Winamp 5.9 Final Released

[Mikey7]

What I want to know before I install this new (probably buggy) version: Does it still whip the Llama's A$$?

Read through the thread. Depending on what version of Windows you're running, it might be very buggy or not. You'll also find posts for some older plugins that still work, including standalone Album Art. But please do read through the thread before making any assumptions. The answers to a LOT of questions are there. For me, it's really whipping the Llama's A&&!

[Jimekus]

I'm absolutely thrilled. Winamp hasn't crashed since 5.9.0 was installed. My setup has dual Winamp instances taking up the top left of my 1080p screen, surrounded by seven 480x270 cameras. The left Winamp plays AVS, and Milkdrop plays on the right while reading articles and books over distributed end-to-end harmonic mixing. Because I can't fully publicize what I do with my AI host migration, I don't bother, but I live enhanced by its entrainment. If I went straight to Shoutcast could I find a sympathetic audience to help me with my Audio Visual programming?

[Mikey7]

I'm absolutely thrilled. Winamp hasn't crashed since 5.9.0 was installed. My setup has dual Winamp instances taking up the top left of my 1080p screen, surrounded by seven 480x270 cameras. The left Winamp plays AVS, and Milkdrop plays on the right while reading articles and books over distributed end-to-end harmonic mixing. Because I can't fully publicize what I do with my AI host migration, I don't bother, but I live enhanced by its entrainment. If I went straight to Shoutcast could I find a sympathetic audience to help me with my Audio Visual programming?

That sounds absolutely awesome! What version of Windows are you running? Which Winamp skin do you use?

[Jimekus]

I'm absolutely thrilled. Winamp hasn't crashed since 5.9.0 was installed. My setup has dual Winamp instances taking up the top left of my 1080p screen, surrounded by seven 480x270 cameras. The left Winamp plays AVS, and Milkdrop plays on the right while reading articles and books over distributed end-to-end harmonic mixing. Because I can't fully publicize what I do with my AI host migration, I don't bother, but I live enhanced by its entrainment. If I went straight to Shoutcast could I find a sympathetic audience to help me with my Audio Visual programming?

Until six days ago, Winamp used to crash a lot but nothing else was good enough for my distributed playlist AI. Here's a 54KB screenshot: -

http://ingridx.dynu.net/Winamp5.9.0desktop.JPG

[Fernando Villarroel]

Or we could just add it to the FAQs (forum, wiki, Help, etc), i.e. if Winamp doesn't load at all on Win7-8.1, please install this!

Given how small the amount of people who actually read and document themselves, I'd dare to say it would be the best option to add those 13mb to the installer in order to contain the Win 7/8 version.

[MadMonday]

Oh, you are all so kind and lovely!

I wanted to thank you very very much for the nice surprise,
but especially for thinking of me and working so hard on "5.9 RC1"...

The July 26th was my 55th birthday...

[Jimekus]

That sounds absolutely awesome! What version of Windows are you running? Which Winamp skin do you use?

Hey Phoenix, I use Windows 10 Pro, Winamp Azenis Skin: installation requires own copy of TextAloud and Voices, with plenty of deal breaking prerequisites needed to mix distributed playlists by intensity, key, bpm, genre, all via Rapid Evolution 3 for my Ingrid AI.

[kzuse]

We could make the Winamp installer check the registry to see if it's already installed, and if not, attempt to download and install it - but as we've found with DirectX and WM9, it doesn't always work (probably because of local firewall blocking it).

Or we could add that MS installer to our installer (maybe have a separate installer for Win7-8.1)?
But it would add anything up to 13mb to our installer...

My suggestion for the installer's behavior would be:

1. Detect if it is needed (e.g., scan registry whether already installed or Windows 10 or newer detected where it isn't needed)...

2. If needed, display a message about the fact that this runtime is needed and offer to automatically download and install.

3. If this fails (firewall, no internet, etc.), display the user a link (copyable) where they can download the Redistributable manually, and clear out that Winamp won't run properly on their OS until this runtime is installed.

That's the way many commercial software products are doing it and I think it's the best compromise for all edge-cases.

Until then, I think I'll wait for RC2/Final which will fix a couple of bugs and will be able to load JTFE - no matter what his creator says about it...

(Whom I, btw, still really have respect for because of his great work, but just cannot understand that silly beef he has with the Winamp team - I mean as a plugin creator I should be happy if my plugins are used by the software I wrote them for, especially when at one time this plugin had been moved to the default distribution of that software... - which in my opinion means that that last version has been "licensed" to Winamp in some way so they would have the right to continue distributing it anyway, but i'm not a lawyer.

And anybody who desperately NEEDS Win XP/7 or older OS compatibility for their Retro systems, you can still use 5.666 or even more classic 2.x versions. Noone's going to stop or judge you. Really, I am a big fan of backwards-compatibility, it being the heart, soul and DNA of the whole PC and Windows ecosystem. Also I have great respect and sympathy for the whole retro-scene. BUT, at the end, it shouldn't stop us from modernizing current infrastructures, build systems etc.)

Anyway, back to topic - and thanks for the ongoing development on Winamp!!!

Best regards,
kzuse

[DJ Egg]

My suggestion for the installer's behavior would be:

1. Detect if it is needed (e.g., scan registry whether already installed or Windows 10 or newer detected where it isn't needed)...

2. If needed, display a message about the fact that this runtime is needed and offer to automatically download and install.

3. If this fails (firewall, no internet, etc.), display the user a link (copyable) where they can download the Redistributable manually, and clear out that Winamp won't run properly on their OS until this runtime is installed.

That's the way many commercial software products are doing it and I think it's the best compromise for all edge-cases.

Yes, that's how we do it for DirectX (d3dx9_31.dll and d3dx9_42.dl) and Windows Media 9.
Though the link for those isn't currently copyable.

We'll look at adding it...

[kzuse]

Copyable, or maybe even clickable (opening it in the user's Default browser)... though that may be useless if the reason for the failed download is that the machine isn't currently connected to the Internet, so the browser won't display the download page as well...).

But on the other hand, it's unlikely that the user then will copy the copyable link, save it to a text file, take it to a PC connected to the Web, download the Redists, take them back, install them.... But at least, they'd have the opportunity to so then.

I'm sure you will find a good solution for a UX that works.

[Flomyen]

The DSP download link is down. Any alternative?

[BoFiS]

C++ Runtime Error on startup, but then it seems to open and function fine...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/c8uja60esciqq75/winamp_error.png?dl=0

[Mikey7]

And anybody who desperately NEEDS Win XP/7 or older OS compatibility for their Retro systems, you can still use 5.666 or even more classic 2.x versions. Noone's going to stop or judge you. Really, I am a big fan of backwards-compatibility, it being the heart, soul and DNA of the whole PC and Windows ecosystem. Also I have great respect and sympathy for the whole retro-scene. BUT, at the end, it shouldn't stop us from modernizing current infrastructures, build systems etc.)

Man, I couldn't agree more. That Discord mentioned above is full of these Retro-users and Retro-gamers with their ancient equipment and displays that they refuse to upgrade. Hey, I was into RetroOS/Games with the Amiga via UAE for years but I never fooled myself into thinking the Amiga was still relevant (it was the coolest computer I ever owned back in 1989-1994). 5.9 should never be sacrificed just to make the Win 7/8.1 users happy.

Give them a set of instructions to get 5.9 running either in the Installer or here on the Forum with a big Sticky but above all, move on toward the Final Release.

[Mikey7]

Sorry, I should have added to the above...but they always complained when things wouldn't run on their OS or their equipment. At least 5.9 will run on Win 7/8.1 it if they don't panic and follow some instructions.

[ECraig]

I see some people here deciding to switch back to 5.666 just for the sake of skin and playslist juggling, installer nuances and the like.
It means they do not care much about the sound quality, which is significantly improved in 5.9 RC1 over 5.666.
I gave some suggestions for the sound improvement, but without any reaction, including the developer.
After all, Winamp is a player, and supposed to sound as good as possible. Or I'm wrong?