The Winamp4TheBlind Frequently asked questions file.
Please read this document all the way through before posting to the list
because your question may already be answered here. If it is and you post
it to the list, you will just be told to read the faq, or some people may
tell you to RTFM and I think we all know what that means <grin>.
1. Winamp basics
Q: What is the latest version of Winamp?
A: As of January 30, 2005, the latest version of Winamp is 5.08B, and can
be downloaded from Winamp.com.
Q: I've got one of the 2.x versions of Winamp. Why on earth should I
upgrade when this version is working just fine for me?
A: Well, this is all a matter of opinion really. Like many people always
say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it. However, if you need technicle
support from Nullsoft, the makers of Winamp, they will probably recommend
that you upgrade to the latest version so they can better help you solve
your problem.
Plus if you ask a question on the list, we can better help you if
everyone, or most everyone is using close to the same version.
Q: What's the difference between Winamp full and Winamp pro?
A: not much really. The only advantage to Winamp pro is that you can rip
CD's into mp3 and other formats, but on a lot of machines I've tried
personally it was very slow. So you could have interesting results.
Q: so is it worth it to upgrade to pro?
A: well, the only reason I can personally think to justify it is to throw
a few bucks their way for developing such a great audio player.
Q: So there aren't any accessibility differences between Winamp Full and
pro?
A: Absolutely none whatsoever. So don't worry about a thing.
Q: What's new in the latest version? A: See the what's new file located
in the c:\program files\Winamp folder.
A: But I read it and it makes absolutely no sense to me. Q: Well, don't
worry because it doesn't make a lot of sense to me either, those Nullsoft
dudes are programmers, and you know programmers! They drink lots of
caffeine, write code and use a language all their own. Basically, the
newest version brings together all the good stuff from Winamp 2 and
Winamp3, thus the Winamp 5 series of releases. The media library has had
some fixes, and you'll find that due to a few new versions of some
plugins, that your mp3s will sound even better. Just try it yourself and
see. After all it's free.
Q: Is Winamp 5 accessible with my screenreader?
A: Yes. As long as you choose the classic skin when installing Winamp
5.x, you'll be fine. All the functionality you've come to enjoy is there
because Nullsoft made very few changes to the look of the program, with
the exception of a lightning bolt icon used for the media library, and the
modern skin which unfortunately is not accessible with
screenreaders...yet! But give it time.
Q;: But I installed it and I got the modern skin anyway, is there anyway
to revert back to the classic skin?
A: sure. Just open the preferences with control plus p and arrow down to
the skins portion of the tree view. This is a bit tricky since when you
land in this area, you may find yourself getting stuck there and aren't
easily able to get out. Before you do though, you'll see a list of
installed skins, and all you have to do is make sure that classic skin is
selected. Then to get out of it, simply tab until you hear tree view and
then either press the home key to go to the top, or end to go to the
bottom, either one will do. For simplicity's sake, I would recommend going
to the top because if you arrow up from the bottom you'll end up in the
skins portion again and you may have trouble getting out again.
Q: when a new version of Winamp comes out, I'm afraid it won't work with
my screenreader, should I be worried?
A: Not at all, because when you go from one version to another, 5.08 C, to
5.08D let's say, there have been absolutely no changes made to the
interface whatsoever. The only changes made from one version to another
are purely internal, meaning that a core plugin to play a specific file
type has been updated, or a security bug may have been fixed, or some bad
code in the program may have been fixed. But again, you should not be at
all afraid when a new version comes out. Simply download and install it
and everything will be fine, take it from a guy who has had literally
years of experience with this program. Very little changes from version
to version. and if any major changes *do* happen if a new version is
released, you'll no doubt hear about it on the list.
Q: I've got software speech, butI like listening to stuff on Winamp to.
How do I control Winamp's volume independent of my software speech?
A: To do this, go back to the preferences with control plus p. Arrow down
in the tree view until you hear plugins and then arrow further down to
output. Once there, tab to the list of output plugins and choose Nullsoft
wave out. Your version number may varry but you're in the right place.
Next, tab to the configure button and you'll be in a dialogue box. tab
until you hear volume control enable. Check that checkbox. Tab once more
and you should hear volume control alt. setting method. You can leave
this one alone or check it if you like. I rarely use software speech but
when I do I am perfectly able to regulate both volumes just fine. So that
should do it for you. After you've checked these boxes, press ok, and
then tab to the close button.
Q: How do I get Winamp to play real audio files?: Is it possible? A: This
is probably the number 1 question asked on the list, and the short answer
is yes, but the plugin designed to do it only works with an older version
of real player, version real 8.
Q: i heard something about Real Codecs. What's all that about? A: This
program, which is most likely a hack and is probably illegal, allows you
to listen to real audio files without the real player even being installed
on your machine. It's recommended for advanced users only, because if
something goes wrong and you need to uninstall these codecs, you won't be
able to because there's no uninstalation program. So only use this if you
know what you're doing. As far as the plugin for this goes, it's still
available but due to it being so old and due to the fact that it's long
out of development, we aren't helping people with it anymore. Basically,
if you download and install it and something goes wrong, you're on your
own. It's called the Tara real audio plugin. ou can do a google search for
Tara Plugin and you should be able to locate it.
Q: How do I change the number of stations that appears in the Winamp
library?
A: In version 5.08 and earlier versions after 5.04, do the following.
1. Launch Winamp. The version I'm running is 5.07, but this works for
versions from 5.04 on up to 5.08. so if you have one of those, these
directions will
work. If you have an earlier version, the directions are slightly
different but we're focusing on the current version here.
2. With Winamp open on your screen, press control plus p for preferences.
3. Tab until you hear, tree view, or in JAWS it will say, tree 1 tree
view and the current position where you are. It remembers the last place
you were,
so it could say any number of things. To get ourselves a starting point,
press your home key to take you to the top.
4. press your down arrow key until you hear, media library,6 of 8.
With other screenreaders other than jaws you may not hear the position of
items, but as long as you hear, media library, you're in the right place.
5. Now here's where things get interesting. When you're positioned on
the media library option, press your tab key twice. Pressing it once will
take you
to the close button, and once again you'll land in a list view of views in
the media library. The first one in the list is internet radio. Check
boxes
will show if it will appear in this view, and the check box should be
checked. so in JAWS for example, you should hear, manage streaming media
views list
view,1 of 4. For some reason, it won't tell you that internet radio is the
first one, but it is.
6.
To get to the button where you change the number of streams listed in the
library, press your tab key twice. Pressing it once will land you on a
button
where you can specify ratings for different things which doesn't apply
here. Pressing it once more will take you to a button that says, modify
preferences
button. This is where you want to be, so press your space bar on this.
7. On the next screen, you should see an edit box, and it should say,limit
number of listings fetch to, and the default number here is 500. You can
put
any number here you like, so in there I put some rediculously high number
like 25000. This makes sure that all the streams out there will be
fetched.
note that when Winamp does this, it may take a bit of time, especially if
you're on a slower connection.
there are a few other radio buttons here for determining how often it
grabs new streams, so you can set that how you like, or leave it at the
defaults.
Then simply press the ok button to close this dialogue, and then the
close button. You can then go back to the media library in Winamp, and
then press
the refresh button. This button becomes an abort button while it's
downloading the stations. Hope this helps explain things.
2. List stuff:
Q: How long has this list been around, and how did it get started? A:
This list has been around since January of 2001, over 3 years! We started
at Topica, then we moved to Yahoogroups. Then we moved to Smartgroups,
and now we're here at Freelists.org.
Q: I just got my computer last week and I don't know much about windows.
Is this list right for me? A guy on another list told me I should download
Winamp and I did.
A: Well, that's great! However, because Winamp's interface is pretty
non-standard from your average windows program, this list is for those
folks who have an intermediate to advanced knowledge of windows,I.e. You
know how to manage files and folders and know your way around the
computer, but just aren't very familiar with the Winamp program itself.
So if you're a beginner to windows, the list probably isn't for you. If
you're a more intermediate to advanced computer user, you will probably
understand Winamp's quirky interface a little better than someone just
beginning. That's just the nature of the program and how it's designed.
Q: so I won't be able to chat with friends here or pass around recipes?
A: Not here, I am afraid not. This list is for the discussion of Winamp
in conjuction with your screenreader, and that's all. This is very
straight forward and you should have no problem understanding what is, or
isn't off topic. If you keep it somehow related to the use of Winamp,
you're on topic. If it's about anything other than that, you've drifted
off topic and should take your question to another list. The best thing
to do is to think about your question and how it relates to the use of
Winamp before you even start writing it. If it is related, then by all
means post.
See the list guidelines file you got when you subscribed so you'll know
what's on topic and what is not. and if you aren't sure, please please
don't just post an off topic message asking if it's ok to post an off
topic message. That just shows a lack of respect for the moderators and
your fellow list members.
Q: not even one little off topic message? A: Please, let's not go there.
Off topic messages are strictly forbidden on this list and the guidelines
will be strictly enforced.
Q: You said something earlier about this list having a website. Is this
true? A: Yes we do. The list's website is available at
http://winamp4theblind.jjhof.com
and has subscription and unsubscription information, plugins for download,
the latest version of Winamp and some important links that you should
check out, even if you think you know Winamp inside out, you still might
like to cruise around a bit and have a look.
Q: Do I have to be a list member to download stuff from your website?
A: Absolutely not, we like to make this page available to people, wether
or not you're a list member. We do hope you'll try the list out if you
have a problem that's particularly vexing and we'll do our best to help
you.
Q: What if I've got a question for the moderators. How do I get ahold of
you off list so I can see if my question is ok to ask? A: you can send us
e-mail at
winamp4theblind-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx one of us will answer your question
in a timely manner.
Q: I'm thinking of getting into broadcasting. Is that type of discussion
ok here?
A: As long as you're using Winamp to do it, ask away.
Q: I've got a show but I'm looking to promote it somewhere. Can I promote
it on your list?
A: certainly! We all love using Winamp to listen to new shows and audio
streams so please by all means promote your show or radio station on the
list. The only rule we have regarding this is that you only send one post
per day so people don't think they're being spammed. It only makes people
mad, and if people are mad, they won't tune you in. and please, please
remember to give the address of the station or website people can go to to
listen. This is really a no-brainer but we've had a few people post
messages without an address to listen so obviously if you want people to
listen, an address *would* be helpful.
Q: How do I unsubscribe or put myself on vacation mode?
A: visit our website at
http://winamp4theblind.jjhof.com
and you should see a form on the page that allows you to do your own
administrations. If you prefer to do it via e-mail, you can unsubscribe
from the list by sending a blank message to:
winamp4theblind-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and put unsubscribe in the subject
line.
Q: What happens if I post an off topic message to the list on accident?
A: nothing because everyone does it. I've done it, we all have from one
time or another. However, if you repeatedly post off topic questions when
you know full well what subjects are up for discussion, then that's when
we must take some action. one post will result in a private warning from
me, the list owner.
A second infraction will result in a more stern note from me privately and
your postings will be moderated, in other words, I must approve them
before the entire list sees them. If you still insist upon posting off
topic messages, you will be unsubscribed and banned from joining the list.
So please stay on topic and you won't have to worry about all those
warnings and things.
Q: Is there anything else I need to know about list conduct?
A: just be yourself. Don't feel like you have to act in a certain way or
be all polite and formal. This is a technology list of course, so the
main focus is Winamp in conjunction with your screenreader, but we do like
to get a bit silly occasionally. Ultimately within the silliness, you will
hopefully have a little fun and learn a few new things along the way. So
ultimately, just be yourself and have fun.
Q: will this FAQ be posted to the list occasionally?
A: Yes, this file will be posted to the list every month and
revisions/updates will happen when the list administrators deme it
necessary to do so. You can also find this file at our website.
Q: so who are these moderators you keep talking about? Are they mean, I
mean will they slap me repeatedly if I make the slightest mistake or
something?
A: well, Rob can be a bit nasty with that whip...Just kidding! In all
seriousness, let me run down the list admins for you so you know whose
who.
First we have myself, Chris, the friendly list owner. That should be
pretty self-explanatory. Next we have our beautiful
webmistress/co-moderator, Shannon. She looks after the website, helps
folks with their Winamp problems, and helps keep me in line when the need
arises. and last, but certainly not least, our most recent addition to
the moderator position is Robert Robbinson. He's quite silly at times, but
he knows his stuff. He's very helpful and will answer any questions you
might have and he's a good guy besides. You can get ahold of all of us by
sending an e-mail to winamp4theblind-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and one of us
will be glad to assist you.
Q: I heard you have an RSS feed now, is this true?
A: Yes, it's true and all the lists on Freelists.org have their own RSS
feeds now so you can just pay attention to the lists and topics which
interest you most.
You can add the user name, w4tbfeed to your live journal friends page if
you have one. Or if you just use aa n RSS reader, or use Yahoo, you can
enter a url into the box provvided for it. The link is
//www.freelists.org/archives/winamp4theblind/feed.rssNote entering
the above URL into IE or another browser will not work, as you'll only see
a bunch of garbled text which is actually the xml markup language. So be
sure to enter the correct url or it won't work.
Hopefully, this FAQ has helped answer some of your questions. If it
hasn't, or you feel as if this FAQ needs to be updated, please let the
list owner know by sending a message to
winamp4theblind-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
