Feature proposal

[Gordan Krešić]

Since Amarok2 is finally forming its shape, I would abuse the moment
to make a note that there are people who use Amarok in somehow
specific circumstances than usual desktop music playback and so we
have somehow... well... specific thoughts :)

Seriously, I'm building my own HTPC system, working on it for quite
some time, mostly experimenting with different applications for the
job and Amarok won my sympathies as music playing component. However,
since HTPC setup is not an ordinary desktop, there still are great
number of small annoyances that are possibly easy to implement in
configurable fashion, as most of Amarok's GUI and engine already is.

Since HTPC is operated with only simple remote controller and without
a mouse, all actions have to be triggered by single key press, without
the need for composite keys and absolutely without the need for mouse
actions. Most of the actions in present version are already
implemented that way, with the exception of visualizations and main
playback controls (which are global keyboard shortcuts instead of
being active only when Amarok's window has focus - so it is very
difficult to find single key shortcuts that won't interfere with any
other application). Adding configurable keyboard shortcuts for
controlling visualization window and adding possibility to make
control keys "local" to Amarok's window would make Amarok much more
keyboard and thus also HTPC friendly.

Another "issue" is inability to remove some GUI components that don't
have any purpose for users without a mouse and/or classic keyboard.
Search box, for example, is major problem because it can steal focus
and prevent single-key keyboard shortcuts from working. A bit smaller
annoyance is "toolbar" in the top of the window, that hasn't any
purpose in mouseless environments and is only occupying space. Also,
in contrast to most the other KDE apps, menu bar also can not be
switched off.

I hope these suggestions won't be taken as rants from ungrateful n00b,
but as some possibly fresh thoughts from yet another geekish minority
of user base :)

Anyway, you can find more about my efforts on building somehow
different HTPC setup on:

	http://www.htpchouse.com/

where you can find more detailed description why these features would
be useful for.

	-gkresic.