[localhost]

Download here

Change list:

• No GDI+ dependency. Hopefully it will fix the "iTunes won't load with Multi-Plugin installed" issue.
  
• Keyboard fix modes, for different keyboards/drivers:
  
  • Mode 1 - Action on key-up, using iTunes natively
    
  • Mode 2 - Action on key-up, using COM
    
  • Mode 3 - Action on key-down, using iTunes natively
    
  • Mode 4 - Action on key-down, using COM
  
  
• Foobar2000 passthrough works with DirectSound too. No need to switch to waveOut anymore.
  
• iPod tracks play through the default iTunes engine when Foobar2000 passthrough. Previously they didn't play at all.
  
• Export artwork from the current track to a file.
  Note: The file is called CurrentArtwork.jpg, but it's not necessarily a JPEG file. I think it's better that way, since most programs recognize the image type by it's content, and it will remove the need for detecting the extension of the file.
  
• Skins are more crash-proof. Multi-Plugin will try not to load incompatible skin files at all, instead of loading them and crashing iTunes.
  
• Full Windows 2000 compatibility. SP4 is required though, it won't install without it.
  
• Ability to change the title font if skinning is enabled.
  
• Ability to change the resolution of the full screen visualizer.
  
• Because of a change in the user interface, upgrading from previous versions will disable some options in the preferences dialog. You will of course be able to enable them again.
  
• Foobar2000 passthrough is no longer considered an experimental feature. It has become very stable for most of the users.
  
• The skin folder hierarchy has been changed.
  You can still use 0.67 skins if you change their folder hierarchy, see the new folder hierarchy of the Orange skin for example.
  Skin developers: see the help file for more info on this.
  
• You can see the version of Multi-Plugin in the preferences dialog.
  
• the Longhorn Alternative skin by gtn is included.

Maintaining the preferences dialog is becoming harder with those dozens of controls, so if you see any glitch, feel free to report it even if it's really minor.

Since the full feature list has changed a lot since the original 0.6, I'll repost it for new users:

Appearance Options

Skins
You may choose a skin from the list or choose the default skin. Skins are applied after iTunes is restarted.
The Mac OS X skin was created by mntnbkr1065.
The Longhorn Alternative skin was created by gtn.

Hide the menu
To resemble the look of iTunes in Mac OSX, you may hide the menu.
To use it again, you can press Alt+F in iTunes.
Use the arrow keys to navigate between the different menus.
Also, if you use Stardock ObjectBar, you can use the iTunes menu from there.

Change main iTunes font or title font
You may enter a type a font name in the edit box, and it will change the font according to it.
The title font can only be changed if a skin other than the default is selected.

Don't show main window in the taskbar and the Alt+Tab window
Using this option will hide the main window from the Alt+Tab window.
You can choose to hide it always or only when in Mini Player.

Change main window opacity
Using this option you can make the main window semi-transparent.
Use the slider to set the opacity level you want.
You can choose to change the opacity always or only when in Mini Player.
Note: Selecting this option will make the main window draw faster, even if the slider is set to 100%.

Current Track Options

Change the main window title according to the playing track
You may change the title of the iTunes main window while a track is being played.
Formatting tags (listed below) are supported.

Copy track information to the clipboard when a track starts playing
If you check this option, track information, in the format you specify using formatting tags, will be copied to the clipboard when a track starts playing.

Create a file with information about the current track
Using this option will create a file named CurrentTrack.txt in your iTunes installation folder when a track starts playing.
The meaning of each line in the file is the following:
Playing/Stopped, Artist, Song Name, Album, Composer, Genre, Grouping, Duration, Track Count, Track Number, Disc Count, Disc Number, Play Count, Rating, Year.

Export artwork from the current track to a file
Using this option will create a file named CurrentArtwork.jpg in your iTunes installation folder when a track starts playing.
This file will contain the artwork of the currently playing track.
Note: The file is called CurrentArtwork.jpg, but it's not necessarily a JPEG file. Most programs recognize the image type by it's content, so that should not lead to any problems and it will remove the need for detecting the extension of the file.

Formatting Tags
You may use the following formatting tags for the main window title and for copying track information to the clipboard:
%Playlist - The playlist that the track is in
%Album
%Artist
%Name
%Genre
%Grouping
%Composer
%DiscCount
%DiscNumber
%Position - The player's position within the currently playing track (valid only for the main window title)
%Duration
%TimeLeft - The time left for the track to play (valid only for the main window title)
%PlayCount
%Rating
%TrackCount
%TrackNumber
%Year
%BitRate
%SampleRate
%Kind - The file type of the track.

Compatibility Options

Allow WindowFX to add a shadow to iTunes
Usually, Stardock WindowFX does not add a shadow to iTunes. Using this option changes this.

Make programs recognize iTunes as Winamp
Many programs can get the current track name and artist from Winamp only. Using this feature, iTunes will be recognized as Winamp by most of those programs.

Fix media keys functionality
Many keyboards have player control keys which don't work well with iTunes. This option may fix the problem.
If one mode doesn't work, try choosing another one. Different keyboards react differently to the modes.

Other Options

Don't create Unknown Album folders
If you consolidate your library and let iTunes organize your music folder, iTunes will make a folder named "Unknown Album" in the Artist folder for tracks that have no Album tag.
Using this option prevent's iTunes from creating those folders and makes it place such files directly in the Artist folder.

Suppress the scripting warning message
If you have used scripts that interact with iTunes, you may have noticed the warning message that appears when you try to close iTunes and there is a script still running.
Using this option will make that message not to appear.
Note: If you use this option, do not close iTunes when a script is changing track information or does any other writing operations. Doing so will probably result in corrupt files in your iTunes Library.

Change the full screen visual effects resolution
By default, iTunes lowers the resolution in full screen visual effects for better performance.
You may change this behavior using this option.

Enable memory saving when minimized to tray
If you enable this option, along with the "Minimize iTunes window to system tray" feature found in the Advanced tab of the Preferences dialog, the amount of memory iTunes is using will drop significantly when you minimize iTunes.

Foobar2000 passthrough
Using this option will make iTunes play sound through the Foobar2000 engine.
You must have Foobar2000 0.8.3 or later for it to work.
This feature improves the sound quality, but it has several limitations:
1. Foobar2000 will not run simultaneously with iTunes when this option is enabled.
2. All the iTunes sound processing features will do nothing as long as this option is enabled.
3. You will not be able to change the information of the currently playing track.

EvilLyrics Integration
If you have EvilLyrics installed, you will have a "Find Lyrics" option when you right click a track.

iPod Hebrew Support
If you have hebrew tracks in your library and you want them to display well on your iPod, you may download the Hebrew iPod Firmware from the link below, and add hebrew tracks to your iPod by right clicking the track and selecting "Add To iPod".
You may add any track to the iPod this way, but it is mostly useful for hebrew tracks as this feature is a little unstable.
You can access the Hebrew Support dialog by switching your iPod to manual update mode, and then right clicking it's icon in the Source list and selection Hebrew Support.
Using the Hebrew Support dialog, you can fix hebrew names for tracks currently in your iPod, restore the fix, or synchronize your iPod against the iTunes library. Synchronizing the iPod will properly add hebrew tracks.
If the Update button in the iPod Updater of the Hebrew iPod Firmware is disabled, you can use the "Prepare For Update" option to enable the button. Run the iPod Updater again and you will be able to use the Update button.

Related links
EvilLyrics - http://www.evillabs.sk
Stardock - http://www.stardock.com
Hebrew iPod Firmware - http://www.hebpod.info

If you have liked this program, you may donate money to it's author by clicking here or by clicking the Donate button in the preferences dialog.

[shmengie]

damn, the updates coming fast and furious!! thx, man!!

edit: LOL!!! just click on the 'click here for options...'

[shadt]

I like very much what you do localhost

[buddyd16]

Localhost you are a god among men

media keys work perfectly now when using mode 2 or 4. Modes 1 and 3 do not work on my system.

Dell Inspiron 9300

[therentcollector]

Localhost... I worship for the god that you are... the fact that you spent time to make it win2k compatible is amazing! Thankyou so much! (-grovels at your feet-).

[circusdei]

I seem to be having problems (getting generic "error opening file") messages from the foobar console with m4a files. DOes foobar not support this format, or is there a plugin for foobar that'll handle it? Thanks for any help you can give.

[lid]

Looking good local.. have you had time to add the click music store link searches local library option?

Either way the Evillyrics search is great.

[deathmedic3rd]

wow this is great
might use iTunes again..

does any one know of a insparatSE skin is in the works.

[localhost]

circusdei - just download the Foobar2000 Special Edition from the official site. It supports m4a (AAC) and a lot more (except protected AAC files, you will be able to play them only in iTunes).

lid - still not, but I'll try later.

[Larsen2k4]

Thanks localhost ... this is again a great version

[ffpsx]

Awesome Update Localhost!! Would it be possible to add an option to be able to browse for a different icon, to replace the taskbar and system tray icons? I tried to manully replace the icon, using Resource Hacker, but after replacing the icon, iTunes fails to start.

[iGo]

There he gone again and did it...

Another awesome update !! Downloading now !!

[shockme17]

darn for some reason when i install this my itunes wont load.. ive uninstalled mplugin and reinstalled, and still no go.. but when i uninstall it itunes runs..

any suggestions?

[localhost]

ffpsx - search for a program called eXeScope. It can edit resources better sometimes. If the icon dimensions are exactly the same it will replace it successfully.

shockme17 - did 0.67 work for you? what OS/SP are you using?
PM me with an MSN address if you want me to check it out more thoroughly.

[siddharth]

You are a God! Thank you...Thank you...Thank you.

[Willy]

It's awesome man , thanks for doing this !!

[dreamsINdigital]

Thanks!

You forgot to mention that you added double click titlebar to maximize window.

A bug I guess: For the change visualization resolution, it lists the same resolutions multiple times.

[DannyDPX]

shockme17 said:

darn for some reason when i install this my itunes wont load.. ive uninstalled mplugin and reinstalled, and still no go.. but when i uninstall it itunes runs..

any suggestions?

I'm getting the exact same problem as well, no other plugins installed, even tried uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes, but no joy

[FatAxl]

As usual, this new version is awesome.

Thanks for your time to create it !!

[AoW777]

for me, no resolutions show at all on the visualization resolution selector. there is not even a drop down menu, when you click on the drop down menu selector.