Freedb

Introduction

The "freedb" is a user-created database that contains meta info for CDs. That is, it contains entries that specify, for each CD, all the artist, album, track title, genre and various other information. Presently there are over 1.8 million entries in the database. kJams incorporates access to this database so that, when you insert a CD, the database is queried for the CD's meta info, so that you don't have to type it in. If, however, no information is found, you are encouraged to enter it manually, then submit your work to the database, so that others may benefit.

Local and Remote Access

kJams will always attempt to find the information about a disc using a local copy of the database. If nothing is found, will then attempt to reach the database over the internet (if you have this option enabled). Most people will not have the local database installed, it takes 7 GB of hard drive space. It does come in handy, however, if you plan to play discs when you do not have access to the internet (eg: if you're a Pro KJ and you're taking your laptop to a venue with no internet access). To install the local database, see below.

Get and Submit

At any time you can attempt to get or submit disc info using the database. When you go to the "Advanced" menu and choose "Get CD Tracks from freedb...", kJams will attempt to find the info in the database, and if found, replace the current info for that disc. Note you will loose any info currently entered for that disc.

If you have entered new info or changed or corrected info for a disc, you are encouraged to go to the "Advanced" menu and choose "Submit CD Tracks to freedb...". When you do, kJams will contact, over the internet, the freedb server and submit the entries for that disc. If there are any problems with your submission, you should get an email explaining the problem, so you can correct it and resubmit. Note that submitting does NOT update your local database, if you have one.

Installing the Local Access database

First you must downlaod the full database. This is a compressed file that is 350 MB large. Uncompressed it will take about 7 GB. Go to the download page, and select a mirror site that is closest to you geographically. Then find the file that says "freedb-complete-YyyyMmDd.tar.rar" (where Yyyy is year, Mm is month and Dd is day, you want the most recent one, of course), and download it. Then, uncompress it to the location you would like to keep it. It doesn't matter where you put it, it is fine to keep it on an external or even a network volume. Once it is decompressed (and it takes more than an hour, by the way), you will have a main folder that contains sub folders with the familiar category names. Select this main folder in the finder and choose "Make Alias" from the file menu. Rename this alias "freedb", it must be named exactly that. Now, drag this alias into your ~/Music/kJams/ folder.

Preferences

• Use Internet Database (checkbox) This instructs kJams to search the database via the internet. You must have an active internet connection for this to work. Note that kJams will always attempt to search the local database first, if present, even if this checkbox is not checked.
• Update List (button) This causes kJams to contact the freedb (over the internet), in order to get a list of servers to use to search the database. It then puts this list into the popup menu (see "Site List Popup", below), replacing it's former contents.
• freedb Site (text edit) 'Experts Only!' This is where you can manually edit the URL that kJams will use to query the freedb. You can choose which site to query by entering it in this box. Note: 99% of users will never type into this box, this is only for expert users. What you probably want to do is use the "Site List Popup", see below. For example, you may choose to run a freedb server locally or on your LAN, or your company may do so. You can manually specify host, port and path. For example you could type "localhost:777/~freedb/path/to/db/cddb.cgi
• Site List Popup (pop-up menu) This menu contains a list of sites that kJams can use to query and submit. The freedb is not just in one place, it is spread out geographically in many countries, to help balance the load. Choose "Random freedb server" to have a different server used each time, or pick the one that is geographically closest to you.
• E-Mail address (text edit) When you submit a CD to the database, if there is any problem with your submission this address will be used to notify you of the nature of the trouble, so you can correct it and re-submit.