2009-11-10, 18:40
I haven't used it as much recently as development seems to have slowed considerably, but I used to use the open-source project Jinzora regularly. One of the features that I really liked about Jinzora is that it has an Artist Radio and Similar Radio option.
The Artist Radio option would just play random songs from the Artist that you are currently viewing. I didn't use it all that often, and it seems like that is already an option in XBMC if you create playlists. A little more work than Jinzora, but not that hard.
The feature that I really liked in Jinzora is their similar Radio feature. Jinzora seems to query some external service as you browse your music and it will show you Similar Artists (and Similar Albums if you are viewing albums). (Screenshot here that might help, Similar Artist/Albums on left below the Radio functions) Then when you choose the Similar Radio option, Jinzora will play create a playlist (50 songs if I remember right) of music that you have in your collection that matches the Similar Artist. Here is another screenshot that shows Similar Artist, and which artists you have in your collection.
I just discovered XBMC and I think it is great. The feature that I mentioned above is what I really miss from Jinzora though.
The Artist Radio option would just play random songs from the Artist that you are currently viewing. I didn't use it all that often, and it seems like that is already an option in XBMC if you create playlists. A little more work than Jinzora, but not that hard.
The feature that I really liked in Jinzora is their similar Radio feature. Jinzora seems to query some external service as you browse your music and it will show you Similar Artists (and Similar Albums if you are viewing albums). (Screenshot here that might help, Similar Artist/Albums on left below the Radio functions) Then when you choose the Similar Radio option, Jinzora will play create a playlist (50 songs if I remember right) of music that you have in your collection that matches the Similar Artist. Here is another screenshot that shows Similar Artist, and which artists you have in your collection.
I just discovered XBMC and I think it is great. The feature that I mentioned above is what I really miss from Jinzora though.