][b][user]777GOD777[/user][/b] said: I agree, very cool idea. I'd be interested in using it. I don't use winamp or even have it installed however. Would that cause it to choke?[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- lukeweb said...
- Subscriber
- 8 Sep 2005, 18:44
Nope - it's a very transparent feature that vanishes if Winamp is not running/installed.
Should've mentioned that the screensaver is for Win98+, and I will work on a version for general use soon.

[quote][b][user]lukeweb[/user][/b] said: Nope - it's a very transparent feature that vanishes if Winamp is not running/installed. Should've mentioned that the screensaver is for Win98+, and I will work on a version for general use soon.[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- Xon said...
- User
- 8 Sep 2005, 19:25
I am still interested in how it works. Is it a plugin or what? Im don't know what aggregator is but atfer google'ing it I think it has something to do with RSS. Could you explain a but more about what exactly it is.

[quote][b][user]Xon[/user][/b] said: I am still interested in how it works. Is it a plugin or what? Im don't know what aggregator is but atfer google'ing it I think it has something to do with RSS. Could you explain a but more about what exactly it is. [/quote]

Permalink Quote
- lukeweb said...
- Subscriber
- 9 Sep 2005, 15:46
It's a standalone screensaver that parsed the pages to get data - aggregator is usually used to refer to parsing information from an RSS feed - which is the same basic concept.
Although just as I 'finish' this, the Web Services stuff appears! So, I'll be vastly rewriting it to accomodate all the extra info that's easily available to me.
Kudos to the scrobbler folk :)

[quote][b][user]lukeweb[/user][/b] said: It's a standalone screensaver that parsed the pages to get data - aggregator is usually used to refer to parsing information from an RSS feed - which is the same basic concept. Although just as I 'finish' this, the Web Services stuff appears! So, I'll be vastly rewriting it to accomodate all the extra info that's easily available to me. Kudos to the scrobbler folk :)[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- Xon said...
- User
- 9 Sep 2005, 19:43
Id be intersted in this. Throw me a copy when its finished.

[quote][b][user]Xon[/user][/b] said: Id be intersted in this. Throw me a copy when its finished.[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- larryni said...
- User
- 10 Sep 2005, 09:27
I usually find screensavers pretty useless. But I do love the idea of this one!

[quote][b][user]larryni[/user][/b] said: I usually find screensavers pretty useless. But I do love the idea of this one! [/quote]

Permalink Quote
- lozzd said...
- Alumni
- 10 Sep 2005, 10:38
Yeah looks great!
If you need a beta tester look my way ;)

Want a fully customisable sig (like above?) CLICK HERE!
Insert disclaimer here.

[quote][b][user]lozzd[/user][/b] said: Yeah looks great! If you need a beta tester look my way ;)[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- lukeweb said...
- Subscriber
- 11 Sep 2005, 09:51
Beta 0.1 release

Ok here's a first beta release to get an idea of how well it works. You can download it at http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfmscreensaver.exe

Some pointers:
Currently it ONLY works at 1280x1024 resolution, and will attempt to force your display to this resolution. If your monitor/graphics card is not capable of displaying this resolution, do not attempt to download this.
Making it resolution independent is going to be a lot of work, and I need to get my maths hat on for figuring out how to best do it - it'll mean building the interface up from the ground. So that's the biggest 'bug' to be fixed for the next version.
It should also install some fonts - you'll know it didn't work if chart displays aren't using a pixel font.

Also, the usual warning, this is just a beta, so don't expect it to work swimmingly. Animation is still slow and fairly primitive, and things like cover art are a little tempermental. And, I have absolutely no idea how well it will cope once it's set out into the wild :)

Sooo, please let me know here if you encounter any issues. The scrobbler dev wiki looks like a lot of fun, so I'll try and update an article there too. Hopefully the first time you run it you will be taken to an options frame - if not, press the 'o' key at any time. That's an important point - all config is done from within the screensaver, not the Settings button in the screensaver control panel applet. Press 'Esc' to exit the screensaver.

Thanks for giving it a shot - more updates soon! :)

[quote][b][user]lukeweb[/user][/b] said: Ok here's a first beta release to get an idea of how well it works. You can download it at [url]http://www.combustion-studios.com/lastfmscreensaver.exe[/url] Some pointers: Currently it ONLY works at 1280x1024 resolution, and will attempt to force your display to this resolution. If your monitor/graphics card is not capable of displaying this resolution, do not attempt to download this. Making it resolution independent is going to be a lot of work, and I need to get my maths hat on for figuring out how to best do it - it'll mean building the interface up from the ground. So that's the biggest 'bug' to be fixed for the next version. It should also install some fonts - you'll know it didn't work if chart displays aren't using a pixel font. Also, the usual warning, this [b]is[/b] just a beta, so don't expect it to work swimmingly. Animation is still slow and fairly primitive, and things like cover art are a little tempermental. And, I have absolutely no idea how well it will cope once it's set out into the wild :) Sooo, please let me know here if you encounter any issues. The scrobbler dev wiki looks like a lot of fun, so I'll try and update an article there too. Hopefully the first time you run it you will be taken to an options frame - if not, press the 'o' key at any time. That's an important point - all config is done from within the screensaver, not the Settings button in the screensaver control panel applet. Press 'Esc' to exit the screensaver. Thanks for giving it a shot - more updates soon! :)[/quote]
Edited by lukeweb on 11 Sep 2005, 09:52

Permalink Quote
- radicand said...
- User
- 11 Sep 2005, 18:14
Bad link?

[quote][b][user]radicand[/user][/b] said: Bad link?[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- lukeweb said...
- Subscriber
- 11 Sep 2005, 19:52
Nope...

[quote][b][user]lukeweb[/user][/b] said: Nope...[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- Xon said...
- User
- 11 Sep 2005, 19:55
How do you install this? I ran the .exe file, a cmd window poped up for a second then closes. and thats it.

Is there a certain way to install it?

[quote][b][user]Xon[/user][/b] said: How do you install this? I ran the .exe file, a cmd window poped up for a second then closes. and thats it. Is there a certain way to install it? [/quote]

Permalink Quote
- lukeweb said...
- Subscriber
- 11 Sep 2005, 20:10
Ok, that's very odd. It should be a proper installer - and I've tried it on two machines and it's been fine.
*off to investigate*

[quote][b][user]lukeweb[/user][/b] said: Ok, that's very odd. It should be a proper installer - and I've tried it on two machines and it's been fine. *off to investigate*[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- transcendentalA said...
- User
- 11 Sep 2005, 20:18
I'm getting an error when trying to install

Want to listen to your playlists on last.fm? Have a look at TagBar

[quote][b][user]transcendentalA[/user][/b] said: I'm getting an error when trying to install [img]http://homepage.sunrise.ch/mysunrise/ph_waeber/pics/screensaver-error.JPG[/img][/quote]

Permalink Quote
- lukeweb said...
- Subscriber
- 11 Sep 2005, 21:37
Ok, the fact everyone is getting problems is quite unnerving...
*investigates faster*

[quote][b][user]lukeweb[/user][/b] said: Ok, the fact everyone is getting problems is quite unnerving... *investigates faster*[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- Xon said...
- User
- 11 Sep 2005, 21:53
If it helps at all im running Windows XP with a celeron processor.

[quote][b][user]Xon[/user][/b] said: If it helps at all im running Windows XP with a celeron processor.[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- lukeweb said...
- Subscriber
- 11 Sep 2005, 21:55
I'm reuploading the installer now - I've tested it - thanks transcendentalA for the error message, which I've also investigated and ended up even more confused :P
I still can't figure out for the life of me why it isn't working.

[quote][b][user]lukeweb[/user][/b] said: I'm reuploading the installer now - I've tested it - thanks transcendentalA for the error message, which I've also investigated and ended up even more confused :P I still can't figure out for the life of me why it isn't working.[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- Xon said...
- User
- 12 Sep 2005, 02:20
I can't download it anymore. It taking me to a search result page type thing.

[quote][b][user]Xon[/user][/b] said: I can't download it anymore. It taking me to a search result page type thing.[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- lukeweb said...
- Subscriber
- 12 Sep 2005, 16:35
Apologies for that - my domain expired at the most perfect time :S
It's renewed now. Please let me know if the rebuilt installer fares any better. If it doesn't, I'll offer a more manual solution.

[quote][b][user]lukeweb[/user][/b] said: Apologies for that - my domain expired at the most perfect time :S It's renewed now. Please let me know if the rebuilt installer fares any better. If it doesn't, I'll offer a more manual solution.[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- gerph said...
- User
- 12 Sep 2005, 19:46
This looks rather cool. Installed just fine without any particular scary moments (on XP, so I assume you've got the generalness sorted now).

However, I found a few issues once it was running which made it a little less useful.

The first is a rather fun one. In the Display Properties window, when showing the Screensaver tab, you get to see a preview of the screensaver running in a little window. It's not scaled to fit the little monitor window, but that's not the problem. The problem is that when the mouse pointer is within the window, it vanishes. The pointer is turned off as you enter the Display Properties window, and back on when you leave it. This makes it 'tricky' to configure :-) If you manage to select another screensaver, it's back to normal again.

The second is when it's in use. The 'Last 10 tracks' usually displays nothing (although just now it actually displayed some results), and the 'Top 10 artists' displays just a square for number 9, and nothing for the others.

[quote][b][user]gerph[/user][/b] said: This looks rather cool. Installed just fine without any particular scary moments (on XP, so I assume you've got the generalness sorted now). However, I found a few issues once it was running which made it a little less useful. The first is a rather fun one. In the Display Properties window, when showing the Screensaver tab, you get to see a preview of the screensaver running in a little window. It's not scaled to fit the little monitor window, but that's not the problem. The problem is that when the mouse pointer is within the window, it vanishes. The pointer is turned off as you enter the Display Properties window, and back on when you leave it. This makes it 'tricky' to configure :-) If you manage to select another screensaver, it's back to normal again. The second is when it's in use. The 'Last 10 tracks' usually displays nothing (although just now it actually displayed some results), and the 'Top 10 artists' displays just a square for number 9, and nothing for the others. [/quote]

Permalink Quote
- lukeweb said...
- Subscriber
- 12 Sep 2005, 21:10
Oh it works for someone! Huzzah! :p
Well, works is a bit of a generous statement anyway.

Cheers for the bug report - I've noticed this too. For some reason last night I wasn't getting any top 10 charts info, but when checking the website I wasn't getting any charts data, just a 'lukeweb's charts' header.
I will work on transferring everything from parsing the webpages to using the new XML feeds very soon. This should be a lot more reliable and less like a labrynth of dodgy parsing.
I obviously want the data-end to be 100% reliable, then I'll work on refining the interface and adding more optional tidbits - more context-sensitive info could be a lot of fun (of a similiar type to the whole cover art/similiar artists dealey)

Stay tuned! Thanks for testing it :)

[quote][b][user]lukeweb[/user][/b] said: Oh it works for someone! Huzzah! :p Well, works is a bit of a generous statement anyway. Cheers for the bug report - I've noticed this too. For some reason last night I wasn't getting any top 10 charts info, but when checking the website I wasn't getting any charts data, just a 'lukeweb's charts' header. I will work on transferring everything from parsing the webpages to using the new XML feeds very soon. This should be a lot more reliable and less like a labrynth of dodgy parsing. I obviously want the data-end to be 100% reliable, then I'll work on refining the interface and adding more optional tidbits - more context-sensitive info could be a lot of fun (of a similiar type to the whole cover art/similiar artists dealey) Stay tuned! Thanks for testing it :)[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- Xon said...
- User
- 13 Sep 2005, 02:26
Works for me now too. But at fisrt I forgot to change my screen res to 1280x1024 and it never asked or forced me to change it. It just simply only shows me partial screen saver.
I'm also experancing the vanishing mouse on screen saver settings.

[quote][b][user]Xon[/user][/b] said: Works for me now too. But at fisrt I forgot to change my screen res to 1280x1024 and it never asked or forced me to change it. It just simply only shows me partial screen saver. I'm also experancing the vanishing mouse on screen saver settings.[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- gerph said...
- User
- 13 Sep 2005, 02:54
Re:

Quoth lukeweb:
Oh it works for someone! Huzzah! :p
Well, works is a bit of a generous statement anyway.

Cheers for the bug report - I've noticed this too. For some reason last night I wasn't getting any top 10 charts info, but when checking the website I wasn't getting any charts data, just a 'lukeweb's charts' header.
I will work on transferring everything from parsing the webpages to using the new XML feeds very soon. This should be a lot more reliable and less like a labrynth of dodgy parsing.
I obviously want the data-end to be 100% reliable, then I'll work on refining the interface and adding more optional tidbits - more context-sensitive info could be a lot of fun (of a similiar type to the whole cover art/similiar artists dealey)

Stay tuned! Thanks for testing it :)

I'm generally using my network connection a reasonable amount here (just because that's part of what I do) and I've seen that when the configured proxy is not in use, the server can close the connection quite prematurely. Even with a proxy in use it can still get cut off. Are you using the configured IE proxy ? Or just doing the fetch directly ?

I think I saw earlier that you're scraping the webpage for the details; you might find it easier to request http://ws.audioscrobbler.com/1.0/user/gerph/weeklyartistchart.xml instead - the data to be fetched is much shorter, and it's easier to parse because the format's pretty much fixed.

[quote][b][user]gerph[/user][/b] said: [quote][b]Quoth [user]lukeweb[/user][/b]: Oh it works for someone! Huzzah! :p Well, works is a bit of a generous statement anyway. Cheers for the bug report - I've noticed this too. For some reason last night I wasn't getting any top 10 charts info, but when checking the website I wasn't getting any charts data, just a 'lukeweb's charts' header. I will work on transferring everything from parsing the webpages to using the new XML feeds very soon. This should be a lot more reliable and less like a labrynth of dodgy parsing. I obviously want the data-end to be 100% reliable, then I'll work on refining the interface and adding more optional tidbits - more context-sensitive info could be a lot of fun (of a similiar type to the whole cover art/similiar artists dealey) Stay tuned! Thanks for testing it :)[/quote] I'm generally using my network connection a reasonable amount here (just because that's part of what I do) and I've seen that when the configured proxy is not in use, the server can close the connection quite prematurely. Even with a proxy in use it can still get cut off. Are you using the configured IE proxy ? Or just doing the fetch directly ? I think I saw earlier that you're scraping the webpage for the details; you might find it easier to request [url]http://ws.audioscrobbler.com/1.0/user/gerph/weeklyartistchart.xml[/url] instead - the data to be fetched is much shorter, and it's easier to parse because the format's pretty much fixed.[/quote]

Permalink Quote
- transcendentalA said...
- User
- 13 Sep 2005, 13:52
That's pretty cool :) Installed without a problem this time and display is fine too (using 1280x1024 anyway...)
Thanks, for this.

Want to listen to your playlists on last.fm? Have a look at TagBar

[quote][b][user]transcendentalA[/user][/b] said: That's pretty cool :) Installed without a problem this time and display is fine too (using 1280x1024 anyway...) Thanks, for this.[/quote]

Permalink Quote

Anonymous users may not post messages. Please log in or create an account to post in the forums.

last.fm screensaver aggregator

last.fm screensaver aggregator

Beta 0.1 release

Re: