Pause on screensaver Options

[tenzip]

Is it possible or feasible to pause playback when the screen saver is active?

I did a search, but did not find anything on point. Perhaps I could have searched harder, but searching "pause screensaver" didn't return anything obvious.

I am using foobar2000 v0.9.6.8 at work under XP, and would like playback to pause when I am not working at my PC.

Having it auto-un-pause on SS deactivation would be cool, too, but not as cool as having it pause on SS activation.

Thanks

[shakey_snake]

I think you could use pause on lock assuming your PC locks when it goes to screensaver.

This post has been edited by shakey_snake: Aug 14 2009, 21:52

[tenzip]

I think you could use pause on lock assuming your PC locks when it goes to screensaver.

Thank you for that, sir (sir?) I will give that a try, it looks like exactly what I want, as it does lock when the SS activates.

[tenzip]

Well, that sort of works. It does pause on locking the PC, but doesn't do it until the screensaver is de-activated. IOW, it continues playing merrily while the screensaver is active, and when the PC actually locks (when the mouse is moved), then it pauses. And un-pauses when the PC is unlocked.

I guess I'll just have to get in the habit of locking manually. It would have been nice to have it do it automatically, though.

Thanks again.

[smkk]

Windows key+L and the pc is locked in less than a second. =)

[odyssey]

Although pause on lock would probably work pretty well in this situation, I actually think it would be a nice addition to foo_scheduler, to perform some event after xx HID idle time.

[tenzip]

Windows key+L and the pc is locked in less than a second. =)

I've used the 3-finger salute and enter for so many years I'm not sure I'm retrainable, but thanks.

Although pause on lock would probably work pretty well in this situation, I actually think it would be a nice addition to foo_scheduler, to perform some event after xx HID idle time.

I was going to look at the scheduler component, but hadn't gotten to it yet. I assume from your post that it doesn't already have this function? That's exactly what I'm looking for, if I haven't touched mouse or KB for, say, a minute and a half, pause the music, because I'm either on the phone, or have left the office.

[odyssey]

No it's not supported, and it's not even sure that further development of foo_scheduler will happen at all, but still it's a great component that can do various tasks for you

That said, I've been thinking that this must be possible by a workaround... If you are willing to give up screensaver, I think you could create an exe from something like autoit3 code (compiler included - script is somewhat alá vbscript). With such code you should be able to send advanced commands to foobar2000 or simply calling the cmdline. You might even have luck launching a screensaver after such command

Note, screensavers are simply exe-files renamed to .scr and put in Windows-directory. I might give it a try this weekend to see if it's possible.

[tenzip]

I might give it a try this weekend to see if it's possible.

If you make it work, I will send you an intarweb cookie. Chocolate chip and walnut OK?

As far as all the cool things scheduler can do, I'm sure it does, but I just need background music to cover up folks talking on the phone down the hall, so I can concentrate on what I'm working on.

Now if you can make a component that will auto-increase the volume when the blower fan for the A/C comes on, I might send you a batch of real cookies.

[odyssey]

Now if you can make a component that will auto-increase the volume when the blower fan for the A/C comes on, I might send you a batch of real cookies.

Hmm.... If you are able to get a reading on the fan speed somehow, you could probably attach it to a fan-pin on the mainboard and use Speedfan to perform an action Btw, foo_scheduler does exactly this!

This post has been edited by odyssey: Aug 15 2009, 12:19

[tenzip]

Running a cable from the furnace room across and down the hall just to adjust volume falls into the working too hard for laziness category, I believe.

I can probably just reach behind me and twist the knob, if needed.

[odyssey]

Thinking further of it, it would actually be cool if you had a program that could adjust output volume according the average noise from a microphone. Some car-stereos has the same feature which are quite useful to adjust volume automatically depending on how fast you drive. Could be a nice addition to a CarPC as well.

[GeSomeone]

Is it possible or feasible to pause playback when the screen saver is active?

As foo_lock doesn't pause when (only) the screensaver hits, I like to mention that the component foo_AdvancedControls has an option to do it.

[tenzip]

As foo_lock doesn't pause when (only) the screensaver hits, I like to mention that the component foo_AdvancedControls has an option to do it.

Sweet! That seems to work fine at home, so I have no doubt it will at work also. I'm not thrilled about the addition to my already too-cluttered tray, but I think the functionality will offset that.

Thank you!

[tenzip]

Thinking further of it, it would actually be cool if you had a program that could adjust output volume according the average noise from a microphone. Some car-stereos has the same feature which are quite useful to adjust volume automatically depending on how fast you drive. Could be a nice addition to a CarPC as well.

While that would work in theory, I can picture this scenario: My boss walks into my office and starts talking, raising the average noise level, so the volume cranks up to compensate, which causes him to talk louder, etc., and I get fired for playing my music too loud.

Sounds great for a car, but I'm not sure it would work well in an office.