Clear playlist when adding new files [& auto play new songs & enqueue] (Page 3 of 4)

Perhaps the modification key could be simply for clearing the playlist? The default behavior would be to simply add the item(s) at the end of the playlist - whether drag and dropped, added via file -> open, or added by double clicking a file in Finder. When doing so holding the 'option' key the item would be added _after_ clearing the playlist. This way we cover all the preferences and keep it simple at the same time.

Preferences would have:

Opening files in Cog: [X] Play files
                      [ ] Enqueue files
Hold 'option' while opening files to clear the playlist.

Edit: One last suggestion, and I know this probably isn't the thread for it - I may make a separate one later today. While messing with that mock up above, I noticed one thing. Why is every single option on a separate preference page? I understand the need for extensibility with the upcoming plug in support - but I personally believe the stock preferences should all be on one page at this point. There simply aren't enough preferences to justify having them on 4-5 pages.

Last edited by kagaku (2008-05-13 10:25:55)

Whoops! I meant 'shift'.

I understand the simplification point of view, but while many options might seem scary - a lack of them or oversimplification may actually be detrimental. Sure everything is separate and categorized, but now you're in the position of creating a new category for nearly every preference - and in the end may need to simply create a "Miscellaneous" tab for options that don't fit anywhere else. While it seems Cog is trying to move away from it in many ways, I think iTunes could be a somewhat decent example of a preference pane. If an application designed to be "the" music playing app/store for both Windows and Mac can have a large number of options, many of them on the same page, why can't Cog (an application that many users switch to simply to get away from iTunes simplicity and lack of options) consolidate options?

Eventually Cog is going to support a plugin architecture, and eventually it may support things like tagging, replaygain, applescript support and so on. What I'm trying to get across is, what kind of application are you guys writing? Is your target audience the same as iTunes? Are options going to be removed/simplified for the "general masses" so that even my grandmother could use it? Is it going in the direction of foobar2000, which is so extensible that every tiny little bit of the application can be replaced and modified? Something inbetween, in my opinion, is the best route - but I think a middle ground should be settled and justified before simplifying on end of the application while adding "complicated" features on the other end.

To further my case, I'm going to try and get together a mockup of a consolidated preferences page. On that note, I really think this should become a separate thread now. Sorry for going off topic guys!

Last edited by kagaku (2008-05-13 10:57:37)

Hey

#1: Repeating myself. I really don't see shift becoming the standard modifier. Ordinary users wont like stuff going in slow motion all of a sudden. (If for vasfeds built, ignore this). Even though it would be more convenient than a two key modifier, it is a bad practice to code against the OS.

#2: I have created a post with your discussion on the pref. pane. I think it could be interesting to hear, what everyone thinks, and perhaps in a broader perspective than just the prefpane.

Cheers

Edit: The other topic is in development.

Last edited by Zitz (2008-05-13 13:15:48)

  Opening files in Cog: [X] Plays the file
                        [ ] Enqueues the file
              (Hold shift to reverse this preference)

Clear playlist on Open: [X] Enabled
                        [ ] Disabled
           (Hold CMD+Control to reverse this preference)

Last edited by remain (2008-05-14 17:50:58)

Last edited by remain (2008-05-14 19:50:59)

Well, we've got 3 different behaviors.

If we only have 1 modifier, then we'll be trying to fit 3 pigeons into 2 pigeonholes.

This will cover all bases.

edit: Besides, some people don't like having the slow-mo animation in the Finder, which is a side effect when using Shift.