Recommended Posts

I have just installed the new version, and the borders are doubled on the left side and top of Dopamine window. Otherwise, it looks solid and works well :)

Could you tell me more about your screen resolution and scaling value (100,125, o 150%) in windows?

I'm missing having fullscreen when maximized.  With my screen resolution on my tablet I cannot see the entire screen even when maximized because the bottom is obscured/cut off by the task bar. :( It doesn't affect the library views much, as it just cuts off some of the album art I think,   but it does make some of the preferences unreachable.

I'm missing having fullscreen when maximized.  With my screen resolution on my tablet I cannot see the entire screen even when maximized because the bottom is obscured/cut off by the task bar. :( It doesn't affect the library views much, as it just cuts off some of the album art I think,   but it does make some of the preferences unreachable.

I was wondering when the first complaint would come in. That's a result of removing custom shadow and glow. It might come back at some point, but right now there is no easy way to do it.

 

Regression: due to issues with how the Micro and Nano player playlist was rendered, I had to go back to using
  a single window. That has as consequence that the playlist can only be shown downwards. Sorry about that people.

I still think it was awesome the way it was... I had no complaints about it.

 

I understand your dissapointment, I am too. And with this post I'm not trying to make you agree
with my choices. My choices are not always what I want myself, but more what the tools allow me to do.
You say you liked how the playlist was. Remember that I see more than just that. I see its stinking, ugly,
unreliable inner workings and potential for breakage. I'll explain shortly. Please consider the attached
picture.

Situation 1:

Users want a playlist that opens in 2 directions (top and bottom). To do so, the playlist needs to
become a separate window. The separate window needs to be synchronized with the main window. Otherwise
this happens: it appears in the alt-tab menu, it doesn't minimize when the main window minimizes,
it doesn't move together with the main window.

Solution: make the main window the "owner" of the playlist window.
Side effect: the owner is positioned UNDER the owned window automatically. No way around that.

So far so good. I did that and added no shadow to the playlist window (if you can remember that).


Situation 2:

Users wanted a shadow under the playlist window. Ok, with the custom glow/shadow I had going a while back
that was achievable. I made sure the common edge didn't have a shadow. No overlap happens.

Situation 3:

Users wanted the default windows shadow. Ok, I removed the custom shadow and restored the window shadow.
Damn, a problem occurs: one cannot just remove one edge of the windows shadow and overlap occurs.
Even worse: the amount of overlap is different on Windows 7,8 and 10 because the shadow size is different.
Even more worse: the size of the overlap changes depending on whether the main window or the playlist window
is clicked. I had to think out of the box.

Situation 4:

This is the situation that I built, to achieve what you like so much: 3 layers.

Bottom layer: playlist shadow (this is basically a transparent window with just the shadow)
Middle layer: the main window
Top layer: the playlist window

The trick is to keep the shadow at the bottom of everything, and to keep the playlist on top of the rest.
Because if the shadow ever gets over the playlist window, it wouldn't be clickable (there would be an
invisible film over it). Sounds easy! I isn't...
There is no z-index thingy for window... So to get the right order I had to do something like this
every time any window is clicked, moved,...:

Shadow.Topmost = true
Shadow.Topmost = false
MainWindow.Topmost = true
MainWindow.Topmost = false
Playlist.Topmost = true
Playlist.Topmost = false

Because of all this messing with the Topmost property of windows, there was no way to even force the
main window to be topmost anymore. It was a nice try, but it was unreliable.

 

Dopamine windows.png

  • Like 3

Could you tell me more about your screen resolution and scaling value (100,125, o 150%) in windows?

Sure :)

Surface Pro 3 screen: 2160*1440 150%
Samsung SyncMaster S27A850T: 2560*1440 125%

Doubled borders happens on the 2 screens.

A new build has been published. It is just a bugfix release. This is the changelog:

29-09-2015: Dopamine 1.0.0.405 (Preview)

- Fixed several coloring issues with the Nano Player window controls
- Fixed the color of the tray controls when using the light theme on Windows 7 and 8
- Fixed a bug where it was not possible to start a song by double clicking in the active list if the previous song was started from explorer
- Fixed a bug where always on top of the Micro and Nano player got lost when the playlist is open
- Fixed a possible database creation error on clean installs
- Fixed a problem when ordering artists starting with "The"
- Fixed sorting issues in the songs list
- Regression: due to issues with how the Micro and Nano player playlist was rendered, I had to go back to using
  a single window. That has as consequence that the playlist can only be shown downwards. Sorry about that people.

Download here

Just installing Dopamine build 405 on my friend's notebook. After adding folders into its library, it appears that the list of artist is blank in artist screen

 

Just installing Dopamine build 405 on my friend's notebook. After adding folders into its library, it appears that the list of artist is blank in artist screen

The other lists are not blank? Can you send me the log?

 

Just installing Dopamine build 405 on my friend's notebook. After adding folders into its library, it appears that the list of artist is blank in artist screen

Actually, I'd like these:

- logfile
- his dopamine.db
- the value of the counter at the top of the artists list.

Thanks

I just installed build 405 with your recent corrections. The artists list problem reported against build 391 still exists in this build. My Dopamine database and logfile can be retrieved from Dropbox, as follows:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uki6n8sawgshbp5/Dopamine.db?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u4uy0eww6aj33c5/Dopamine.log?dl=0

Dopamine 405.PNG

I just installed build 405 with your recent corrections. The artists list problem reported against build 391 still exists in this build. My Dopamine database and logfile can be retrieved from Dropbox, as follows:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uki6n8sawgshbp5/Dopamine.db?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u4uy0eww6aj33c5/Dopamine.log?dl=0

Dopamine 405.PNG

Excellent! Thanks! I'll check this out.

Latest build, when maximised, I see a 1 pixel border where the wallpaper behind shows through. The show a border of 1px is turned off.

Known issue and fixed for next build :)

  • Like 2

Hi all,

A new build is available. It is again a bugfix build. This is the changelog:

1-10-2015: Dopamine 1.0.0.410 (Preview)

- Fixes some GUI issues at a desktop scaling of more than 100%
- Fixed a problem displaying the list of artists in some cases
- Fixed a problem with searching albums
- Improved the tray icon

Download here

  • Like 2

Regression: due to issues with how the Micro and Nano player playlist was rendered, I had to go back to using  a single window. That has as consequence that the playlist can only be shown downwards. Sorry about that people....

This makes it a no go for me... so sad :( I can not use it without this... I mean I can but I don't want to.  This makes it so you are forced to keep Dopamine at the top of the screen.  I beg you to find another solution please!!!

 

OK now that I've recovered from my 5 night misery :) I realize I might have been too quick in reverting the playlist. I'm working on something you might like :shiftyninja:. But this time I'll make sure it is a workable solution. Stay tuned (if you still like me after this :rofl:)

OK now that I've recovered from my 5 night misery :) I realize I might have been too quick in reverting the playlist. I'm working on something you might like :shiftyninja:. But this time I'll make sure it is a workable solution. Stay tuned (if you still like me after this :rofl:)

LOL Of course I do ... thank you!

I noticed what I consider to be a bug that didn't show up until the last few builds.  When Dopamine changes songs on its own the notification window pops up like it should, but when I change it manually with keyboard shortcuts or with the controls it does not.  Is this something that can be fixed?  It would be nice if it would pop up with the keyboard prev/next keys at least like it used to.

Thank you!

I noticed what I consider to be a bug that didn't show up until the last few builds.  When Dopamine changes songs on its own the notification window pops up like it should, but when I change it manually with keyboard shortcuts or with the controls it does not.  Is this something that can be fixed?  It would be nice if it would pop up with the keyboard prev/next keys at least like it used to.

Thank you!

With keyboard shortcuts it should appear. I made it so that the notification only appears when the main window is not visible. But in the near future there will be an option where can actually choose to always show the notification, even when the main window is visible.

  • Like 1

Hi all, I've been playing with the playlists of the Mini players. This is what I have up till now. This is not a mockup, but still a draft. I'm thinking how to further organize things. For the Cover player, the playlsit appears left or right of the player, depending on where there is space. For the Micro and Nano player it appears at the bottom or top, again depending on space and position. The space between main window and playlist is necessary to avoid shadow overlap. This setup works. It is now a matter of deciding the look of the contents of the playlist.

 

cover player playlist.png

micro player playlist.png

Edit: suggestions and ideas are welcome.

  • Like 2

Ok this is AWESOME!!! LOVE IT!  I think you just nailed it ... Thank you!!!  The search bar there is GENIOUS!

I knew you could do it!!!  I still have faith in you Raphael :p  You are talented !!! Release please? I'll test it for ya :p

 

 

 

Thanks!

I would like to make a small request, inside the icons folder can you please include a blue Dopamine icon, so I have a nice icon to use on my launch bar app?  Thank you Sir =)

You mean a blue icon like the default one, but in ".ico" format?

Ok this is AWESOME!!! LOVE IT!  I think you just nailed it ... Thank you!!!  The search bar there is GENIOUS!

I knew you could do it!!!  I still have faith in you Raphael :p  You are talented !!! Release please? I'll test it for ya :p

 

 

 

The version from the screenshots is silently available here (not released yet). So be aware, it might need more testing :)

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xtihhv85o26qwnw/AABtfqFOkbFYIyBV6mmnbOEYa?dl=0

  • Like 1

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Posts

    • Microsoft making much needed change to Windows 11, 10 Patch Tuesday security updates by Sayan Sen Recently, Microsoft delivered its latest Defender patches for Windows 11 ISOs. These definitions are released from time to time alongside the general security updates available during Patch Tuesday. Speaking of Defender, the company has now announced another important change that affects how security updates are delivered to enterprise devices running Windows. According to a recent announcement, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint's endpoint detection and response (EDR) updates will no longer be bundled with the monthly Windows security updates or Patch Tuesdays. Instead the company is shifting delivery of these updates to Microsoft Update, bringing EDR servicing in line with several other Microsoft Defender components. If you recall, Microsoft last year moved PowerShell updates to Microsoft Update (MU) as well since it provides automatic updates for Microsoft products and services. Thus the move is intended to allow Microsoft to deliver EDR improvements and security enhancements independently of the OS's regular monthly update cycle; this should enable faster deployment of protection updates without requiring organizations to wait for the next Patch release. For those unfamiliar, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint's EDR capabilities are designed to help organizations detect, investigate, and respond to advanced threats across managed devices. Keeping these components updated is critical for maintaining protection against evolving attack techniques. The rollout has already began for Windows 10 devices in late May 2026 (last month) and Microsoft says it will gradually expand support to Windows 11 and the remaining supported Windows versions over the coming months. The company expects deployment across Windows 10 and Windows 11 to be completed by fall 2026 or around Q3 of this year. Once the transition is complete, EDR updates will be delivered through Microsoft Update using KB5005292, provided the required prerequisite updates have already been installed. Microsoft is also introducing a new Defender Update Service as part of the change. Following installation of the first update, devices will automatically create a new directory located at %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Microsoft Defender\Defender Update. Microsoft notes that restarts may occasionally be necessary in case of "rare" failure scenarios. For most organizations, the tech giant says no action will be required as long as Microsoft Update is already permitted within their update management strategy. Admins who rely on manually deployed update packages, however, will need to adjust their processes to ensure the new Defender update package is included. Microsoft also recommends reviewing internal documentation and notifying helpdesk and security operations teams about the updated delivery mechanism to avoid confusion during the transition. As a prerequisite, the tech giant notes that systems must be running Sense version 10.8798.25857.1000 or later and have one of the following Windows updates (or later) installed: Win11 24H2 KB5062660 (2025-07 Cumulative Update Preview) Win11 23H2 KB5062663 (2025-07 Cumulative Update Preview) Win11 22H2 KB5062663 (2025-07 Cumulative Update Preview) Win10 22H2 KB5062649 (2025-07 Cumulative Update Preview) Win10 1809 KB5063877 (2025-08 Cumulative Update) Server 2019 KB5063877 (2025-08 Cumulative Update) Server 2022 KB5063880 (2025-08 Cumulative Update) Server 2025 KB5063878 (2025-08 Cumulative Update) As always, organizations should verify that their update policies align with the new servicing approach before the broader rollout reaches all supported Windows platforms later this year. In case of major problems, the EDR update can be rolled back to the inbox version stored in %ProgramFiles%\\Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) using: MpCmdRun.exe -RevertMde -Product Edr -ToVersion Inbox For those who have access to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center portal, you can view the message here under ID MC1381119.
    • My problem with these smart scopes is that IMO they're not really an entrance into astronomy, they're an entrance to looking at pretty(ish) pictures that you take by essentially pressing a button and letting the scope do the work. I still maintain that getting some binoculars or a solid dedicated telescope (which doesn't have to mean expensive) and actually spending time learning the night sky and using a telescope is a much better way to actually learn. But, granted, the learning curve is a bit steeper (as it tends to be).
    • I never played Crazy Taxi before, but this looks like a fun game!
    • The perception of Microsoft Edge is unfortunate as it's a world class browser. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's the best browser I've ever used with its feature set, speed, reliability and advanced security. Running the extension Ublock Origin is a must though to deal with advertising and trackers.
    • You can check out our latest 9070 GRE review with scores for the XT too, but these are on Windows: Gaming performance Productivity performance
  • Recent Achievements

    • One Month Later
      DJC50PLUS earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      DJC50PLUS earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Proficient
      Eric Biran went up a rank
      Proficient
    • Dedicated
      Conjor earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • Week One Done
      Windows Guy earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      493
    2. 2
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      248
    3. 3
      Steven P.
      73
    4. 4
      +Edouard
      69
    5. 5
      neufuse
      68
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!