Streamlining the browsing tree & multiple configs

[DavidHB]

I hope that I might be allowed a slightly 'off piste' input into this discussion. My concern is less with the technicalities of a particular indexing scheme (on which I defer to Simon's expertise), but with the OP's original statement that "I want to run my standard music selection sequence ..." There is always the question as to whether indexing, powerful as it is, can be expected to deliver any given sequence.

As I have explained elsewhere, my own paradigm is the way my CDs are arranged on their shelves, which of course implies a standard selection sequence. Simon wisely reminded me that this could be reproduced in the folder tree (and associated folder and file naming conventions) of my digital music convention. As MinimServer provides a folder view to the control point, I can use my standard selection procedure through this view if I am disciplined enough to store my ripped CDs in the appropriate location and use sensible and consistent file and folder names. The combination of dBpoweramp and MP3Tag makes this pretty straightforward.

With this arrangement, I can quickly track down individual items by normal file browsing when no index is present. Properly constructed, the folder tree is a simple, robust, and remarkably powerful browsing tool.

I do not wish to suggest to the OP that his indexing scheme, to which he has clearly devoted considerable thought, can simply be replaced by the file tree. But it does occur to me that what he describes as a "standard ... sequence" may well have a history that (like mine) has its origins in some physical arrangement of media, and that, irrespective of any indexing scheme, it may make sense for him to make his music collection file tree analogous to that arrangement, if he has not already done so.

But the real target audience for this thought is any new user of MinimServer, particularly one new to streaming music, who, reading this thread, may be inclined to wonder whether things need to be quite as complex as has been described in previous posts. No, they don't; my advice to that new user would be to leave the MinimSever defaults as they are for a while and to concentrate on (1) getting the music library folder tree properly organised and (2) ensuring that music files are accurately and consistently tagged. And in response to the seemingly perennial question as to whether folder organisation can replace indexing or vice versa, the only realistic answer is that all but the smallest music collections need both.

(Another) David