automatic random function

[Basemaster]

hello

I am new to Subsonic and think it's great. In the past, I used the Streamsicle program frequently. It is similar to Subsonic. What I did like of that program is that it automatically enters random play mode when the current playlist is finished. So then you always have a stream going on, and if you like, you choose your own music again.

Can the automatic random play mode be implemented in Subsonic?

regards

Martin
The Netherlands

[sindre_mehus]

Hi,

I'm not crazy about the idea of automatically switching to random mode after the playlist is finished. What I can do, however, is to add a "Random radio" feature which simply streams an infinite number of random songs (possibly from a given genre). What do you think of that?

Sindre

[Basemaster]

Sindre

is there any specific reason that you dont like the automatic random function in the case of an empty playlist? It seems a logical function for at least those people that are used to it in Streamsicle. The idea of Streamsicle is that is randomly streams by default, and that you easily can select personal choices to be played next. In Subsonic, after generating a random list, personal choices end up on the bottom of the list and cant easily be moved to the next playing position, if I am correct.

In the case of huge mp3 collections, my experience is that the random features are important, it brings to the attention those songs that arent played often .... or maybe never.

The current 50 song random function is of course usable, but as said I miss the possibility to add a newly chosen song or album to be played next.

If your "Random radio" function can start randomly playing, while you can add personal songs with priority, and thus being played next, that would be great.

regards

Martin

[crisbtreets]

I too mostly listen to random play lists and find it annoying when I want to add a particular song and listen to it next then return to random. I like the idea of a random radio station. It would be nice, like in winamp, to play random songs but be able to queue up a particular song next. You have talked about having a ajax play list editor. Is that still the plan? Having a drag and drop play list would ease the frustration. Even a "Move to next" in the play list drop down menu would do it.

[sindre_mehus]

Hi,

I'll keep it in mind and let it mature. Personally, I never listen to random music, so that's probably why I'm a bit reluctant.

The current development focus is creating a completely Flash-based client. This will most likely include a client-side playlist, which will support the things you mention.

Cheers,
Sindre

[Concept211]

I COMPLETLY agree with Basemaster! I've been searching all over the internet for a good alternative to Streamsicle and Subsonic appears to be perfect in every way except for the fact that it does not have the ramdom play feature like Streamsicle.

All I need is the ability to play any random track from my music folder without having to go into the user interface and add multiple tracks to a playlist. I simply need to to play like a radio station without me having to interact with it and just leave it playing in the background.

Keep up the great work and I really hope you take this feature into serious consideration because I know many people would greatly appreciate it!

thank you!!![/u]

[sindre_mehus]

I think what you ask for is already possible. Go to "More > Random playlist" and select "Play more random songs when end of playlist is reached".

Hope this helps,
Sindre

[Concept211]

I think what you ask for is already possible. Go to "More > Random playlist" and select "Play more random songs when end of playlist is reached".

Hope this helps,
Sindre

Fantastic, Sindre!!! I guess I didn't realize what exactly that feature was when I saw it. Thanks so much for all of your help and such a great product! Your work is GREATLY appreciated!!!

[Concept211]

One thing I noticed though, is that even though I check the "Play more random songs when end of playlist is reached." option and create a random playlist from the "More" page, a lot of times it'll play through the entire playlist but then just stops instead of automatically creating a new random playlist with my selected options.

Is anyone else having this problem?

[crisbtreets]

I have been having the same problems. It seems to work sometimes but not others. I haven't been able to determine what I do differently when it works or doesn't. I think it might have something to do with making modifications to the playlist. Any changes and it seems to not create a new playlist at the end. Also it seems that it will only create a new random play list once.

It might be nice to have a stream url that automatically starts a never ending random playlist. I guess you could do this already by always having a player with a random playlist enabled.

[Concept211]

I completely agree with you, crisbtreets. I've been trying to reproduce the issue, but it just seems so random when it happens. I'm still having the same issues, but I can't put my finger on it as to why it keeps stopping.

Hopefully, Sindre will look into this for the final 3.5 release.

[fblack]

I use Streamsicle at work. We have a machine that hosts the Streamsicle server and automatically on boot starts the URL that 'plays' a stream. That machine's sound card is connected to an amp and powers the overhead speakers throughout our office. Anyone can select songs to be put in the queue. The way Streamsicle can randomly select songs plus allow requests is very useful to us. Would love this feature. Can your random mode be enabled by default? Can a user preference be set and saved for this purpose? If the box gets rebooted I would want the whole thing to start up and start playing songs.

It would also be great if the play list showed newly queued songs before they started playing. I believe if you are at the end of the play list of 10 (or what ever) Subsonic gives you a whole new random list at once.

Now I'm just being greedy, but if the play list could keep the last played few songs as well. Like a history.