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MP3 File Description Database
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Version 1.1 of MP3 File Description Database is now available!
MP3 File Description Database
Copyright © 2003 TwinkleSoft. All rights reserved. Version 1.1.
 
New in version 1.1! Edit file descriptions, and create, open, play and save playlists.
 
Many MP3 audio files contain descriptions of the content of the file such as title, artist, album, etc. While this information is useful, a couple of problems arise in practice. First, since there are few requirements on what is entered into descriptions, they are often inaccurate or missing. Second, it is difficult to organize an mp3 file collection by viewing descriptions one file at a time, as is normally required.
 
MP3 File Description Database provides a solution to these problems and more. Quickly handle inaccurate or missing descriptions by simply selecting a file and adding or editing text. Organizing files is made easy by capturing all of the file descriptions in a directory, and storing them in a small database file (MP3FileDB.xml). Once the database is created, the entries can be viewed and sorted in a spreadsheet-like grid or printed. Finally, Play and Playlist features make available a full range of options for listening to your mp3 collection. Files are launched in the default mp3 player for the computer. 
 
The MP3 File Description Database is easy to use as demonstrated by the straightforward interface shown below.
 
Most of the program's features are accessible using the toolbar buttons near the top of the window, and are detailed below:
 
VIEW - Displays file description entries in the MP3 File Database. Available by selecting a drive, directory or MP3FileDB.xml file in the directory/file browser. When a drive or directory is selected, the current directory will be automatically searched for the database file. Of course, the database must be created before it can be viewed. Sort columns by clicking on the column header. Resize columns by positioning the mouse between two columns in the column header area until a double arrow appears, then click and drag left or right.
 
CREATE - Creates a database file containing entries for all mp3 files in a directory and stores the database in the same directory. Create will overwrite any previous database in the directory. Select a drive or directory containing mp3 files to use Create.
 
PLAY - Plays the current playlist or if there is no current playlist, the selected mp3 file in the default audio player for the computer.
 
PLAYLIST - Opens the playlist pane ready for adding new songs. Selecting an mp3 file in the directory/file browser adds the file to the playlist when Lock Playlist is not checked. A song in the playlist may be moved up or down by selecting the song and clicking on the up or down arrows. A song may be deleted by selecting the song and pressing the Delete button. Pressing PLAYLIST with items in the playlist clears the list.
 
SAVE - Saves a playlist in commonly used m3u or pls formats.  
 
APPEND - Adds a single new file entry to the database while retaining all previous entries. Available when an mp3 file is selected in the directory/file browser. Duplicates will not be appended.
 
DELETE - Deletes an MP3 File Database or a single file entry in the database depending on whether a directory/MP3 File Database or an mp3 file is selected in the directory/file browser or data grid. Alternatively, deletes a playlist item if selected. 
 
REFRESH - Rebuilds the directory or file list depending on which item is selected in the directory/file browser. If a file is added or deleted outside of this program, it will not be reflected until Refresh is applied.
 
PRINT - Used to print a report on the MP3 File Database. Data must be available in the data grid (MP3 File Description view area) in order to be printed. The report is first displayed in preview mode.
 
EDITING A FILE DESCRIPTION. Simply select an mp3 file in the directory/file browser, then edit cells in the data grid other than the file name. Selecting Genre will popup a window with selections. (The database is not editable to avoid differences with file values.)
 

TwinkleSoft * Mill Creek, WA * USA