Prototype Last.fm Player Software

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- RJ said...
- Staff
- 22 Jun 2005, 15:27
Prototype Last.fm Player Software

UPDATE This is an old post about the prototype player. find the new player here: /help/player/

You can log in to the test site and try the prototype version of the Last.fm player software. We're going to release player software for Linux, Mac and Windows in a few weeks time.

Check out this group on the test server:
Last.fm Player Group

*** UPDATE 04/07/2005 ***
please read before posting below

hey guys, thanks for your feedback so far, keep it coming.

Issues we know about already, and kinda did before the launch:
* minimizing and focussing stuff
* Java/JRE size of installer/application
* "can't connect to stream" error

What is happening now:

We have decided against fixing anything in the Java player, this was just a test. we wanted to find out how an application would go down with our users. I guess quite good, as it makes the radio ultra-reliable.

We are now building a new version in C++ (QT4) that will be fully cross-platform, fix all the above bugs, and add more features we want to roll out, including a proper skin, and making the installer and application tiny compared to the current one.

So please continue using the java thing, try to live with the bugs. try logging out and in again on the website for the "can't connect" bug.

one more thing, we are NOT building another media player. we are building an application to play the Last.fm radio. The radio will get more complex behind the scenes, and will have to move into an application for a large extent, these are the first steps. stay tuned.

Information wants to be beer.

[quote][b][user]RJ[/user][/b] said: [b]UPDATE[/b] This is an old post about the prototype player. find the new player here: [url]/help/player/[/url] You can log in to the test site and try the prototype version of the Last.fm player software. We're going to release player software for Linux, Mac and Windows in a few weeks time. Check out this group on the test server: [url=http://test.last.fm/group/Last%2Bfm%2BPlayer]Last.fm Player Group[/url] [b]*** UPDATE 04/07/2005 *** please read before posting below[/b] hey guys, thanks for your feedback so far, keep it coming. Issues we know about already, and kinda did before the launch: * minimizing and focussing stuff * Java/JRE size of installer/application * "can't connect to stream" error [b]What is happening now:[/b] We have decided against fixing anything in the Java player, this was just a test. we wanted to find out how an application would go down with our users. I guess quite good, as it makes the radio ultra-reliable. We are now building a new version in C++ (QT4) that will be fully cross-platform, fix all the above bugs, and add more features we want to roll out, including a proper skin, and making the installer and application tiny compared to the current one. So please continue using the java thing, try to live with the bugs. try logging out and in again on the website for the "can't connect" bug. one more thing, we are NOT building another media player. we are building an application to play the Last.fm radio. The radio will get more complex behind the scenes, and will have to move into an application for a large extent, these are the first steps. stay tuned. [/quote]
Edited by RJ on 10 Aug 2005, 00:09

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- joelanman said...
- User
- 22 Jun 2005, 16:20
works great - only thing is that it doesnt appear in/minimize to the task bar (winXP)

[quote][b][user]joelanman[/user][/b] said: works great - only thing is that it doesnt appear in/minimize to the task bar (winXP) [/quote]

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- muesli said...
- Subscriber
- 22 Jun 2005, 16:39
Re:

Quoth joelanman:
works great - only thing is that it doesnt appear in/minimize to the task bar (winXP)

heh, in that case it was meant to be a feature not a bug ;-) it's always in the system tray, so we figured it would just get in your way being in the taskbar all the time. but that's a thing we might want to reconsider if the users don't like it that way.

have fun,
muesli

http://blog.chris.de

[quote][b][user]muesli[/user][/b] said: [quote][b]Quoth joelanman[/b]: works great - only thing is that it doesnt appear in/minimize to the task bar (winXP) [/quote] heh, in that case it was meant to be a feature not a bug ;-) it's always in the system tray, so we figured it would just get in your way being in the taskbar all the time. but that's a thing we might want to reconsider if the users don't like it that way. have fun, muesli[/quote]

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- steiny23uk said...
- User
- 22 Jun 2005, 18:21
Very impressive

This really takes Last.FM to the masses - wonderful!

Few suggestions:

1) When you left click on the system tray icon, it should make the player appear in front of all the other windows (i.e pop to the front).

2) People should be able to choose whether they want it to minimise into the task tray or the system tray - people are very picky about this.

3) When you pick a new station it should fade the new song in :)

The ability to build a radio station around an artist is Genius.

Tom

[quote][b][user]steiny23uk[/user][/b] said: This really takes Last.FM to the masses - wonderful! Few suggestions: 1) When you left click on the system tray icon, it should make the player appear in front of all the other windows (i.e pop to the front). 2) People should be able to choose whether they want it to minimise into the task tray or the system tray - people are very picky about this. 3) When you pick a new station it should fade the new song in :) The ability to build a radio station around an artist is Genius. Tom[/quote]

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- pier_b said...
- Subscriber
- 22 Jun 2005, 19:40
Works perfectly !!! Very fast, perfect info refreshing, Congratulation, and thanks a lot for your great work.

My suggestions to make it better are :

1. An integrated link that goes directly to the loged member internet page.
2. There is a little bug : I have to minimize all the other windows to see the player, or to open. If not, it just goes behind.
3. The last songs heard, on the player.
4. A beautifull, customizable skin. (yeah, not very important...).

Keep on working on this way !!

[quote][b][user]pier_b[/user][/b] said: Works perfectly !!! Very fast, perfect info refreshing, Congratulation, and thanks a lot for your great work. My suggestions to make it better are : 1. An integrated link that goes directly to the loged member internet page. 2. There is a little bug : I have to minimize all the other windows to see the player, or to open. If not, it just goes behind. 3. The last songs heard, on the player. 4. A beautifull, customizable skin. (yeah, not very important...). Keep on working on this way !! [/quote]

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- cjcarne said...
- User
- 22 Jun 2005, 22:33
Very nice - I'll be glad to see the back of the web-based pop-up player. As for suggestions I mainly just want to add to what's already been said;

1. Minimise to the task bar - others may have different opinions but I'm used to things that way.
2. Needs to appear on top of other programs.
3. There needs to be a link to the user's profile page and a link to the whoever's station you might be listening to on the profile radio. Essentially there needs to be the same stuff as on the web player.
4. I'd like the actual track playing time to be displayed rather than a progress bar.
5.Include all the functionality of Winamp (only kidding).

I'll wait til further down the line to see how usabilty and design issues pan out. Anyway, things are looking good and I got my main wish of having key commands back.

(Edited cos of my useless typing)

Chief Slacker & Bat Chain Puller At:
Desk Supervisor: Free Improvisation Artist Expert: Derek Bailey, Pere Ubu
And remember, you get a free dead cat in each bar of Dead Cat Soap

[quote][b][user]cjcarne[/user][/b] said: Very nice - I'll be glad to see the back of the web-based pop-up player. As for suggestions I mainly just want to add to what's already been said; 1. Minimise to the task bar - others may have different opinions but I'm used to things that way. 2. Needs to appear on top of other programs. 3. There needs to be a link to the user's profile page and a link to the whoever's station you might be listening to on the profile radio. Essentially there needs to be the same stuff as on the web player. 4. I'd like the actual track playing time to be displayed rather than a progress bar. 5.Include all the functionality of Winamp (only kidding). I'll wait til further down the line to see how usabilty and design issues pan out. Anyway, things are looking good and I got my main wish of having key commands back. (Edited cos of my useless typing) [/quote]
Edited by cjcarne on 22 Jun 2005, 22:42

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- giveuptheghost said...
- User
- 22 Jun 2005, 22:50
I'd suggest not shipping w/ Java as many have it already, thus installing a duplicate, & installer filesize would be greatly reduced. You probably already know that, though. :)

[quote][b][user]giveuptheghost[/user][/b] said: I'd suggest not shipping w/ Java as many have it already, thus installing a duplicate, & installer filesize would be greatly reduced. You probably already know that, though. :)[/quote]

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- Soulshiiine said...
- User
- 22 Jun 2005, 22:50
steiny23uk said pretty mucn everything I needed to say...

AWESOME PLAYER!

It would be nice to see some stats on it also, but I can wait for version 2.0!

=)

[quote][b][user]Soulshiiine[/user][/b] said: steiny23uk said pretty mucn everything I needed to say... AWESOME PLAYER! It would be nice to see some stats on it also, but I can wait for version 2.0! =)[/quote]

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- muesli said...
- Subscriber
- 22 Jun 2005, 22:54
Re:

Quoth giveuptheghost:
I'd suggest not shipping w/ Java as many have it already, thus installing a duplicate, & installer filesize would be greatly reduced. You probably already know that, though. :)

yeah, don't worry. we'll release a version without the jre soonish!

have fun,
muesli

http://blog.chris.de

[quote][b][user]muesli[/user][/b] said: [quote][b]Quoth giveuptheghost[/b]: I'd suggest not shipping w/ Java as many have it already, thus installing a duplicate, & installer filesize would be greatly reduced. You probably already know that, though. :)[/quote] yeah, don't worry. we'll release a version without the jre soonish! have fun, muesli[/quote]

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- muesli said...
- Subscriber
- 22 Jun 2005, 22:54
Re:

Quoth Soulshiiine:
steiny23uk said pretty mucn everything I needed to say...

AWESOME PLAYER!

It would be nice to see some stats on it also, but I can wait for version 2.0!

=)

it's actually just 0.1 so far ;-)

...muesli

http://blog.chris.de

[quote][b][user]muesli[/user][/b] said: [quote][b]Quoth Soulshiiine[/b]: steiny23uk said pretty mucn everything I needed to say... AWESOME PLAYER! It would be nice to see some stats on it also, but I can wait for version 2.0! =)[/quote] it's actually just 0.1 so far ;-) ...muesli[/quote]

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- giveuptheghost said...
- User
- 22 Jun 2005, 22:57
Also, maximize seems unnecessary.

Otherwise, seems to works well. :)

[quote][b][user]giveuptheghost[/user][/b] said: Also, maximize seems unnecessary. Otherwise, seems to works well. :)[/quote]

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- spazz said...
- User
- 22 Jun 2005, 23:16
Yup, works very well. Two suggestions though. A toasteresque window maybe (A popup with the album art and all the song info. Mylast.FM did this.

RNR: hn? I don't get this. the cover art and song info is already on there right? you mean some more info?

Multimedia keyboard support or global hotkey support would rock too, for skip/love/ban while in full screen apps and for the truely lazy. Or even for use with a remote control.

Twentyfirst Century Digital Boy Music Advice Center

[quote][b][user]spazz[/user][/b] said: Yup, works very well. Two suggestions though. A toasteresque window maybe (A popup with the album art and all the song info. Mylast.FM did this. [b]RNR:[/b] hn? I don't get this. the cover art and song info is already on there right? you mean some more info? Multimedia keyboard support or global hotkey support would rock too, for skip/love/ban while in full screen apps and for the truely lazy. Or even for use with a remote control.[/quote]
Edited by RNR on 23 Jun 2005, 11:37

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- muesli said...
- Subscriber
- 22 Jun 2005, 23:39
Re:

Quoth giveuptheghost:
Also, maximize seems unnecessary.

Otherwise, seems to works well. :)

yeah, you're right... we'll remove that one. not sure if resizing is useful at all. on the other hand it can't harm either.

...muesli

http://blog.chris.de

[quote][b][user]muesli[/user][/b] said: [quote][b]Quoth giveuptheghost[/b]: Also, maximize seems unnecessary. Otherwise, seems to works well. :)[/quote] yeah, you're right... we'll remove that one. not sure if resizing is useful at all. on the other hand it can't harm either. ...muesli[/quote]

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- giveuptheghost said...
- User
- 23 Jun 2005, 02:10
Some other stuff:

Volume setting doesn't save between sessions. (Personally, I like to use Windows' volume control instead & have players' volumes otherwise maxed.)

Extended characters don't appear correctly: for example, Tool - Ænima album.

[quote][b][user]giveuptheghost[/user][/b] said: Some other stuff: Volume setting doesn't save between sessions. (Personally, I like to use Windows' volume control instead & have players' volumes otherwise maxed.) Extended characters don't appear correctly: for example, [url=http://www.last.fm/music/Tool/Ænima]Tool - Ænima[/url] album.[/quote]
Edited by giveuptheghost on 23 Jun 2005, 02:13

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- Mariannon said...
- User
- 23 Jun 2005, 08:04
I've minimised it and now it won't restore. I can right click it in the system tray and love, skip, ban and stop logging to profile, but when I left click it it just does nothing.

But other than that I think it's great, exactly what you've needed I think.

I don't advocate violence, insanity, alcohol or drugs to anyone; but they've always worked for me.

[quote][b][user]Mariannon[/user][/b] said: I've minimised it and now it won't restore. I can right click it in the system tray and love, skip, ban and stop logging to profile, but when I left click it it just does nothing. But other than that I think it's great, exactly what you've needed I think.[/quote]
Edited by Mariannon on 23 Jun 2005, 08:04

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- muesli said...
- Subscriber
- 23 Jun 2005, 09:12
Re:

Quoth Mariannon:
I've minimised it and now it won't restore. I can right click it in the system tray and love, skip, ban and stop logging to profile, but when I left click it it just does nothing.

But other than that I think it's great, exactly what you've needed I think.

it does restore, it just doesn't get the focus (so it's behind the other windows probably). known issue, we'll fix it!

thanks,
muesli

http://blog.chris.de

[quote][b][user]muesli[/user][/b] said: [quote][b]Quoth Mariannon[/b]: I've minimised it and now it won't restore. I can right click it in the system tray and love, skip, ban and stop logging to profile, but when I left click it it just does nothing. But other than that I think it's great, exactly what you've needed I think.[/quote] it does restore, it just doesn't get the focus (so it's behind the other windows probably). known issue, we'll fix it! thanks, muesli[/quote]

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- woland783 said...
- User
- 23 Jun 2005, 11:21
can't log-in!!!

:°°°°°°°°°°°°°(

PostRockNotes Headline:

[quote][b][user]woland783[/user][/b] said: can't log-in!!! :°°°°°°°°°°°°°([/quote]

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- egs said...
- User
- 23 Jun 2005, 13:35
Move download to last.fm?

Can someone please move the download of the executable to last.fm ? The audioscrobbler site is blocked my some work proxies.

[quote][b][user]egs[/user][/b] said: Can someone please move the download of the executable to last.fm ? The audioscrobbler site is blocked my some work proxies.[/quote]

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- Russ said...
- Subscriber
- 23 Jun 2005, 13:55
Re: Move download to last.fm?

Quoth egs:
Can someone please move the download of the executable to last.fm ? The audioscrobbler site is blocked my some work proxies.

You can try http://62.216.251.201/player/lastfm-setup.exe. I'm intrigued to know why your work is blocking Audioscrobbler and not last.fm...

[quote][b][user]Russ[/user][/b] said: [quote][b]Quoth egs[/b]: Can someone please move the download of the executable to last.fm ? The audioscrobbler site is blocked my some work proxies.[/quote] You can try [url]http://62.216.251.201/player/lastfm-setup.exe[/url]. I'm intrigued to know why your work is blocking Audioscrobbler and not last.fm...[/quote]

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- RNR said...
- Staff
- 23 Jun 2005, 15:20
we figured that out yesterday

coz we had that meta tag with which we voluntarily outed us as child molesting forum abusers, which is what most firewalls filter out.

we took the meta tag out, it was only on AS.

Both kinds of music: Rock & Roll - SFTRI

[quote][b][user]RNR[/user][/b] said: coz we had that meta tag with which we voluntarily outed us as child molesting forum abusers, which is what most firewalls filter out. we took the meta tag out, it was only on AS. [/quote]

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- yopichoi said...
- User
- 23 Jun 2005, 16:05
Nice piece of software!!! The fading efect of the album cover it's great!!!

Needs a little redesign but since it's only version 0.1 it's OK :)

It would be nice that the artist and song title appear when the mouse hovers over the icon in the systray.

People should be able to choose the behavior of the close button: exit the app, or minimize to the systray..

I'd like a slide bar for the volume rather than a progress bar, also i'd be nice to have a mute button, maybe the speaker icon...

And just a few questions:
Why is java based? and the buffersize is in bytes or what??

I apologize for my crappy english, hope u understand what i wrote....

Greetz from Mexico :)
[quote][b][user]yopichoi[/user][/b] said: Nice piece of software!!! The fading efect of the album cover it's great!!! [ulist] Needs a little redesign but since it's only version 0.1 it's OK :) It would be nice that the artist and song title appear when the mouse hovers over the icon in the systray. People should be able to choose the behavior of the close button: exit the app, or minimize to the systray.. I'd like a slide bar for the volume rather than a progress bar, also i'd be nice to have a mute button, maybe the speaker icon... [/ulist] And just a few questions: Why is java based? and the buffersize is in bytes or what?? I apologize for my crappy english, hope u understand what i wrote.... Greetz from Mexico :) [/quote]
Edited by yopichoi on 23 Jun 2005, 16:21

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- gadgetchannel said...
- Subscriber
- 23 Jun 2005, 19:05
It is possible to have repeated stations in Station History in the player. I played my Personal Radio, then I played my Profile Radio, and then I played my Personal Radio again. My Personal Radio now appears twice in Station History.

I also think it would be useful if the tray icon could show you the details of the track playing.

[quote][b][user]gadgetchannel[/user][/b] said: It is possible to have repeated stations in Station History in the player. I played my Personal Radio, then I played my Profile Radio, and then I played my Personal Radio again. My Personal Radio now appears twice in Station History. I also think it would be useful if the tray icon could show you the details of the track playing.[/quote]

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- Isdaron said...
- Subscriber
- 23 Jun 2005, 20:22
By the way

Does this MyLastFM will not be continued?

Best, Bjoern

If you're into smooth Hip Hop with funky beats, join us in the Jazz Hop Group.
Listening to fine lyricists like The Roots, Guru's Jazzmatazz, A Tribe Called Quest et al.

[quote][b][user]Isdaron[/user][/b] said: Does this [url=http://www.mylastfm.com]MyLastFM [/url]will not be continued? Best, Bjoern[/quote]

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- AhiKun said...
- User
- 24 Jun 2005, 00:25
Hey guys, awesome job with this. Only problems I've had was it skipped (One song so far), and I'd like it to come to the front when you click the tray icon.
Awesome job.

[quote][b][user]AhiKun[/user][/b] said: Hey guys, awesome job with this. Only problems I've had was it skipped (One song so far), and I'd like it to come to the front when you click the tray icon. Awesome job.[/quote]

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- wrigley said...
- User
- 24 Jun 2005, 09:01
Could not connect to Last.fm server

I got the above message when I launched it - do you know what port it is using? I am guessing it is being blocked by my firewall. Could you run a port 80 version, or at least make it configurable so I can do port forwarding or something?

[quote][b][user]wrigley[/user][/b] said: I got the above message when I launched it - do you know what port it is using? I am guessing it is being blocked by my firewall. Could you run a port 80 version, or at least make it configurable so I can do port forwarding or something?[/quote]
Edited by wrigley on 24 Jun 2005, 09:04

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