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Instructions

This page contains instructions for both the installation and operation of NotifyTunes.

Click here for help with installing NotifyTunes.

Click here for help using and setting up NotifyTunes.

Installation

OK, you've taken a giant leap of faith, you've installed all the prerequisite software listed on the Downloads page and you've downloaded NotifyTunes. You're nearly there - one last push and you'll be done. So, lets begin installation...

Usage/Options

This section describes how NotifyTunes operates and what customisation options you have.

Operation

By default NotifyTunes will be running when the PC is started. However, if you have removed the Startup group shortcut and wish to start NotifyTunes manually, you can click on the icon in Start > All Programs > NotifyTunes.

When NotifyTunes initially starts, it will scan for a running instance of iTunes. If iTunes is not currently running the System Tray icon will be grey(see image on the right), and the tooltip will confirm that the application is waiting for iTunes to start.

Once iTunes has been started and NotifyTunes has connected to it, the icon will change (see image on the left). NotifyTunes will now display iTunes track information.

When the track information pop-up window is displayed, it will stay visible for as long as specified in the Options (see below), or if you wish to dismiss the window, you can click on the small 'X' in the top right corner. This will cause the track information to disappear. You can also search Amazon for music by the currently playing artist using the track inforamtion pop-up. Just click the small arrow next to the artist name to open a browser window with the search results.

If you have Automatic Update Checks turned on the System Tray icon will slowly flash an orange arrow when an update is available for download. To view infomation about this update open the Options dialog box (see section below), or move the mouse over the System Tray icon to display the tooltip - this will display the new version number. Right clicking on the System Tray icon and selecting 'Update Available...' will open a browser window and display the new version web page.

If you want to change the star rating of a track, just click on the stars - simple as that! If you want to give a track zero stars, just click on the current star rating again. For example, if a track has a rating of 3, just click on the third star again to set the rating to zero.

If at any point you wish to quit NotifyTunes, just right click on the icon in the System Tray and select the 'Exit' menu item.

Display Options

To alter the appearance characteristics of NotifyTunes, right click on the icon in the System Tray and select the 'Options...' menu item.

Popup Location

The position of the pop-up track information window can be altered. Select which part of the screen (corners or centre), you want the pop-up to appear from the list.

'Display only when current track information changes'

This option when ticked will only display track information when the track changes in iTunes. If it is cleared, track information will also be shown if you pause then resume the same track.

Display Effect

This option controls how the track information is displayed. You can either opt for a 'fade-in/out' effect, or a vertical slide effect. Note: the slide effect is not available when the screen centre is selected as the display location.

Display Time

This controls how long the track information is displayed.

To save any changes you have made, click the OK button.

Global Shortcuts

To activate the shortcuts feature and assign key combinations to the various commands, click on the 'Shortcuts' tab.

Activate shortcut keys

Tick this box to activate the global shortcut keys. If this box is ticked, NotifyTunes will perform the specified task when the key combination is pressed.

Display confirmation message

Tick this box if you want NotifyTunes to confirm that the command you activated with a key combination was actually performed. This is especially useful for actions that do not have an audible or visual affect, i.e. add to playlist.

Edit Shortcut

Select a command in the list box and click this button to edit the key combination used to active it.

The following shortcuts are available:

Play/Pause

You can Pause and Resume iTunes, handy if the phone rings or you want to make a cup of tea.

Next/Previous Track

You can assign shortcut keys to skip forward an back through your current playlist.

Add to Playlist

Add the currently playing track to a 'NotifyTunes Playlist' playlist, useful if you want to build a playlist as you listen to the music - similar to the On-The-Go playlists supported on the iPod.

Search Amazon

This shortcut will open a browser and display search results from Amazon (see below), for the currently playing artist.

To save any changes you have made, click the OK button.

Amazon Search

This new feature of NotifyTunes allows you to quickly search Amazon for any music by the currently playing artist - handy if you want to expand your CD collection. At present, NotifyTunes supports searches on 3 Amazon sites: UK, US and Canada. To select the most relevant site for you, select the 'Search' tab.

Default site

The Amazon search will result in a browser window being displayed. This drop down list controls which site you want the results from. (More may be added in the future).

Update Options

To change the Automatic Update Check settings, right click on the icon in the System Tray and select the 'Options...' menu item. Then click on the Updates tab.

Check for updates...

Determines if the update check is performed or not. The combo box to the right of this option controls the checking frequency.

Last checked

Displays the time and date that the last update check was performed. This value combined with the checking frequency combo box control when the next update check will be performed.

Latest Version Information

This area displays version information obtained from the KVR Software website. This section will remain empty until a newer version is released and NotifyTunes performs an update check.

To save any changes you have made, click the OK button.