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Topic: Modular foobar UI? (Read 6500 times) previous topic - next topic
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Modular foobar UI?

I like foobar project because I like simple, lightweight and precise software, but for my music playing I currently prefer classic Winamp.

One of the reasons is it's ability to have separate docking and un-docking interface components, such as media library, playlist and the player itself.

I like that the player itself can be a separate, compact agent that's always at hand, beside other windows or even better - on top of them - as a small streak with basic controls that quickly unfolds into normal player and back on double click. I can quickly bring up playlist or library or equaliser, rearrange whatever I need and then leave just the player.

Modular design is more convenient in many cases, it's like having separate toolboxes that you can move around, take with you, or make magically appear and disappear on command.

What do you guys think of such idea for foobar? When I tried it yesterday I thought that I might switch to it if I could not just move the elements within the interface, but as well undock them, or at least if it had a small player agent that I could use for controls without occupying screen space.

Modular foobar UI?

Reply #1
Maybe foo_popup_panels provides what you need?


Modular foobar UI?

Reply #2
The defaultUI has always featured "modular" (in the incorrect sense that you are using the term see: modular window) child-windows for most of it's panels. Shift-click the View menu.

[edit] The one difference with winamp is that playlist viewers are tied to the main window. Still, there's no "main window" in the same sense as winamp, so the playlist window in fb2k might as well be considered just that. With media keyboards (not as common in 1996, so you can't really blame winamp for having one), there's not much use for a "main window" anyways.
elevatorladylevitateme

Modular foobar UI?

Reply #3
I read this as OP is talking about easier layout management. Both DUI elements and CUI panels can appear cumbersome to configure, and once layout is made you can't easily rearrange - that is it has own unique way of doing it, unlike know Windows solutions - you can't drag element from layout or dock it or close it with one action, etc

However I believe this will hardly ever change, so you better get used to it.

Modular foobar UI?

Reply #4
First, apparently we think differently since we use players with different UI concept and use them differently.

Just to illustrate, here's how it looks for me: this is how I like to use my player under normal circumstances and this is after I've doubleclicked the compact main window and then pressed respectively "pl" button and the orange lightning bolt in the bottom-right corner to summon the playlist and the library.

The easiest way I see this can be done at least for me in foobar is if it had a similar separate small panel with basic controls that could stay on top and activate/hide the main window. Though to be able to separately activate library (which is basically what foobar is now, with controls being small part of it), current playlist and other modules would be nice.

Modular foobar UI?

Reply #5
Just to illustrate, here's how it looks for me: this is how I like to use my player under normal circumstances and this is after I've doubleclicked the compact main window and then pressed respectively "pl" button and the orange lightning bolt in the bottom-right corner to summon the playlist and the library.

You can use rainmeter, foo_osd, and popup panels to do some/most of that functionality.

 

Modular foobar UI?

Reply #6
Maybe foo_popup_panels provides what you need?

Not really, first, it ceases to be simple this way. Second, it works in kinda lame way for my purposes.

2 shakey_snake
I don't know how the ability to separate ui modules is properly called. You can compare this to photoshop on mac, where everything is a separate module (not really window). The image window, the toolbar, the panels.

Media keyboards are not that convenient and sometimes, you only want to use mouse, if you drink tea while listening to music for example.

2 MrMonkey

will check these out later, ok

Modular foobar UI?

Reply #7
I read this as OP is talking about easier layout management.

I guess I misread you then.
There are components that will make foobar appear as bar, but I didn't use any of them to make you suggestion

Good luck in trying to make your player look like you other player

Modular foobar UI?

Reply #8
Just to illustrate, here's how it looks for me:


We've all seen Winamp before. But, I don't think you really bothered to listen to what I had to say.

this is how I like to use my player under normal circumstances


And comparatively, here is foobar, as I'd recommend for your use.

and this is after I've doubleclicked the compact main window and then pressed respectively "pl" button and the orange lightning bolt in the bottom-right corner to summon the playlist and the library.

And, comparatively, here is fb2k after you restore it.


Not really that different, eh? I realize you probably just want something else, but my theory is always: why not go over what already possible before assuming we need something else?

Quote
Media keyboards are not that convenient and sometimes, you only want to use mouse, if you drink tea while listening to music for example.
I don't at all understand your example, but there are other ways to access playback commands, with the use of third party components, of course.
elevatorladylevitateme

Modular foobar UI?

Reply #9
Some haven't seen winamp, some never seen classic winamp, some use it differently. I like to have player always at hand without occupying the screen, I think I explained that. I can hide it into tray too. Some people tend to just put on a playlist for 3 hours and forget about it, ok. I tend to switch tracks/rewind/change volume etc. more often with as little of fidgeting around as possible. I like to change volume by clicking on the player and scrolling mouse wheel, you don't even seem to have volume control in your full player. And as for they keyboard, on my notebook for example I have to press Fn+F-key, and it changes the whole system's level and in a not really convenient way etc. (but of course I've configured winamp so that I can control everything by my own global keyboard shortcuts when my hands are on the keyboard)

When winamp acquired this Bento interface, people have been asking it if it would be able to break into panels, so I'm probably not the only one. So I wanted to know if people have similar preferences and want to/can realize them on foobar.


Modular foobar UI?

Reply #11
Or maybe this?

HTH.

Alessandro

Modular foobar UI?

Reply #12
If you want that "feel" of windows snapping to each other, then have a look at this freeware program (I use it myself):

Quote
http://ivanheckman.com/allsnap/

allSnap is a small system tray app that makes all top level windows automatically align like they do in programs such as Winamp or Photoshop . The program works through window hooking, and if you keep it running, all your windows will snap to each other and the desktop while moving/sizing. It chews up a tiny amount of memory (~800 KB) so you can keep it running all the time.

Modular foobar UI?

Reply #13
Maybe foo_popup_panels provides what you need?

Not really, first, it ceases to be simple this way. Second, it works in kinda lame way for my purposes.

It may not be simple, but it works exactly as you want (without window snapping though).  I know because I'm almost done making my own.
1)  Configure all Popup Panels to "Hide on Close", so they save their settings (and existence) when you "close" the "exploded" window parts
2)  Use WSH Panel Mod to create buttons to show/hide your Popup Panels.

You can use any Columns UI panel in a Popup Panel, and you can put multiple panels in a single Popup Panel via Panel Stack Splitter.  If you remain on Default UI for your tiny main foobar2000 window (with mandatory Menu bar), you can even use the fantastic* Facets in a "popup" by Shift+Click Library > Facets.  You only lose the ability to use DefaultUI-exclusive playlist viewers like SimPlaylist, but there are plenty of alternatives.

Modular foobar UI?

Reply #14
Quote
2) Use WSH Panel Mod to create buttons to show/hide your Popup Panels.


standard toolbar buttons/keyboard shortcuts would also work fine. of course WSH panel mod can do the job but it's a bit harder to do.