If you hate iTunes, I want to show you how to use it first

[Zen0]

Holy crap ,my Volume isn't equalized, how ever will I change the volume when I feel like it.

Anyway, add ons are your friend.

http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=Foobar2000:Components

Foobar looks like so much work just to get it to be on par with some functions built into iTunes. And then, there are inherent design aspects of playlist operations that are completely different (and not as user friendly).

 

[Glitchny]

OK - that makes sense then.

iTunes is for the super unsophisticated 16 year old girls and apparently, the power users like me with features I find both essential and rudimentary that iTunes haters apparently have no use for.

lol yea keep going with the insults, obviously "power users" use iTunes because of how sophisticated it is. Only haters and use other programs...

gotta love the apple trolls

 

[Zen0]

When moving away from itunes, I added comments to certain songs. itunes totally botched a huge chunk of my songs, destroying the id3 tags. The info was right in itunes, but not when I put it in other software. I had to revert back to a backup I had.

I think you did a classic "Copy files to iTunes Media Folder when adding to the Library". You have to make sure to uncheck this before using iTunes if you don't want iTunes to affect your own file organization.

What iTunes then does is alter files it made a copy of and placed in its own library. The original files you thought with edits being made were unchanged with the ID3 edits you made.

This is my guess anyway.

I listen to albums at a time, I don't have issues w/ random volumes. And I used to be in the stats of songs... but again, moving that info from one install to another... I could do it, but I don't see my parents doing it. I think they simplified the location of the db now though, but still.

Either way, I've stopped caring about the stats to some extent. I just push it all out to last.fm so I don't have to worry about it. Even still, it just doesn't matter much to me anymore.

You can keep your own Finder/Explorer folder organization structure, copy to the new system. Just make sure you Export your Playlists and everything should be set. I don't know if it keeps statistics this way but the process should be painless.

But if you simply listen to albums at a time, then iTunes becomes less powerful and relevant. Albums will usually not have volume problems.

 

[VashHT]

I think you did a classic "Copy files to iTunes Media Folder when adding to the Library". You have to make sure to uncheck this before using iTunes if you don't want iTunes to affect your own file organization.

What iTunes then does is alter files it made a copy of and placed in its own library. The original files you thought with edits being made were unchanged with the ID3 edits you made.

This is my guess anyway.



You can keep your own Finder/Explorer folder organization structure, copy to the new system. Just make sure you Export your Playlists and everything should be set. I don't know if it keeps statistics this way but the process should be painless.

But if you simply listen to albums at a time, then iTunes becomes less powerful and relevant. Albums will usually not have volume problems.

Yeah this is why itunes is annoying though, you have to go and change the default options because they suck.

Other things itunes sucks at in my experience:
-Can't find album art for popular bands, and if it DOES find the album art it doesn't save it to the tag, you have to do it yourself.
-Doesn't detect new music if you change the default folder.

 

[God Mode]

Itunes is crap. Why the hell does it install bonjour and apple device helper and who knows what else? Why does itunes need to create so many different folders? Just merge all these things inside the main itunes program and stop it with the additional crap that tries to access the internet. I just want to put music or videos in my iphone/ipod. I don't care about tagging, organizing or any other function.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Foobar looks like so much work just to get it to be on par with some functions built into iTunes. And then, there are inherent design aspects of playlist operations that are completely different (and not as user friendly).

But if you're such a power user, then it shouldn't matter right? I mean all it is, is downloading a file and drag dropping it into a folder in the foobar directory. I mean doesn't a power user want complete control of what the program is like? I mean, you can choose exactly what components you want or need and install it on foobar without giving it half a thought.

I mean, why not download a add on that lets you play portable sound format if you really want, you're a power user no?

 

[Zen0]

Yeah this is why itunes is annoying though, you have to go and change the default options because they suck.

Other things itunes sucks at in my experience:
-Can't find album art for popular bands, and if it DOES find the album art it doesn't save it to the tag, you have to do it yourself.
-Doesn't detect new music if you change the default folder.

The way iTunes works is perfect for computer illiterate users. The way it organizes music ensures that your 15 year old girlfriend you do not delete your music accidentally from your "Download" folder.

I think the default is fine because it is suitable for most people. Power users will want to mess with all the settings to their liking immediately though.

It should not be detecting new music if you are changing the default folder (implying you are manually adding music). Imagine if you just added some random work sound files to your Desktop and it was stuck into iTunes on startup for no reason.

I don't usually have a problem with Album Art anymore. I buy more music nowadays and they're usually embedded.

 

[randomlinh]

I think you did a classic "Copy files to iTunes Media Folder when adding to the Library". You have to make sure to uncheck this before using iTunes if you don't want iTunes to affect your own file organization.

What iTunes then does is alter files it made a copy of and placed in its own library. The original files you thought with edits being made were unchanged with the ID3 edits you made.

This is my guess anyway.

I did that to copy my library in initially since I had it in a few locations. I backed that up on disk and put it away. When I left, I wanted to keep all the comments I made in what I thought was the id3 tag editor. I found you have to actually say "write out id3" tags to have it work, and when I did that, it totally wiped my edits. That's when I went back to my backup because I didn't trust what was done from there on.

I don't know if it keeps statistics this way but the process should be painless.

wasn't that a big point about your itunes pluses? my point was ppl don't know to backup certain files, they just burn a data disc.

Albums will usually not have volume problems.

I know. That's why I made that point....

 

[shortylickens]

i don't need a program to organize my music because I'm not a fucking moron

I should sig that and join some apple fanboy forums.

 

[Zen0]

But if you're such a power user, then it shouldn't matter right? I mean all it is, is downloading a file and drag dropping it into a folder in the foobar directory. I mean doesn't a power user want complete control of what the program is like? I mean, you can choose exactly what components you want or need and install it on foobar without giving it half a thought.

I mean, why not download a add on that lets you play portable sound format if you really want, you're a power user no?

That means I want to spend time actually empowering my music experience, not trying to tweak a program to be able to do it. It is especially pointless since iTunes is there and accessible.

The iTunes interface is also about 10 years more intuitive and ahead of Foobar.

The way the software is designed and works is simply ... flawless. There are no wasted space in iTunes, no wasted buttons. Just simple and clean. The powerful is there for those of us who want it.

When you can use iTunes to your own liking, then the synchronization with Apple products makes the Apple products worth owning, and not the other way around.

Someone asked me why I bought my first iPod because I liked iTunes so much. Well, that's how powerful iTunes is.

 

[Zen0]

Itunes is crap. Why the hell does it install bonjour and apple device helper and who knows what else? Why does itunes need to create so many different folders? Just merge all these things inside the main itunes program and stop it with the additional crap that tries to access the internet. I just want to put music or videos in my iphone/ipod. I don't care about tagging, organizing or any other function.

Ignoring the many things iTunes may install (you can disable or uninstall many of these services by the way, Windows 7 easily allows for these. Start with "msconfig" in your start menu.

Putting music on your iPhone or iPod is incredibly simple.

1) Make sure to disable iTunes' organization
2) Drag and drop your files into iTunes
3) Synchronize with your device.

You're done! Your iPod or iPhone will automatically allow you to listen to your music based on Artist, Album, Genre, shuffle etc.

When you did step #1), you ensure that iTunes does not mess your original file structuring and organization, so wherever you put your music or organize it within Windows Explorer is up to you entirely.

If you want to get into why I love iTunes and explore the power of Playlists (the real organization), then you can go from there.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Really??? Do we need to start a thread on how to use Windows or Android too?

Are you kidding? Those would certainly be helpful. I bet not even Bill Gates knows every shortcut, program and feature built into new Windows versions! Even pros can learn something if they keep an open mind!

 

[shortylickens]

That means I want to spend time actually empowering my music experience, not trying to tweak a program to be able to do it. It is especially pointless since iTunes is there and accessible.

The iTunes interface is also about 10 years more intuitive and ahead of Foobar.

The way the software is designed and works is simply ... flawless. There are no wasted space in iTunes, no wasted buttons. Just simple and clean. The powerful is there for those of us who want it.

When you can use iTunes to your own liking, then the synchronization with Apple products makes the Apple products worth owning, and not the other way around.

Someone asked me why I bought my first iPod because I liked iTunes so much. Well, that's how powerful iTunes is.

 

[Zen0]

I did that to copy my library in initially since I had it in a few locations. I backed that up on disk and put it away. When I left, I wanted to keep all the comments I made in what I thought was the id3 tag editor. I found you have to actually say "write out id3" tags to have it work, and when I did that, it totally wiped my edits. That's when I went back to my backup because I didn't trust what was done from there on.


wasn't that a big point about your itunes pluses? my point was ppl don't know to backup certain files, they just burn a data disc.


I know. That's why I made that point....

Hmm, well I guess I'm not sure how to use iTunes the "unsophisticated" way either lol. I have always used in a power user manner.

I have my music organized in Finder/Explorer (it can move from computer to computer regardless of whether it's a mac or PC), and the Playlists follow it when I want to move to a new system.

It is so simple the way I use it, I would have to Google and learn how to backup iTunes from a lay-man's perspective.

 

[Zen0]

I'm actually trying to help people who want to better understand how to take advantage of iTunes here...

And for the rest of the naysayers to perhaps understand why some people actually find iTunes better, you would need to keep an open mind.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

That means I want to spend time actually empowering my music experience, not trying to tweak a program to be able to do it. It is especially pointless since iTunes is there and accessible.

The iTunes interface is also about 10 years more intuitive and ahead of Foobar.

The way the software is designed and works is simply ... flawless. There are no wasted space in iTunes, no wasted buttons. Just simple and clean. The powerful is there for those of us who want it.

When you can use iTunes to your own liking, then the synchronization with Apple products makes the Apple products worth owning, and not the other way around.

Someone asked me why I bought my first iPod because I liked iTunes so much. Well, that's how powerful iTunes is.

Uh Huh. I see. So the 30 seconds it takes to find a add on that you want to add to "empower" your program is longer than the equalization you do to "empower" your listening. I mean, can itunes even PLAY PSF files? Or read directly from a 7zip file, or AY, GBS, GYM, HES, KSS, NSF, SAP, SGC, SPC, and VGM, or just tons of random things that give foobar it's power.

Also, how flawless are we talking here. Because all I ever do is listen to music, and it's done that "flawlessly" No crashes, no hiccups, plays every single file I throw at it, convert to other files if i feel like it.



I'm not seeing much wasted space here. I just went for a 100% clean utilitarian look with nothing in the way of special effects. What more could you want? I could add visualizations I suppose to the area around the playlist list, or something like a bitrate tracker. But i didn't feel the need for that stuff.

 

[Zen0]

Uh Huh. I see. So the 30 seconds it takes to find a add on that you want to add to "empower" your program is longer than the equalization you do to "empower" your listening. I mean, can itunes even PLAY PSF files? Or read directly from a 7zip file, or AY, GBS, GYM, HES, KSS, NSF, SAP, SGC, SPC, and VGM, or just tons of random things that give foobar it's power.

Also, how flawless are we talking here. Because all I ever do is listen to music, and it's done that "flawlessly" No crashes, no hiccups, plays every single file I throw at it, convert to other files if i feel like it.



I'm not seeing much wasted space here. I just went for a 100% clean utilitarian look with nothing in the way of special effects. What more could you want? I could add visualizations I suppose to the area around the playlist list, or something like a bitrate tracker. But i didn't feel the need for that stuff.

There is so much white space in that window it's depressing.

"I mean, can itunes even PLAY PSF files? Or read directly from a 7zip file, or AY, GBS, GYM, HES, KSS, NSF, SAP, SGC, SPC, and VGM, or just tons of random things that give foobar it's power."

Aside from 7Zip, I have no idea what you just said. Those are not useages any normal person would ever encounter regarding music.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

There is so much white space in that window it's depressing.

"I mean, can itunes even PLAY PSF files? Or read directly from a 7zip file, or AY, GBS, GYM, HES, KSS, NSF, SAP, SGC, SPC, and VGM, or just tons of random things that give foobar it's power."

Aside from 7Zip, I have no idea what you just said. Those are not useages any normal person would ever encounter regarding music.

So you admit that iTunes fails at "power usage" Power usage means using programs in ways that average person wouldn't. Those are all different audio file formats that exist that foobar can support. So what are you going for. iTunes are superior for power users because of the things that both foobar and iTunes can do, or is iTunes just a stupid mans media player that doesn't have any extra functionality over foobar but locks you into the ecosystem?

Also, you do realize that the UI is fully customizable and I personally made it that way because it was the most functional? It has everything. List of artists, albums, songs, a list of playlists if I felt like making any, a search bar. No weird colors everywhere, just pure functionality.

 

[Zen0]

So you admit that iTunes fails at "power usage" Power usage means using programs in ways that average person wouldn't. Those are all different audio file formats that exist that foobar can support. So what are you going for. iTunes are superior for power users because of the things that both foobar and iTunes can do, or is iTunes just a stupid mans media player that doesn't have any extra functionality over foobar but locks you into the ecosystem?

Also, you do realize that the UI is fully customizable and I personally made it that way because it was the most functional? It has everything. List of artists, albums, songs, a list of playlists if I felt like making any, a search bar. No weird colors everywhere, just pure functionality.

I suppose if you count obscure internet niche nerds to have trademarked the exclusive domain of power users, I can't win that one.

Your audio file formats that exist but are unused by virtually anybody in this world is a wonderful display of Foobar's power indeed.

 

[postaled]

I think I am doing it wrong. Yet I still <3 winamp over itunes.

Still can't remember what program did that to my music.... oh well.

I don't sync/transfer music with anything really anymore anyway. Subsonic is awesome.

 

[Zen0]

I think I am doing it wrong. Yet I still <3 winamp over itunes.

Still can't remember what program did that to my music.... oh well.

I don't sync/transfer music with anything really anymore anyway. Subsonic is awesome.

Oh lord, using iTunes' self organization feature is better than what you did there.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I just use foobar on the default settings except I made it black background white text... Installed iTunes one time and threw up a little in my mouth before I uninstalled it... no thanks.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

I suppose if you count obscure internet niche nerds to have trademarked the exclusive domain of power users, I can't win that one.

Your audio file formats that exist but are unused by virtually anybody in this world is a wonderful display of Foobar's power indeed.

So the lack of an actual answer does show that you're conceding the points of iTunes lacking in functionality over foobar. Do you have any arguments to use rather than making a weak defensive answer?

Does iTunes also support Flac,or read cue, or support pausing music when going to lock screen, support for different decoding add ons, or perhaps even create cue sheets if you feel the need, or have the ability to be controlled by over a dozen remote control methods?

 

[frostedflakes]

Itunes is crap. Why the hell does it install bonjour and apple device helper and who knows what else? Why does itunes need to create so many different folders? Just merge all these things inside the main itunes program and stop it with the additional crap that tries to access the internet. I just want to put music or videos in my iphone/ipod. I don't care about tagging, organizing or any other function.

This is my main gripe with it, all I really want is something to put music on my iPods. Don't need another media player/organizer or all the extra crap. Fortunately because iPods are so popular, there are a ton of alternatives for syncing with them. I personally just use the built-in iPod plugin for Winamp and it works fine for my needs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_ipod_managers

 

[SunnyD]

This is my main gripe with it, all I really want is something to put music on my iPods. Don't need another media player/organizer or all the extra crap. Fortunately because iPods are so popular, there are a ton of alternatives for syncing with them. I personally just use the built-in iPod plugin for Winamp and it works fine for my needs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_ipod_managers

And worse yet, if you want to UNINSTALL all that crap, you have to do it ... ONE ... BY ... ONE.