-Brading Software Message Board
+--Forum: Mp3/Tag Studio Support and Bug Reports
+---Topic: auto increment for Track tags? started by moid
Posted by: moid on April 03 2004,07:24
In anticipation of the command-line interface that will be in the new version, I have been using Mp3/Tag Studio for all of my tagging. I've learned how to do just about everything at this point and am beginning to like mp3ts quite a bit. However, there is one thing that I can't figure out how to do yet. I've looked and looked for it but can't find any way to do this.
With Tag&Rename, the tool I've been using up till now, it is easy to select a series of mp3 files, and apply track numbers to them in sequence. You supply the starting track number and then it fills in the Track tag in ascending order to each file while honoring the current sort order.
Is there any way to do this with mp3ts? Seems like there should be an option in the mass set tags/flags to auto-increment the track field and then let us fill in the starting track number to use. It should then honor the sort (date or name) depending on what the user has set it to.
Also, is it possible to give us an estimated date for the next release (w/support for a command-line interface)? I'm really looking forward to it!!
Keep up the good work, this is a very cool tool!
-mike
Posted by: Magnus Brading on April 03 2004,13:38
Please see < this FAQ entry >.
And about the new version, I feel really bad about not releasing it soon, it has been here on my disk half done for quite some while now.
I will really try to finish it and at least release a beta soon. Keep nagging me now and then and it might be faster anyway. 
Posted by: moid on April 04 2004,18:12
---------------------QUOTE BEGIN-------------------
Please see < this FAQ entry >.
And about the new version, I feel really bad about not releasing it soon, it has been here on my disk half done for quite some while now.
I will really try to finish it and at least release a beta soon. Keep nagging me now and then and it might be faster anyway. ---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Hey there...
Not sure why didn't think of using include lists to auto number the Track Number tag, how simple yet effective! There really isn't anything that can't be done with Mp3/Tag Studio!
However, tagging track numbers incrementally from a starting value is something that is used enough that it should be given it's only interface option. The way I'd do it is put a checkbox in the mass tag window to auto increment the track tag. This checkbox would go next to the track tag edit field, and when checked the value in the edit field would be considered the starting track number to be incremented from there (or 01 if left blank). That way, you could tag anything in the mass tag window and have it increment the track number all in one step!
Looking at the mass tag window, the year edit control currently displays 19 '9' digits, which is about 15 more than a person would ever use. You should be able to fit another checkbox after Track called Auto and still leave enough room for Year.
Until the command-line version is available, I will need to use Tag&Rename to auto-tag incrementing track numbers since it can be done with 3 mouse clicks and entering the starting track number. Once the command-line version is available, I will just generate the track list file from my program and read it in to auto-tag the track numbers from a specific starting number. Until then, I am forced to use Mp3/tag Studio manually or through the Explorer interface which I also love by the way. NOTE: my program is for personal use only and I have no plans to distribute it.
ALSO: if I were you, I'd make the command-line interface only available with a registered license. Once you release that, anyone could embed it in a program like I plan to. Since your ad strategy won't work if a person uses the comand-line exclusively, it would be like getting the program completely free. Of course that's up to you.
As far as the new release, the only incentive I can think of to give you is to register my copy of Mp3/Tag Studio. I just did that now. I've been checking for the new release every day. I really need the command-line interface THAT BAD!! I was going to wait to register till after you released it, but if it'll give you additional incentive, I will register now. I will continue to check for the new release (or beta) regularly.
If you release it as a beta, how can I find out about it? Will it be announced on the main mp3ts page? When I just registered, I checked the box to be kept informed of new releases, so I'm assuming I may even get an email when it becomes available? That would be great.
Thanks again for the great program!
I'm really looking forward to the command-line version!
-mike
Posted by: Magnus Brading on April 04 2004,21:01
Thanks for your ideas and suggestions (and for registering of course)!
Some comments and answers:
The year field only fits 6 digits in the minimal size of the program Window. It is scaled when the window is enlarged, but everything must work in the minimum size as you might understand.
Public beta versions are normally announced both on the main page and in the forum, and registered users are also notified of all new releases by email.
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