hello

it looks like you're using "static" thumbnail creation mode.
can you switch to Dynamic, and use teh Cache option? (on Music Colleciton configuration)

Ok, I did that. (just changing from static to dynamic did nothing).

Now do I need to re-scan the folders? If so, do I need to completely remove or delete them from the backend first? Do I delete just the albums, the artists, the songs? Then re-scan.

I have spent over three hours reading the forums here and the support documents which do not explain the proper procedure for adding new folders of music and/or making changes to folders of music. Most I have had to figure out myself but this is sure getting frustrating.

not really necessary.. if the big pictures were there, you shouldn't need to re-scan anything...

sorry to hear that.. it certainly should not be frustrating, I appologise if you find some specific documentation for this missing.. :S

in these cases, always the best thing is to ask us (or me) directly...

tell me, do the thumbnails work now?

and about folders of music: what do you need? once you've scanned a folder and it's added to the database, you shouldn't change that once (or if you do, then you would have to point the songs to the correct new path). so.. what's the doubt you had about this?

Germi

I guess what is not clear is when is it necessary to delete all and re-scan. And if not delete all (albums, artists, and/or songs) then what?

When a folder is scanned (using dynamic) then all is well. But if you realize that the jpg is missing from the ID3 tags (of a series or the folder) and you edit the tags and re-upload (ftp) keeping the same filenames then the jpgs are not reread and do not appear.

The database would have to be cleared and the folder rescanned? Surely not !

surely not. the truth is I would never recommend "delete all and rescan". if an image is missing for an album (a group of songs), why don't just upload the picture (JPG or whatever) to the album form?

the thing is, and now I understand what you say, if the album has already been created, then if you rescan but the album is still there, the picture won't be added to it. so... I guess that responds your question: in case the picture is missing and you want to add it by rescanning, then yes, you shoud delete that album first so it actually gets created again...

but again, if it's just for one album.. why don't just upload the picture directly?

I have decided to completely wipe it out and start over. I am using a custom collection of Billboard's Top 100 Hits for EACH YEAR from 1940 thru 1989.

In addition, I have a custom collection of the top Rhythm and Blues for each year 1962-1971 and a "Your Hit Parade" covering each year of the 40s and 50s.

Each year is an album with 100 songs each. Each album has its own cover pic.

So using MC as it stands with its scanning abilities, I have to do a lot of preparatory work to make sure nothing will be needed to be rescanned later. Or I am back where I am now, starting over. Unless someone has a better idea.

Thanks

hm... I understand. but every album is in a different folder, isn't it?
I mean, you need to scan album by album.. is that it?

we are actually preparing a new version which will include some improvements on album creation / importation (scanning) so probably your thoughts will be most welcomed!

Yes, each year is a different folder which is a subfolder of the series. Give me through the night and check it out tomorrow.

file structure

Billboard Top 100 Hits
Billboard Top 100 Hits of 1960
Andy Williams - Moon River.mp3
.
.
Billboard Top 100 Hits of 1961
Next Song.mp3
And The Next.mp3


etc

@germi

Ok, I got it all back in and the thumbnails and album covers are all there on the frontend but not the backend.

Also, the pagination is vertical instead of horizontal. I am using a standard, native, default joomla 2.5 template. Shouldn't the pagination work right ?

Please take a look and while it is still under construction. I am open for suggestions. Thanks
Tom
http://www.myclassictunes.com

ok I can see the pagination thing.

you have two ways for solving this: one is adding a class into the PHP files that use pagination.
basically, in the /components/com_muscol/views/ folder, you have to look for the appearance of "muscol_pagination" class and replace it with "pagination" (which is the default name on joomla templates).
if you prefer to give me access to the site I can quickly do this for you.
the other way, if you prefer and you're familiar with CSS, it's simply to copy the properties fo class "pagination" to "muscol_pagination" class.

about thumbs not appearing on the backend: I've encountered this issue once before (a client reported it). there's a quick fix but I need to change one line of code in a PHP file.

so, summarizing.. if you want to give me access to your site I can solve all this in no-time.

our email is joomlamusicsolutions@gmail.com

email is sent and thank you.

Well, I set you up as an administrator for the site and sent you emails with the FTP access info but it has been days and no word from you.

So, I removed accessability and began researching and resolving the issues myself.

Very disappointed that the scan feature didn't perform as expected (various artists on one album creates an album for each artist), genre and type not set properly (always set pop as genre) regardless of the ID3 tags.

Oh well, still doing modifications and rewrites. Hope that the updates will address these issues along with joomla 3.0.

did you send them? :S :S
what's your email address? I think I didn't get them...

I'm going to check the spam inbox just in case...

they're not on my spam inbox either... :S at least I can't find them!

please resend the email (and include the link to this forum thread in it)

I'm sorry for the inconvenience... but I really can't find your emails!

I see here on the forums that this happens quite often to you. No need to resend them as I have rewritten most of the code to accomplish my project.

The only thing I haven't looked at yet are the thumbs not showing in the backend/admin albums list. But I can live with it until I can get to it.

Here is a link to the site so maybe you can see what I have been doing.

http://www.myclassictunes.com

One thing that nags at me is the prospect of any updates and upgrades and overwriting of important code changes I have made.

no.. it happens sometimes (but most of the time is because users don't type correctly the email address.. I'm not saying it's the case just pointing it out!)

thumbnails not appearing on the backend can be solved by making a modification on the helpers.php file (in the function that creates the thumbnail: it's all about setting the image path as absolute, not relative). anyway if you want me to tell you the code or send you the file, let me know.

yes, if you have made changes on the code, future updates may override some of your code... so of course you will need to have backup copies of your files. in any case, if you want to discuss your code changes please feel free to email me and we can talk about privately

I can see you managed to skip the vertical pagination problem (good job). but what worries me the most is what you mention about genre tags not being imported correctly :S that should not happen.

also, if you want the ID3 tag scan function to NOT create an album for each item within a folder, with different artists (in a compilation album like you said) we could make a couple changes to that function to avoid this (we won't include this in an official release because it's really not a very common request... but maybe for your case it's better if it works that way)

in any case, since these are very specific questions, if you want to help me or discuss it further please reach me on the email. gcampsbarjau@gmail.com is my other email in case there are any problems with the other one..

once more, appologies for the inconvenience.

No problem, Germi, love the program and I find it easy enough to work with.

Yes, my content is unique in that the larger percent is devoted to various artists for a single album year, ie., 1975 top 100 hits. Which would put 100 songs on one album. Spanning 40 years would produce 40 albums at 100 songs each.

But....I do have the standard album layout as well and also some custom. So I do understand and expect that I would have to make some changes.

As I said, I love the job you have done and would highly reccommend it to anyone.

glad to hear well, if you need any new changes or have questions about the code, please ask! I'll be glad to help. you're building a nice site!

Hi Germi - I'm having this issue. Dymanic is on, cache on or off. Nothing works.

please post a link

www.n2stl.com

I can see. that's strange. could you send me access to the site at joomlamusicsolutions@gmail.com ? (admin access)