In some ways the best NG submission,
In some ways the best NG submission, I downloaded this and am sure I'll be using it regularly for some time to come...
The lack of a 'random' feature in the NG portal always bothered me so I loved being able to stick this on and listen to a random selection of tunes.
In the downloaded version, I love the way it's so easy to check the submission and review, rate or check out the artist's other stuff from there.
Shame that there's no easy way to do so with the online version playing in Firefox.
Browser issues aside, it'd brilliantly designed with practically all the functionality I could ask for and a fairly intuitive interface. The 'skin' goes perfectly with the NG style whilst maintaining a look of its own. The artist icons are a masterstroke!
My one gripe with the visual side is that there are some functions I learnt about in the 'help' menu (S,F,R) that I reckon there should be indicator lights and buttons for in the main panel. At the very least, indicator lights without having to dig into the 'settings' panel.
Also, the 'random' button kinda seems like it might be for random play. That could be clearer somehow.
If you were wanting to add further functionality, an option to bypass tunes based on certain criteria (maybe if it's over/under a certain length) to make it easier to search for loops or whatever.
Also, maybe an option to play each tune a set number of times before proceeding to the next (say, 5...) or maybe for a certain length of time, with us being able to choose.
It would be helpful if we could line up a playlist of songs to be played. Not necessarily our favourites. Say if we found an artist we liked, it'd be helpful to be able to note some numbers of tracks we fancied giving a shot, then inputting them to come up one after another. Although I suppose we can workaround this and load all the songs, then go back...
Lastly, it'd be a kinda cool feature if there was an option to pop up a window after each track. I probably wouldn't often use it, but it'd just make it easier for folk who want to rate stuff and are just chilling or whatever.
But it's a wonderful utility, with the songs loading in and all the info appearing just as it should.
I'm giving you a 9 not so much for my minor gripes, but for the browser issues. (I am reviewing the version on NG after all...)