Birdwatching

Chxta · 12-13-2006, 01:34 AM

Okay the title is dumb as feck, but this deserves it's own thread dammit. Imagine this. A music player that aims to challenge amarok on coolness. Don't believe it? It's true. A project launched by a San Francisco outfit backed by big VC money is putting out an open source (yes, that's not a typo) music player that aims to strive for the very echelons of coolness, which means challenging amarok to a duel. In the process, of course, planning to slay posers such as Windows Media Player and iTunes.

That's right, get ready to experience Songbird. What's so special about it, you ask. First of all, it's built on XUL, the funky xml technology that gave you Firefox and Thunderbird, so Songbird is built with portability in mind. This means an integrated browser (gecko) in the player, as well as support for extensions (like Firefox). And it's skinnable.

Imagine that, a cross platform music player, it would be the world's first [decent one]. It also has extremely native podcast [god I hate that word, f you Apple] support, with built-in searches for podcasts via rss feeds on websites. It will also have integration with a bunch of web stores for try/buy functionality.

But above all, for once a daring and innovative music player. Winamp was great in 1998, but it hasn't changed much since then. WMP is a pile of trash, whereas iTunes embodies that we-know-what's-best-for-you straight jacket so consistent across Apple's applications.

You heard it here first: http://www.songbirdnest.com/

What's the big woop? Songbird is very new, it's not even out of the shop yet. Currently there's only a 0.2 developer preview release that's buggy and tends to crash. But this is where we witness an application being built from the very start. Songbird has taken lots of notes from Firefox and is pushing hard for branding, product name, trademark, t-shirt, release parties and so on, so you'll definitely be hearing a lot about this project.

Needless to say, the bird got nothing on amarok. Yet. But with the momentum it has, it's going to be exciting seeing how this project evolves.

**Sir Cristao** · 12-13-2006, 09:08 AM

i still got love for WinAmp .. dammit .. old skool!!

maestro · 12-13-2006, 10:24 AM

I tried songbird...first time...wasnt swayed really...Imight have to give it a second shot with a less WMP-biased mind.

Chxta · 12-13-2006, 10:29 AM

Amarok is quite possibly the best music player I have ever seen, but with Songbird, I have downloaded songs I never found either in the Torrent Network or Kazaa...

Boss · 12-13-2006, 11:05 AM

sucks there's no amarok for windows...loved it.

Chxta · 12-13-2006, 01:44 PM

Wonder why you are still using that malware...

crAzy Don · 12-13-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chxta

Wonder why you are still using that malware...

windows?

Honestly I was thinking about it and I still feel it's the best GUI around...yeh yeh Linux...wuteva...Windows still kicks its ass no matter the distro....

except u think otherwise?

Chxta · 12-13-2006, 03:31 PM

Definitely do.

If you are thinking GUI, why not migrate to the Mac then? Mac GUI kicks Window$ outta the window.

By the way:

How's that for GUI? All in Linux...

maestro · 12-13-2006, 05:57 PM

Man i am seriously thinking of going full-scale linux.....nah...not Vmware...I am tired of contending with virus and other malwares out there......I formatted may like 48hrs ago...and as of this morning it is ready for another...and i use avg that updates every morning, Microsoft should do something about the windows code to make it immune like unix

Chxta · 12-13-2006, 06:10 PM

That is a wrong assumption L.Salami. The Linux code is not exactly immune. It is just that the way it is arranged makes it impossible for a virus to enter and take over the system. Especially on Debian based distros.

For me, my use of Window$ remains in the VMware domain, simply because I am addicted to FM2007...

12-13-2006, 01:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Chxta Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: 3rd rock from the Sun Posts: 8,541 Points: 9,667.30 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 9,667.30 Donate Rep Power: 21474863	Birdwatching Okay the title is dumb as feck, but this deserves it's own thread dammit. Imagine this. A music player that aims to challenge amarok on coolness. Don't believe it? It's true. A project launched by a San Francisco outfit backed by big VC money is putting out an open source (yes, that's not a typo) music player that aims to strive for the very echelons of coolness, which means challenging amarok to a duel. In the process, of course, planning to slay posers such as Windows Media Player and iTunes. That's right, get ready to experience Songbird. What's so special about it, you ask. First of all, it's built on XUL, the funky xml technology that gave you Firefox and Thunderbird, so Songbird is built with portability in mind. This means an integrated browser (gecko) in the player, as well as support for extensions (like Firefox). And it's skinnable. Imagine that, a cross platform music player, it would be the world's first [decent one]. It also has extremely native podcast [god I hate that word, f you Apple] support, with built-in searches for podcasts via rss feeds on websites. It will also have integration with a bunch of web stores for try/buy functionality. But above all, for once a daring and innovative music player. Winamp was great in 1998, but it hasn't changed much since then. WMP is a pile of trash, whereas iTunes embodies that we-know-what's-best-for-you straight jacket so consistent across Apple's applications. You heard it here first: http://www.songbirdnest.com/ What's the big woop? Songbird is very new, it's not even out of the shop yet. Currently there's only a 0.2 developer preview release that's buggy and tends to crash. But this is where we witness an application being built from the very start. Songbird has taken lots of notes from Firefox and is pushing hard for branding, product name, trademark, t-shirt, release parties and so on, so you'll definitely be hearing a lot about this project. Needless to say, the bird got nothing on amarok. Yet. But with the momentum it has, it's going to be exciting seeing how this project evolves. __________________ I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.

12-13-2006, 10:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
maestro The 4 Eyed Monk. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abuja, Nigeria Posts: 41,510 Points: 100,113,253.22 Bank: 176.10 Total Points: 100,113,429.32 Donate Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 2470000000	I tried songbird...first time...wasnt swayed really...Imight have to give it a second shot with a less WMP-biased mind. __________________

12-13-2006, 10:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
Chxta Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: 3rd rock from the Sun Posts: 8,541 Points: 9,667.30 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 9,667.30 Donate Rep Power: 21474863	Amarok is quite possibly the best music player I have ever seen, but with Songbird, I have downloaded songs I never found either in the Torrent Network or Kazaa... __________________ I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.

12-13-2006, 11:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
Boss Oga Sir Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 29,298 Points: 1,110,358,347.39 Bank: 6,989,708,554.44 Total Points: 8,100,066,901.83 Donate Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 21347118	sucks there's no amarok for windows...loved it. __________________

12-13-2006, 01:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chxta Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: 3rd rock from the Sun Posts: 8,541 Points: 9,667.30 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 9,667.30 Donate Rep Power: 21474863	Wonder why you are still using that malware... __________________ I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.

12-13-2006, 09:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sir Cristao Elder Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: White Hart Lane Posts: 10,065 Points: 6,000.16 Bank: 1,487,655.04 Total Points: 1,493,655.20 Donate Rep Power: 5163588	i still got love for WinAmp .. dammit .. old skool!!

12-13-2006, 03:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Chxta Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: 3rd rock from the Sun Posts: 8,541 Points: 9,667.30 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 9,667.30 Donate Rep Power: 21474863	Definitely do. If you are thinking GUI, why not migrate to the Mac then? Mac GUI kicks Window$ outta the window. By the way: How's that for GUI? All in Linux... __________________ I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.

12-13-2006, 05:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
maestro The 4 Eyed Monk. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abuja, Nigeria Posts: 41,510 Points: 100,113,253.22 Bank: 176.10 Total Points: 100,113,429.32 Donate Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 2470000000	Man i am seriously thinking of going full-scale linux.....nah...not Vmware...I am tired of contending with virus and other malwares out there......I formatted may like 48hrs ago...and as of this morning it is ready for another...and i use avg that updates every morning, Microsoft should do something about the windows code to make it immune like unix __________________

12-13-2006, 06:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
Chxta Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: 3rd rock from the Sun Posts: 8,541 Points: 9,667.30 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 9,667.30 Donate Rep Power: 21474863	That is a wrong assumption L.Salami. The Linux code is not exactly immune. It is just that the way it is arranged makes it impossible for a virus to enter and take over the system. Especially on Debian based distros. For me, my use of Window$ remains in the VMware domain, simply because I am addicted to FM2007... __________________ I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.

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