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May 21, 2006
I Like Media Monkey
Some people swear by iTunes, but they're all Mac users. The Windows version of iTunes sucks memory, fails to follow OS conventions for GUI interaction (meaning that right clicking or holding 'shift' while dragging items will result in unpredictable outcomes) and doesn't allow users to re-arrange the columns of the GUI (the 'Name' column is locked as the left-most column... grrr.). There are lots of other little things that I could whine about, but I don't need to 'cause I've started using Media Monkey and it does everything that I'd like an MP3 playback system to do. Just as importantly, it doesn't do things that I don't want it to do (like attempting to downgrade the firmware on my iPod or move my files around).
Okay, I'll admit that Media Monkey doesn't have the prettiest interface in the world. But form should follow function not the other way around. The application lets users arrange the presentation of their music library pretty much however they'd like. Add, remove, and re-arrange columns at whim. Sort tracks by any attribute that you'd like (can you sort by filesystem location on any other MP3 player?). It's even got a built in scripting interface (that I haven't explored) so users can extend the system if they'd like. Overall I'm very happy with the application. Why can't Apple or Microsoft create software that is as targeted and functional as this? Is there something in the corporate environment that causes developers to lose focus? Are the marketing droids driving the ship or what?
Oh look, Media Monkey found the other media players on my system and will import my ratings. How thoughtful.
Posted by ashusta at May 21, 2006 07:59 PM