Netbeans 6.5 looks good but...

It's been some time since I last looked at Netbeans. If i'm not mistaken I think I last attempted to use version 4.

I got really excited when I looked at Netbeans version 6.5. I immediately noticed the performance improvements and thought, "Hey I can work with this fast sleek looking IDE". My eye caught the Eclipse import feature, see screen shot.

Netbeans claims that you can work seamlessly on your projects by using either Eclipse or Netbeans by using the Eclipse synchronisation tool.
Sounds cool right? Well I've attempted to import my projects that I currently work on, and I'm sorry to say but it completely messed up during the import. The Netbeans import tool seems to have particular problems where the Eclipse build path is setup to build outside the project path.

I also don't get why Netbeans spends so much effort in language support for non- Java related languages?

Maybe I now again realise why it took me so many versions before looking at Netbeans again, and it seems it will take another few major versions before I look at it again.

The Songbird

Today I discovered Songbird, an open-source customisable media player. Songbird version 1.0 was recently released and is available for the Windows, Linux and Mac platforms.
And did I mention it looks very sleek? See the screen grab from my PC on the left with the iTunes skin(or feather as it's called in Songbird). Click on image to enlarge.

Being an Ubuntu user I'm constantly in search of better media players. Yes I know the hardcore Linux users will ask me what's wrong with Xmms, Audacious or Amarok. And my answer would be, nothing! All of them are great media players in the their own right. Well I have some stability issues with Amarok and Xmms is not in the Ubuntu repositories by default, but that's discussion for another time.

Some noteworthy Songbird features :

• Songbird supports MP3, FLAC, and Vorbis on all platforms; WMA and WMA DRM on Windows; and AAC and Fairplay on Windows and Mac.
• Integrated Web browser that supports tabbed browsing
• Loads of skins or Feathers as it's called in Songbird... I've installed the iTunes feather
• Concert tickets - discover upcoming shows in your area based on the artists in your library. Event listings powered by Songkick.
• Customisation with loads of add-ons to download and install. The installation processes is nicely integrated within Songbird
• SHOUTcast stream music integrated within Songbird by browsing the Radio directory.
  

There a loads more to discover about this really cool media player! So far I'm very impressed with Songbird but go check it out for yourself!

Download Songbird at http://getsongbird.com/