Title: Playlist Manager
Author: David J. Stein, Esq.
Version: 1.0
Written: October, 2005


Abstract: This application is a tool for managing M3U playlists. The application scans a selected folder for media files, parses M3U files, and matches up the files with the contents of each playlist. The playlist contents can then be manipulated at will, and changes can be written back to the M3Us.

Installation Instructions: Nothing unusual - simply run the enclosed executable.

Operation Instructions:

First, it is important that your M3U files should begin with the prefix "Playlist - " and end with ".m3u". This assumption is used to distinguish M3U playlists from album tracklists, which are usually written in the same format.

When the application starts up, the user should select a folder containing the M3U and MP3 files to be managed. The application then displays three lists: a list of all tracks, a list of playlists, and a list of tracks contained in each playlist. The left and middle lists are sorted alphabetically; the right list is sorted in the order in which the tracks appear in the playlist.

Track controls: Clicking on a track will select all of the playlists to which that track belongs. To add one or more tracks to one or more playlists, simply select the tracks on the left (trl-selecting or mouse-lassoing may be necessary) and the playlists in the middle into which those tracks should belong, and then click the "Add" button underneath the track list. You can also search for a specific track in the list by entering text into the textbox; this will scroll to a track matching this name, but will not change the selections in the track list.

Playlist controls: Clicking on a playlist will show the contents of that track in the right-most list. A new, empty playlist can be created by clicking the "Create" button. One or more playlists can be deleted by selecting them and clicking "Delete."

Playlist contents controls: Tracks can be moved around in a playlist by selecting them and clicking the "Up" or "Down" buttons. Tracks can be removed from the selected playlist by selecting them and clicking the "Delete" button.

Saving changes: The changes that you make to these playlists are not saved until you click the "Save" button.

Comments:

Nothing out of the ordinary here - just a simple and straightforward tool. The only tricky part was creating a usable interface well-adapted for this slightly complex information-management task. Approximately nine different layouts were sketched and partially implemented before this final, three-list approach was chosen; hopefully the user will find it convenient.

Application History: This program was written during a slow weekend in October, 2005.

Questions/Comments: Please contact David J. Stein, Esq. via email at djs10@po.cwru.edu.

Terms and Conditions of Use: Please see the enclosed "License.html" file for terms and conditions of use of this software package.