Handy Tips

[Roy Dennis]

Thought I would start a Sticky thread for Handy Tips using Hoster anyone can add their own tips to this thread but this is my first handy tip:

For those that would like easy access to the "Playlist Tracking.csv"
I created a shortcut to this on my desktop to make it easy and quick to lookup songs history.
1) Open C\MTU\Hoster folder.
2) Find the PlaylistTracking.csv file right click and choose "Create Shortcut"
3) Drag the shortcut to your desk top. I set mine top right on desk top so will be easily seen when Hoster is running.
4) Right click on your shortcut and select Properties.
5) Under the generals tab where it reads "Open with" click change, I chose wordpad as it lays it out nice and neat with no need for adjusting but you can choose most Microsoft software, XL allows manipulating the data but is inclined to open with all the columns squashed up, you can also use Microsoft Works Database. Choose whatever program you prefer and press OK.
6) Next if you want you can change the icon, open the shortcut tab, at the bottom is a button for "Change Icon" make yor selection and press OK.
Now your done, any time you want a quick look at the playlist history just click your shortcut.

This is especially handy if you set your Tools/options not to keep song after play so that you can refer to who sang earlier and what if like me the old grey matter doesn't always remember.

Amendment to this post, Since 5.09 release item 1 the folder containing the PlaylistTracking.csv file has been moved, it can now be found from Tools/Hoster Data Folder.

[bryant]

1.) I size the Hoster screen a few inches smaller (Width-wise) than the desktop/laptop screen.

2.) Open up Notepad and size it about one to one-and-a-half inches wide and the same heighth as the Hoster screen.

3.) Place this just to the right of the Hoster screen so both Hoster and Notepad are in full view.

4.) I use all small letters as I list the "official" rotation in this notepad column.

5.) Doing it this way avoids having to depend on the Hoster playlist as some of us don't keep the "already played" names, and some of us tend to move names around a bit if singers aren't in the room and get moved up or down a notch.

6.) I also erase those names in the notepad listing if I am sure that they have left. I have used this since day 1 and it works like a charm.

[bryant]

An Interesting read about Codec Packs in case you experience unexplained video/audio problems you may think apply to codecs.

http://www.howtogeek.com/wiki/Why_Codec_Packs_Are_Bad - This is one of many I've found.

[Roy Dennis]

Another handy tip for those who play a few Promo video's
You can keep a handy list of your favorite video tracks by using the name "Video Playlist" as a singers playlist name, then use the S+ providing you have the video's imported in the first place to add them to the list.
You can then add a video to the playlist with "Video Playlist" showing for the singer field on your playlist and if the SND is activated on the singers monitor too.

This can also do the same with Audio only tracks, just make singers name "Audio Only"

[Roy Dennis]

This tip was first shown me by Lonman so credit to him.
To display extra info in the play list but not have it display on the extended monitor.
For example singers name, If you have multiple singers with the same first name or perhaps you want to distinguish different venues. This can be done by enclosing the word in angle brackets < >
Example: Roy < Dennis > or Roy < Georges place >
There must not be a space between the symbals and the name within them or it wont work (There is a space in the example because if there wasn’t it wouldn’t display on this page) These names can be saved like this in the singers database to recognise different venues or surnames.
I attach a picture to demonstrate this.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by Roy Dennis

This tip was first shown me by Lonman so credit to him.
To display extra info in the play list but not have it display on the extended monitor.
For example singers name, If you have multiple singers with the same first name or perhaps you want to distinguish different venues. This can be done by enclosing the word in angle brackets < >
Example: Roy < Dennis > or Roy < Georges place >
There must not be a space between the symbals and the name within them or it wont work (There is a space in the example because if there wasn’t it wouldn’t display on this page) These names can be saved like this in the singers database to recognise different venues or surnames.
I attach a picture to demonstrate this.

This also works with song titles if you want to flag them for explicit lyrics for example, you can add a < PA > (without the spaces) on the song title & it will display on the kj (playlist/search) screen only, it will not show up on the SND for the singer/audience screen - only the title of the song.
You can even do a search once all marked with whatever you mark them as.

[nfountai]

Originally Posted by Roy Dennis

This tip was first shown me by Lonman so credit to him.
To display extra info in the play list but not have it display on the extended monitor.
For example singers name, If you have multiple singers with the same first name or perhaps you want to distinguish different venues. This can be done by enclosing the word in angle brackets < >
Example: Roy < Dennis > or Roy < Georges place >
There must not be a space between the symbals and the name within them or it wont work (There is a space in the example because if there wasn’t it wouldn’t display on this page) These names can be saved like this in the singers database to recognise different venues or surnames.
I attach a picture to demonstrate this.

What started doing a couple years ago was to "save-as" each place I entertaint so that if I am at ABC the names are for them and if I am at XYZ than those are for those singers.
Takes the thinking out of whose whose where.

[kod]

Originally Posted by bryant

1.) I size the Hoster screen a few inches smaller (Width-wise) than the desktop/laptop screen.

2.) Open up Notepad and size it about one to one-and-a-half inches wide and the same heighth as the Hoster screen.

3.) Place this just to the right of the Hoster screen so both Hoster and Notepad are in full view.

4.) I use all small letters as I list the "official" rotation in this notepad column.

5.) Doing it this way avoids having to depend on the Hoster playlist as some of us don't keep the "already played" names, and some of us tend to move names around a bit if singers aren't in the room and get moved up or down a notch.

6.) I also erase those names in the notepad listing if I am sure that they have left. I have used this since day 1 and it works like a charm.

I thought I had already posted this, but I couldn't find it...

I do basically the same, but I use Windows 7 "Sticky Notes" to keep my rotation in order. It works great for me!

[a2kmike]

Originally Posted by bryant

1.) I size the Hoster screen a few inches smaller (Width-wise) than the desktop/laptop screen.

2.) Open up Notepad and size it about one to one-and-a-half inches wide and the same heighth as the Hoster screen.

3.) Place this just to the right of the Hoster screen so both Hoster and Notepad are in full view.

4.) I use all small letters as I list the "official" rotation in this notepad column.

5.) Doing it this way avoids having to depend on the Hoster playlist as some of us don't keep the "already played" names, and some of us tend to move names around a bit if singers aren't in the room and get moved up or down a notch.

6.) I also erase those names in the notepad listing if I am sure that they have left. I have used this since day 1 and it works like a charm.

@ Bryant...I have used this same process...it works well for me

[WaltR]

Originally Posted by bryant

1.) I size the Hoster screen a few inches smaller (Width-wise) than the desktop/laptop screen.

2.) Open up Notepad and size it about one to one-and-a-half inches wide and the same heighth as the Hoster screen.

3.) Place this just to the right of the Hoster screen so both Hoster and Notepad are in full view.

4.) I use all small letters as I list the "official" rotation in this notepad column.

5.) Doing it this way avoids having to depend on the Hoster playlist as some of us don't keep the "already played" names, and some of us tend to move names around a bit if singers aren't in the room and get moved up or down a notch.

6.) I also erase those names in the notepad listing if I am sure that they have left. I have used this since day 1 and it works like a charm.

I used to use "sticky notes" for this but now with the new "rotation" it isn't necessary.

[Gonzo]

Originally Posted by Roy Dennis

Amendment to this post, Since 5.09 release item 1 the folder containing the PlaylistTracking.csv file has been moved, it can now be found from Tools/Hoster Data Folder.

Is this still available in 5.40.03?
Does it need to be turned on?

[Roy Dennis]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Is this still available in 5.40.03?
Does it need to be turned on?

I don't think it creates a "PlaylistTracking.csv file " anymore, that was dropped in favour of Playlist reporting option from the file menu.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by Roy Dennis

I don't think it creates a "PlaylistTracking.csv file " anymore, that was dropped in favour of Playlist reporting option from the file menu.

Correct it's now a PlaylistLog.mdb for Access database (or anything that can open mdb files). Though you really don't want to open that or make changes or you could lose info within.

[Roy Dennis]

Just thought I would share how I marked up my 2 computers to remember the shortcut function keys.
My old computer I stuck labels directly on the keys as shown in attachment 1.
My new computer I stuck the labels above the function keys attachment 2.

I find the function key shortcuts very useful but just need a visual reminder which is which for my ageing brain

[Roy Dennis]

Just uploaded a new video for Hoster 6.01.05, discussing one way importing downloaded files and showing the new first name last name reverse feature.
If you want to view or comment on the suggested way to import you can leave comments on Youtube or here.

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMDf42xY2KE

[Lonman]

I found a cool hack for singers that tell me dont ever let me try that song again while still leaving it in their list.
I add the song to the playlist under their name, then re-title the song in the playlist
example
I Knew The Bride
to I Knew The Bride < never again > (no spaces between brackets), then right click the song - click add to \'the singers name\' songs, and walla, the song now is stored in the singers history to never try that song again and do not have to delete it It will remain that way, unless you refresh the singer database for some reason or put it in the playlist and play it. It only affects that singers list and nothing else!

Here is a shot of the singer history

[Roy Dennis]

Originally Posted by Lonman

I found a cool hack for singers that tell me dont ever let me try that song again while still leaving it in their list.
I add the song to the playlist under their name, then re-title the song in the playlist
example
I Knew The Bride
to I Knew The Bride < never again > (no spaces between brackets), then right click the song - click add to the singers name’s songs, and walla, the song now is stored in the singers history to never try that song again and do not have to delete it It will remain that way, unless you refresh the singer database for some reason or put it in the playlist and play it. It only affects that singers list and nothing else!

Here is a shot of the singer history

Yes it works OK but one draw back is if the song has a long title that is wider than the column width it will be hidden and could be missed.

Where as if right click on the song in Alice’s list and select Mark song then select Not Preferred it flags up a warning triangle. admitted it does not tell you why you flagged it so I suppose you could also add your warning note.
The other point is the not preferred option does not require adding to playlist first.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by Roy Dennis

Yes it works OK but one draw back is if the song has a long title that is wider than the column width it will be hidden and could be missed.

Where as if right click on the song in Alice’s list and select Mark song then select Not Preferred it flags up a warning triangle. admitted it does not tell you why you flagged it so I suppose you could also add your warning note.
The other point is the not preferred option does not require adding to playlist first.

It could be flagged at the beginning of the song too. < NA > NA=Never again Like said it\'s not perfect, but a small hack I found that works for the most part.