Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time
Larry: You asked about having your music in several places. As far as I can tell you can only have one top level directory at a time. You have to go into optons if you want something on a different hard drive. This is one of my main problems with the product. I thought I could possibly trick it by putting in a shortcut to a differnt drive put the prouct does not display the shortcuts. Someone else said the product is for the beginner. Well I m far from a beginner in using PC, but that does not mean I don't want something that is basic and simple. My problem with all the jukebox software I have seen is it has way to many bells and wistles for me to navigate through as a visually impaired user. I have all my music arranged the way I want, all I need is a simple display of my music file and a abiity to easly select and play them. No graphic equalizer, no various ways to sort, no way to rate the songs, i.e. not microsoft mediaplayer. Mediamonkey is a bit better than MS product but still way to much stuff on the screen. I found a open source that works great on my MP3 player but they (as far as I know) don't have a release that runs direct on a PC. It is the open source Rockbox project an is great for the MP3 player and it has some basic voice output to read directories but I do ot use that since it also has a way to customize the display for low vision users. Oh and Larry on the topic of the annoying self proclaimed audio banner, yes I would like to remove it also. Perhaps if you call their help list they can help? I have not had much luck there. Finally, yes the help system in Marvelsoft's Digital Jukebox is just useless. Sorry don't know how much help I will be in using the Marvelsoft's Digital Jukebox I basically figureit is a waisted 50 bucks. I just plan on using the very basic in it to play my music. Everything else like ripping CDs I use Mediamonkey ' To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time
it sounds to me that they want you to make a playlist and play everything from different playlists from different directories. what would happen if you try to play an *.m3u or *pls file in the player. - Original Message - From: "Tim Smith" To: Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 9:51 AM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time Larry: You asked about having your music in several places. As far as I can tell you can only have one top level directory at a time. You have to go into optons if you want something on a different hard drive. This is one of my main problems with the product. I thought I could possibly trick it by putting in a shortcut to a differnt drive put the prouct does not display the shortcuts. Someone else said the product is for the beginner. Well I m far from a beginner in using PC, but that does not mean I don't want something that is basic and simple. My problem with all the jukebox software I have seen is it has way to many bells and wistles for me to navigate through as a visually impaired user. I have all my music arranged the way I want, all I need is a simple display of my music file and a abiity to easly select and play them. No graphic equalizer, no various ways to sort, no way to rate the songs, i.e. not microsoft mediaplayer. Mediamonkey is a bit better than MS product but still way to much stuff on the screen. I found a open source that works great on my MP3 player but they (as far as I know) don't have a release that runs direct on a PC. It is the open source Rockbox project an is great for the MP3 player and it has some basic voice output to read directories but I do ot use that since it also has a way to customize the display for low vision users. Oh and Larry on the topic of the annoying self proclaimed audio banner, yes I would like to remove it also. Perhaps if you call their help list they can help? I have not had much luck there. Finally, yes the help system in Marvelsoft's Digital Jukebox is just useless. Sorry don't know how much help I will be in using the Marvelsoft's Digital Jukebox I basically figureit is a waisted 50 bucks. I just plan on using the very basic in it to play my music. Everything else like ripping CDs I use Mediamonkey ' To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time
That is a very good point as well, and for the user who you have described here this software would be ideal. The software can be used either with the onboard speech or you can turn off the onboard speech and use it with a screen reader. Larry Larry Naessens Vinylguy Café ...a burn above the rest At Vinylguy Café, we turn old records and tapes into brand new CDs that you can listen to for a lifetime. Visit us at www.vinylguycafe.com. We welcome all of your enquiries by Skype or email. Before sending us your media, please contact us for important shipping instructions. Email: vinylguyc...@gmail.com SkypeMe: Vinylguy45 - Original Message - From: "Rick Harmon" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 4:15 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time One thing most of you are missing here is that the product is basically meant for a person without a screen reader and is a beginner that only wants to be able to do the most simple of music tasks. I doubt anyone on this list would be looking for such an item. Rick - Original Message - From: "Gary Schindler" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 3:14 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time I looked at the product and figure it isn't worth the $50.00 they want for what it is supposed to do. go to http://www.marvelsoft.com and you will find all the software they sell. - Original Message - From: "Larry" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 3:00 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time They are marketing it as a jukebox in which every single aspect of the program is spoken. No libraries that only sort of work etc. The program can also be used either with or without a screen reader as it comes equipped with its own speech output. I was and am still hoping to use it to help in more easily cataloging my CD collection which I am now in the process of digitizing. It is said that the program will work well with all MP3 players with the exception of the iPod. Larry Larry Naessens Vinylguy Café ...a burn above the rest At Vinylguy Café, we turn old records and tapes into brand new CDs that you can listen to for a lifetime. Visit us at www.vinylguycafe.com. We welcome all of your enquiries by Skype or email. Before sending us your media, please contact us for important shipping instructions. Email: vinylguyc...@gmail.com SkypeMe: Vinylguy45 - Original Message - From: "Gary Schindler" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:49 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time this is the first I have heard of this program. what advantage is this program supposed to have over something like Winamp? - Original Message - From: "Larry" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:35 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time As a blind purchaser of this software, I would have to agree with everything that you said Tim, at least to the extent of that which can be perceived by a totally blind user. First there's this annoying proclamation issued each time the program is launched which shouts at the user declaring itself to be "the future of audio!" Is this truly necessary? If this is the future, then I am not optomystic. Since I spent money on this package, I have tried to get to know it a bit, but our relationship has been uneasy at best. It seems that the user is required to learn a different method of doing most of the tasks for which the software was designed. I had perceived it as giving voice to tasks that could be cumbersome in other applications. And while there is indeed voice, I find myself mystified as to how to perform tasks which I take for granted in other applications. Then there's the "help" feature which I really don't find to be all that helpful. For the most part, the user is on his or her own when trying to figure things out. And, since the developers have chosen alternative means for doing most everything, this is particularly annoying. However, Tim, since you are also an owner of this program, perhaps you can help me out with the answers to a couple of questions. First, since my music is on multiple drives and in a variety of folders, just how does one move about between drives and folders? Secondly, when I try to ad given songs to a given play list, the software insists on creating a second play list with the first play list's name and dumping the songs in that second play list. So, how does one add to a play list? One other interesting thing that I noticed... the program does include an element which allows the user to list radio stations and their urls, serv
Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time
Just go to http://www.marvelsoft.com The program, along with their other software offerings, is clearly described there. The site also includes contact info. I think the program does exactly what it claims to do. My challenge has been to understand the differing methods that the developers employed. Larry Larry Naessens Vinylguy Café ...a burn above the rest At Vinylguy Café, we turn old records and tapes into brand new CDs that you can listen to for a lifetime. Visit us at www.vinylguycafe.com. We welcome all of your enquiries by Skype or email. Before sending us your media, please contact us for important shipping instructions. Email: vinylguyc...@gmail.com SkypeMe: Vinylguy45 - Original Message - From: "David Edick" To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:56 PM Subject: RE: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time What is the URL for the product? Do you have any other contact info for them? Thanks, /David -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Tim Smith Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:52 AM To: pc-audio@pc-audio.org Subject: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time I saw a product mentioned on this list called Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox which is suppose to be a PC based talking jukebox designed for the blind and visually impaired. I have had Marvelsoft's Digital Jukebox for a week now and quite frankly my opinion is it is not ready for prime time. As a partial sighted user the Graphical User Interface (GUI) is extremely annoying. The GUI is implemented with a crippled windows display. All standard window decorations have been removed. No top window bar with iconify, resize, minimize, maximize, close. Which would not be a problem except for the window clips the content and there is no way to scroll. You have to go into the applications "options" and play with text and box sizes until you get it to fit in the fixed window. One navigates within the application primarily with the 4 directional keys which would be great except the display does not track the direction keys. If you key past the end of the window display the contents does not scroll up, you do hear what you can not see which is a help once you realize what it is doing. Also, the 4 direction arrows will not take you to some of the items on the screen. Most notable "back" is not reachable with the arrow keys, you either have to mouse over it and click or use the "backspace" key. Once you know this it is useable but why the arrow buttons dont just proceed to the "back" button as it does with "ok" and "cancel" and every thing else is not intuitive. It appears that this product, although marketed to the blind and visually impaired, is primarily intend for the totally blind. My problems started when I was looking for the licence key. The verbal directions say the key is on a yellow card in the box. I could not find the card in the box with the key. However, I called and was able to get the key over the phone. It turns out the key is on a Braille and "raised text" card taped to the outside of the box with no visible text printing at all. I thought it was just their logo on the box. Also, there is no label at all on the product CD so the first thing I did was print a label for it so it would not get lost. If one is totally blind perhaps this product is more useful since one might not be use to the GUI standards supplied in most applications. But any user will find the setting of "options" annoying, since one constantly has to restart from the top of the option menu for each change. That is you can not step back in the menu tree once you start down a branch. Also one can not navigate in the standard way through "My Computer." It is to complicated to say how you have to do it, lets just say you can not select "My Computer" and then the location you want. If your music is spread across multiple drives and you want to keep it that way it will get real annoying. When I purchased the product I was told they did not have a demo version. Turns out the product will run in demo mode but they just will not give it to you until you buy it. I STRONGLY recommend one get the demo version first or don't buy it. The demo runs for 5 minutes at a time. I sincerely wish I could recommend this product, since there is so little good inexpensive software designed for the blind and visually impaired. Marvelsoft's Digital Jukebox has great potential but it is not there yet, maybe when version 2.0 comes some of the comments above will be addressed. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time
One thing most of you are missing here is that the product is basically meant for a person without a screen reader and is a beginner that only wants to be able to do the most simple of music tasks. I doubt anyone on this list would be looking for such an item. Rick - Original Message - From: "Gary Schindler" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 3:14 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time I looked at the product and figure it isn't worth the $50.00 they want for what it is supposed to do. go to http://www.marvelsoft.com and you will find all the software they sell. - Original Message - From: "Larry" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 3:00 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time They are marketing it as a jukebox in which every single aspect of the program is spoken. No libraries that only sort of work etc. The program can also be used either with or without a screen reader as it comes equipped with its own speech output. I was and am still hoping to use it to help in more easily cataloging my CD collection which I am now in the process of digitizing. It is said that the program will work well with all MP3 players with the exception of the iPod. Larry Larry Naessens Vinylguy Café ...a burn above the rest At Vinylguy Café, we turn old records and tapes into brand new CDs that you can listen to for a lifetime. Visit us at www.vinylguycafe.com. We welcome all of your enquiries by Skype or email. Before sending us your media, please contact us for important shipping instructions. Email: vinylguyc...@gmail.com SkypeMe: Vinylguy45 - Original Message - From: "Gary Schindler" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:49 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time > this is the first I have heard of this program. what advantage is this > program supposed to have over something like Winamp? > - Original Message - > From: "Larry" > To: "PC Audio Discussion List" > Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:35 PM > Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time > > >> As a blind purchaser of this software, I would have to agree with >> everything that you said Tim, at least to the extent of that which can be >> perceived by a totally blind user. First there's this annoying >> proclamation issued each time the program is launched which shouts at the >> user declaring itself to be "the future of audio!" Is this truly >> necessary? If this is the future, then I am not optomystic. >> >> Since I spent money on this package, I have tried to get to know it a >> bit, but our relationship has been uneasy at best. It seems that the user >> is required to learn a different method of doing most of the tasks for >> which the software was designed. I had perceived it as giving voice to >> tasks that could be cumbersome in other applications. And while there is >> indeed voice, I find myself mystified as to how to perform tasks which I >> take for granted in other applications. Then there's the "help" feature >> which I really don't find to be all that helpful. For the most part, the >> user is on his or her own when trying to figure things out. And, since >> the developers have chosen alternative means for doing most everything, >> this is particularly annoying. >> >> However, Tim, since you are also an owner of this program, perhaps you >> can help me out with the answers to a couple of questions. First, since >> my music is on multiple drives and in a variety of folders, just how does >> one move about between drives and folders? Secondly, when I try to ad >> given songs to a given play list, the software insists on creating a >> second play list with the first play list's name and dumping the songs in >> that second play list. So, how does one add to a play list? >> >> One other interesting thing that I noticed... the program does include an >> element which allows the user to list radio stations and their urls, >> serving as a kind of self built radio station database. I've noticed that >> when adding a link, say from the Bill Sparks site, I have to add the link >> which Bill labels "Listen live with your pda/smart phone or stand alone >> player.," as the standard listen link will not work in this jukebox. I >> guess it is to be perceived as a standalone player. >> >> My comments here represent only my views, but, like Tim, I would >> recommend that, before purchasing this product, you might want to get >> ho
RE: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time
What is the URL for the product? Do you have any other contact info for them? Thanks, /David -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Tim Smith Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:52 AM To: pc-audio@pc-audio.org Subject: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time I saw a product mentioned on this list called Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox which is suppose to be a PC based talking jukebox designed for the blind and visually impaired. I have had Marvelsoft's Digital Jukebox for a week now and quite frankly my opinion is it is not ready for prime time. As a partial sighted user the Graphical User Interface (GUI) is extremely annoying. The GUI is implemented with a crippled windows display. All standard window decorations have been removed. No top window bar with iconify, resize, minimize, maximize, close. Which would not be a problem except for the window clips the content and there is no way to scroll. You have to go into the applications "options" and play with text and box sizes until you get it to fit in the fixed window. One navigates within the application primarily with the 4 directional keys which would be great except the display does not track the direction keys. If you key past the end of the window display the contents does not scroll up, you do hear what you can not see which is a help once you realize what it is doing. Also, the 4 direction arrows will not take you to some of the items on the screen. Most notable "back" is not reachable with the arrow keys, you either have to mouse over it and click or use the "backspace" key. Once you know this it is useable but why the arrow buttons dont just proceed to the "back" button as it does with "ok" and "cancel" and every thing else is not intuitive. It appears that this product, although marketed to the blind and visually impaired, is primarily intend for the totally blind. My problems started when I was looking for the licence key. The verbal directions say the key is on a yellow card in the box. I could not find the card in the box with the key. However, I called and was able to get the key over the phone. It turns out the key is on a Braille and "raised text" card taped to the outside of the box with no visible text printing at all. I thought it was just their logo on the box. Also, there is no label at all on the product CD so the first thing I did was print a label for it so it would not get lost. If one is totally blind perhaps this product is more useful since one might not be use to the GUI standards supplied in most applications. But any user will find the setting of "options" annoying, since one constantly has to restart from the top of the option menu for each change. That is you can not step back in the menu tree once you start down a branch. Also one can not navigate in the standard way through "My Computer." It is to complicated to say how you have to do it, lets just say you can not select "My Computer" and then the location you want. If your music is spread across multiple drives and you want to keep it that way it will get real annoying. When I purchased the product I was told they did not have a demo version. Turns out the product will run in demo mode but they just will not give it to you until you buy it. I STRONGLY recommend one get the demo version first or don't buy it. The demo runs for 5 minutes at a time. I sincerely wish I could recommend this product, since there is so little good inexpensive software designed for the blind and visually impaired. Marvelsoft's Digital Jukebox has great potential but it is not there yet, maybe when version 2.0 comes some of the comments above will be addressed. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time
They are marketing it as a jukebox in which every single aspect of the program is spoken. No libraries that only sort of work etc. The program can also be used either with or without a screen reader as it comes equipped with its own speech output. I was and am still hoping to use it to help in more easily cataloging my CD collection which I am now in the process of digitizing. It is said that the program will work well with all MP3 players with the exception of the iPod. Larry Larry Naessens Vinylguy Café ...a burn above the rest At Vinylguy Café, we turn old records and tapes into brand new CDs that you can listen to for a lifetime. Visit us at www.vinylguycafe.com. We welcome all of your enquiries by Skype or email. Before sending us your media, please contact us for important shipping instructions. Email: vinylguyc...@gmail.com SkypeMe: Vinylguy45 - Original Message - From: "Gary Schindler" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:49 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time this is the first I have heard of this program. what advantage is this program supposed to have over something like Winamp? - Original Message - From: "Larry" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:35 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time As a blind purchaser of this software, I would have to agree with everything that you said Tim, at least to the extent of that which can be perceived by a totally blind user. First there's this annoying proclamation issued each time the program is launched which shouts at the user declaring itself to be "the future of audio!" Is this truly necessary? If this is the future, then I am not optomystic. Since I spent money on this package, I have tried to get to know it a bit, but our relationship has been uneasy at best. It seems that the user is required to learn a different method of doing most of the tasks for which the software was designed. I had perceived it as giving voice to tasks that could be cumbersome in other applications. And while there is indeed voice, I find myself mystified as to how to perform tasks which I take for granted in other applications. Then there's the "help" feature which I really don't find to be all that helpful. For the most part, the user is on his or her own when trying to figure things out. And, since the developers have chosen alternative means for doing most everything, this is particularly annoying. However, Tim, since you are also an owner of this program, perhaps you can help me out with the answers to a couple of questions. First, since my music is on multiple drives and in a variety of folders, just how does one move about between drives and folders? Secondly, when I try to ad given songs to a given play list, the software insists on creating a second play list with the first play list's name and dumping the songs in that second play list. So, how does one add to a play list? One other interesting thing that I noticed... the program does include an element which allows the user to list radio stations and their urls, serving as a kind of self built radio station database. I've noticed that when adding a link, say from the Bill Sparks site, I have to add the link which Bill labels "Listen live with your pda/smart phone or stand alone player.," as the standard listen link will not work in this jukebox. I guess it is to be perceived as a standalone player. My comments here represent only my views, but, like Tim, I would recommend that, before purchasing this product, you might want to get hold of a demo version in order to make sure that it meets your needs. Larry To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time
I looked at the product and figure it isn't worth the $50.00 they want for what it is supposed to do. go to http://www.marvelsoft.com and you will find all the software they sell. - Original Message - From: "Larry" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 3:00 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time They are marketing it as a jukebox in which every single aspect of the program is spoken. No libraries that only sort of work etc. The program can also be used either with or without a screen reader as it comes equipped with its own speech output. I was and am still hoping to use it to help in more easily cataloging my CD collection which I am now in the process of digitizing. It is said that the program will work well with all MP3 players with the exception of the iPod. Larry Larry Naessens Vinylguy Café ...a burn above the rest At Vinylguy Café, we turn old records and tapes into brand new CDs that you can listen to for a lifetime. Visit us at www.vinylguycafe.com. We welcome all of your enquiries by Skype or email. Before sending us your media, please contact us for important shipping instructions. Email: vinylguyc...@gmail.com SkypeMe: Vinylguy45 - Original Message - From: "Gary Schindler" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:49 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time this is the first I have heard of this program. what advantage is this program supposed to have over something like Winamp? - Original Message - From: "Larry" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:35 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time As a blind purchaser of this software, I would have to agree with everything that you said Tim, at least to the extent of that which can be perceived by a totally blind user. First there's this annoying proclamation issued each time the program is launched which shouts at the user declaring itself to be "the future of audio!" Is this truly necessary? If this is the future, then I am not optomystic. Since I spent money on this package, I have tried to get to know it a bit, but our relationship has been uneasy at best. It seems that the user is required to learn a different method of doing most of the tasks for which the software was designed. I had perceived it as giving voice to tasks that could be cumbersome in other applications. And while there is indeed voice, I find myself mystified as to how to perform tasks which I take for granted in other applications. Then there's the "help" feature which I really don't find to be all that helpful. For the most part, the user is on his or her own when trying to figure things out. And, since the developers have chosen alternative means for doing most everything, this is particularly annoying. However, Tim, since you are also an owner of this program, perhaps you can help me out with the answers to a couple of questions. First, since my music is on multiple drives and in a variety of folders, just how does one move about between drives and folders? Secondly, when I try to ad given songs to a given play list, the software insists on creating a second play list with the first play list's name and dumping the songs in that second play list. So, how does one add to a play list? One other interesting thing that I noticed... the program does include an element which allows the user to list radio stations and their urls, serving as a kind of self built radio station database. I've noticed that when adding a link, say from the Bill Sparks site, I have to add the link which Bill labels "Listen live with your pda/smart phone or stand alone player.," as the standard listen link will not work in this jukebox. I guess it is to be perceived as a standalone player. My comments here represent only my views, but, like Tim, I would recommend that, before purchasing this product, you might want to get hold of a demo version in order to make sure that it meets your needs. Larry To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time
As a blind purchaser of this software, I would have to agree with everything that you said Tim, at least to the extent of that which can be perceived by a totally blind user. First there's this annoying proclamation issued each time the program is launched which shouts at the user declaring itself to be "the future of audio!" Is this truly necessary? If this is the future, then I am not optomystic. Since I spent money on this package, I have tried to get to know it a bit, but our relationship has been uneasy at best. It seems that the user is required to learn a different method of doing most of the tasks for which the software was designed. I had perceived it as giving voice to tasks that could be cumbersome in other applications. And while there is indeed voice, I find myself mystified as to how to perform tasks which I take for granted in other applications. Then there's the "help" feature which I really don't find to be all that helpful. For the most part, the user is on his or her own when trying to figure things out. And, since the developers have chosen alternative means for doing most everything, this is particularly annoying. However, Tim, since you are also an owner of this program, perhaps you can help me out with the answers to a couple of questions. First, since my music is on multiple drives and in a variety of folders, just how does one move about between drives and folders? Secondly, when I try to ad given songs to a given play list, the software insists on creating a second play list with the first play list's name and dumping the songs in that second play list. So, how does one add to a play list? One other interesting thing that I noticed... the program does include an element which allows the user to list radio stations and their urls, serving as a kind of self built radio station database. I've noticed that when adding a link, say from the Bill Sparks site, I have to add the link which Bill labels "Listen live with your pda/smart phone or stand alone player.," as the standard listen link will not work in this jukebox. I guess it is to be perceived as a standalone player. My comments here represent only my views, but, like Tim, I would recommend that, before purchasing this product, you might want to get hold of a demo version in order to make sure that it meets your needs. Larry To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time
this is the first I have heard of this program. what advantage is this program supposed to have over something like Winamp? - Original Message - From: "Larry" To: "PC Audio Discussion List" Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:35 PM Subject: Re: Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time As a blind purchaser of this software, I would have to agree with everything that you said Tim, at least to the extent of that which can be perceived by a totally blind user. First there's this annoying proclamation issued each time the program is launched which shouts at the user declaring itself to be "the future of audio!" Is this truly necessary? If this is the future, then I am not optomystic. Since I spent money on this package, I have tried to get to know it a bit, but our relationship has been uneasy at best. It seems that the user is required to learn a different method of doing most of the tasks for which the software was designed. I had perceived it as giving voice to tasks that could be cumbersome in other applications. And while there is indeed voice, I find myself mystified as to how to perform tasks which I take for granted in other applications. Then there's the "help" feature which I really don't find to be all that helpful. For the most part, the user is on his or her own when trying to figure things out. And, since the developers have chosen alternative means for doing most everything, this is particularly annoying. However, Tim, since you are also an owner of this program, perhaps you can help me out with the answers to a couple of questions. First, since my music is on multiple drives and in a variety of folders, just how does one move about between drives and folders? Secondly, when I try to ad given songs to a given play list, the software insists on creating a second play list with the first play list's name and dumping the songs in that second play list. So, how does one add to a play list? One other interesting thing that I noticed... the program does include an element which allows the user to list radio stations and their urls, serving as a kind of self built radio station database. I've noticed that when adding a link, say from the Bill Sparks site, I have to add the link which Bill labels "Listen live with your pda/smart phone or stand alone player.," as the standard listen link will not work in this jukebox. I guess it is to be perceived as a standalone player. My comments here represent only my views, but, like Tim, I would recommend that, before purchasing this product, you might want to get hold of a demo version in order to make sure that it meets your needs. Larry To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox , Not ready for prime time
I saw a product mentioned on this list called Marvelsoft Digital Jukebox which is suppose to be a PC based talking jukebox designed for the blind and visually impaired. I have had Marvelsoft's Digital Jukebox for a week now and quite frankly my opinion is it is not ready for prime time. As a partial sighted user the Graphical User Interface (GUI) is extremely annoying. The GUI is implemented with a crippled windows display. All standard window decorations have been removed. No top window bar with iconify, resize, minimize, maximize, close. Which would not be a problem except for the window clips the content and there is no way to scroll. You have to go into the applications "options" and play with text and box sizes until you get it to fit in the fixed window. One navigates within the application primarily with the 4 directional keys which would be great except the display does not track the direction keys. If you key past the end of the window display the contents does not scroll up, you do hear what you can not see which is a help once you realize what it is doing. Also, the 4 direction arrows will not take you to some of the items on the screen. Most notable "back" is not reachable with the arrow keys, you either have to mouse over it and click or use the "backspace" key. Once you know this it is useable but why the arrow buttons dont just proceed to the "back" button as it does with "ok" and "cancel" and every thing else is not intuitive. It appears that this product, although marketed to the blind and visually impaired, is primarily intend for the totally blind. My problems started when I was looking for the licence key. The verbal directions say the key is on a yellow card in the box. I could not find the card in the box with the key. However, I called and was able to get the key over the phone. It turns out the key is on a Braille and "raised text" card taped to the outside of the box with no visible text printing at all. I thought it was just their logo on the box. Also, there is no label at all on the product CD so the first thing I did was print a label for it so it would not get lost. If one is totally blind perhaps this product is more useful since one might not be use to the GUI standards supplied in most applications. But any user will find the setting of "options" annoying, since one constantly has to restart from the top of the option menu for each change. That is you can not step back in the menu tree once you start down a branch. Also one can not navigate in the standard way through "My Computer." It is to complicated to say how you have to do it, lets just say you can not select "My Computer" and then the location you want. If your music is spread across multiple drives and you want to keep it that way it will get real annoying. When I purchased the product I was told they did not have a demo version. Turns out the product will run in demo mode but they just will not give it to you until you buy it. I STRONGLY recommend one get the demo version first or don't buy it. The demo runs for 5 minutes at a time. I sincerely wish I could recommend this product, since there is so little good inexpensive software designed for the blind and visually impaired. Marvelsoft's Digital Jukebox has great potential but it is not there yet, maybe when version 2.0 comes some of the comments above will be addressed. To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
