Apple> Drop database, use folders!

[mads_s]

It seems that there is approximately 6 times as many Windows users as Mac users, looking at the forum posts here. I don't know how Mac users usually organize their music, but I know how many Windows users do:

I download my music from Kazaa, Soulseek and other p2p services. This music has very varied ID3 info. I have about 80 GBs mp3, and I don't have time to look at evey single tag and correct it. I have tried batch tagging programs (about seven of them I think, including Tag&Rename and TagScanner), but it's still too time consuming.

My music is organized into folders, e.g.:
Music\RnB\Chill\Alicia Keys
Music\Rap\Dr. Dre\Dr. Dre - Chronic 2001

I would like an option on the iPod, that made it possible to totally avoid the use of tag information and a database. In this way, people with many mp3s with varied ID3 info, could keep the folder organization they already made.

What I have done for now (I just got my iPod), is set genre for all RnB songs to RnB, so that I can browse by genre - this does part of the job, but not for subfolders.

Do you think there's any chance that Apple might implement such a feature?

[RegalBegal]

Originally posted by mads_s
It seems that there is approximately 6 times as many Windows users as Mac users, looking at the forum posts here. I don't know how Mac users usually organize their music, but I know how many Windows users do:

I download my music from Kazaa, Soulseek and other p2p services. This music has very varied ID3 info. I have about 80 GBs mp3, and I don't have time to look at evey single tag and correct it. I have tried batch tagging programs (about seven of them I think, including Tag&Rename and TagScanner), but it's still too time consuming.

My music is organized into folders, e.g.:
Music\RnB\Chill\Alicia Keys
Music\Rap\Dr. Dre\Dr. Dre - Chronic 2001

I would like an option on the iPod, that made it possible to totally avoid the use of tag information and a database. In this way, people with many mp3s with varied ID3 info, could keep the folder organization they already made.

What I have done for now (I just got my iPod), is set genre for all RnB songs to RnB, so that I can browse by genre - this does part of the job, but not for subfolders.

Do you think there's any chance that Apple might implement such a feature?


6 Times as many? doubtful. Folders exist on MAC OS systems as well as windows systems I am also a windows (XP) user.

Don't steal music, and if you're gonna do it expect to fix ID3s yourself.

Touch luck kid, if you did away with a database it would 10 times long to go through the drive to find your crap. Even if they used your setup you'd still need a database.

Apple won't change this, its too efficient for people with actual music collections, it may not work for people who run p2p programs downloading the latest hits while they sleep (ie. You).

Looks like you'll have to deal with it.

why do criminals whine so much?

[mads_s]

RegalBegal> Why do anti-p2p people whine so much? Face it, most people with mp3 collections have illegal music.

Regarding the database, it shouldn't be a problem making a database for faster searching, based on the folder hierachy. What I meant was making it possible for people to use their current folder hierachy, using a database or not. I think it would be pretty simple to include this option in a firmware update, and I think I'm not the only one who wants something like this.

Btw, why do you include my entire post as a quote?? It's not like people are too lazy to scroll up to the original post.

[RegalBegal]

Most people? Thats a good excuse.

....and who was whining?

It's simple, the solution to your problem is deal with it.

I'm not the one with the problem with how the database works. So, even if you think you've won this discussion I'm still not the one with the petty complaint. If you avoid paying for it you're stuck with tagging it to meet your needs; or the needs of your iPod. I think its a fair trade-off.

[mattp98]

The database system is probably the main reason I wanted an ipod. I am tired of dealing with folders. Database searches are WAY more efficient in dealing with large, legitimate music collections.

Yeah, it takes some time to get things ready for it, but the payoff is worth it.

--Matt

[ashawley]

I agree with everyone that that's posted regarding the database struture. It is so much more efficient. And c'mon, you say you don't have time to tag, but you do have time to rename and move around all those files? :rolleyes:

The good thing about database managed files is that you can use software to do the renaming for you if you want to keep things organized (physically on the HDD I mean).

Plus, there is so much more you can do with database structured systems. Try and make a smartlist w/folders my friend.

Adam

[jhansman]

I used iTunes from the get-go, especially (while waiting for my iPod to arrive) after reading all the complaining from MMJB and MC9 users about how, when using iTunes, they can't organize their music the way they want. I decided early that was one headache I'd just as soon miss, so I did.

[mwidjaya]

mads_s, it is time you move away from manual methods to automated method. The world maybe full of windows users but that doesn't mean they have the better way.

iTunes + iPod does a pretty good job at organising your songs. And without hassles as well. Move on, move up man....