Developing an album listing software

[Zeugma 440]

At last, the official thread ! :D

Now that the feature list & design have been written, I'm about to start the coding of a software that would help you exporting your VGM (or whatever) albums list to TXT, static HTML or dynamic HTML format.
This tool aims at building a catalog as thorough as possible and easy to read and browse.

Basically, you'll have to tell it which folders to list, and it will eventually generate a catalog containing all the albums and tracks, with info provided by tags (year, artist, length, bitrate....) and manual input (catalog number, number of CDs, genre, category...).

The software will be written with C#, so that it will be runnable from any platform.

If you have any wish concerning its features, please add your post to this thread :) I'll probably start the coding in mid-January...

[Kilu]

Just make it so that one can choose what information to import from tags into the html/txt/whatever and I'll be happy :) And a possibility to list only folders if the user so chooses. Just a lot of different options and I'm sold :)

[Myrkul]

Same requests for me!
The perfect software could let me choose whatever i want :)

The most important thing (at least for me) is the choice to list the tracks name by the "tags" or not (i got loads of tracks that are not tagged).

Then anything else is fine :)
The most interesting things could be the file size, and the track length :D
Maybe the choice to indicate the full path of the directory or not (to not show x:/my files/files/files/music/album...)

And yes the choice of the folders and sub-folders to list or not.

Catalog number information is nice too, but i think it will be on manual only? :)

I know! That's a lot O_O :D

[eViL bAz]

Thats pretty cool to cuz if someone wants to request a file just ask by a catalog no. not necesary the original one but maybe a created by the program dont you think?

[tanisthalon]

This software you are all discussing, could be interesting to us all. I have tried DirLister and Advanced File Organizer, they fail to meet what I really wanted, albeit decent programs. You could really hit the nail on the head and please a lot of people ;).

[eViL bAz]

Yeah theres a good program that it work to me its name its MP3 Collectorz and its a good one but it has his disadvantage :( also zeugma had u think of put in the program and option to upload a picture of the album like chudahs corner page? it would be cool too.

[Myrkul]

About the "catalog" option you guys are talking...

You want to be able to create your own catalog ? (like album 01; 02; 03...)
Or use an universal catalog number ? :D

Cause there are already catalog numbers for each official release (for example the album of "Alundra 1 OST" is "ARCJ-66").

What are you thinking about it? And would this be possible on the software ? :)

[eViL bAz]

well what i was talking about the first option like 01;02;03... but come to think about it the 2nd one its more interesting think it that all the files we share has an RPGamer Exclusive catalog Number and everyone who have that file can share it what u think maybe its a little out of reach but it would be cool have an RPGN CATALOG like #GAMEMP3 but with our comunity what you think?http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/cheers.gifhttp://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/ct/robo.gif

[Locke Cole]

You're taking on a very large project here, you should start simple and then worry about features. My database program allows me to do what I want it to since I have it customized as I please, however it still has many problems, and takes over 3 hours to index everything. Its run strictly with PHP and MySQL coding. I am hesitant to share my code as it has many problems still in it, and I was sortof going for something unique... however sharing it would lead it to be much less then that. Maybe once its polished and clear of errors, I'll see if it can be of use to some people.

Good luck on your project :)

[Zeugma 440]

Yay, answer time :D


Just make it so that one can choose what information to import from tags into the html/txt/whatever


Of course! There are 12 properties for each track, and 13 for each album, thus exporting ALL the info would create an oversized list :p It will be possible to choose anything you'd like to export (and save this into "export templates").

Maybe the choice to indicate the full path of the directory or not (to not show x:/my files/files/files/music/album...)

Huh ? I hadn't tought about this option :p That's in the list now :)

also zeugma had u think of put in the program and option to upload a picture of the album like chudahs corner page? it would be cool too.

Why not ? *added to the list*



About the catalog number issue, I thought about the official ones since the beginning. I think it would be useless to create our own sorting system, since there already are references for all albums :wonder: Any of these two systems would require catalog numbers to be entered manually...



You're taking on a very large project here, you should start simple and then worry about features. My database program allows me to do what I want it to since I have it customized as I please

Yeah, don't worry, I won't start to code every possible feature at the same time, I know what I'm doing :D

The point here is to allow anyone to create and publish his/her catalog, not only those who know how to create databases or those who are patient enough to do everything manually.

[eViL bAz]

Thats excellent Zeugma I would think in another options Im not to good with coding and programing but Im good with Graphics anything you need with that just tell me ok

Locke also we want to tell you that maybe we copy a little of your webpage but we also want to help you and dont want to leave all the job to you. hehehehehe.

[Myrkul]

The point here is to allow anyone to create and publish his/her catalog, not only those who know how to create databases "or those who are patient enough to do everything manually".
:D

Thx Zeugma, that looks promising! :)

[eViL bAz]

Hey Zeugma Howd you go if you need some help just tell me maybe I can be of some help hehehehe cya

[Zeugma 440]

Thanks eViL bAz :) What kind of stuff can you do for such a project ?

As a side note, I'm starting the coding this weekend :D

[eViL bAz]

I dont know but I want to help, like I told you I dont have Code Abilities but I have a lot of Helping Desire, well like I told you also Im good with graphics and that kind of stuff also I dance very well :P hehehehee well looks like I am not of much help but anyway just tell me

[Zeugma 440]

eViL bAz> Maybe you could design the splash screen logo once the codename has been chosen ?

About the codename, I have several ideas in mind :

l!st !t (will make a fun logo :D )

cat@logger

Eth0s (with a greek Sigma instead of the E -- my fav so far)


You're welcome to leave an opinion...

[eViL bAz]

Ok this ones you need it in some specific format or I coud let fly my imagination? just let me know

[tanisthalon]

I think you should let fly with your imagination. You may produce something better then Zeugma may have envisioned or help create a collaboration of both ideas. Looking more and more forward to the outcome of this one :).

[eViL bAz]

OK, The I must to work hard hehehehehe

[Zeugma 440]

Yup, tanisthalon is right !

Concerning the name, I think I'd go with Eth0s catalogger. Let your imagination fly, but remember that we need something eye-catching and attractive. I'll PM you my early logos when I start them.

[eViL bAz]

Ok Ill begin right now hehehehe

[eViL bAz]

Hey Zeugma I was thinking in something like this:

The Name With the E (Sigma as you said) and C (a One I semidesign) in Grand and in Small letter the rest of it Like

Ethos Collector

and in the end put a folder archieving a musical note (of course designed) what you think

[Zeugma 440]

We're currently working on the logo. eViL bAz's first shots look really great !
I'll post the final version here when it's done :spin:

As for programming, the software is on it's way. Expect a "preview" version in two months, if all goes well...

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

I have alot of options for you, as I am a programmer myself. I really wanted to make a program that suited to alot of stuff that I wanted to have in a decent Catalog organizer.

1. Finding CRC's for correct and original OSTs.
2. Automatically recognize the song image preview and pose a matching song in the original song DB.
3. Flexible and volatile for foriegn standards like RPGN, #gamemp3s, OST standards.

The above are perhaps quite advanced features for a normal catalogger. So the ones that i would love to have in your software will be...

1. Make an XML output, which is based on ER database Rules.
This will make it easier for everyone to put on the web, easier to understand, browse, edit and above all its a universal media format.

2. Automatically add TAG information from one predefined TAG header of a music file to all the UNTagged music files listed in a directory....believe me, its a very nifty feature.

3. If you like some help.... I love to help.

I hope you like the info and suggestions.

[Elhaym van Houten]

Wow, Zeugma, this time you've taken to a really great project :).
I can't be of much help, but I am really looking forward to this.
It sounds very promising, just the thing I've been looking for.
Count me in for testing it ^^

[Zeugma 440]

M.H.A.Q.S.> Thanks for adding more suggestions, but could you be more precise :

1. Finding CRC's for correct and original OSTs.
What do you mean by "finding" ? CRC's is proper to the file, not to the OST :wonder: At least I could do a tool for generating SFVs for each album...

2. Automatically recognize the song image preview and pose a matching song in the original song DB.
What do you mean by 'image preview' ? How the waveform looks ?! Is the word I've put in bold "propose" rapther than "pose" ?

3. Flexible and volatile for foriegn standards like RPGN, #gamemp3s, OST standards.
We've already discussed about that, and I chose to keep the most official standard for tagging, i.e. the CD catalog number.

1. Make an XML output, which is based on ER database Rules.
I always keep in mind that some people have something like 21.000 items in their collection. An XML file storing such a large collection would take too much space. Nobody wants to download a >5MB file just to browse the contents of a music list :wonder:
Nevertheless, XML is universal, so making an XML output would be more than interesting for importing the list into DB softwares and so on... I'll add this feature once the rest works fine.


Elhaym> Yay, thanks ! The more people are testing, the quicker the project reaches its release :D


For now, I'm developing the "Acquisistion" part, where you choose which folders to add to the collection...

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

For the CRC's :
Every Song File has a CRC fixed for it. If You can make a Database for the software that contains original CRC's from OST collections then you can help someone recognize, if he has the original song file...same concept as ROMS, to be more precise.

For the Song Image Preview:
Every Waveform has a particular image which can somehow help you in differentiating it from another waveform...I hope you understand now.

Pose or Propose...I'll go with Propose :).

Anyway...Good Luck with the Project.

[Myrkul]

CRC idea will not work... (even if i love it for roms like you said)

It can work for roms since everyone is getting the same rom...
But now music ...

A difference of 1 second in a track and you'll have not the same CRC...
A different encoding and you'll have not the same CRC...

There's already a way to see if it's a Game rip or a real ost... the number of tracks is very very often not the same. (and maybe tracks names)
You can check number of tracks and tracks names searching on a good OST database on the net.

[Zeugma 440]

About CRCs : We're talking about the same thing, right ? CRC means cyclic redundacy check. Checking it is a way to ensure a file has not been corrupted or alterated.
The only 'original' song you can get is the PCM track on the CD itself.
Every rip is different. It depends on the ripping software and its version, the audio compression format, the encoding software and its version, and finally the encoding parameters.
Thus you can have, say, 20 quality rips from the original CD => 20 different pack of files => 20 different pack of CRCs. You chance to match a given CRC is quite low indeed.

About waveforms : I see what you mean. It's a highly advanced feature indeed, and requires digital signal processing libraries. I don't think I will implement that before a long time, since catalogging features are more important (they are the main purpose of Ethos).

Nevertheless, if you think you know enough about waveforms and C# programming, I'd be interested in collaborating with you to develop a waveform analysis routine. I just don't have enough time to spend on something like that if I have to do it on my own.

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Thanks for your response guys. I already knew that those features are advanced for a project right now. I would really love to work with you but that would require alot of time and that is something I really lack right now. Whenever you release your first preview of the software, please do try to give the source code as well...if possible.

I will still try to help you out with some code written at my end. I will complete the code and submit it you...ok.

I understand about the CRC issue so lets leave it...:).

edit: I almost forgot to tell you guys that I have been working on a complete listing of OSTs from all consoles and all formats. It is in Excess format right now and it is far from complete in terms of authenticity. I have compiled the major part from the already OST listings on RPGN and other game music sites.

I hope that DB can help you and this site and many other guys on the net.

[Zeugma 440]

This is just to say that I have officially added the Ethos project to my website (Zeugma's Hideout (http://www.zeugmaonline.sytes.net/index.php?section=1)). I'll report my progress here in this thread, though.

For now : too much work for school :( - I'm still stuck on the acquisition window (which works well :D ). Thanks to the ending of two important engineering projects, I'll probably have the time to do something next week...

[eViL bAz]

Excellent you know my mail and if you have some Ideas JUst tell me via MSN ok well cya

[Zeugma 440]

The coding of Ethos is progressing quite well :

- Base mechanism of directory scanning is complete
- Base mechanism of Collection building (i.e. obtain a Collection with Albums and Titles from a directory scan) is complete
- Titles can take info from the files' ID3v1 and ID3v2 tags
- Collection saving & loading is functional

[Kilu]

Cool beans. Can't wait for this to happen :D

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

You'll be releasing Beta's right?

[Zeugma 440]

Absolutely ! I'm setting up the base GUI and features and after that we'll work together with 'preview' versions (don't even call them beta's, since they do not implement all the planned features).

Concerning Linux, I have more and more doubts about the compatibility, since some of the components I use (especially the official ID3 tag reader library) do not look compatible at all. If someone has something to say about it, please let me know...

[Zeugma 440]

Another update :

- Albums can now update their attributes (e.g. Year) using the content of their Titles
- Albums explorer and titles explorer partially designed and functional
- Settings dialog partially designed; settings saving & loading complete
- Export dialog partially designed; export presets saving & loading complete

Next step : the export mechanism itself :)

[tanisthalon]

*Rubbs hands together quickly, creating a warm fuzzy feeling* Its getting nearer, can't wait to try it out :).

[Kilu]

What way will the settings be saved? Registry, xml, ini? Or something else?

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

I have another thing to ask you Zeugma. There are times when you have songs put in a directory, probably downloaded or ripped from somewhere. I mean they are not tagged properly, but you do know which game are they from.

e.g. Devil may Cry 3
Sound 3.mp3
Sound 1.mp3...

The software should be able to recognize the directory name according to some standard and rename and TAG all the songs in it through some recognition. I hope you understand what i mean.

[Kilu]

If I understood you correctly, that would require a build in music database or an ability to pull the data from some site. Build in database would be a bad idea because of the sheer size of it (because it should contain all kinds on music, not just vgm), and pulling of the data from online service to tag the files... well, there are plenty of programs that do that already.

I personally would prefer to keep it as a listing software, but the call is not mine.

[tanisthalon]

Is it a batch conversion you are trying to discus? E.g. you have mixed tags in a file and you want them all converting to the same album title etc.

[eViL bAz]

Excellent Zeugma, Its the beta release already in your Site? or would you anounce us here? I cant wait :dance:

[Zeugma 440]

kilu> The settings are saved in a binary file, and are unreadable if you open the file and try to read what's inside. Do you think it's really useful to put them in an XML/INI file ?

M.H.A.Q.S.> Definitely not, sorry. The proper tagging of your files should be done on a tagging softawre such as MP3Tag. Ethos aims at being a catalogging tool before all, with minimal tagging features.

eViL bAz> All the early development phase (progress reports, beta release, bug reporting...) will take place here, in this very thread, and probably on MSN as well for those who have me in their contact list.
For the moment, I do not plan to post any beta on my site.

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

M.H.A.Q.S.>
You'll be releasing Beta's right?
Zeugma440>
don't even call them beta's, since they do not implement all the planned features
eVil_bAz
Its the beta release already in your Site
Zeugma440>
I do not plan to post any beta on my site.

Just trying to be naughty! :). Anyway, I see what you are trying to do now but will you implement these features in the future for advanced versions...just for the sake of my happiness....please!!! :) :D.

[Zeugma 440]

Jeez, there's nothing wrong with what I've written ! Considering that eViL bAz knows what a beta is, and talks about betas (not preview) I tell him that there will be not betas on the site. To be even more precise, there will be no preview versions either on the site http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/nana.gif

Considering the future of Ethos, I plan on developing the customization of HTML output, which can offer really large possibilities IMO. I won't take the tagging features as far as you describe them :(

[eViL bAz]

Ok well have to wait then for the final version ;), I know thatit would be good hehehehehehe well if you need anything you know where you can find me :dance: hehehe

[Kilu]

kilu> The settings are saved in a binary file, and are unreadable if you open the file and try to read what's inside. Do you think it's really useful to put them in an XML/INI file ?
I don't care what way you save the settings, I'm just curious on what to expect.

[eViL bAz]

OK OK !!! I dont read your post MHAQS sorry lol hey Kilu how it feels to have Golden Ears?

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

OK OK !!! I dont read your post MHAQS You mean you never read my posts:bawl: . Well, I will be happy to see a version of the software come out soon enough. My collection is getting enormous as well and I would want to make a list of it.

GOOD LUCK Zeugma!!!

[eViL bAz]

You mean you never read my posts:bawl:

No what I mean is that I dont read that Post in where you ask the same question.... but I read every post.......:evilgrin: hehehehehe

ZEUGMA!!!!ZEUGMA!!!!

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

:D :) I',m

[Zeugma 440]

[PREVIEW VERSION 0.1]

Okay everyone, here's the first shot !

I'd like you to tell me what you think about the interface and about things that actually work on that version (i.e. acquisition and TXT export).
Any suggestion / bug report is welcome ! :)

Keep in mind that this is a preview version, without icons nor any cute images. The goal here was to write the main classes, i.e. the backbone of all the application and to provide you with the basic interface and features.
I'll add muscle and skin on the next versions, don't worry ;)

Now for the links :

Windows installer (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Catalogger_0.1_%5BWIN32%5D.exe)

ZIP version (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Catalogger_0.1_%5BWIN32%5D.zip)

Read limitations.txt to get a list of what is not featured yet.

Last but not least, it won't work if you don't have the .NET framework on your computer. Be sure to install it if you haven't done it yet. People who have run Windows Update in the last year should have it, though :D

[Kilu]

The acquire window opens in a new window. If I click out of it (back to browser for example, as I did now) and then use taskbar to get back in Ethos, the acquire window is nowehere to be seen. It's open, but it's hidden under the browser window I brought on top. The biggest problem with the acquiring opening in a new window is that it doesn't appear in taskbar as a separate window. So, I'm suggesting that either the different windows should open in the same application, so to speak, or have their own taskbar entries for easy access. The first option would be better.

Second thing about acquire window. If close it with X on the right corner, I can't open it again. It gives me some loooong error message. I would suggest that make the X button act as a alternate Cancel button, because if I close the window with cancel button, it works like it's supposed to.

More on acquire window. The drives should have that + button next to them as well.

And more. It appears that if I have a folder 'acquired' (folder name and number of tracks in the bottom box) and I try to 'save and exit' the program gives me an error.

Can't say anything about the txt export, as I couldn't get that far :)

If you can't reproduce the errors yourself, I'll get the error messages to you.

I hope all that made sense.

[Zeugma 440]

Thanks for the feedback, Kilu and eViL bAz (MSN). I see what you both mean and I'm working on it right now. I'll post a fixed version quickly.

edit : I have spotted the very reason of why it crashes when hitting the "save & exit" button. I have to completely change the part in charge of ID3 tags reading :p It will be probably done this weekend.

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

There is one more thing you need to look at, Zeugma. When you check a parent folder, all the child folders are supposed to be checked...right but when you uncheck a parent folder all the child folders are supposed to be unchecked...right. Well, this doesn't happen. All the things that Kilu mentioned happened to me as well. I would have given the report earlier when you posted the preview but then I fell asleep. :)

If for any reason, you want my help in any testing and coding, I will be happy to help out.

[Zeugma 440]

Kilu> The treeview needs more work, yup. I'll try adding +'es near the drives later (the development of the main features is more important right now).

M.H.A.Q.S.> You need to check "recurse directories" to obtain what you describe here. This checkbox is unchecked by default.

*ahem*

[PREVIEW VERSION 0.2]

Now that was quick ! I just felt so bad knowing that 0.1 crashed on every computer just because of this tag reader issue. The new version should be alright (well, at least it works on eViL bAz's comp :D)

Windows installer (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Catalogger_0.2_%5BWIN32%5D.exe)

ZIP version (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Catalogger_0.2_%5BWIN32%5D.zip)

You should all be able to acquire albums, browse, save/load your collection and export it to TXT format :spin:

[eViL bAz]

Ok Zeugma, first of all acquisition and TXT export works excellent in one and various Folders selected no bugs detected in this two options, now the Catalog dont open (np in this hehehe), albums and titles opens and you can check and see the files but the buttons are invisibles or dont see, and both windows cant close in absense of close buttons, but I know its just a preview I just tell you what I see ;), about the export window it works good and everything but the load buttons is semi hide as the same as export and close so, but everything else it works just perfect, also the things Kilu says but it is just interface thing, so long its what I see ;)

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

I think most of the stuff is working right.

edit: you haven't completed the TXT export yet, right.

[Zeugma 440]

albums and titles opens and you can check and see the files but the buttons are invisibles or dont see, and both windows cant close in absense of close buttons
Well, the Titles & Albums explorers are a bit special : they stay open as long as their button in the main menu is pressed. To close them you just have to click on it once again.

the load buttons is semi hide as the same as export and close
do you mean your screen isn't large enough or are they really not completely displayed ?

you haven't completed the TXT export yet, right.
Right : I still have a few things to test concerning titles, albums can only export their name & year, and there is no customizing options yet. But it already looks nice enough to be in the preview IMO :)

[eViL bAz]

Well, the Titles & Albums explorers are a bit special : they stay open as long as their button in the main menu is pressed. To close them you just have to click on it once again.

XD yeah it closed lol sorry its the newbie experience lol

do you mean your screen isn't large enough or are they really not completely displayed ?

>_> <_< >_>, maybe....but that dont mean nothing lol

I check all the options for export and exported like lenght, track, size and it put in the text so I think its just a step closer :evilgrin:

[Kilu]

How open you are for design suggestions? For some reason or another the 'separate window thing' I mentioned earlier bothers me. Are you planning to leave it as it is now (every function opens in a separate window) or do you plan to change it?

If it's not set on stone, here's my suggestion, sort of.
http://rpgn.lintbox.net/hosting/userfiles/Kilu/ethos.jpg

Make one solid window with different elements opening in separate tabs, sort of like that.

Also, I'm not sure if this was mentioned yet... When I start the program, go straight to acquire, and mark any of the drives to be acquired, and then expand that drive to show it's folders, it has also marked all the subfolders, even if recursing is off. This only happens if drives have not been expanded. If that makes sense.

Also, if the collection is new, and I try to save (not save as) it gives me an error. Probably should default to 'Save as...' when the collection is new.

That's all I can think of now :D

[Zeugma 440]

eViL bAz> seems that we've got a misunderstanding here :wonder: What do you mean by "but the load buttons is semi hide as the same as export and close so" ?

Also, I'm not sure if this was mentioned yet... When I start the program, go straight to acquire, and mark any of the drives to be acquired, and then expand that drive to show it's folders, it has also marked all the subfolders, even if recursing is off. This only happens if drives have not been expanded.
I see... I have to take some time to fix the code of the folder browser (it's a component I have found on The Code Project : I haven't written it myself). I'll do that when the other features are coded.

Make one solid window with different elements opening in separate tabs, sort of like that.

(Thanks for linking a picture, btw :) ) With the current system, when you explore titles, you can see the selected albums at the same time, on a separate window. Those windows will eventually be resizable, so that their size & position can fit on anyone's screen.
On the other hand, a layout based on tabs, as you propose, will look more organized, and each window will take up more surface...

Maybe I'll add an option in the settings to switch between these two modes... :hammer: I'd like to have the opinion of the other testers on this point.

[Kilu]

With the current system, when you explore titles, you can see the selected albums at the same time, on a separate window. Those windows will eventually be resizable, so that their size & position can fit on anyone's screen.
Sounds okay to me. As long as the resizing happens within' the main program. Right now the windows can be dragged over the toolbar (maybe some of the windows open over the toolbar by default, and that's what baz means when the buttons are not fully visible? I don't know, just a thought) or out of the screen. If you would set the main program to have borders where the separate windows could be docked.

If that makes sense. I'm trying to think of an example program right now. Sort of like mIRC. When there are no extra windows open, the program still takes the whole screen. (http://rpgn.lintbox.net/hosting/userfiles/Kilu/irc1.jpg) When windows would be set to full screen, it sort of looks like the tab suggestion (http://rpgn.lintbox.net/hosting/userfiles/Kilu/irc2.jpg). And then then the one with many windows in the screen the same time (http://rpgn.lintbox.net/hosting/userfiles/Kilu/irc3.jpg). Sort of like that. Of course with a possibility to tile them either horizontally or vertically. mIRC windows can be dragged out of the screen though, which isn't exactly a problem, and some people may like it.

Yeah.

[eViL bAz]

Right now the windows can be dragged over the toolbar (maybe some of the windows open over the toolbar by default, and that's what baz means when the buttons are not fully visible? I don't know, just a thought) or out of the screen.

Exactly Kilu, now that you mention that its what happens so it explain what I meant, and the suggestions that Kilu gives are just perfect lets see how things go, GO ZEUGMA!!!! YOU HAVE OUR SUPPORT ;) :wave:

[Zeugma 440]

Now that my AMV is published, I'm back on Ethos :)

Here's a brief list of what has already changed :

- Saving an unnamed Catalog with the "Save" command is not possible anymore
- All fields but category can be edited and displayed in the Titles Explorer
- Titles Explorer dialog is now resizable
- All fields but category & picture can be edited and displayed in the Albums Explorer
- Albums Explorer dialog is now resizable
- Album attributes can be automatically guessed from the titles
- TXT export (titles exporting on) : album banner can be customized by using a meta-language

Now working on TXT and HTML export...

[Kilu]

Hooray. Sounds good.

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Woh! I feel left back..tee hee, lemme catch on.

BTW, Zeugma440 I watched your video.. :)

edit: About the tabs:

Just a hint from me would be enough about how to arrange the tabs.....

Why don't you take a look at Mirosoft apps e.g. Visual Studio .NET, MS WORD..

[Zeugma 440]

Concerning the tabs, I do know what you mean but I'm not satisfied with that. I have a working "horizontal layout" for now (as in Kilu's first example : one window takes up 1st half on the screen and the other is below), and I'll consider doing the tabs later, when I have an idea I am satisfied with.

I'm currently finishing all the TXT export stuff. I came up with the idea that allowing the use of scripting to cutomize the output format is the best and most powerful idea. What I mean by script is a kind of metalaguage, as in foobar2000 (string formatting).


Example : to generate the line "Justin Timberlake - Cry Me a River (2003) [5:04]" the script is :

%ARTIST% -
%TITLE%
(%YEAR%)
[%LENGTH%]

NB : The final layout in the TXT file takes the shape of columns, so I have specified that you have to write one line per column. Thus the script above.


The problem is that this solution looks a bit nerdy, and may discourage people who are not familiar with the notion of scripting :(

The solution is to make two modes : an 'expert' mode that allows scripting and a 'standard' mode that is less powerful but easier to understand (basically : good ol' checkboxes, buttons and arrows).


Let me code this, let me fix an annoying unicode issue and you'll have Preview version 0.3 available !


:star: Please let me also know what you think about this scripting idea...

[Kilu]

I'm cool with that. If you are planning to have the checkboxes as a alternative option, there should be no harm in the scripting.

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

The scripting idea is always a good one for the expert users. You should go with those options.

[Zeugma 440]

Bwahahah ! Now that I'm on holidays I'm back on the project :evilgrin:

For now :

[PREVIEW VERSION 0.3]

Basically, TXT export is fully functional, and a lot of stuff has been added since 0.2. Please read the readme for more information.

Any feedback is welcome, as usual :) I'll implement HTML export and album categories (like "rip", "drama" or stuff like this) on the next version.

:yes: Windows Installer (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Catalogger_0.3_%5BWIN32%5D.exe)

or

:yes: ZIP version (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Catalogger_0.3_%5BWIN32%5D.zip)

Have fun :D

[Kilu]

Hooray. I'll get back to you if I have anything more interesting to add.

[eViL bAz]

Hey Zeugma Im trying it right now and its really good, but I have to pay more attention in some details, I will post my opinion monday morning okay ;) cya my friend

[Zeugma 440]

(no complaint yet ? that's good, then :D )

This is just to warn you that I'm still making changes in my file structures.
Thus the .ETH catalog files you can generate with version 0.3 won't be readable on version 0.4. Same goes for config files. I know this is annoying, but it's the rules of the game when the software is still at its early stages :wonder:

...of course, once it reaches version 1.xx, this kind of thing won't be tolerated anymore.

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

The problem with me not reporting anything about this version is because I don't have .net framework installed on my system anymore...will tell ya soon enough :).

[Zeugma 440]

Phew, enough for today ! One-file-per-catalog HTML export is finally working, and looks real good :D

I still need to test a bit more and to add some stuff here and there. Anyways, expect 0.4 to be released next week ! :spin:

Here's the changelog :

[COR] : Core
[INT] : Interface
[ACQ] : Acquisition
[EXP] : Export
[FIX] : Bugfix
[MIS] : Misc.

[COR] - Catalog and categories implemented
[INT] - Catalog dialog created
[INT] - Replaced all 'collection' words by the word 'catalog'
[EXP] - One-file-per-catalog HTML export is available
[EXP] - Albums exported attributes are now customizable as well
[EXP] - Header and footer fields are now part of a Catalog (and not part of export parameters anymore)
[FIX] - Changed the behaviour of the exported attributes list when ticking / unticking an attribute in the available attributes list
[FIX] - Items of the exported attributes list can now be moved up/down properly
[FIX] - The "Save" option is now enabled after loading a file at startup
[FIX] - Tag reading at acquisition time is more secure and should not cause crashes anymore
[FIX] - Misc. output formatting fixes

[Zeugma 440]

*yawns* Time for a change, guys ! Here comes 0.4 !!

[PREVIEW VERSION 0.4]

Now you can play with HTML export and produce at last good-looking listings :)

:star: quick example (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/demo/Animelist%2028%2004%202005.html)

Take a look at the limitations.txt, though : there's still a lot of work to do.

(note that VBR is still not displayed correctly : you'll get random stuff like 382 kbps or 805 kbps...)


:yes: Windows Installer (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Catalogger_0.4_%5BWIN32%5D.exe)

or

:yes: Zip version (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Catalogger_0.4_%5BWIN32%5D.zip)


Last but not least, according to my website stats, there are always 7 to 8 people picking my releases. If you test a preview version, tell me what you think about it, what feature you would like to see (considering that Ethos is a catalogging tool, not a masstagger), and so on.... feedback is always welcome ;)

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

I can't reach the server, it redirectes me to somewhere else ...

[Zeugma 440]

The three links work for me... Maybe you tried during a small downtime period :wonder:

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

it still gives me an error...I don't what is wrong. I'll try again after I get home today.

The URL it redirectes me to is

http://chofu.shop-info.com/shibata/

[Zeugma 440]

Looks like you've got some spyware running, M.H.A.Q.S. :D I don't know this site at all...

[Kilu]

Works for me and the html example looks kinda cool :) I'll experiment some myself tomorrow :)

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Yeah, you're right. Its not my PC its the one in the university. I will download it at home and tell you.

[Zeugma 440]

Just to give you more details about next update : I'll add tools to help you updating your catalogs without having to acquire your albums again. I also plan to implement export of pictures (album covers) into HTML documents, add the 'file formats' listbox (and thus start some experiments on other formats such as MPC) and finally develop multi-document HTML output (all the presentation code will be taken from whet has been done for 'mono-document' HTML output, so it won't be too long to make).

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

That is good news and I'm toooo Busy!!!! Keep up the good work.

[Kilu]

Finally took some time to do some poking around the 0.4 version, and here are my thoughts. Keep in mind that this is sort of a flow of mind, so I may jump around the program a bit, so if anything is a bit unclear on what I actually mean by it, just ask :)

There should be a button to return default settings in the output window. And an individual button for all the different output formats at that. In case I really like my html layout but totally messed up the txt layout, I could revert back to the default settings again. When you get the settings done, this also applies in there of course. Default settings are always good to be able to return somehow.

In the html layout settings a small sample picture of the whole layout would be good. It's good that you have the sample fonts displayed, but the general output will remain as a mystery until you actually export something. Also I would like to see more backround color options, individual colors for footer, header etc. Would it be possible to somehow limit the font display only to display the common webfonts that should be found on every computer? To make sure that if you make a html list it will show up with correct fonts on every computer. For the alphabetical index it would be nice if there were a possibility to include all the alphabets in there, but the ones with no albums under them would of course be grayed out.

I would say that you should ditch the %NAME attribute completely from the export, and use the standard stuff like %album, %title etc. As the %NAME changes it's meaning depending on the acquisation settings and the exporting tab (in the album tab it's either what the album tag says, or the folder name, depending on acqusation settings, in the titles tab it is the track title), it just complicates the exporting process unnecessarily. The possibility to choose a name for the catalog is there, but it's sort of hidden in a place where I didn't expect it to be. Maybe add an option for "ask the name everytime", and when using the default name, the option to not include the date in the name. When variable bitrates are present, it should probably show average rather than the highest bitrate present. When exporting a lot of different numbers, it would be good to have some sort of identifier in the final list. Right now it looks like they are just random numbers with spaces in between, because there is nothing in there to actually tell that the three digit number is the bitrate, and so on. I'm sure you are planning to add some more configuration on the html exporting though, so that's probably coming anyway.

I can't get the txt export working at all. 'EXPORT INCOMPLETE ! An error has occurred while exporting.'

It would be good if there was an option to remember the folder the last list was saved into.

There seems to be a slight problem with exporting ä and ö letters aswell. I made a sample catalog (http://rpgn.lintbox.net/hosting/userfiles/Kilu/catalog.html). Check any of the CMX albums. And I'm quite sure that my tags are correct ;) Also, how about an option to sort the tracklist by filename? Check the CMX - Dinosaurus Stereophonicus album for an example why I'd need it. My filenames start with 101, 102 etc. because it's a 2 disc album. But I choose to keep the tracknumber tag as two digit. And so this happens.

There also needs to be a 'refresh folders' button in the acquasation window. I can't get a new folder appear in the list unless I completely shutdown the program.

That's all for now :)

[Zeugma 440]

Hey, your comments were worth waiting for, Kilu :D
Now my to-do list has doubled, but that was exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for ^^

A few comments of mine (what is not commented has been noted as well, don't worry) :

There should be a button to return default settings in the output window. And an individual button for all the different output formats at that. Default settings and config management are still kinda weak in the current version, yup. I have planned to improve greatly these two things in the near future. Sorting configuration parameters per export type is a simple and neat idea I hadn't had, so thanks for the suggestion :)

In the html layout settings a small sample picture of the whole layout would be good. That's difficult indeed because your browser is the one who will interpretate all the HTML tags. But I could create a "quick view" option that would export, say 10 albums to a temporary HTML file and then launch the default browser to view it *nods*

Would it be possible to somehow limit the font display only to display the common webfonts that should be found on every computer? To make sure that if you make a html list it will show up with correct fonts on every computer. Hmm :wonder: there should be an option to toggle between that and the current choice. Consider someone who chooses to make a catalog for himself. He would be reeeally disappointed if his favourite weird and fantasy fonts weren't in the font dialog ;)

I can't get the txt export working at all. 'EXPORT INCOMPLETE ! An error has occurred while exporting Stupid me http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/embarassedlaugh.gif Fixed now :D Next time I'll test everything before making a release :p

There seems to be a slight problem with exporting ä and ö letters aswell. Hmm, in fact I just forgot to write the appropriate encoding info header.
Browsers take the default encoding (ANSI) although the file is written with UTF-8 encoding. Set Firefox to UTF-8 and you'll see your ä's & ö's back :spin:

There also needs to be a 'refresh folders' button in the acquasation window. Okay, that's official now : the acquisition treeview sucks ! I'll take care of that later with the rest of the interface.


Right now I'm translating a bunch of tag-related and audio formats-related libraries so that Ethos will be able to recognize more formats. Even if you probably have no idea about it, what I'm doing represents a great step towards Linux compatibility (an ideal goal that I have not given up yet :D )

Well, now that I have Kilu's feedback on paper, I prefer to make an mono-document HTML export that everyone agrees with before attacking the multi-document HTML export. Thus 0.5 will probably feature many improvements but no additional export option.

[Kilu]

Hmm :wonder: there should be an option to toggle between that and the current choice. Consider someone who chooses to make a catalog for himself. He would be reeeally disappointed if his favourite weird and fantasy fonts weren't in the font dialog ;)
Definitely a good idea. Btw, do you happen to know what is the general fallback font? I'm assuming it's the same on all browsers, but I have no idea what it is.

[Zeugma 440]

I think it depends of the browser : there's an "font & colors" option in each browser, most of the time configured to display Times New Roman by default.

Raw textfiles, however, are usually displayed in Courier or Courier New, because every char is displayed with the same width.

I hope this helps :)

[SeymourGuado]

I could make a program but that would take too much effort, i use excel and do it the hard way, solid data input

;)

Seifer Almasy

[Zeugma 440]

Have you tried one of the preview versions, Seymour ? You could also give your opinion about my software, you know :D

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Kilu made a very descriptive analysis. I think I see all those problems too. But it is looking good.

[Zeugma 440]

A small post to keep you aware of what's going on...

I've spent the past two weeks translating classes from Pascal to C# in order to have audio stats & tag info readers entirely written in C#.

Version 0.4 was using the Windows API, which kinda sucked because Windows can only read MP3 file info and ID3 tags

Now I have a kickass class system which allows me to add support for any audio format or tag format :shades: For now, only MP3 and ID3v1/ID3v2/APEtag are supported, but I'll quickly add some more formats in the following months ;)

Next week, I'll do some more debugging on tag readers and I'll start designing the new settings management system.

[eViL bAz]

Cool Zeugma I cant wait to see it :), Can i eat it?

[Zeugma 440]

A small update for those who wonder what's going on : I'm done with the new setting management system (which works like hell, btw :D ) and I'm now implementing the changes that Kilu has listed in his feedback.

I'd also like to say that I really appreciate what Kilu said about this stupid "%NAME" tag. Now that all the metas have a decent name, the code looks somehow cleaner :)

As for the release of 0.5, you should expect it to happen in something like two weeks.

[Zeugma 440]

Now is high time to publish what I've been working on for a couple of weeks :D

[PREVIEW VERSION 0.5]

The export types are still the same (TXT and HTML with unique file) but a lot of improvements and fixes have been added.
Here are the main highlights for this new version :

- Support for APE tags
- Support for OGG Vorbis files and Vorbis tags
- Support for Musepack / MPEGPlus files
- Folders remembering
- New export dialog
- Exporting of album pictures (HTML)

You may see all the other minor changes on the readme file.


:yes: Windows installer (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Catalogger_0.5_%5BWIN32%5D.exe)

:yes: ZIP archive (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Catalogger_0.5_%5BWIN32%5D.zip)


On the roadmap for 0.6 :
- Multi-file HTML export (main index + one per album), if everybody is satisfied with the current HTML export
- Support for more audio formats
- Possibility to choose which audio formats to acquire
- Tabs layout on the main window
- Albums & tracks info refreshing
- Creation of a log window that keeps track of all the commands issued during an Ethos work session
- ... and of course, all of your suggestions ;)

[Zeugma 440]

I assume that summertime is killing people's enthusiasm, as usual :p

This is just to keep this thread on the main page, and to say that I'm still working on Ethos (you can even read that sentence twice but it won't change at all : I DO work on it during summer). A private version has been released for eViL bAz, who really needs the multi-page HTML export (i.e. one page per album). This version doesn't have all the features I planned for 0.6 so I won't release it publicly.

You can still PM me if you're in a hurry and want to use Ethos for building your own HTML album list before the release of 0.6...

[Kilu]

Agh, I haven't even tested the 0.5 version yet. Keeping so busy with everything else. Maybe I should organize my timetable or something and make time for this :)

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

I'm getting so lazy these days. The last time I had .NET framework installed on my system was like ummm, well....I don't even remember... :)

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Zeugma440, I was compiling a help file and a Database for the Cataloger, the help is almost complete and the database is still far from complete. I will upload the PDF help file somwhere so that you can take a look.

The database is something like CDDB...A database of Game Music that any music software can take use of, so I'll keep working on it and release it once in the near future.

[Zeugma 440]

A helpfile ? Man, that's a good surprise http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/dance.gif
But you have to know that the user interface is not definitive, as a few things keep changing from version to version.
Thus fear the manual won't be totally finished until version 1.0 is out and the interface is finalized -I'm going to add icons in a near future, so that people don't flee in panic when they see the screenshots ;) -

Concerning the database, how many albums have you done so far ? If everyone here adds his contribution we will have a decent vgmusic cataog to begin with :D

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

hmm, I see what you mean about the help file. I will update it for you with every version, just send me a Beta copy of the software with details and I will keep updating it.

The database now has 200 Albums from PSX, PS2, Anime and Arcade collections. Its still far from complete. It would be lovely if people join in and we can update it so that it is finished fastly. I have over 1500 Albums uncatalogged right now...I think.

I have an idea, tell me if you guys like it. An online VG music database such as www.vgmusic.info (Locke Cole's), where people can search around and browse Albums and if they feel that they can update, fix and add something to it they can do so. I can work it around in ASP.NET and it won't take me much time either. It can help Ethos in consulting the online database and it can also be packed with the software installer to help with various stuff. What do you think?

[Zeugma 440]

hmm, I see what you mean about the help file. I will update it for you with every version, just send me a Beta copy of the software with details and I will keep updating it.
Okay, wait until 0.6 is out, I'll continue posting my releases here :)
Can I see what you have done so far ?

I have an idea, tell me if you guys like it. An online VG music database such as www.vgmusic.info (http://www.vgmusic.info/) (Locke Cole's), where people can search around and browse Albums and if they feel that they can update, fix and add something to it they can do so.
That sure sounds like Game Music Revolution, which has been online for 6 years now http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/bigeyes.gif But I don't think softwares can consult the database automatically. That would be the only innovation, though... I don't know if you can compete with the reference site for VGM fans :wonder:

[Kilu]

I have an idea, tell me if you guys like it. An online VG music database such as www.vgmusic.info (Locke Cole's), where people can search around and browse Albums and if they feel that they can update, fix and add something to it they can do so. I can work it around in ASP.NET and it won't take me much time either. It can help Ethos in consulting the online database and it can also be packed with the software installer to help with various stuff. What do you think?
http://musicbrainz.org/

:D
It's not game music only, and they have their own tagger (if you happen to be interested, don't download the one from the mainpage, that's old, download the new picard) but that pretty much work like you said. User basis correction through moderation votes and stuff.

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Ok, it looks like as I will have to drop this idea then. I will mail you the file Zeugma440.

[Zeugma 440]

Today's update features what most of you have been waiting for : THE SEQUEL TO VALKYRIE PROFILE !!!

http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/wacky.gif

err, no, I mean multi-HTML export :D

[PREVIEW VERSION 0.6]

Here's a brief list of the most noticeable new features of Ethos :

- "one-file-per-album" HTML export
- support for FLAC, APE (Monkey's Audio) and WMA formats
- automatic album cover picture detection
- album updating (i.e. detection of new, removed and updated tracks)
- possibility to put a background image on your HTML catalogs

As usual, the complete list of changes is on the readme.
Please note that the structure of ETH files has changed again (the old ones won't be compatible - sorry guys, but that's the rule of the game until version 1.0 :( ).

:yes: Windows Installer (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Cataloger_0.6_%5BWIN32%5D.exe)

:yes: ZIP Archive (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Cataloger_0.6_%5BWIN32%5D.zip)


On the roadmap for 0.7 :
- Possibility to scan archives (ZIP files, for instance) and consider them as albums
- Many more options and criterions to choose the albums you're exporting (e.g. "I want to export all the albums with bitrate > 128 kbps")
- Support for even more audio formats
- Some icons, at last ? ;)
- all your new suggestions http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/bouncy.gif

[Kilu]

Looking good, looking good :)

[eViL bAz]

hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe yeah hehehehehehehehehehehe :evilgrin: I like it........

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Looks good alright. Will inform you in some time.

[Zeugma 440]

Kewl http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/tophat.gif

Now that Ethos is becoming more and more usable, you should start to spread the word to other people who have a large audio collection and want to catalog it http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/biggrin.gif People tend to believe their friends more than the guy who developed the software, if you see what I mean ;)

[Kilu]

Well I have mentioned this in IRC few times in couple different channels, and as a Scrobbler (http://www.last.fm/user/Kilu/) and an automoderator in there as well, I could probably get some people over there to look at it as well.

[Zeugma 440]

Excellent :shades:

I've also been thinking that I should start designing a dedicated sub-website for Ethos. I just don't think it's a good idea to let it stay on the Softwares page of Zeugma's Hideout. Actually, it is the first software I designed from scratch with professional know-hows, whereas Jax or Battlemaker were more like enlightened tinkering than anything else :p

[Kilu]

Would it be possible to generate individual 'catalog number' for each song for each catalog? Or actually no generation is needed, just simply adding catalog numbers. This idea is actually originating from Locke Cole, who asked me about this. He was thinking about his radio show databases, how every song has different ID so that it's easier to request stuff.

http://www.vgmusic.info/radio/index.php
http://www.vgmusic.info/index.php

[Zeugma 440]

Oh, actually there are already unique identifiers for each track, but they are only for internal use. I can make them visible if you want :D *takes notes*

Just note that if you acquire the same album in two different Collections, the identifiers of the tracks won't be the same ! Identifiers are unique, but only inside one given Collection.

[Kilu]

Yes, that's what I figured. I can't wait for it get so far that older collections are combatible with the new version. That't the only reason why I haven't started making collections of my own mp3s yet.

[Zeugma 440]

Yeah, I understand you. I know it's a pain for you all, but it's not easy to foresee everything, especially when new ideas come during development.

By the way, if anyone knows something about tracker file formats (file structure, how to calculate their length and to extract metainfo...) please let me know. I've managed to find technical specs or code for a couple of formats - even MIDI files (!) - but I still have nothing for MODs, ITs and so on, and that bothers me a little...

[Kilu]

You could try asking in modplug forums about that for one example. I'm sure there are still other tracker communitys around as well.

I'm not 100% sure on what you are after, but this might help you.

http://aluigi.altervista.org/mymusic/xm.txt

I can ask around as well if you can't find anything on yourself. I have some people I know that might know place or two to look for.

[Zeugma 440]

Thanks, this file is more or less what I'm looking for :)
I'm gonna register on ModPlug forums as well. I was on the verge of asking the question on hydrogenaudio, but modplug seems to be even more adequate :spin:

edit : Just created my account on ModPlug for nothing :p Their reference to IT.TXT gave me the idea of a Google search that directed me here (http://modularity.free.fr/prog_for.htm). Now all I have to do is work more, muhuhaha :evilgrin:

[Kilu]

Oh, so you found what you were looking for, good :)

[Kilu]

So, I just tried to export stuff, and got EXPORT INCOMPLETE! An error occurred while exporting! I used the same setting as I did for this (http://personal.inet.fi/musiikki/mika/music.html) list, but this time I had a whole bunch of more albums acquired. 261 albums, 9364 tracks to be exact.

Now, have you tried to export lots of stuff yourself? I can still export smaller numbers, but apparently there is some issue when there are more stuff loaded.

[Zeugma 440]

edit : issue fixed on IRC. Thanks for reporting that bug, Kilu :spin:

[Kilu]

Here's a suggestion that comes from Zedie.

Is it possible to make the cataloger ignore articles when it sorts artists and albums? Like for example The Goo Goo Dolls would be found under G rather that T, but the final catalog would still display the article.

Maybe make it an option, because I know that some people like it the other way.

[Zeugma 440]

That would be interesting indeed -as an option,as you say-, but then the user should define what an article is, because of language issues.
That's noted, though ;)

[Kilu]

Yeah, good point there about languages. Good thing that Finnish doesn't have articles :p

[Kilu]

I'm not sure if this has been suggested or if you had thought of this yourself, but here's an idea.

Make it so that the Stats of an Ethos file can be exported into header and/or footer. You know, 'This page contains %totalalbums% albums and %totaltracks% tracks, totalling in %totalsize% and %totaltime%.

If you know what I mean :)

[Zeugma 440]

Oh yeah ! This has been missing, even though it's rather easy to make :)

Version 0.7 is going just like I planned to : no special spectacular feature but a lot of small things that will improve the quality of the whole. :spin:

Since last week, I've just been taking notes and programming seldomly. I'm actually working for something else -Kilu, Locke Cole and EB already know what it is :) - Once I have done what I have to do, I'll get back on Ethos to achieve version 0.7 !

[tanisthalon]

I'm actually working for something else -Kilu, Locke Cole and EB already know what it is :) - Once I have done what I have to do, I'll get back on Ethos to achieve version 0.7 !
Is this some 'World Domination' thing for evil?

[Zeugma 440]

Is this some 'World Domination' thing for evil? Not at all. It's something more realistic :D

[eViL bAz]

Good desguise Zeugma he almost DISCOVER our plan to Domain.......>>.....<< the ....Album Listing in html .....:P fuii very close. :D

[Kilu]

I have been encountering some issues with the latest version. I get some windows error message, might be related to NET, and I can only get rid of it by resetting all my settings.

Whenever I get it the next time I'll post the settings/presets/whatever in here so you can try it out.

[Zeugma 440]

Okay, send me a PM when with the download location of your ethos.cfg file and the description of your problem. I'll be back on the development once I'm done with schoolwork and I have relaxed a bit :wonder:

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

and so will I come back...once I get a bit less busy.

[eViL bAz]

T.T I have to wait till you alll commeee baaackkk hehehehe

[Zeugma 440]

One more bug fixed thanks to Kilu ! :D

*now working on the "selection by query" mode until my co-workers send me back these papers :p I've slacked enough these two last days to come back on development ;) *

[Zeugma 440]

Hey folks :D

[PREVIEW VERSION 0.7]

On the menu for this new version :

- new query mode to select exported albums with criterions (e.g. "all trance music with a bitrate > 128 kbps")
- support for AAC, WV, WAV and MIDI audio files (MIDI parsing is still very slow, though :wonder:)
- scanning of ZIP archives as albums containing tracks, adding of other archives as albums
- new metakeywords to use on header and footer (e.g. total duration, exported duration, number of exported albums...), as requested by Kilu
- an "article busting" system, as requested by Kilu & Zedie


As usual, the complete list of changes is on the readme (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/readme.txt).
Once again, the structure of ETH files has changed xD

:yes: Windows installer (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Cataloger_0.7_%5BWIN32%5D.exe)

:yes: ZIP archive (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Cataloger_0.7_%5BWIN32%5D.zip)


On the roadmap for 0.8 :

- PHP/MySQL export
- support for more audio formats
- support for more archive formats
- all your new suggestions :bouncy:

[Thyrrus Gormann]

Hi !

I tried to install the recent O.7 version and it tolds me while installing that the .NET Framework was required to install the prog.

I'm running under Win 2000 Pro and i've never encounter this error on other programs before.

Do i need an extra component ? Does ethos runs under my OS ?

Great job anyway !

[eViL bAz]

Welcome Thyrrus in name of Zeugma, yes this program runs in your OS the .NET Framework is a component that you need to install in order to make it work let me give you the link to the file:

HERE (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=9B3A2CA6-3647-4070-9F41-A333C6B9181D&displaylang=en)

Hope this can help you ^^ enjoy and remember to report any bugs or comments, congrats in here :)

EDIT: Talking on the software, Zeugma I have found 3 Bugs,

This is an excellent software, its getting better and better, the interface its getting friendlier, I love the visulas too ;)excellent job my friend, but I have found 3 Bugs:

1st.- In the main settings, after making some changes, after that I save the setting, after closing the window and reenter, the settings didnt save so....

2nd.- in the export settings, in the layout, and only in the "HTML index+ ne file per album" after making all changes and choosing background images, and exporting or doing a quick preview, in the album details didnt appear the background image.

3rd.- and more than a bug, I think is just a missing complement, the Background image appears in the body and the header, but not in the footer in bot HTML INDEX, and HTML ONE FILE.

well thats what i have found maybe I miss something :) but I love it, its very good, another suggestion that Kilu have give, in the aquire the option to open the drives with the sign of "+" :) thats all Ill see you tomorrow friend Later :)

[Zeugma 440]

Thyrrus > In case you wonder why I have chosen such a thing to build Ethos with, my aim is for it to be portable on other architectures.
Since the .NET framework version 1.1 is already supported by Linux (see the MONO project), I won't have much to rewrite to make Ethos work on Linux machines. Right now it's not portable yet but I ensure you that version 1.0 will be usable on Linux ;)


1st.- In the main settings, after making some changes, after that I save the setting, after closing the window and reenter, the settings didnt save so.... Okay, fixed for the next version !
For now, be sure to validate your settings while staying on the same settings page (e.g. if you want an Acquisition setting to be remembered, click on OK while being on the Acquisition page).


2nd.- in the export settings, in the layout, and only in the "HTML index+ ne file per album" after making all changes and choosing background images, and exporting or doing a quick preview, in the album details didnt appear the background image. Okay, fixed, along with the unreadable cover pictures issue on the album details page.

3rd.- and more than a bug, I think is just a missing complement, the Background image appears in the body and the header, but not in the footer in bot HTML INDEX, and HTML ONE FILE. Are you sure you set the footer BG color to transparent (the default color is white) ?

another suggestion that Kilu have give, in the aquire the option to open the drives with the sign of "+" I still have it on my todo list, don't worry. The whole acquisition treeview control should be rewritten for version 0.9, by the way :wonder:


Thanks for your time again, EB :D

[eViL bAz]

Are you sure you set the footer BG color to transparent (the default color is white) ?

Yup I put in Transparent but I will try it again :)


Thanks for your time again, EB :D

Its a pleasure to help with it ^^

[Zeugma 440]

Concerning transparent footers, the problem is solved ;)

[eViL bAz]

Cool I check the fixed version again and its fine, :)

[Zeugma 440]

err... there is no fixed version online http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/embarassedlaugh.gif

Actually I've done all the fixes on my computer, and I plan to make them available with the next version.
However, if you really need these fixes, you can ask me a version 0.7.5 :p

[eViL bAz]

really? then why is the.....? and why is that?? :confuse: weird.... Im sure it work

[Zeugma 440]

*shrugs* :)

-currently writing down ideas for the new improvements-

[baron]

Just a thought here.... how about making the html (and php later) have a button at the top of the page with "Expand All"

[Zeugma 440]

Sure, I'll add it on the next version.

*takes notes*

Dunno exactly when it will be, since I'm currently quite busy :wonder:

[Kilu]

I'm not sure I mentioned this before, but just in case I didn't...

Add buttons or checkboxes for quick access for stat variables in the header and footer edit.

[Zeugma 440]

Okay, wish added to the list ;)

[Zeugma 440]

*two months later*

<.<

>.>

Sorry for all those who have been waiting for something during the past months. My personal life and my school projects took me too much time during the end of 2005. What's more, I decided to write Ethos' new file browser for 0.8, thus giving me more work than expected.

Anyways, the latter is now written and working, plus I'm almost done with PHP/MySQL export :) I promise you'll have a new release for the first birthday of the project, i.e. February the 7th !

Stay tuned people, Ethos is far from being dead :D

[Kilu]

Hooray!
Can't wait the php/MySql export. :D

[Zeugma 440]

Tomorrow's the first birthday of the project, soo

:bday: [VERSION 0.8] :bday:

A brief list of the main highlights :
- PHP / SQL export is functional. This will generate dynamic pages featuring a simple search engine
- New Acquisition dialog -now called "scan dialog"-, less charged than the previous one but compatible with Linux ;)
- New "Rescan" dialog, allowing you to detect changes that have occured in your directories and files since your latest scan
- Support for Dolby Digital (AC3) and OptimFrog (OFR, OFS) audio formats
- Kilu's metadata helper and Galthol's "expand all / close all" links have been implemented

The complete list of changes is available on the changelog (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/changelog.txt)

Needless to say that the structure of the ETH and CFG files has changed once more :D


:yes: Windows Installer (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Cataloger_0.8_%5BWIN32%5D.exe)

:yes: ZIP Archive (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/Ethos_Cataloger_0.8.zip) (compatible with Linux -- read the readme for more info)



What's planned for 0.9 ?
- A website to promote Ethos and gather a more important user feedback
- The upcoming collaboration of M.H.A.Q.S., who's now part of the Ethos development team :w00t:
- XML export
- A better export dialog
- The ability to build a catalog out of a playlist
- ... and even more stuff :shades:

[eViL bAz]

Happy BIRTHDAY ETHOS!!!!! MANY YEARS MORE!!!

I will test this as soon as possible ^^

Excellent job my friend, I must say that this can be the V.1.0

well thats My opinion

great work friend

[Kilu]

Excellent. :D

Will post more comments later.

[Kilu]

Sooo, occasionally I will be referring to my catalog, and it can be found here. http://bob.lintbox.net/catalog/catalog.php

On the Acquisition screen, is the titlebar purposedly written without space, as in, AcquisitionForm? Then it would be handy if atleast the windows app would have that handy feature to select multiple folders at the same time with shift+click and ctrl+click. Also, when a folder is selected, the text colour of the folder should change according to the folders current scan setting. As in, text should be blue even when the folder is selected.

The Scan & Exit button... When I select a folder to scan but don't find any files, and push the scan &exit, it should say something like "you have not selected any albums to be scanned" rather than just closing the window. If I want to close the window without doing anything I push cancel. :D Also, it changes to acquire & exit after the first time I have pushed it and stays like that for the rest of the session.

Also, the default action for the save button. If there is an excisting ethos, it saves over it, updates it, correct? However, if there isn't and excisting ethos file, it should default to save as. Right now it does nothing if there is nothing to update, so to speak.

There is something wonky about the layouts and how they interact with the albums and tracks buttons. I can't quit explain it, maybe I'll find something more definitive later.

Php files have UTF-8 encoding, yet none of the ö ä and stuff like that work. Is this due to some error in export, or should the database have a specific collation for it to work properly? They appear correct with ISO-8859-1 however.

There should also be an option on what version tags to scan, and which to use. As in, if the file has both id3v1 and id3v2, I should be able to define to scan only id3v2 if I so choose.

I also noticed that in my current catalog some of the album titles are cropped, and some tracktitles might be cropped too. The sql file that is created has too low varchar limits. Is there a reason you set the artist and album to 30 and titles to 60? To keep the sizes down most likely. However, maybe you could set it as an option in php /mysql export? I atleast would very much like my album titles non cropped, and manually changing it everytime I update would be a pain in the ass.

I find the export button behaviour currently not very good. Separate buttons for for Export and Export and View options would be more ideal.

You should probably grey out the preview button when phpmysql is selected as it only opens the sql file in a text editor, which isn't really a proper preview.

And I still think that the header and footer should be part of export menu rather than catalog menu.


Couple more things about php&mysql. I think that DROP TABLE eth_albums; and DROP TABLE eth_tracks; on every sql filel file is a bad idea. Say for example, I have a database full of music, and I want to add one more album in there. I scan the album with ethos, export the sql file and then import it. As I understand it, it will erase my excisting database by dropping the two tables before creating the new ones, with only the one album in it.

There should also be an option to only export the database without the php files, as it's not really necessary to always generate the php file, when the database is the only thing needed for updates.

It also appears that the (MB) part in the following line Size(MB) int(10) unsigned NOT NULL default '0', makes sql import crap out. I'm sure you know that when naming a field brackets are used for other purposes. There probably is a way around this with use of " or ' characters, but I'm sure you know about that better than I.


And that's it for now I think. :D

[Zeugma 440]

Cheers !! I love your reviews, Kilu ! :)

by the way I can't see your page. Are you sure about your link ?

*comments time*

On the Acquisition screen, is the titlebar purposedly written without space, as in, AcquisitionForm?
Oops, my mistake. This one has been done from scratch, and I totally forgot to change that http://rpgamers.info/images/smilies/embarassedlaugh.gif

Then it would be handy if atleast the windows app would have that handy feature to select multiple folders at the same time with shift+click and ctrl+click.

Also, when a folder is selected, the text colour of the folder should change according to the folders current scan setting. As in, text should be blue even when the folder is selected.
Indeed. I'll check it and improve it if that's possible.

The Scan & Exit button... When I select a folder to scan but don't find any files, and push the scan &exit, it should say something like "you have not selected any albums to be scanned" rather than just closing the window. If I want to close the window without doing anything I push cancel. :D
This point has to be discussed, imo. This is the expected behaviour of the window. Imagine someone who hasn't understood the point of detecting albums, selects "Scan & Exit" and sees the dialog closing ? He would think "wtf ? the scan is finished but there are no albums in my collection ! That piece of junk doesn't work" and here I go... imo, the best would be not to enable the "scan" button when no folder is detected.

Also, it changes to acquire & exit after the first time I have pushed it and stays like that for the rest of the session.
oops, that sucks xD

Also, the default action for the save button. If there is an excisting ethos, it saves over it, updates it, correct? However, if there isn't and excisting ethos file, it should default to save as. Right now it does nothing if there is nothing to update, so to speak.

right :)

There is something wonky about the layouts and how they interact with the albums and tracks buttons. I can't quit explain it, maybe I'll find something more definitive later.
I find the export button behaviour currently not very good. Separate buttons for for Export and Export and View options would be more ideal.

You should probably grey out the preview button when phpmysql is selected as it only opens the sql file in a text editor, which isn't really a proper preview.

And I still think that the header and footer should be part of export menu rather than catalog menu.

*taking notes* yep, I'm currently redesigining that lousy export dialog. It will be taken care of.

Php files have UTF-8 encoding, yet none of the ö ä and stuff like that work. Is this due to some error in export, or should the database have a specific collation for it to work properly? They appear correct with ISO-8859-1 however.

Ah, okay, the data must be ISO-encoded in the database, and I'm forcing the generated webpages to display UTF-8. I should do some more tests with my japanese foldernames and fix that.

There should also be an option on what version tags to scan, and which to use. As in, if the file has both id3v1 and id3v2, I should be able to define to scan only id3v2 if I so choose.

I've planned cross-tags metadata detection and other stuff like that in the near future. That will be a feature in Ethos 1.0 :)

I also noticed that in my current catalog some of the album titles are cropped, and some tracktitles might be cropped too. The sql file that is created has too low varchar limits. Is there a reason you set the artist and album to 30 and titles to 60? To keep the sizes down most likely. However, maybe you could set it as an option in php /mysql export? I atleast would very much like my album titles non cropped, and manually changing it everytime I update would be a pain in the ass.

This issue has been on my planning for a long time now. PHP export makes it even more obvious and urgent. I'll add additional settings to allow you to change these sizes.

Couple more things about php&mysql. I think that DROP TABLE eth_albums; and DROP TABLE eth_tracks; on every sql filel file is a bad idea. Say for example, I have a database full of music, and I want to add one more album in there. I scan the album with ethos, export the sql file and then import it. As I understand it, it will erase my excisting database by dropping the two tables before creating the new ones, with only the one album in it.

Ohh, I see what you mean. You're planning to use the SQL mechanism to add data instead of building an entire catalog from scratch. It works well (and spares a lot of time) if you're using the very same export parameters as for the first catalog (the SQL file that created the tables). In that case, the DROP statements are kinda nonsensical *nods* I'll make the DROP and ADD TABLE statements optional via a new setting. Very good point.

There should also be an option to only export the database without the php files, as it's not really necessary to always generate the php file, when the database is the only thing needed for updates.

Yeah, why not ?

It also appears that the (MB) part in the following line Size(MB) int(10) unsigned NOT NULL default '0', makes sql import crap out. I'm sure you know that when naming a field brackets are used for other purposes. There probably is a way around this with use of " or ' characters, but I'm sure you know about that better than I.

hahaa ! I haven't tried exporting that field, actually ^^ I'll post a workaround here when I find out how to fix that :)

Thanks again for caring about all these details, and for all your suggestions.

[Kilu]

Yeah, the link is correct but lintbox seems to have some problems. It works right now but it has been a bit unstable for the past two days or so.

imo, the best would be not to enable the "scan" button when no folder is detected.
That would work.

Ah, okay, the data must be ISO-encoded in the database, and I'm forcing the generated webpages to display UTF-8. I should do some more tests with my japanese foldernames and fix that.
Alrighty. I'm not much of a guru when it comes to databases, so I wouldn't know that the data must be ISO encoded, but if you say so, I believe you. :D

Ohh, I see what you mean. You're planning to use the SQL mechanism to add data instead of building an entire catalog from scratch. It works well (and spares a lot of time) if you're using the very same export parameters as for the first catalog (the SQL file that created the tables). In that case, the DROP statements are kinda nonsensical *nods* I'll make the DROP and ADD TABLE statements optional via a new setting. Very good point.
Hooray.

:p

[Zeugma 440]

I've just worked a bit on these issues, and here's what I have to say so far :

- I think we should talk further about the encoding problems because it works fine for me. Generated SQL files are encoded in UTF-8, but I'm not sure about how they are stored into the database. It might depend on the mySQL version you're using. Mine (4.0.24) seems to store them in UTF-8 as well, because the names are displayed correctly when I view the catalog with a web browser configured for UTF-8, and it's messed up if I decide to switch to ISO-8859-1

- Concerning Size(B/KB/MB), I've fixed it into Ethos by replacing these strings with Size_B/KB/MB. You can do the same manually by doing the replacement in SQL files and PHP files

[Kilu]

Well, it's possible that due to the fact that I had to import the sql manually via phpmyadmins sql run thingy because of the (MB) problem, I might have created the database in a different encoding than the default import option would have been.

If that made any sense.

I can't actually check it because the site has been down pretty much since it went under half a month ago. :/ I really can't complain as I didn't pay anything for it, but oh well.

[Zeugma 440]

Now that I'm done with the new Export GUI and its custom left menu component, I can't help making screenshots :) Look here (http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/softs/development/screens/export.html) and see how the export interface has evolved through the versions...

I won't be coding any new change until Ethos' dedicated website is online. I'll post the link here when it's ready !


Kilu> I still don't have a clue... can you tell me the mySQL version you're using ?

[Kilu]

Well, the site is up right now btw. I can check this stuff now out, just tell me what all to look for, I'm not exactly well knowledgeable about mysql and stuff. :)

[Zeugma 440]

Okay, first you should tell me what is written on the main phpMyAdmin page. What I'm interested in are the version numbers

(e.g. on my website it goes :
Welcome to phpMyAdmin 2.6.4-pl2

MySQL 4.1.13-standard running on [...])


What's more, I assume you've used the SQL button on the left frame, then the "Import files" tab... If so, what charset did you indicate in the combobox below ?

http://zeugma440.free.fr/vrac/capt.png
(if not, how did you proceed to execute Ethos' SQL script ?)
http://zeugmaonline.sytes.net/temp/capt.png

[Kilu]

MySQL 4.1.14-standard
phpMyAdmin 2.6.4-pl2

As for the charset, I don't remember anymore. I'm assuming I didn't change it, so this would be mean that I used the default utf-8. But I really can't be sure. I could probably make a test catalog and see how it would work the second time.

I'll get back to you on that.

[Kilu]

Well, I did a small test today and importing a database utf-8 as the character set, I get a result such as this. http://www.bob.lintbox.net/new/catalog.php The tracknames are all messed up.

Tested some other character sets, latin1 works it seems.

[Zeugma 440]

The Ethos website is finally online ! :shades:

http://ethos.no-ip.com

All the releases will be available there from now on. I'll continue to use this thread for the sake of nostalgy but I advise you to post on the Ethos forums to give it a kick :)

Now that it's done, I'm back to development for 0.9. So far I've added a feature to import tracklists (M3U, PLS) as albums and I've written support for the PSF file family (PSF, PSF2, MINIPSF, MINIPSF2, USF, GSF....) :spin:

[tanisthalon]

I am currently using my USB Pen Drive for allsorts of portable programs. Will this be fine as a portable app for on the move? Or does it write anything to the host computer?

[Zeugma 440]

It will be fine, it won't change anything if you use it on different computers :)

The only thing it writes in automatically is the ethos.cfg file as well as some other files in the temp subfolder, when exporting.

[tanisthalon]

Sounds good to me then. I will start looking at using it on a few other pc's that I have access to.

[Kilu]

Oh hey, good of you to bump this topic, reminded me of couple things I mean to report/ask about.

Various Artists albums is one. Look at the album 'Lotus Eaters (The) - 80's One Hit Wonders'. It's actually a various artists album, yet it's listed under L for Lotus Eaters. Is it possible to make it so that the artist in the main list appears as Various Artists (or something that each user could decide) if the track artist isn't the same in the whole album?

Lowcase artists is the second. Check at the very end of my catalog. There are three out of place artists listed there, and it looks like the reason is lowcase artist name.

Reference catalog (http://bob.lintbox.net/catalog/catalog.php)

Also, I still haven't quite figured out why the ö and ä and the like refuse to work with utf-8. I tried importing with different settings and whatnots, but it's always the same.

[Zeugma 440]

Looks like there's still a lot of work to do on PHP export http://rpgamers.info/images/smilies/confused2.gif

Thanks for your report, Maester Mika ! :D I've worked on it yesterday evening :

- After a lot of tinkering, the ö, ä and other occidental characters finally work well, but I still have troubles with chinese/jap chars.

Contrary to what I thought, the problem doesn't come from the way the data is stored inside the DB. Once mySQL it has read the SQL file with utf-8 encoding (the default setting) you don't have anything more to do.

The problem is the way PHP (yeah, PHP !) writes the SQL data it retrieves into the HTML output. By default, it uses ISO-8859-1 encoding for echo() calls, thus altering the original UTF-8 contents of the text. Now that I've spotted the problem, it won't be long before I solve it completely ;)


- The lowercase artist problem is solved

You can fix it directly on catalog.php and in ethos' catalog.php template file. Just replace that line :

$albumsQuery = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM eth_albums ORDER BY ".albumSortCriterion." ".albumSortOrder);

with that line :

$albumsQuery = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM eth_albums ORDER BY LCASE(".albumSortCriterion.") ".albumSortOrder);

edit : same goes for album.php, there's a similar line that should be modified the same way


- Concerning "various artists", I think there are three different ways to create the artist field of albums :




the current way, i.e. taking the artist who has the most tracks ("artist2")
putting all artists together ("artist1, artist2, artist3, artist4")
labeling the album "various artists" if a certain threshold is reached.

For example, we could take the ratio (number of tracks/number of distinct artists). Every album whose ratio will be higher than the user-defined ratio (let's say 85% by default) will be labeled "various artists".

How about that ? :)

[Kilu]

- Concerning "various artists", I think there are three different ways to create the artist field of albums :



the current way, i.e. taking the artist who has the most tracks ("artist2")
putting all artists together ("artist1, artist2, artist3, artist4")
labeling the album "various artists" if a certain threshold is reached.

For example, we could take the ratio (number of tracks/number of distinct artists). Every album whose ratio will be higher than the user-defined ratio (let's say 85% by default) will be labeled "various artists".

How about that ? :)
Yeah, such options would work very well. :)

[Zeugma 440]

I'm getting on it !

The PHP encoding issue is fixed, btw. I wasn't totally right on my last post : PHP was receiving ISO characters because mySQL was sending ISO data (although it was stored as UTF-8 :shame: ).
When I realized that, I just added a command to force it to send UTF-8 encoded data, and voilà ! Everything is ok now.

By the way, who's that guy on your sig, Kilu ? :D

[Kilu]

By the way, who's that guy on your sig, Kilu ? :D
He is Bob Hacker (http://www.issm.org/fellows/hacker/).
Stumbled upon the picture once when googling for pictures of hackers, and he looks so awesome that I had to keep it. :p

[Zeugma 440]

He is Bob Hacker (http://www.issm.org/fellows/hacker/).
Stumbled upon the picture once when googling for pictures of hackers, and he looks so awesome that I had to keep it. :p lmao ! It's true that he looks awesome :rofl:

The various artists detection we were talking about is done. I'm still working on various stuff, including fixing stuff in PHP export (which is quite terrible in 0.8) and coding an SPC/ID666reader...

[Zeugma 440]

As promised, version 0.9 is out before June !

Check the Ethos website (http://ethos.no-ip.com) for the details :spin:

I'm becoming more and more impressed by that piece of software that started as an alternate way of doing the job of Laban's PHP script :D

[Epology]

Hi Zeugma!

I really like your software for its very useful to me. However, it started to behave strangely when I tried to use it again yesterday. Once I tell it to start scanning my collection, it scans for about 10 secs and then quits with the standart error message from windows. It's like "Ethos...encountered an error and has to be shut down."

Any clue why that is?

[Kilu]

Question. XP or Vista?

[Epology]

Running XP atm

[Kilu]

Had it been Vista I would have said that as an excuse. :D

Seriously though, I have no clue. And Zeugma hasn't been around much lately either.

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Hi Zeugma!

I really like your software for its very useful to me. However, it started to behave strangely when I tried to use it again yesterday. Once I tell it to start scanning my collection, it scans for about 10 secs and then quits with the standart error message from windows. It's like "Ethos...encountered an error and has to be shut down."

Any clue why that is?

You should try pinging Zeugma440 through the official website. As far as the error is concerned, I think its a memory leak, and since Zeugma440 builds the software alone, he might be able to fix it.

On a personal note: I'll see if I can catch him around on IM. I would also want him to visit RPGamers for a while.

[eViL bAz]

Well We had been chatting Thursday night, and we was testing the compatibility of Ethos on Linux, and we came with some bugs, but since then I hadn't seen him, but he tell me that he will continue his work on Ethos (as well he did on the Official Site ^^)