Songbird Installation - Mepis32

For : Mepis Linux 32bit

By : je.saist


System Components:

Abit NF7-S 2.0  /  AthlonXp 2500+ @ 3200+  /  1gig DDR 400mhz 2,2,2,5 / XFX Geforce 6600 GT

1: We are starting at http://www.songbirdnest.com/





2: On the Righthand side of the page we'll find the download for the Developer Preview.

Left Click on the Download.





3: Wait for the download to initialize.





4: FireFox is now asking me what I want to do with the file.





5: I am going to go ahead and let Ark open the Songbird file with a Left Click on OK.





6: Once the download completes Ark should open up.





7: I went ahead and maximized Ark.





8: Left Click on Extract.





9: The default location for extraction is /home/(username)





10: Unless you have a location you want, Left Click on OK.





11: Once extraction finishes, go ahead and Close Ark.





12: Go ahead and Close your browser.





13: Left Click on Home.





14: We should have a new folder listed as Songbird.





15: There it is.

Left Click on Songbird.





16: The good news is, Songbird comes pre-compiled.





17: Left Click on Songbird.





18: Typical license agreement. Left Click in the checkbox for I agree.





19: Left Click on I agree.





20: Songbird will now go through a short configuration where you can choose recommended add-ons to be installed.





21: I'm not a fan of Wikipedia. I got tired of having facts changed. So it isn't selected.





22: Left Click on OK when ready.





23: Get comfy while the add-ons are downloaded.





24: Songbird will now ask what folder to watch for music in.





25: Speaking for myself, I set it to /home/(username)/Music.





26: Which as we can see has several entries. Left Click on Open.





27: Songbird will now scan the drive.





28: Songbird also supports monitoring the folder for new music.





29: When Songbird completes, Left Click on OK to use the program.





Now that the Guide is finished, I think it's time to say something. I'm not really sure I see a point for Songbird. Sure, it would be nice to have a program that worked exactly the same across multiple Operating System platforms.  However, QT4 is enabling that with existing applications like Amarok. Personally, I'd rather see the Songbird developers work on optimizing Amarok for NT5, NT6, and OSX platforms.

Another issue, as demonstrated clearly above, Songbird is outright hostile to the 800*600 resolution. This makes is a poor choice for older computers that are finding uses as central media hubs for music.

The issue is also complicated by Elisa from Fluendo. Elisa appears to moving in to fill the space between MythTV and Amarok or Kaffeine.  While I support choice among open source programs, I can't help but feel that the Songbird developers would be better off helping develop an application that already has a userbase.  I just can't see myself using it, or promoting it though.


Take me back to the Guides.