Tagged 2.3.99.3

[clinton/abcde.git] / FAQ

diff --git a/FAQ b/FAQ
index a62c2fe..a0a1baf 100644 (file)
--- a/FAQ
+++ b/FAQ
@@ -1,21 +1,116 @@
+0. INTRODUCTION
+   ============

 
 

-Q. I am using MacOSX and I am having problems to use abcde.
-A. Well, I have a Mac, but I use linux on it. I have not been able to find
-   a way to make it work there, since I do not have the development tools
-   installed. I have placed a basic support, but some user reports are just
-   complaining about abcde not encoding the ripped tracks, as if 
-   cdda2wav/cdparanoia/cddafs would never end reading them. If you have such
-   a system and experience problems, please, report them, and I will try to
-   work them out with your help.
+Q. Who created abcde? Who develops it nowadays?
+A. It was originally created by Robert Woodcook. He decided to give up 
+   maintaining it at some point in 2002 and Jesus Climent took over.  Contact
+   jesus.climent@hispalinux.es if you have a problem or a suggestion.
+
+
+1. INSTALLATION
+   ============
+   
+Q. How can I install abcde on my system?
+A. To get abcde you can use a pre-packaged version, available for Debian, 
+   FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD and others.
+   In case you want to install your own release, you need to download the
+   source and install the complementary programs (abcde is just a frontend
+   and its functionality is provided by other programs).
+
+   abcde needs cd-discid. Grab it from:
+   http://www.hispalinux.es/~data/files/cd-discid/
+
+   Read the README files for a complete list of requirements.
+
+Q. I have a problem, and I reported some time ago. Have you solved it already?
+A. Maybe. Try downloading the trunk of the development from 
+   http://svn.hispalinux.es/svn/abcde/trunk
+   
+Q. When are you going to release a new version?
+A. When it is ready. I keep on having new ideas and adding them to the trunk
+   (stored in the URL above), so I dont release until all the ideas are
+   finished.
+
+
+2. EXECUTION
+   =========
+
+Q. I want to force abcde 2.x to behave more like 1.x. How do I do it?
+A. Put these options in your abcde.conf:
+
+   INTERACTIVE=n
+   OUTPUTTYPE=mp3
+   ID3TAGV=1
+
+Q. Low on disk space?
+A. abcde has different algorithms to schedule ripping and encoding - to 
+   optimize for disk conservation, use -l. You can also define
+   WAVOUTPUTDIR=/some/other/path to your /etc/abcde.conf or ~/.abcde.conf to
+   store the WAV files on another NFS shared fisk, for example.
+   Also, UNIX pipes have also been implemented, using "-P", so abcde reads and
+   encodes the tracks from the CD at once. However, it has the drawback that
+   only one format can be encoded at a time.
+
+Q. How can i make abcde encode faster? My CD reader is way faster than the pace
+   it can encode my tracks.
+A. abcde can take advantage of SMP systems, just like make. Try 'abcde -j 2' -
+   it'll run two encoder jobs while it rips the next track.
+   You can also make use of systems which are networked, with the help of
+   distmp3. For example, MachineA has a better CPU power and MachineB has a CD
+   drive. Run distmp3host (included in distmp3) on Machine A, and then run
+   abcde -r MachineA from MachineB (where "MachineA" is a dns name or IP
+   address). Use this in combination with '-j 0' to shift all encoding off the
+   local machine.
+
+Q. I am having problems with *my CD reading program* reading the drive as a
+   user.
+A. You might have to add yourself (or the users who want to use abcde) to the
+   cdrom group and change the permissions of the cdrom device to 660. If you
+   have a SCSI cdrom drive, check the permissions of /dev/sg* as well.

 
 Q. I would like to give the trackname and the artist_name directly to the
    encoder (in my case oggenc), but found no documentation.
 A. That is not possible, since abcde gets the information from CDDB database.
 
 Q. I would like to give the trackname and the artist_name directly to the
    encoder (in my case oggenc), but found no documentation.
 A. That is not possible, since abcde gets the information from CDDB database.

-   You can create a template and fill it with the option "-n".
+   You can create a template and fill it with the option "-n". Also, you can 
+   get the CDDB entry and edit it yourself. abcde has also an option to drop
+   back to a template if you like none of the CDDB entries, selecting 0 from
+   the CDDB options.

 
 

-Q. What formats can I encode my music to?
-A. As for version 2.1.7, abcde includes support for MP3, Ogg/Vorbis, 
-   Ogg/Speex and Flac.
+Q. (Thanks to Amaya) Where are those options and settings defined? Why dont
+   you include a proper abcde.conf as an example?
+A. I do. It should be installed under /etc/abcde.conf and contains more or
+   less all the defaults abcde uses. You can use $(HOME)/.abcde.conf to 
+   override those defaults. More information can be obtained from the man page
+   which can be consulted using "man abcde".
+   
+Q. I keep on getting files with ".ogg.ogg" extension. What am I doing wrong?
+A. The code for multiple-output adds automatically the extension of the
+   different outputs you select with the "-o" extension (or with OUTPUTTYPE
+   variable). Erase the ".${OUTPUTTYPE}" part from the OUTPUTFORMAT variable
+   in /etc/abcde.conf or ~/.abcde.conf
+
+Q. I have modified some of the options, and now CDDB has stopped working.
+A. Check that you have modified everything in the right way. For instance, if
+   you modify the HTTPGET program you might want to set some options of your
+   own. If you use the predefined ones (wget, curl and fetch) abcde will try
+   to use some defaults. Keep in mind that the output should go to the output
+   as standard output, to be saved in a file for later use.
+   
+   If abcde seems to be ignoring your configuration options or not running
+   commands such as the encoder, you may have misquoted something. Config
+   options such as the following do not work:
+
+   LAMEOPTS=-h -k
+
+   Try this instead:
+
+   LAMEOPTS='-h -k'
+
+Q. How can I separate the different output files I get using multiple-output
+   support?
+A. Use the OUTPUT variable in PLAYLISTFORMAT and OUTPUTFORMAT. It holds the 
+   different output file types you passed to abcde (i.e., ogg, mp3, flac) 
+   during playlist creation and file/directory creation.

 
 Q. I have a CD with a data track, and abcde complaints it cannot read/encode
    it.
 
 Q. I have a CD with a data track, and abcde complaints it cannot read/encode
    it.


@@ -24,18 +119,78 @@ A. It is not easy to find a data track on a CD. Right now, I can only think
    a "data" track name is found. But the solution is far from been optimal.
    For now, if you find a "data" track and you know the number, restart abcde
    specifying the tracks to be encoded, leaving out the data one.
    a "data" track name is found. But the solution is far from been optimal.
    For now, if you find a "data" track and you know the number, restart abcde
    specifying the tracks to be encoded, leaving out the data one.

+   From version 2.2 onwards, abcde includes some checkings with cdparanoia, to
+   try to get this right.

 
 

-Q. How can I separate the different output files I get using multiple-output
-   support?
-A. Use the OUTPUT variable in PLAYLISTFORMAT and OUTPUTFORMAT. It holds the 
-   different output file types you passed to abcde (i.e., ogg, mp3, flac) 
-   during playlist creation and file/directory creation.
+Q. I am requested to have "eject" when setting the speed although I do not use
+   it for anything.
+A. If you do not use cdparanoia, eject is used for setting the speed of the 
+   cdrom drive. You can substitute it for "setcd" with "-x" as the argument,
+   but you have to install it manually (setcd is, at least, available in 
+   Debian).
+   Another way to get the same results is using the pre_read function, defined
+   in your /etc/abcde.conf file.

    
    

-Q. I keep on getting files with ".ogg.ogg" extension. What am I doing wrong?
-A. The code for multiple-output adds automatically the extension of the
-   different outputs you select with the "-o" extension (or with OUTPUTTYPE
-   variable). Erase the ".${OUTPUTTYPE}" part from the OUTPUTFORMAT variable
-   in /etc/abcde.conf or ~/.abcde.conf
+Q. I have a CD set with 1+ discs, and want to have them in the same directory,
+   sorted properly. What can abcde do for me?
+A. Set abcde to rip the first CD and give it the option "-t 101". Use a generic
+   name for the CD, and reuse it with the rest of the CDs, editing the CDDB
+   entries. Use "-t 201" for the second CD and so on. Use "-w <comment>" to
+   add a comment about the CD you are ripping (-w "disc #"). Alternatively you
+   can use only the "-t ###" option and then move all the files to the same
+   directory, but the tag/comment information on the files will differ. If you
+   want the tagged track number to be set to the modified number you should use
+   "-T ###". 
+   Even better! If you use "-W <cd_number>", abcde will put a comment to every
+   CD set ("CD <number>") and modify the number of the tracks both in the file
+   name and the tag/comment information.
+
+Q. I have a live concert. I want to encode it in a single file. How do i do it?
+A. Use "-1" and it will be encoded in a single file. Use "-M" to make a CUE
+   sheet file where the information about the tracks is stored.
+
+3. CDDB
+   ====
+
+Q. I need to go through an HTTP proxy for CDDB access. 
+A. No problem, just export your http_proxy variable first so wget/fetch/curl 
+   can see it.
+
+Q. I already store CDDB entries in my hard disc. Can I make use of them?
+A. Piece of cake. Just edit CDDBLOCALDIR to point to the repository and give
+   abcde the "-L" flag to make use of it.
+
+Q. Fine, now it uses local CDDB, but I have no network connection. How can I
+   disable CDDB checks?
+A. Use the "-L -n" combination. It will try to use local CDDB entries, and if
+   nothing can be found, it will use a template. You will be also given the
+   choice to edit such template.
+
+Q. How can I use some other CDDB information provider?
+A. abcde now uses FreeDB by default. To use a different FreeDB mirror or 
+   another CDDB service, change the CDDBURL option in your abcde.conf.
+
+Q. After requesting CDDB data, I received several answers which seem to be
+   quite alike. Can I find out the difference between some of them?
+A. Yes. When asked which one you want to select, use "X,Y" where X and Y are
+   the numbers of the selections you want to find the difference between.
+
+
+3. FORMATS
+   =======
+
+Q. What formats can I encode my music to?
+A. As for version 2.2, abcde includes support for MP3, Ogg/Vorbis, 
+   Ogg/Speex, Flac and MPP/MP+(Musepack). Support for AAC will be added once
+   an FLOSS encoder/decoder is working.
+
+Q. I want the new *put the newest and coolest codec there* format to be 
+   supported by abcde. Abcde is so cool but i want to encode also to this
+   new format...
+A. Patches are welcome! ;)
+   No, seriously, if the format is usable, available for Linux and open
+   source/free software, it should be fairly easy to integrate. Support for
+   AAC (m4p) should be the next one to be introduced.

 
 Q. I use Debian/RedHat/(put your Unix flavour here) and MP3 encoding is not 
    working. What am I doing wrong?
 
 Q. I use Debian/RedHat/(put your Unix flavour here) and MP3 encoding is not 
    working. What am I doing wrong?


@@ -52,14 +207,14 @@ A. Since MP3 is considered non-free (you get it for free, but hardware players
    now. For that reason some people prefer to encode to MP3.
 
    UPDATE *** UPDATE
    now. For that reason some people prefer to encode to MP3.
 
    UPDATE *** UPDATE

-   There are at least 3 known brands already selling Ogg/Vorbis portable
-   players: Rio, iRiver and Neuros.
+   There are known brands already selling Ogg/Vorbis portable players: Rio,
+   iRiver, Neuros, iAudio,...

    Go buy one and you have no more reasons to use MP3.
    
    If you are among those individuals, you might need to add support for MP3
    encoding to your system:
    Go buy one and you have no more reasons to use MP3.
    
    If you are among those individuals, you might need to add support for MP3
    encoding to your system:

-   Debian : check http://marillat.free.fr to install lame in your system.
-            others prefer bladeenc. Check www.apt-get.org or google.
+   Debian : check http://ftp.nerim.net/debian-marillat to install lame in your
+            system. Others prefer bladeenc. Check www.apt-get.org or google.

    RedHat : search on rpmfind.net
    FreeBSD: By default includes LAME support.
    OpenBSD: Available by specifying you want to install the port with LAME
    RedHat : search on rpmfind.net
    FreeBSD: By default includes LAME support.
    OpenBSD: Available by specifying you want to install the port with LAME


@@ -68,38 +223,35 @@ A. Since MP3 is considered non-free (you get it for free, but hardware players
 
    Others : Please, help me here.
 
 
    Others : Please, help me here.
 

-Q. I have modified some of the options, and now CDDB has stopped working.
-A. Check that you have modified everything in the right way. For instance, if
-   you modify the HTTPGET program you might want to set some options of your
-   own. If you use the predefined ones (wget, curl and fetch) abcde will try
-   to use some defaults. Keep in mind that the output should go to the output
-   as standard output, to be saved in a file for later use.
+Q. Huh! Why is MPPENCODER (with MPP) and .mpc the extension?
+A. Dunno. You must ask the guys who created and defined the format. The 
+   standard is MPEGplus (MPP/MP+) but the files use .mpc extension.
+   
+   
+4. MISC PROBLEMS
+   ==== ========
+
+Q. What happened with normalize?
+A. Normalize has changed its name under Debian, which is the GNU/Linux 
+   distribution for developing abcde (well, is The GNU/Linux Distribution
+   i only use, at the moment). Now it is called normalize-audio.
+   If you are using some other flavour of OS, you need to change the name
+   of the executable in your abcde.conf file.
+
+Q. I am using MacOSX and I am having problems to use abcde.
+A. Well, I have a Mac, but I use linux on it. I have not been able to find
+   a way to make it work there, since I do not have the development tools
+   installed. I have placed a basic support, but some user reports are just
+   complaining about abcde not encoding the ripped tracks, as if 
+   cdda2wav/cdparanoia/cddafs would never end reading them. If you have such
+   a system and experience problems, please, report them, and I will try to
+   work them out with your help.

 
 Q. My hardware player (put it here) does not recognize the playlists created
    with abcde. What I am doing wrong?
 A. Try using "-m" when creating the playlists, or setting DOSPLAYLIST as an
    option in the config file.
 
 
 Q. My hardware player (put it here) does not recognize the playlists created
    with abcde. What I am doing wrong?
 A. Try using "-m" when creating the playlists, or setting DOSPLAYLIST as an
    option in the config file.
 

-Q. I am requested to have eject when setting the speed although I do not use
-   for anything.
-A. If you do not use cdparanoia, eject is used for setting the speed of the 
-   cdrom drive. You can substitute it for "cdset" with "-x" as the argument,
-   but you have to install it manually.
-   Another way to get the same results is using the pre_read function, defined
-   in your /etc/abcde.conf file.
-
-Q. Huh! Why is MPPENCODER (with MPP) and .mpc the extension?
-A. Dunno. You must ask the guys who created and defined the format. The 
-   standard is MPEGplus (MPP/MP+) but the files use .mpc extension.
-
-Q. I want the new *put the newest and coolest codec there* format to be 
-   supported by abcde. Abcde is so cool but i want to encode also to this
-   new format...
-A. Patches are welcome! ;)
-   No, seriously, if the format is usable, available for Linux and open
-   source/free software, it should be fairly easy to integrate. Support for
-   AAC (m4p) should be the next one to be introduced.
-

 OBSOLETE
 --------
 Q. I set KEEPWAVS to "y" but abcde insists on erasing my directory, along
 OBSOLETE
 --------
 Q. I set KEEPWAVS to "y" but abcde insists on erasing my directory, along


@@ -108,3 +260,6 @@ A. The default action set includes clean, which cleans the temp directory,
    if nothing goes wrong. Take the "clean" out from the action list and you
    are done.
    UPDATE: KEEPWAVS unselects now the clean action.
    if nothing goes wrong. Take the "clean" out from the action list and you
    are done.
    UPDATE: KEEPWAVS unselects now the clean action.

+
+--
+Jesus Climent <jesus.climent@hispalinux.es>