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This is a good idea for a service but I found the interface too confusing regarding how to use it, why it had to have that information, and how it worked. Sele

This is a good idea for a service but I found the interface too confusing regarding how to use it, why it had to have that information, and how it worked. Select file would seem to mean the iTunes folder? Or do I select "iTunes Music Library.xml" inside it (a large file). What personal and private information is in that file anyway? How will it be used? Where is it going? What if the xml file I have is for a different version of iTunes than the site supports? Is there a list of iTunes versions tested and supported listed somewhere on the site? What happens if a bunch of users have information in that file that they have pirated songs and the service gets a subpoena to disclose all xml files? What if I only want updates on some artists I like and not the ones I hate and regret buying their CD? Does the XML file have DRM keys in it that I will be inadvertently disclosing? If not where are those things kept anyway? How often do I get emails? How can I unsubscribe? How can I tell it to stop sending emails about a given group? A service I would probably like would be one where I could type in names of groups I actually like and get emails when they release a new album. This may even be a complementary function to the "everything all at once without distinction" feature on the beathound site.

girasquid 14y ago
Fair enough. When you select a file, you want to upload your iTunes Music Library.xml file - this is a paste of a small one: https://gist.github.com/d61db3dcfd07ad093abf https://gist.github.com/d61db3dcfd07ad093abf. It doesn't look like there are any DRM keys, but if you're worried about your privacy I could theoretically figure out how iTunes is organizing your music for you. It doesn't look like there are any DRM keys in there, but I will keep investigating. I'm working on improving filtering for artists you hate. If you really don't want to upload your XML file, It sounds like http://www.albumreminder.com/ http://www.albumreminder.com/ might be more up your alley for now. Thanks for the feedback!
j45 14y ago
This sounds like a great list of FAQ questions that could be added
- dave5104 14y ago
  Not even an FAQ. The interface itself could use some redesigning to make these things more obvious. Assuming this is to be used by non-techies, no one is going to know what or even where an 'iTunes XML file' is. A "What's this?" link next to the upload button with some sort of tool tip or modal showing where the file can be found will go a long way. I didn't find the "Trouble finding your library?" link at the bottom until after writing this comment. I was also confused about entering an email. From what it looks like, I either upload my XML file or I enter my email to sign up for updates. It needs to be more clear that it's all one inclusive form. (Or even better, don't require an email. Revisiting beathound.com in a reasonable amount of time should preserve your session and give you a scanning update along with the option to sign up for future alerts.)
  - j45 14y ago
    From what I understand, you upload your file and enter your email, and get your report by email, maybe it should say that.
smspence 14y ago
If you're wondering what personal and private information is in "iTunes Music Library.xml", couldn't you open it up and look for yourself? "What happens if a bunch of users have information in that file that they have pirated songs and the service gets a subpoena to disclose all xml files?" Whoa, with absolutely zero knowledge of the .xml file, you just jumped 100 steps ahead to some hypothetical situation where this website will incriminate its users. Loosen up your tinfoil hat a little bit... You're asking a ton of questions about a service that is obviously just starting out, and is probably not feature complete yet. Did you actually use the site, and can you provide any comments on how well the site actually does what it advertises? If not, your comment just seems like a lot of bikeshedding: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_Law_of_Triviality http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_Law_of_Triviality http://pink.bikeshed.com/ http://pink.bikeshed.com/
- j_s 14y ago
  Yes, droithomme (GP), please do not share your thoughts on a project which was listed here specifically for you to do so. On second thought, thanks for bringing up your concerns. It certainly seems that in order for this tool to become a success for users like you it will have to deal with these types of issues carefully. Edit to add: I want to stress the near infinite value that the HN crowd brings to the table whatever they say about any new site. Considering the vast majority of passers by even on HN will not comment at all, anything discouraging anyone from doing so seems to be more damaging than any negative comment.

girasquid 14y ago

Fair enough. When you select a file, you want to upload your iTunes Music Library.xml file - this is a paste of a small one: https://gist.github.com/d61db3dcfd07ad093abf https://gist.github.com/d61db3dcfd07ad093abf. It doesn't look like there are any DRM keys, but if you're worried about your privacy I could theoretically figure out how iTunes is organizing your music for you. It doesn't look like there are any DRM keys in there, but I will keep investigating. I'm working on improving filtering for artists you hate. If you really don't want to upload your XML file, It sounds like http://www.albumreminder.com/ http://www.albumreminder.com/ might be more up your alley for now. Thanks for the feedback!

j45 14y ago

This sounds like a great list of FAQ questions that could be added

dave5104 14y ago
Not even an FAQ. The interface itself could use some redesigning to make these things more obvious. Assuming this is to be used by non-techies, no one is going to know what or even where an 'iTunes XML file' is. A "What's this?" link next to the upload button with some sort of tool tip or modal showing where the file can be found will go a long way. I didn't find the "Trouble finding your library?" link at the bottom until after writing this comment. I was also confused about entering an email. From what it looks like, I either upload my XML file or I enter my email to sign up for updates. It needs to be more clear that it's all one inclusive form. (Or even better, don't require an email. Revisiting beathound.com in a reasonable amount of time should preserve your session and give you a scanning update along with the option to sign up for future alerts.)
- j45 14y ago
  From what I understand, you upload your file and enter your email, and get your report by email, maybe it should say that.

smspence 14y ago

If you're wondering what personal and private information is in "iTunes Music Library.xml", couldn't you open it up and look for yourself? "What happens if a bunch of users have information in that file that they have pirated songs and the service gets a subpoena to disclose all xml files?" Whoa, with absolutely zero knowledge of the .xml file, you just jumped 100 steps ahead to some hypothetical situation where this website will incriminate its users. Loosen up your tinfoil hat a little bit... You're asking a ton of questions about a service that is obviously just starting out, and is probably not feature complete yet. Did you actually use the site, and can you provide any comments on how well the site actually does what it advertises? If not, your comment just seems like a lot of bikeshedding: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_Law_of_Triviality http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_Law_of_Triviality http://pink.bikeshed.com/ http://pink.bikeshed.com/

j_s 14y ago
Yes, droithomme (GP), please do not share your thoughts on a project which was listed here specifically for you to do so. On second thought, thanks for bringing up your concerns. It certainly seems that in order for this tool to become a success for users like you it will have to deal with these types of issues carefully. Edit to add: I want to stress the near infinite value that the HN crowd brings to the table whatever they say about any new site. Considering the vast majority of passers by even on HN will not comment at all, anything discouraging anyone from doing so seems to be more damaging than any negative comment.