Interesting. You've both given good examples of some pretty complex playlist behavior, above and beyond the concept of shuffle play. I hadn't thought of stuff like that before.

The obvious issue is that your suggestions are so unique and user-specific that you'd need some kind of end-user scripting or API interface to cover all the possible bases (just as you suggest). The irony is that it would just be simpler to add this kind of functionality directly to the playlist code rather than attempting to write a script languange or API interface for third parties.

As I understand it, though, the source code for the Empeg is either currently available or they intend to make it available soon. It is possible that I'm wrong about that. But I could swear that I read that they don't intend to keep the source code a secret. There are certain licensed elements that they don't own and therefore can't release (such as the XAudio stuff), but the basic playlist and playback code is supposed to eventually be open-source, if not already. I quote their web site:

People have asked about making the unit more open. At the start, we don't have the manpower to offer this sort of thing, but it is planned to release a setup which will allow logins, and be configured with gas and gcc for users to develop their own software on the unit. However, there will be no support for this - you have to be serious about it, and happy with Linux and software development in general for this to appeal to you. In the worst case, you can always reinstall the default software - the boot code is protected, so you shouldn't end up with a dead unit.

The unit's UI is written in Python, allowing Python-esque users to add features and giving great flexibility in the way the unit works.

Rjlov, your assertation that the player code "is where they make their money" doesn't sound quite accurate to me. As I see it, the unit's hardware design is what makes it the most unique. The code is great, don't get me wrong. No other consumer device even comes close to having a user interface at all, let alone having one as cool as the Empeg's. But I think that making their player code open source could only help their sales rather than hurt them. The ability for a hacker to do things like change the playlist behavior (in the ways you suggest) could only make the unit more popular.

Rob, Hugo, Mike... Clear this up please... What's the status of the Empeg source again?


-- Tony Fabris -- Empeg #144 --
Caution: Do not look into laser with remaining good eye.