Hierarchy

[Eugene C]

Whenever someone else uses my Sansa (which obviously has Rockbox on it), they're always confused. When someone picks up an iPod, they know how to use it, even if they've never used one before.

The confusion is in part due to the hierarchy used in Rockbox. Using the heading "Files" can be confused with the Database.

I am suggesting that the hierarchy should be redone in order to rid of this easy confusion. A quick proposal:

MUSIC
-Artist
-Album Artist
-Album
-Genre
-Composer
-Track
-Year
-Rating
-Recently Added
-A to Z...
-History...
-Same as current...
-Search...
-Custom view...
NOW PLAYING/RESUME PLAYBACK
PLAYLISTS
-Create Playlist
-View Current Playlist
-Save Current Playlist
-View Catalog
FM RADIO
RECORDING
EXTRAS
-Games
-Applications
-Demos
SYSTEM
-Files
-Settings
--Sound
--Playback
--General
--Theme
--Recording
--Manage Settings
-Time & Date
-Running Time
-Rockbox Info
-Credits
-Debug (Keep Out!)

Obviously, there would be more stuff depending on how it's done and what device it's on, but that's the general idea.

[karashata]

Your proposal seems to be, essentially, removing the "Files" menu option and renaming the Database to Music.

I, for one, would be greatly disappointed if the Files browser were removed, since I prefer to use it rather than the database, since I organize my music in such a way that browsing the file tree is faster and easier than using the Database. I'm sure many others would agree with me.

It might be a little confusing at first but with a little bit of instruction any confusion should be quickly removed. The file broswer will not be removed because of a little bit of confusion on the part of newcomers or people borrowing a Rockbox'ed player.

[Eugene C]

I never said to remove it, I simply rearranged it so that it was under System, as a File Browser is a system thing.

Of course, the option could be stuck in the main menu too...

[karashata]

Hm, I didn't notice it there... However, suffice to say I doubt it will be moved there either. Many many Rockbox users (AFAIK) prefer the file browser over the Database because they've taken the time to organize their libraries in such a way that the file browser is easier/faster to use than the Database. I myself fall into this category and would be rather upset if the File browser were moved into the System menu.

Also, the file browser isn't really a system-related entry anyway, not in the sense of anything currently hiding in there. On my MP3 player at least, the OF has the browser in the main menu, though it's near the end of the list rather than being the top entry such as Rockbox has it.

I would suspect you'd be hard pressed to convince the developers to change the menu structure around. The current order has been the way it's been for quite a while now and most people are pretty comfortable with it as it is. Anyone newcomers who are a little confused can easily read the manual or browse through everything until they're comfortable with the organization of everything, and anyone who might borrow a Rockbox'ed MP3 player could easily be instructed how and where to find the music and play it at the very least.

[Eugene C]

I can see where you're coming from, and I'd just as easily be able to navigate through my music via the file browser since it's all synced so that it's Artist>Album>Songs.

Regardless, things like "Plugins" could be renamed, along with having the music-related items (i.e. Now Playing) closer to the top as that is the main point of the device.

[soap]

I believe Rockbox is, in essence, a filetree-based music player with a database tacked on.  (I don't even compile with database support.)

Even if this were not the case, Rockbox supports multiple other styles of media (images, movies, text, ROMs) which are not to be found in the database.

I think the US will start lending money to China before "Files" ever loses its prominent position in the official menu structure.

[Llorean]

I would agree. Files is always available, database often isn't even enabled (and accidentally enabling it because it's the starting position of the cursor would be frustrating).

"Resume Playback" might make sense for the first entry, but the vast majority of players have a single "resume" button in the first place.

[GodEater]

Frankly, you're lucky Rockbox even launches into a menu these days - I remember when the first screen was already *in* the filebrowser

(Which, if I'm honest, I miss!)

[JdGordon]

Godeater, you know you can change back to that right? (/me points to the link in your sig )

[evilnick]

The first time I used an iPod, I had no idea how to change the volume. Or do some other very basic tasks.
I don't consider the iPod OF to be very user-friendly to be honest.

[bluebrother]

I never said to remove it, I simply rearranged it so that it was under System, as a File Browser is a system thing.

No, the file browser is definitely not a system thing.

Frankly, you're lucky Rockbox even launches into a menu these days - I remember when the first screen was already *in* the filebrowser

(Which, if I'm honest, I miss!)

Me too!

[AlexP]

If anyone tries to hide away the file browser I will hunt them down and hit them repeatedly with a big stick, then invite them to consider the error of their ways.  If they hold firm in their clearly wrong views, I shall return to the stick and keep it up for as long as is needed.

Whenever someone else uses my Sansa (which obviously has Rockbox on it), they're always confused. When someone picks up an iPod, they know how to use it, even if they've never used one before.

Incidentally, I completely disagree.  The first time I tried to use an iPod I was hugely confused (this was before using Rockbox, many years ago).  I still am on the odd occasion I try to use one.

[Yotto]

All of my friends have iPods with the stock firmware. I have an iPod with Rockbox on it.

Whenever they try to use my Rockbox, they quickly get frustrated and give up. Whenever I try to use their iPods, the same happens.

People know how iPods work because people use iPods.

[nls]

When someone picks up an iPod, they know how to use it, even if they've never used one before.

Speaking from personal experience, this is not true. I was very confused by the OF on my ipod nano 4g when i first got it and still haven't gotten used to it after quite some use.

I personally don't use the database so i agree with all the others that said hiding the file browser is a Bad Thing (tm).

[Eugene C]

Yeah, I guess the file browser is important. I personally use it to mod skins and whatnot on the go anyways.

And are iPods really that hard to use? Everyone I know have been able to just pick up an iPod (regardless of whether or not they've used one before or not) and use it...