Songbird Installation - Mepis64

For : Mepis Linux 64bit

By : je.saist


System Components:

DFI LanParty UT  /  Athlon64 2800+ @ 3200+  /  1gig DDR 400mhz 2,2,2,5 / Radeon 9800 Pro AIW

Songbird does offer a 64bit client, so I ran through the process on the one system I have running Mepis64, and I didn't bother taking it back to stock. Yes. That would be one of my normalized desktops.

1: Starting at http://www.songbirdnext.com/





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

Left Click on the Download.





3: Now, this system is set up to save directly to the hard-drive without asking.

So, I am waiting on the file to download.





4: Alright, download has completed.  

According to the download, All files downloaded to: Desktop.





5: Go ahead and close the browser out then.





6: yes, the Songbird x86-64 file is on the desktop.

Left Click on the Songbird file.





7: Ark should open up.  





8: Left Click on Extract





9: Left Click on OK unless you want to change the destination directory.





10: When extraction completes, Left Click on Close.





11: Go ahead and open up Home.





12: Don't mean to confuse you.  The songbird-64 folder is the one being used for the screenshots.  

The folder labled Songbird is the one we want.





13: Left Click on the Songbird folder.





14: Left Click on the Songbird file.





15: Left Click in the checkbox next to I agree.





16: Left Click on I agree.





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




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

Left Click on OK





19: Wait for the add-ons to download.





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





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





22: Once your folder is set, Left Click on Open.





23: This system doesn't have any music though.

Do keep in mind you can set Songbird to watch the folder selected.





24: Left Click on OK





25: And now you can use Songbird.




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.