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Winamp 2 + Winamp 3 = Winamp 5!

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the next-generation-of-a-classic dept.

An anonymous coward writes: Having been a loyal iTunes user for quite some time, after seeing the report on Ars Technica about the newly released Winamp 5 Final, I simply had to try it out. It's pretty amazing, rivaling iTunes in many ways on Windows (mainly, speed). Ripping, library, etc: They're all there. Plus it comes with a slew of of new scriptable features. Simply put, it's dead sexy. Get your copy now! Note, last link requires some other OS.

6 of 896 comments (clear)

  1. Ripping and Burning is Pro only by hyperherod · · Score: 5, Informative

    Looks like you have to pay $15 to get MP3 encoding and CD burning functionality. Considering a lot of people want to rip and burn to save money (read: nicking songs!), this seems a pretty stupid idea if they want to go better than iTunes, and any other software which will do it for free.

  2. Re:2.0 by Bish.dk · · Score: 5, Informative

    the newer versions, which have no additional features worth the speed decrease.

    It took me about 0.5 nanosecond to fall utterly in love with "global hotkeys". Never again will I need to use mouse or ALT+TAB to find Winamp, just to change the song. Everything can be controlled from whatever program I'm currently using.

    That's definately worth the increased startup-times (which, by the way, seems to only exist if you're using a "modern skin").

  3. Re:2.0 by Down8 · · Score: 5, Informative

    You are the reason for WinAmp5!

    I avoided 3.x like the plague, as well, b/c it was a resource hog. WA5 has taken the goodness from WA2 (speed), the goodness from WA3 (awesome skins), and maintained the general WinAmp greatness (play anything, cool vis, etc.), and brought them to WA5.

    Seriously, unless you're only looking ot be 31337, WA5 is worth a try. I would caution you again installing both and not expecting problems between the two though.

    -bZj

    --
    .sig
  4. Installing.. by MikeDX · · Score: 5, Informative

    Remember to untick "Add AOL shortcut to desktop"

  5. Winamp 5 is a Good Thing(TM) by angstorm · · Score: 5, Informative

    I've used Winamp 5 pre-releases for a month, here's my observations:

    * FAST: As snappy as 2.x even on old machines using the "classic" skin.
    * STABLE: In a month of use, no crashes or uncouth behavior.
    * 2.x FEATURES: "Jump" and "Physically Delete" have been re-introduced.
    * SKINS: Works with version 2 and 3 skins. New default skin is user-friendly and purdy.
    * RIPPING: Making good MP3s from your CDs is fast and easy.
    * Global hotkeys: Control all program features through global hotkeys, e.g. press CTRL-ALT-5 to activate pause/play, even when Winamp is not focused as the active app.
    * Media library: Quickly find songs based on title, album, and artist.

    If you liked Winamp2 but not 3, you should give this a try.

  6. Foobar 2000 by Mitchell+Mebane · · Score: 5, Informative

    I use Winamp for playing files with weird extensions, because there are so many nifty plugins that let me listen to PSFs, NSFs, etc.

    I used to use Winamp for that, but now I use Foobar 2000. While not as polished as Winamp, it's an amazing piece of software.

    --

    The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.
    --Aristotle