autonext

[cracksloth]

in the preview pane for audio, it would really be great if you added the option to automatically progress to the next audio file. this option could be found in the preview dropdown menu so that you would have a radio selection between 3 options:
- play once
- play next
- loop

because xy already has the ability to randomize the contents of the file view, this would be really useful for queueing up a list of new music and sorting/deleting/tagging them as appropriate. i still haven't found a media manager that beats a dedicated file manager. this improvement would really help users who want to process new music or who just want a to listen to a few podcasts/tunes.

thanks for the great file manager!

[j_c_hallgren]

Since a quite similar thing came up VERY recently, I'll dup my prior reply:

Hi and welcome to the world of XY!

What you're trying to do is something I personally don't use XY to do, but I did find this prior thread that may relate somewhat:
http://www.xyplorer.com/xyfc/viewtopic.php?t=1014
I'm sure one of the other regulars here will chime in with a better reply, but wanted to give you the courtesy of a prompt reply at least.

(The other topic where above was posted was: http://www.xyplorer.com/xyfc/viewtopic.php?t=1254)

[cracksloth]

thanks for the quick reply! to me, multimedia files are a big part of file management. so, all i can say is that this feature would be useful to people like me. i don't feel like this feature is trying to make a fork into a spork - its presence shouldn't negatively impact other file management functions. multimedia managers generally don't do a good job of file management. i just thought this feature would play to xy's existing strengths in how it handles media files.

[j_c_hallgren]

Remember, I'm just another user who has one opinion! Should the consensus of some of us regulars here be that it's a good and worthwhile idea, and we can convince Don of same (if he doesn't agree at first), there often is a decent chance of it being implemented at some point in future....but there are some things that he refuses to budge on, and I can fully understand that....
I don't know exactly where this one falls in the scheme of things...

My point in the other thread was that this feature, to me, is getting a bit TOO far out in left field from what I expect to find in a file manager product...I personally use it to do a quick check to locate some audio or video, but rely on iTunes/WMP/Real Player/WinAmp, etc to do the real work...but that's me...

[admin]

in the preview pane for audio, it would really be great if you added the option to automatically progress to the next audio file...

What is the next audio file? Same extension, or any audio, or user-definable group of extensions? Just asking...

[surrender]

I once said that XY isnt a media player, so this feature woudnt happen. But then that was 2006. Thinking abt it again, if it is not very hard to do and wont slow up anything then it would be something for multimedia guys. Simply put i wouldnt mind this addition.

[cracksloth]

thanks to everyone for the responses!

What is the next audio file?

my initial thought was just to make this option automatically progress down to the next audio file in the file list pane. you could just include audio extensions but i suppose you could just as easily include video extensions as well. as mentioned in that other thread, it would also be possible to include extensions of static previews (like images) but they would need to be given a default duration of 3 seconds or so.

so i guess, the short answer is that xy would progress *down* in the file list to the next "playable" extension supported by the preview.

[j_c_hallgren]

thanks to everyone for the responses!

What is the next audio file?

so i guess, the short answer is that xy would progress *down* in the file list to the next "playable" extension supported by the preview.

I think the next file is the next selected one...I wouldn't want it to play non-selected ones...when one gets the list in whatever order, even unsorted, you'd then select the subset you wish, or maybe the entire list.

[cracksloth]

well, this would really interfere with the ability to do file management on those files. with all files selected (rather than just one) it becomes necessary to deselect all files, perform the operation, then reselect all files. this would be very cumbersome. it is important (for me anyway) that this feature is designed for file manipulation not just a media player. no sporking.

you can currently filter the file list and perform searches to narrow the results. perhaps a future version of xp will even support "virtual folders"/"scrap containers" to make even more customizable file lists. it was going to be my next feature request!

[j_c_hallgren]

well, this would really interfere with the ability to do file management on those files.

perhaps a future version of xp will even support "virtual folders"/"scrap containers"

Now I'm starting to get a bit confused...bear with me...you want it to preview NON-selected files, right? Then how would that interact when you select a file which presently puts that file into preview mode? There can only be one operation going on at a time, in that tab, as I see it...so it's either playing the list of music OR working with file management...I don't get how both can occur..

Re virtual folders: I don't recall the term that Don had for this, but I remember that it has been brought up on wish list not that long ago...I'd check thru Wish sub-forum and look for possible similar threads...and I'm assuming you meant a vers of XY and not xp, right?

Update:Found it! "Drop Stack" was term..this is one thread on it http://www.xyplorer.com/xyfc/viewtopic.php?t=831

[cracksloth]

xy versus xp

yeah, that was a slip up. oops.

okay, the current behavior is that xy will preview the active selected file. essentially, this behavior would remain the same. when the "play next" option is toggled in the drop down menu, xy would simply monitor when a file has finished playing and then automatically select the next file in the list. when the next file become selected, xy would preview it (if autoplay is enabled).

in other words, xy would automatically select the next file when the current preview completes.

to me, this creates mimal impact on how people interact with files and it keeps basic file management rules consistent.

[cracksloth]

awesome post about the drop stack! i really like the versatility of the concept. i actually think the drop stack would be great as a separate shell extension that creates a shell object (like "my network places"). in it you can create "lists" (for dropping files/folders into) or "autolists" that are essentially search queries that populate based on specified criteria (such as *.mp3 in x:\path). anyway, this isn't the thread for it but i was just thinking out loud.

[j_c_hallgren]

I've now re-read both this thread and the other one I linked to about three times each to make sure I understand past ideas as fully as possible...and my initial conclusion is to agree with this extracted post from other thread:

Well, the easiest way to add that would be to have XY switch the focus to the next selected item on List while previewing file, as this would automaticaly means start previewing it (according that you have Autoplay enabled) and keeps consistent with the way it works now...

For these reasons:
1) If I desire to preview a set of files in sequence, this allows me to specifically mark which files I want processed...whether they be contiguous in list or scattered, like #2, #7, #9-#12, #23, etc.

2) When a file is being previewed, it (by design) must be one which is currently selected, thus blocking the ability to do any other operation (like delete, rename, etc) on any other file, as when one selects THAT file, the preview stops on the prior file...which is somewhat a restatement of my contention that one can essentially only do one function at a time in a given list...either manipulate files -or- play/preview them.

3) If the abililty to preview files one after another were done simply by how they appear in list, how would I then be able to select a subset, as in reason 1 above? Often files have no common criteria that would lend itself to a filtering, and picking from list allows most flexability in choice.

Believe it or not, I'm somewhat in favor if this basic idea, so don't think I'm being too negative...just attempting to find any possible defects in design ideas before any coding is done...it's part of my background/training!

I'd also insist that this 'autoplay of next' be easily toggled on/off...and... yes, this would lend itself into morphing into a primitive slideshow if applied to graphic files, via minimal extras (with addition of a setable delay factor between images).

[admin]

Puuh, lots of words thrown on autonext...

Just FYI: there is a (nonauto)-next already implemented in XY: full screen preview PageUp/Down will search the next image file in the desired direction (up or down), select it, and preview it. Image files are identified by their extension (configuration/previewed formats/image files).

Yes: being selected AND focused is a necessary condition for a file for being previewed by design.

Now you can go on with your chat...

[cracksloth]

1) If I desire to preview a set of files in sequence, this allows me to specifically mark which files I want processed...whether they be contiguous in list or scattered, like #2, #7, #9-#12, #23, etc.

although, i can see the utility of this, i would much rather implement this ability using dropstacks rather than the multi-select method because it would cater to both needs. although i agree, that without a dropstack, it would provide challenges for trying to play a group of files. my needs are less for playing multiple files (which i use a media player for) and more oriented for manipulating the currently playing file. i realize these two different intentions will see this feature a little differently so i understand your position.

2) When a file is being previewed, it (by design) must be one which is currently selected, thus blocking the ability to do any other operation (like delete, rename, etc) on any other file, as when one selects THAT file, the preview stops on the prior file...which is somewhat a restatement of my contention that one can essentially only do one function at a time in a given list...either manipulate files -or- play/preview them.

you can move/copy/rename the *current* file being previewed in xy. xy preview will release it for the operation. because i am generally attempting to manipulate the current file being previewed, this makes the single selection preview ideal for sorting through and organizing files. as i mentioned above, by having a multiple selection preview system, files must be deselected, the operation performed, and then files reselected.

3) If the abililty to preview files one after another were done simply by how they appear in list, how would I then be able to select a subset, as in reason 1 above? Often files have no common criteria that would lend itself to a filtering, and picking from list allows most flexability in choice.

you are right, this would not be possible using my method without using a drop stack. my method is designed for sorting though files not for making a playlist. in my mind, there are plenty of players that are well suited for playing a selection of files but there are none (that i have found) that help you sort through a collection of files like this. to me, the latter seems more consistent with the purpose of a file manager.

Believe it or not, I'm somewhat in favor if this basic idea, so don't think I'm being too negative...just attempting to find any possible defects in design ideas before any coding is done...it's part of my background/training!

discussion is never a bad thing! i just think our expectations of function are different. i also have to design for coders so, as you can probably tell, i am painfully thorough.

I'd also insist that this 'autoplay of next' be easily toggled on/off...and... yes, this would lend itself into morphing into a primitive slideshow if applied to graphic files, via minimal extras (with addition of a setable delay factor between images).

yes, there would have to be radio options for 3 different modes for what happens after a file finishes playing:
- loop (probably better termed repeat using media player terminology)
- play once (the default behavior)
- play next (the behavior we are discussing above)

Just FYI: there is a (nonauto)-next already implemented in XY: full screen preview PageUp/Down will search the next image file in the desired direction (up or down), select it, and preview it.

yeah, i currently manually focus the next file when i sort audio and when i find that i need to edit/move/delete a file, i can access what i need from the context menu. this feature would just cut down on the mind-numbing repetitive nature of it because i could just listen for necessary changes - might save a few years on my insane-o-meter

anyway, i appreciate everyone's response! this is good stuff!