MediaMonkey forum

As a software designer (Databases for Commercial Applications) I am stunned that you could develop such a nice piece of software but have such a shitty non-intuitive interface. I bought the Gold version... Hoping it somehow might be cleaner. I like the elements of the software but I estimate you lose at least 40% of your potential market share because users cannot do simple things such just show a playlist? Why would this not be accessible via the top ribbon? Why would you not have all the major commands along the top ribbon instead of nested in a snaggle of twisted logic. I am hoping I can get over the learning curve and use this software but I didn't want to buy a media player that I had to learn to use. First rule of Interface design... Show people what they expect to see... Sorry if I sound like an asshole but I just spent 5 minutes (yet again) trying to find my playlist. Never getting modal columns off my video screen when I reduce screen size... Really, I think you have a nice app here, but talk to the UI team and get some non techies to play with it before the next release.

Alex B wrote:I am hoping I can get over the learning curve and use this software but I didn't want to buy a media player that I had to learn to use.

No luck, Mediamonkey has a steeper learning curve but is one of the most powerful music management software on the market.

BTW you could have try the free version before buying it... and complaining.

Alex B wrote:As a software designer (Databases for Commercial Applications) I am stunned that you could develop such a nice piece of software but have such a shitty non-intuitive interface. I bought the Gold version... Hoping it somehow might be cleaner. I like the elements of the software but I estimate you lose at least 40% of your potential market share because users cannot do simple things such just show a playlist? Why would this not be accessible via the top ribbon? Why would you not have all the major commands along the top ribbon instead of nested in a snaggle of twisted logic. I am hoping I can get over the learning curve and use this software but I didn't want to buy a media player that I had to learn to use. First rule of Interface design... Show people what they expect to see... Sorry if I sound like an asshole but I just spent 5 minutes (yet again) trying to find my playlist. Never getting modal columns off my video screen when I reduce screen size... Really, I think you have a nice app here, but talk to the UI team and get some non techies to play with it before the next release.

Few facts:
- You A-hole, certainly not. I'm thinking that you are just opposite of that. In fact I'm thinking you are in love with the monkey and you want to shake it a bit.
- As software developer you must know how complex things became when you want to open things as much as possible to users and developers, bur maintain Shareware/Proprietary state of core app.
- As software developer I'm guessing that MMW plugin/scripting structure and API can give you whatever you want.
- UI as is is highly open to customization and reorganization which make users easier access
- MM5 ("MediaMonkey 5.x") is designed to look whatever you want.
- MMW ("MediaMonkey Windows Desktop") UI still is based on design 15 years old

Questions:
1. What do you mean search for playlists?

Incredible powerful software.
But Alex B. has the reason: I spend an enormous amount of time triying to do something.

So good software deserves infinitely better interface.

Sorry and thanks.
Oph.