Thanks for the detailed explanation, and for consideration of request. I accept that it is what it is for now.

Hi,

Rob_S wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 9:12 pm If playback is already underway, it plays next, for me preferably also in shuffle mode.

It is not possible ATM as MM do not know what would next track be in shuffle mode we are thinking to introduce background queue list that will make things possible, but not yet fully concrete as in soome cases playback will not be fully shuffle, but predetermined randomized playback. Something for another topic.

Rob_S wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 9:12 pm If playback is not underway, regardless of whether there are already any tracks in the playing list, play now places the selected track at the current location in the queue and starts playing it.

Play now behavior depends on your Setting, for me it is clear+play selected only.

So regarding rename Play -> Queue we can all agree it clears things a lot.

FYI I already for Play now action when playback is underway use PLAY LAST so that playback is not interrupted.

I think we are accepting that the intent is to add to queue, and the discussion is about the wording of the menu.

Play next (to be renamed Queue next) places the selected item in queue to be played next, but does not start playback.

If playback is already underway, it plays next, for me preferably also in shuffle mode.

If playback is not underway, regardless of whether there are already any tracks in the playing list, play now places the selected track at the current location in the queue and starts playing it.

Rob_S wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 11:54 am I have resolved this for myself somewhat by randomizing my "now playing" list, and then playing that randomized sequence in display order, thus "play next" then works for me. However, this seems like an unnecessary workaround.

It was always like that for past 15+ years. Use normal playback, but Randomize list manualy so that you have full control of Next/Last QUEUE, that was expanded with Mixed as it adds selected tracks randomized to Next/Last Position.

Personally I would never ever wanted that Playback auto start if paused/stopped. Only exception is when Now Playing is empty and MM playback is stopped, but again I would use that in 1/10 times.

I still think it would be important that regardless of the active play mode, shuffled or otherwise, if I select play next, add next, queue next, or whatever next, that in fact the first selected track DOES play next!!

This means it has to not merely be added to the now playing list, but also to be inserted into whatever shuffled sequence the player uses before whatever track it was going to play next.

Admittedly, I have resolved this for myself somewhat by randomizing my "now playing" list, and then playing that randomized sequence in display order, thus "play next" then works for me. However, this seems like an unnecessary workaround.

Thank you for your considered and detailed response, Rusty. I agree that 'Queue' would align much more with the associated functionality than 'Play'. This is similar to Peke's suggestion, but 'Queue' does helps clarify. Clearing up the menu title names to reflect the actual functionality would be helpful.

It would be nice to have the selection automatically begin playing under the condition outlined previously. I am not suggesting to add complexity by changing menu names based on state. My suggestion was to add a configuration switch to control the default action under the condition described. ie; if the play list queue is empty and 'Play Mixed' is selected, then automatically begin playing if the configuration switch is set. If the configuration setting is unchecked (can be the default), then functionality is as it is today.

I understand that 'Not Everyone' would want Play to be initiated automatically, but it is not right to suggest that improvements cannot be made based on that requirement. Configuration switches are broadly used already in the application for exactly the purpose of configuring to individual preferences.

I don't know if adding more menu items is an option instead of a configuration setting, but perhaps it could handled by adding 'Play Mixed Now' to the menu as an example?

I understand that this is a very minor concern and doesn't justify anything more than a minor effort to address as the solution only saves an additional click. I do appreciate the consideration.

I was thinking about this and came up with the following idea, which upon closer examination is exactly what you (Rusty) proposed firstly above, so I vote for that, either terminology is fine!!!

- Play now, Add next, Add last
- Play shuffled: Play now, Add next, Add mixed, Add last
- Play shuffled (by Album): Play now, Add next, Add last

If playback is not underway, the user would most likely want the track(s) in question to start immediately and thus use the play now option, or would be satisfied if it was added further down, and initiate playback separately.

If playback is already underway, all options would work correctly

I'm not sure, but I think that Peke's suggestion would probably clarify things and solve most of the confusion. i.e. if we changed the terminology to better reflect what the command does, it would look like:
- Play now, Queue next, Queue last
- Play shuffled: Play now, Queue next, Queue mixed, Queue last
- Play shuffled (by Album): Play now, Queue next, Queue last

Taking this approach would allow anyone to initiate playback normally/shuffled/shuffled by album, and once playback is in progress, to add to the queue in the manner desired. (note: I thought about 'Shuffle' / 'Shuffle (by Album)', but that could imply that the list will be shuffled).

IIUC, the additional improvement being suggested would be to add on option to modify the menus when playback is stopped so that every play command also initiates playback. e.g. "[x] When playback is stopped, show Play commands instead of Queue commands" (Tooltip: This allows files to be queued and played in one step, but prevents files from being queued without initiating playback.) The menu (when playback is stopped) would look like:
- Play now, Play next, Play last
- Play shuffled: Play now, Play next, Play mixed, Play last
- Play shuffled (by Album): Play now, Play next, Play last

I was originally thinking that this could be useful because it can save a mouse-click, but seeing the menu structure makes the negative consequences of this approach much clearer. On the positive side, it would be possible to e.g. 'Play mixed' and save a mouse-click. BUT, the benefit is minimal since 'Play mixed' is used for editing the queue and more often than not when it (and other edits / additions to the queue) are performed it's preferable but no longer possible to make more than a single edit to the Playing queue without initiating playback.

-Rusty

Seriously, this is the response. Obviously the current design is NOT what

everyone

wants either!

Why not make it a checkbox option then and satisfy both groups instead? Any other solution that improves the design.

This would not involve a great deal of technical effort to by-pass the code section if the option is unchecked.

That won't be what everyone wants. Some will build Playlists there before starting playback, even when it's empty to start with.

I really don't think that would help, Peke. "Add Next" doesn't make a lot of sense. From my view, the right answer is to re-evaluate the design decision around this as it seems illogical from a blank queue starting position. If something else was already queued or playing, then I could understand a little better.

It should not be a big effort to introduce logic where "Play" is inferred when working with a blank Play list /nothing playing at the time of selection. I could go so far as inferring 'Play' for any of those selections (Play Next, Play Last, Play Mixed, etc) if the current play list queue is blank.

Frankly, I agree with the earlier post in this thread as well, with regard to 'Play Next'. Regardless if I have shuffle enabled or not, Play Next should do exactly that, IMHO. Play Next...

Hi,
Maybe "Play" should be renamed to "Add" as that is only confusion for Next/Last/Mixed otherwise Play Now is clear enough what it's doing



(according to PLAY NOW settings in Options)

Well, I must say even though I rarely used this, I would most certainly expect a command that is entitled "Play Shuffled" to place my songs in the queue and start playing them, if not already.

If I wanted them to be added without starting playback, I would look for a command entitled "Add to now playing", which would then be expected add them, and not affect the playing state.

Of course, I am the same person who thinks the command "Play next" should work whether or not "Shuffle" is turned on. I would expect it to play next regardless of how the rest of the list is being dealt with.

There are definitely some quirks in this media monkey that seem "not logical"

Thanks all. It seems strange behavior /design decision to me.

I could understand if there were contents already in the play list or if there was already content playing. In that case, play next or play last could be applicable. However, starting from an empty playlist and no active content, it seems reasonable to expect 'Play Mixed' to immediately begin playing upon selection, similar to play now.

It is a minor thing to take an additional step.

Thank's