Swing usage

Swing usage
	Chapter 5. Node usage

The Swing FreeCast node can be started via the command freecast-swing (see freecast(1)).

This way to start FreeCast is reserved to advanced users. Most of listeners will use the JavaWebStart™ deployment to start FreeCast (see Chapter 7, JavaWebStart™ deployment).

The Swing FreeCast node is a Java™ application (and not an applet). No browser is required to start it.

Main dialog

The FreeCast Swing interface has been designed to be simple and pleasant. No menu, no dozen buttons like a music player. The Main dialog allows you to:

know which stream you're listening according to the look&feel
mute the player

That can seem few, but these are the major functionnalities needed for a listener.

Mute and relay

When you press the player button, the audio or video stream is no longer played by your node. You can restart the player by pressing again the player button. The player will not restart at the same position. When it is muted, the player will release your sound card (to use an external player for instance). The FreeCast node stays connected to the FreeCast network and is able to relay other nodes. You can minimize the window and let the FreeCast node alive. It's a way to support the FreeCast network you are listening to because other listeners can be relayed.

Options bar

Extended features are available if you click on the logo. When this option bar is opened, you can :

see the last log message,
start the About dialog,
start the Log dialog.

The About dialog gives you credits information about FreeCast. The Log dialog allows you to see the messages logged by FreeCast and to save them to a file (to illustrate a bug report for instance).


Command line usage	\| ToC	Chapter 6. Configuration