SqueezeBox - Update SqueezeBox Touch - Firmware to 7.8.x

Datatalk + Squeezebox

I recently picked up another SqueezeBox touch, to replace my older, misbehaving unit. This stuff is getting old, with the last SB Touch units being manufactured in 2012. When I tried to connect my new second-hand unit to my server, it kept asking me to update the server.

SqueezeBox - Adding radio stations to SqueezeBox LMS

Music / Datatalk

I haven't been able to find a good explanation (and there might be a better way to do it) so here's what I do...

It seems the current radio function is connected to TuneIn, so that's what I'll use. It should be possible to use other services but I'm still struggling there. In the SqueezeBox client you can enter URLs directly.

SqueezeBox - SQB

Datatalk + Music + Squeezebox

SQB is a small tool to modify playlists, and helps identifying and correcting missing files in your .MPU3 playlists.

SQB uses SOX to export all entries in a playlists (including .FLAC) to .MP3 for use on mobile players, in cars, or for use other devices only supporting MP3.

Quick check on Lyrion Music Server status (LMS) - Issues with .APE files and APE tags

Lyrion + Music

I managed to crash Lyrion v9.0.2 (former SqueezeBox LMS) without any reason. I suspect a reboot of the home server caused it to re-index, and it crashed and exited on some .mp3 files. So, here's a quick check to see if it is running, and what caused it to crash.

SqueezeBox Duet - Restore wired operation

Datatalk + Squeezebox

I'm still using a SqueezeBox setup to play my music...

If the Squeezebox Duet gets disconnected from it's LAN cable it will move to Wifi... and will not move back automatically! To restore to wired operation the player needs to be reset. Here's how to do that.

WaitWindow - checking for open and closed windows from a batchfile

Datatalk + Waitwindow

This is a little command line tool I wrote to help me check from a batch file for windows which are open or closed. It can also launch other programs if a specific condition is met.

I couldn't find what I needed, and so I wrote it myself... You can download waitwindow.exe and waitfile.exe here.

(Searching for wallpapers may have brought you to this page. If so, try this link for a selection from the wallpapers that I collected.)

Logitech Music Server / SqueezeBox / LMS - invisible entries on random lists and skipping songs

Datatalk + Music + Squeezebox

Yes. Old technology, but it's still working.

I have some issues lately, so I'm now trying to troubleshoot my ages-old installation. The problems that I've seen:

1. Random play doesn't list the right tracks

2. Sometimes the last bit of a song is skipped

Idiotic DRM

Datatalk + Music

Buy a CD in Germany on Amazon.de, and you can immediately download the DRM free MP3 rip of it. You can even buy it digital only. Buy that same CD in the Netherlands on Amazon.de, and you only get the physical carrier, so you have to rip it yourself.

Of course, the music company will add copy protection. Seriously? How will that stop anyone?

SqueezeBox - SQB v0.22x

SQB has been updated to 0.22x. It now can launch multiple instances of Sox, vastly improving conversion speed (3 to 4 times faster in typical use scenarios on a Ryzen 12 core processor).

SqueezeBox - New version of SQB featuring 'quirck' particles

A new version of SQB and this time we are proud to announce the new and awesome mix function based upon 'quirck' particles!

The era of mix tapes has returned!

Home Server / WallX / TouchPortal / Power Saving Kludge

Datatalk + Windows

Upfront: this is a bit of a kludge, and I'll be looking for a better option, as soon as I can find one. But it taught me things...

Anyway, with the ever-increasing price of electricity, I was wondering if I could not simply switch off my home server upon command. In the past, I used a timed-out, which worked fine, but there are other users in my household, and they're not always computer-savvy.

Countdown to 2026 - #3 - A New PC! Next: Migrating Windows and Office (October 12)

Countdown + Windows

Migrating Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office is an artform by itself. I'm still investigating and messing around, but one thing is certain: Microsoft did their best to make sure it's all as confusing as possible.

I would not go as far as to claim it's done deliberately in the hope you will buy new licenses. But it certainly is not user friendly!

Right-sizing a home-server PSU

Datatalk

I am running a small, Windows 7 based home-server in my home. Its primary function is to serve music to my Squeezebox music player(s), but it also serves as my file server and movie transcoder.

I needed to replace the PSU, but what is a proper size?

Music was my first love

Music

Today it's all about music... Manage your collection, rip music, play music online, find new stuff, etcetera.

So... Spotify, Jango, Youtube, Gnosic, Music Map, MP3Tag, SQB, and Discog... What else?

Nerd - Level 2.1

3D Printing.

Define 'nerd'...

If it's a person who enjoys an overly complex technical solution for a problem that doesn't need to be solved... then... Yes! Guilty, your honor!

My own kids, fairly used to their father being a bit... euh... eccentric 😁 shake their heads in disbelief (and perhaps a little disappointment). Which means... Mission accomplished!