Make iTunes behave more like WinAmp/alternative players

L1011

Back on OSX as my main OS again, must say I'm being driven mad by iTunes. Already started using Max to rip CDs as I dislike iTunes library layout; and I'm now trying to find an alternative mp3 player.

I organise my files in a folder structure, move stuff around, etc. I can always find it. iTunes tries to add it to its library, loses stuff when it gets moved - and most annoyingly, grabs focus when I click on a file in Finder to play it. Winamp does none of this, neither does MediaPlayer (in BeOS not the Windows one)

Is there a way to make iTunes be less of a headwreck, or a suitable alternative player? Was recommened MacAmp but its PPC and doesn't work well on Leopard/x86.

Chardee MacDennis

you can switch that off - in preferences go to advanced and switch off keep itunes music folder organized and copy files to itunes music folder when adding to library

L1011

Done that, it still steals focus when I play a file, as well as progressing to the next file in the playlist (winamp/mediaplayer in single file mode don't do this). Even when using as miniplayer, it stealing focus is annoying.

Chardee MacDennis

try songbird although it mught be too similar to itunes.

cornbb

It might be an idea to use Quicktime Player or something to play mp3 files when you double-click them, then you can use iTunes to play albums/playlists. I agree with your points re. iTunes being really annoying though, it can be a real pain in the butt, and there's very few alternatives compared to whats available in Windows.

ZENER

MYOB wrote: »

Back on OSX as my main OS again, must say I'm being driven mad by iTunes. Already started using Max to rip CDs as I dislike iTunes library layout; and I'm now trying to find an alternative mp3 player.

As mentioned above this behavior is configurable in iTunes' preferences.

I organise my files in a folder structure, move stuff around, etc. I can always find it. . .

Me too. I store all my files on a NAS/server and drag the directories into the playlist section of the iTunes left pane. This just creates a small database file (iTunes Music library.xml - in the User/Music/iTunes directory)of the songs but doesn't actually import the files or change my system in any way. Provided of course you change the default preference which are set to cater for the majority of computer users who don't know the difference. Just like the way Windows apps insist on installing themselves in the startup group with asking thus slowing the machine to a crawl.

. . . and most annoyingly, grabs focus when I click on a file in Finder to play it. Winamp does none of this, neither does MediaPlayer (in BeOS not the Windows one)

When Winamp is first installed it sets itself as the default player for all media files - just like most apps on the pc, Nero, iTunes, Mediaplayer etc.

Not being a smart ass, but if you like BeOS (good OS by the way) and Windows way of doing things then why use Mac OS ? The point of the Mac OS is that it hides the complicated stuff from those who don't need to see it and make the whole system work smoothly for the majority of users. Of course if you're a bit more savvy then the world is you oyster so to speak, everything is as configurable as in Windows - in fact in some ways more so.

Is there a way to make iTunes be less of a headwreck, or a suitable alternative player? Was recommened MacAmp but its PPC and doesn't work well on Leopard/x86.

If you're willing to do a little ground work with Fink or X11 then you could use Amarok. I've used this in Mandrake and other KDE front ends and it's pretty good for free software.

Welcome back to Mac by the way.

ZEN

L1011

You don't understand what 'grab focus' means. It has nothing to do with associating file types, it has to do with stealing your input. I click a file and move back to the app I was using, and in the interim iTunes pops up, covers part of the screen, and takes mouse and keyboard input. No media players on other systems do this, except iTunes on Windows - even Windows Media Player doesn't there. This plus the inability to stop it playing another track from the library adds together to make it an overall infuriating experience.

I'm using OSX as I'm working on an OSX specific programming project at the moment, thats about it. At this stage I'm tempted to write an extremely basic mp3 player when I'm done...

As goes startup group - I've not powered a laptop off in years, be it a PC or a Mac. Hibernate or just close the lid works grand

ZENER

Ah, gotcha ! My bad. I've never noticed this to be honest.
Do you mean if, for example, you set iTunes ripping a cd and went back to typing in, say, Word that it would jump to the front when it had finished the rip ?

ZEN

L1011

I believe it does. Its more an issue that it takes about three seconds to 'warp' to the front after clicking a file - by which time I've clicked back to xcode, or safari, or whatever.

PhilipMarlowe

Uncheck the songs in your library if you don't want them to be played automagically...?

L1011

Licksy wrote: »

Uncheck the songs in your library if you don't want them to be played automagically...?

Requires an insane amount of manual work - including unchecking every track after the first time I play it. I've over 4000 tracks in the library at the moment and I've not played everything I have on the hard drive!

I'm currently trying VLC as an option, it doesn't even provide an interface if you set it up to do so. Considering I know what track/file I've sent this isn't an issue really

PhilipMarlowe

MYOB wrote: »

Requires an insane amount of manual work....

Open itunes, press 'music' under library.
Press apple key + a to select all
hold apple key and click on a checkbox to check/uncheck the entire selection.

- including unchecking every track after the first time I play it

you're on your own here