archived news

01-12-2002

Version 3.7 is now in the pre-release stage and is going through the final testing and cleaning stages and will be released shortly.

30-11-2002

My P.C. suffered a bad crash and wiped out some of my mail files (bl**dy Windoze). So I've had to resort to using a back-up copy of the Jukebox Mailing list which is likely to be out of date. Apologises in advance if you get a mail and you have already unsubscribed or you don't get a mail and you have subscribed. Please resend your request and I'll update the list. The alpha version of V3.7 has been released to a select few while I also continue to test it. An early to mid-December release is looking on target.

16-1-2002

V3.7 is progressing nicely and the feature additions are adding up faster than I thought. I don't have a release-date planned yet, but it will (hopefully) be before Christmas. I won't let out anything here, I'll leave that as a surprise when it's released! A lot of previous suggestions are being added to this version. It should be available to the pre-beta-testers shortly.

15-10-2002

Jukebox V3.63 is released. This fixes a few bugs and adds a few tweaks. I've also updated the F.A.Q. This should hopefully be the last release on the V3.6.x branch and work has already started on the V3.7 branch. I can't stress seriously enough, if you have a problem, check the manual and the F.A.Q. If this still doesn't help, them email me and I'll gladly help.

25-09-2002

Jukebox V3.62 is released. This fixes a few bugs and adds a few extras to the features which appeared in V3.61.

18-09-2002

Jukebox V3.61 is released at last! Get it from the download pages. Please read the manual for details on how to use the new features.

16-09-2002

The documentation is complete and everything is being packaged up. V3.61 should be released within 2 days.

08-09-2002

Release date has been delayed due to additional work being done on Jukebox due to some feature requests and Winamp3 being released. It has been tested and found to work fine but you will need the Winamp2 Plugin-Manager to allow Jukebox to control Winamp3. The other new feature is the search system has been updated to allow you to choose either a fast search, which may return false matches inside words, or a more thorough search which is more accurate. Few more days testing and it should be released!

26-08-2002

Beta testing of V3.61 is going well. Version history has been updated online so you can see a list of the changes / additions in the latest release. Still lots more good things to look forwards to. Hopefully the Windows version should get CD playback support in the next version as an example.

02-08-2002

Just to let you know that Jukebox V3.6 is on course for a release this month. Likely, to be the last week in August. The playlist system is currently having the finishing touches applied and a couple bugs in other places are currently being fixed. Also added a few extra things to the website.

09-07-2002

Just finishing off the playlist system before final beta testing before the final release as V3.6. Currently you can add a single track, an album or an entire artist worth of tracks. You can view the playlist, play the playlist or just a track from it, you can edit the playlist by deleting entries or moving tracks up or down the list to change the play order. You can save your playlist etc. There are also a few bug fixes, more improvements, new cosmetic changes and lots more user-configurability. Should be ready in a few weeks for release.

22-06-2002

Fixed the broken DOS zip file. Dos version now V3.51. Windows remains at V3.5

21-06-2002

The latest version V3.5 of Jukebox is now released. Lots of changes this time, mostly in the ShoutCast area, but includes lots of other general fixes, tweaks, improvements and additions. Thanks again for all the feedback, it is most invaluable. Also, the Windows version now needs Winsock to be installed due to the ShoutCast additions. Windows 98 onwards already has this included, but Windows 95 users will need to download the Winsock2 update from Microsoft. If this proves a problem, I can produce a version without the Shoutcast in.

11-06-2002

It has come to my attention that Windows XP is built somewhat, on the NT/2000 platform. This means that to be able to run Jukebox without receiving a crash-report, you will first need to download the parallel port driver, also available from the Windows download page. This must be installed before running Jukebox.

10-06-2002

The latest news is you can now pay the Shareware registration fee via NoChex or PayPal. The registration fee remains the same at £5 or $9. I've received a lot of feedback recently with regards extra features wanted to be added. I only have a limited amount of time to spend on the DOS version if it remains free. I don't really want to do it, but I may have to make the DOS version Shareware as well, depending on the amount of extra time that will need to be spent on that version. I'll keep you posted. New version should be released shortly. Please continue to report any bugs you may find. Thanks.

29-05-2002

For a couple of hours, the DOS package was broken on the download page. This has now been fixed.

29-05-2002

Now released, V3.4 which has Ogg Vorbis support. A few minor tweaks here and there as well. The next release is already in the pipeline and will complete the ShoutCast system, allowing you to browse radio stations direct from the net.

28-05-2002

The latest Private beta now supports the Ogg Vorbis file format. Winamp and MPXPlay both support the format, but as far as I'm aware, Damp does not. This should hopefully be released shortly. Also nearly complete, is the ability to download a list of the Top 300 ShoutCast stations, direct from the server to browse and listen to. This may, or may not, make it in the next release.

22-05-2002

A new V3.3.2 release. This is to update an MPXPLAY bug which stopped you selecting this as your MP3 Decoder / Player..

19-05-2002

Archived some of the old version history in to another page to ease website navigation and loading speed and added a new Frequently Asked Questions page which will be constantly updated. Also added a new Mailing List option where you can opt to receive an email when Jukebox is updated and released here.

18-05-2002

Added a Bug Report form to the website encourage feedback to help improve Jukebox.

15-05-2002

Bug-Fix Version V3.3.1 released today. For some reason, the serial-port (hence IRman), became unstable after the Windows 2000 / NT adjustments. This version address that problem as well as incorporating a few minor feature changes.

13-05-2002

Version V3.3 released today. A few new features including Windows 2000/NT support and the ability to sort the MP3s in Track number order, along with a Major DOS bug-fix and a minor Windows fix. I do need more feedback with the DOS version, so if you try the DOS version and you experience problems, please let me know.

08-05-2002

Computer has been out of action for a couple of days, but we're back now! I've had some excellent feedback and as a result, there will be an update in a couple of days to help sort this out. The DOS version still has a few problems. Damp doesn't like my machine so I'm relying on feedback to fix the faults. If Damp complains that it can't find it's INI file, just copy Damp to the Jukebox folder and change the Jukebox.INI file accordingly, it should then be OK. Another suggestion has been sorting tracks via the id3 track number so expect to see this very soon. Also, Windows NT/2000 support is being considered.

01-05-2002

Finally, V3.2.2 is released for both Windows and Dos. See below for more details of the changes.

30-04-2002

The final tweaks have been made to what will be release V3.2.2 and should be released in a day or so. A re-written manual with lots more information has also been done. The DOS and Windows versions have had major changes to the indexing system again, which should now be able to accept anything thrown at it. Variable BitRate still needs to be added, hopefully soon! Major DOS fixes to the Damp implementation, as well as several overall new features with the LCD drivers. A major new addition is the ability to name the folders using the data extacted from the MP3 tags which should prove useful when running the DOS version with no LongFilename TSR.

20-04-2002

It has been reported that on the DOS version, if the Long Filename TSR is loaded, it sometimes affects the Database creation process. Jukebox can sometimes report it has found no files when there is in fact files there. If this is the case, remove the TSR and try again. Your folder names will not look as nice in the program, but the next version due very soon has some new features to help these problems. It also has more ID3 tag ripping adjustments and I've relaxed the unicode checks to allow all valid files through (it sometimes rejected a valid file). It has a new LCD address map feature and loads of other new things!

12-04-2002

Jukebox V3.1 is now out a couple of days late. Engine is now much more accurate with the database information. The Xing / VBRI MP3's are recognised but the time may not be accurate. Hope to have that fixed in next release. New genre search menu due to supporting the new ID3v2 genre system.
It can still fail to recognise a few badly-encoded MP3s (which Winamp also fails to recognise correctly but does play anyway) which is also being fixed.

04-04-2002

A few more DOS bugs fixed. The ID3v2.(2/3/4) extractor has been revamped and is much more reliable. System now uses V2 genres as well as the V1 limited set. Just the VBRI, CBR, XING and GEOB frames to decode. With luck, should be released on the 7th April.

03-04-2002

A quick bug-fix release. I've also added a litle note about Long Filename Support. The TSR is not actually necessary, but is recommended so the folders have the correct Long name displayed. In standard DOS mode otherwise, you will get "Dance~1" for example. Next release should be 3.1.x and will include a much updated ID3v2.x.x tag ripper so the VBR, XING, MusicMatch, RealJukebox etc. MP3 files get their tags extracted correctly from now on!!

01-04-2002

Thanks for all the feedback so far, much appreciated. Just a quick note I've added to the manual and will say here, is that a few ID3v2 tags are currently read incorrectly making some song play lengths inaccurate. I'm currently addeding the extra tag info for VBR (Variable BitRate) files and ID3v2.4 (latest tag standard) so this should be fixed soon and is not *really* a bug! If you resave the tag using Winamp, the problem is solved!

01-04-2002

The Windows AND new DOS versions of Jukebox have now been released! There have been major changes with V3.03 from V2.43 (hence the large version jump). Input / Output systems have been re-built to be faster and smoother. They can also support multiple input devices at once. IRman and Joystick have been vastly improved for compatibility and speed. A new On-Screen messaging system allows you to keep informed of what Jukebox is doing.

27-03-2002

Windows V3.02 is about to be released in a few days. Just completing a few finishing - touches. It is hoped that the initial DOS port will be released a few days afterwards.

17-03-2002

Finished V2.5 and continue to add more features. Ended up changing the driver interface system so much, the new version is going to be V3.0. It is not far off completion. I can annouce, the big new is that due to all the changes (thanks to the amount of people requesting the old Dos/Damp version again), V3.0 will be a DUAL-BINARY !!! There will be a WIN32 binary which will support Winamp along with Damp and MPXplay (in a Windows Dos/Box). The WIN32 version will remain shareware. There will also be a DOS version with support for Damp and MPXplay only. This cut-down version will be freeware. More news shortly.

25-02-2002

Started work on V2.5.... In meantime, added a few extra pieces to the online manual which are not in the V2.43 manual in the ZIP file..

24-02-2002

At last! Public Beta V2.43 is released. Find it on the download page and check out the history on, duh, the History page. The website has also had the cob-webs cleaned off it and spruced up a bit. There is still more to come and hopefully the updates will not be so far apart now. The next release should include some interesting news..........

17-02-2002

I know I keep saying it, but one more bug to go and it's ready for public release. I also have a surprise in the pipe-line for the release after this. Can't say much now, but there will be more news nearer the time. Upto V2.43 Private Beta and it's looking good. Done a quick update of the website. A new front-page, more links and the history page has been updated again.

29-01-2002

I've had several requests for the (very) old Damp / MSDOS version of Jukebox. I'm sorry but this version has long been discontinued and is not available. The new version is infinitely more stable than the old DOS version, but sadly, requires Windows 95+ to run.

28-01-2002

Been a bit of a delay in getting this finished. Time constraints and keeping adding new functions has held it back again! Jukebox V2.42 (Private Beta) is now being tested though. A new database debug option to check the sizes of potential databases has been added. Several more bug fixes and tweaks to make the ShoutCast system nicer. Now includes status information from Winamp when it is buffering. A change to the CRT driver to increase speed. The Complex Play system is now comming on-line. Menu is completed and the first initial Random-play options are being finalised. Hope to switch the first set on in the new V2.4x release. A 'Boot Status' option is also a new addition.

19-01-2002

Jukebox V2.3 (Private Beta) has now been released. Various ShoutCast / Internet related improvements. Added a few more commands and small bits & pieces. The final Public release (V2.4) is just days away !

15-01-2002

Jukebox V2.2 (Private Beta) has now been released. A new ID3v2 tagging system has been written, Initial ShoutCast support, some Complex Play options in development, several tweaks and a bug fix.

12-01-2002

Jukebox V2.1 (Private Beta) now being tested. A few small problems to iron out, but should hopefully not be too long now.

08-01-2002

Jukebox V2.0 has now been released. Check the History details to see all the changes and improvements that have been made. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my beta testers and registered users!

12-12-2001

Jukebox V1.9c beta has now been released. Check the History details to see all the changes and improvements that have been made. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my beta testers and registered users!

23-11-2001

Latest version about to go out the door. It now handles ID3v2 tags for artist names, song names and album names up to 255 characters long, rather than the current 30 character limit with v1 tagging. It should also mean the song lengths etc. will also be more accurate. Several bugs fixed and several timing changes to make the LCD operation smoother. The first stage of a new memory system means Jukebox will now use less memory for each individual users database and will free-up what it doesn't need immediately, making it much better for smaller systems with lower memory, smaller hard-drives thus less tunes, while still being able to handle those mega-collections ;-). More details very shortly. A huge thanks to those of you who have already registered so far, it is very much appreciated. I've also re-uploaded the current package due to a possible corruption in it. Better to be on the safe side!

28-08-2001

I've had a few time commitments recently so updates have been a little slower than hoped. This is just a quick bug fix for the sort=filename/tag operation when generating databases. Jukebox now V1.9b.

16-06-01

At last, the new site is up and running! It's got a new home which does not have a million pop-ups like my last host. It has been designed to be easier to maintain, so updates *should* be quicker! The new V1.9 package release is finally out. Biggest changes being that it is now a 'Windows 32-bit' project and now uses WinAmp. The Damp version has been retired I'm sorry to say. The New WinAmp version is also now shareware due to the effort that has been / will be put in to the project. A new look website and MPDJ website along side it. Jukebox itself has had a huge re-write, too much to list here, so go check out the history pages! It has been reported that on a few peoples machines, the LCD doesn't always initialise. If this occurs, please let me know the details and it will help me to find it. Cheers!

05-10-2000

Updated the Manual pages with important information.

03-10-2000

Package V1.8 is finally released. Lots of code-writing, but sadly the Auto-Resume feature will not be included until release V1.9!

27-09-2000

It's been quiet for a while, but V1.8 is not far off being completed! Changes include: A new search/refine engine, improved database core, 8-bit, 4-bit and serial LCD support, loads of bugs fixes, auto-resume after power-off (hopefully this release!) and a large amount of other improvments!

29-07-2000

Not much news at present. Currently working on the auto-restart feature for when you kill the power in the car so the unit can remember its status after power-on. Also hoping to add better support for 4-line displays and a new letter selector in the search engine.

09-07-2000

Updated Jukebox package again (V1.7) with some more bug fixes and a new search engine.

28-06-2000

Updated Jukebox package again (V1.6) with some more bug fixes and a new debug system for the Creator.

20-06-2000

Updated Jukebox package again (V1.5) with a much needed cosmetic make-over and more bugs fixe.

14-06-2000

Updated Jukebox package again (V1.4) due several creator bug fixes. My web-host has started putting pop-ups on pages, sorry!

04-06-2000

Updated Jukebox package again (V1.3) due huge improvements ;-).

03-06-2000

Updated Jukebox package again due to a large error crept in ;-) (see history for details).

02-06-2000

Updated Jukebox package (see history for details).

30-05-2000

Updated Manual/online help page with some important information.

26-05-2000

New Website is unleashed! First public beta V1.0 is released on the download page. It does have a few unfinished options in the search menus and playlist support is not yet complete, but it is still very usable. It supports LCD, redefinable keyboard, calibration of joysticks and foreign language support. This is mainly released to allow people to try it and help iron out any remaining problems before it is released as an official version. It does have a strange bug in the text scrolling which seems to work fine in a DOS box, yet under plain DOS, fails to scroll ;-( . . . . .Otherwise, it should be fairly stable!