Hi All,
I don't own an iPod Shuffle (yet), but when I get one I want to be able to use it without iTunes. The iPod Shuffle database builder from Martin Fiedler is perfect for this, allowing drag-and-drop file transfer like most other flash-based mp3 players.
However, this doesn't quite solve the problem completely. In order for the Shuffle to be completely transportable, every Windows computer you want to use the builder on must have a Python interpreter installed (a pain).
So, I set about creating a version that was completely self-contained for use on any Windows machine. Without a website to host the resulting file, I thought I would post the steps I used so others can do it themselves (including any future releases of the database builder). Here's what you need to do this:
[Note: Because I am not an 'established member' I can't post straight URLs to the following resources. I have done my best ]
1) A Windows Python interpreter (I had Python 2.3):
www DOT python DOT org
2) The Python for Windows Extensions:
pywin32 DOT sourceforge DOT net
3) Gordon McMillan's Python Installer (creates the actual exe):
Google "mcmillan python"
4) The Ultimate Packer for eXecutables (optional):
upx DOT sourceforge DOT net
5) A cool icon for the exe file! I got mine from:
www DOT iconfactory DOT com
6) The Python database builder script rebuild_db.py
shuffle-db DOT sourceforge DOT net
With all this in place, these are the steps to create the exe file. They assume the following (adapt to your situation as required):
- Python is installed to C:\python and this directory is in the Windows path
- UPX (upx.exe) is in C:\python (if you are using it)
- The McMillan Installer is extracted to C:\compiler
- The rebuild_db.py script and the icon file (shuffle.ico in this example) are located in C:\shuffle
1) Open a command prompt and "cd C:\compiler"
2) Run "python Configure.py"
3) Run "python Makespec.py --onefile --noconsole --icon C:\shuffle\shuffle.ico --out C:\shuffle --upx C:\shuffle\rebuild_db.py"
(If you don't have UPX, leave out the "--upx")
4) Run "python Build.py C:\shuffle\rebuild_db.spec"
You should now have a single exe file, C:\shuffle\rebuild_db.exe, with the icon you chose. Put this exe file in the root directory of your Shuffle, and run it (via double-click or command line) each time you want to build the database again. This should work on any Windows machine .
DISCLAIMERS:
1) I don't have a Shuffle, so I cant 100% guarantee the file works. I have tested it on a dummy Shuffle directory structure, and it worked exactly like the Python script did. [EDIT] I do have a Shuffle, and it works. [/EDIT]
2) I have no idea if this works on older Windows versions, I have XP and it works fine.
3) If you get stuck, the McMillan installer has comprehensive html help included.
I hope this is useful to someone, it has been an interesting learning experience for me personally (I know nothing about Python).
Regards,
Ashton
I don't own an iPod Shuffle (yet), but when I get one I want to be able to use it without iTunes. The iPod Shuffle database builder from Martin Fiedler is perfect for this, allowing drag-and-drop file transfer like most other flash-based mp3 players.
However, this doesn't quite solve the problem completely. In order for the Shuffle to be completely transportable, every Windows computer you want to use the builder on must have a Python interpreter installed (a pain).
So, I set about creating a version that was completely self-contained for use on any Windows machine. Without a website to host the resulting file, I thought I would post the steps I used so others can do it themselves (including any future releases of the database builder). Here's what you need to do this:
[Note: Because I am not an 'established member' I can't post straight URLs to the following resources. I have done my best ]
1) A Windows Python interpreter (I had Python 2.3):
www DOT python DOT org
2) The Python for Windows Extensions:
pywin32 DOT sourceforge DOT net
3) Gordon McMillan's Python Installer (creates the actual exe):
Google "mcmillan python"
4) The Ultimate Packer for eXecutables (optional):
upx DOT sourceforge DOT net
5) A cool icon for the exe file! I got mine from:
www DOT iconfactory DOT com
6) The Python database builder script rebuild_db.py
shuffle-db DOT sourceforge DOT net
With all this in place, these are the steps to create the exe file. They assume the following (adapt to your situation as required):
- Python is installed to C:\python and this directory is in the Windows path
- UPX (upx.exe) is in C:\python (if you are using it)
- The McMillan Installer is extracted to C:\compiler
- The rebuild_db.py script and the icon file (shuffle.ico in this example) are located in C:\shuffle
1) Open a command prompt and "cd C:\compiler"
2) Run "python Configure.py"
3) Run "python Makespec.py --onefile --noconsole --icon C:\shuffle\shuffle.ico --out C:\shuffle --upx C:\shuffle\rebuild_db.py"
(If you don't have UPX, leave out the "--upx")
4) Run "python Build.py C:\shuffle\rebuild_db.spec"
You should now have a single exe file, C:\shuffle\rebuild_db.exe, with the icon you chose. Put this exe file in the root directory of your Shuffle, and run it (via double-click or command line) each time you want to build the database again. This should work on any Windows machine .
DISCLAIMERS:
1) I don't have a Shuffle, so I cant 100% guarantee the file works. I have tested it on a dummy Shuffle directory structure, and it worked exactly like the Python script did. [EDIT] I do have a Shuffle, and it works. [/EDIT]
2) I have no idea if this works on older Windows versions, I have XP and it works fine.
3) If you get stuck, the McMillan installer has comprehensive html help included.
I hope this is useful to someone, it has been an interesting learning experience for me personally (I know nothing about Python).
Regards,
Ashton
Last edited: