Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

As some of you know, I am working on a media player/iPod sync/podcast client app in Java -- mainly so I have something I am really happy with to run under Linux. I am amazed however by the work done at iPodLinux.org on reverse engineering the iPod database files. they have complete specs on the all the files, including the ones exclusive to the Shuffle and Photo. It is really an invaluable tool and has made working with the iTunesDB and iTunesSD file nearly a breeze.

I also discovered something I didn't know about, and it would seem iTunes doesn't actually support: the iTunesSD file on the shuffle will let you mark things as "no shuffle", meaning they won't pop up when your shuffle is in shuffle mode, only it straight-through mode. This gave me the chance to do something really neat with the new media player: I can have my podcasts that I haven't listened to yet go to the front of the machine-global playlist and mark them as "no shuffle", then put all my music in behind it. That way I can listen to the podcasts by going to continuous mode and tapping "play" 3 times. When I am done, click into shuffle mode and I get my music without "All About Robert J. Oppenheimer" at ITC showing up. Really cool feature. (cool thing on the destroyer of worlds there too)

In other news, and copying me, I might add, Apple is adding podcast support to the next iTunes, a welcome sign. However, that whiney bitch Weiner already has his panties in a wad about their "supported podcasts" model. While I suspect he is over stating what is actually there -- just because your MP3 stream doesn't appear in the Apple directory doesn't mean iTunes won't play it -- he is mostly upset that Jobs gave a slight dis to the genre. Of course, if Podcasting is "the Wayne's World" of audio, Dave is definitely the Garth.

Really, though, do we want Apple to become some kind of gatekeeper for podcasts? Better their directory be of *cough* limited use *cough* like the iTunes radio directory than be large enough that they have real control over the discovery and distribution.

The CBC (C as in Canuck) got some press this week when some people finally noticed that they are doing a podcasting trial (Quirks and Quarks is available in the TOTSP Aggregator).

And Wired is running a bit about a new WinAMP plug in that will sync iPods -- really, though, is it just me or is WinAMP way too bloated now? It's real utility for a long time was that it *wasn't* iTunes or Real™ Abomination©. Anyway...

"A lot of the feedback I get is people thanking me for freeing them from iTunes," said Fisher. "It shows the dissatisfaction people have with iTunes."

Really? Personally, I think iTunes is about the nicest media player out there. It is a prime example of Apple understanding software usability better than anyone else in the game (except maybe Google). If I could run iTunes on Linux, I wouldn't even be monkeying around with this whole Media Player project.