Real-time music library addition detection

[dkordik]

Why doesn't Winamp use something like ReadDirectoryChangesW to monitor for new music on one's hard drive and instead relies on rescanning one's whole music directory?

[dkordik]

Rather than wait for something like this to be implemented, I've developed my own companion programs to Winamp to solve this issue for me. Last.fm account required.

On Deck (ondeck.kordix.com - http://ondeck.kordix.com/) - using the Windows built-in filesystem watching API, shows you new album additions to your music folder the instant they arrive. It cross references that with your recent Last.fm listening history to only display the new albums you haven't listened to yet. In other words, it displays the albums that are "on deck".

On Rotation (onrotation.kordix.com - http://onrotation.kordix.com/) - Shows you your recent Last.fm listens to keep track of your current favorite albums: the albums "on rotation".

These allow me to keep Winamp pretty minimal unless I want to search for something. It won't be for everyone, but it might fill a niche for some of you as it does for me, so I thought I'd share! Here is a screenshot of both apps and Winamp side by side in action: http://shots.kordix.com/20090729_190511.png

[MrSinatra]

if you know how to program, why don't you take up the ratings challenge?

and while i can see adding this request to the core app, i'd want the option to turn it off, as i would NEVER want to use it.

[dkordik]

My request wasn't to add a magic last.fm "see what I haven't listened to yet" feature. Or to add "show me what last.fm knows I've been listening to". That's definitely not something I'd expect or want in the core Winamp. It's just something I decided to build for my own uses, and anyone else who is interested.

My request was this (see my first post): utilize built-in Windows API/hooks to have Winamp automatically add albums to the Media Library right when they hit the music folder, instead of having to scan the entire music folder.

Let's keep the ratings discussion in the ratings thread.

[MrSinatra]

what makes you think i didn't know that, or wasn't responding to that?

my response IS TO THAT REQUEST.

and the ratings comment was just a comment, jeez.

[dkordik]

Sorry, I misunderstood. So you're saying you'd prefer to rescan your entire music folder instead of only the folder that was just added or modified? Care to elaborate?

[MrSinatra]

i don't want winamp doing anything automatically. i want to control when it scans and rescans. i do want you to have the option, i just want to be able to opt out.

its not the same thing, but winamp does have a feature where if you click on something to play it in windows explorer winamp CAN add it to the ML. i opt out of that as well.