MusicBee is getting better and better with every weekly release. New functions are introduced and there are more and more options within the app. That's great
If I could suggest something I'd update MusicBee help file accordingly. In most cases I can find relevant info and configuration options on the forum but the topics introducing the implemented changes are located in various sections (Wishlist, Bug Reports, General...). Users who don't visit the forum regularly seem to have some problems to find them (despite the
Search function
)
Furthermore, a lot of useful feedback is provided upon users' requests - I'm sure some excerpts from Steven's and users' comments on the forum would perfectly fit in the help file or Wiki
A few words of explanation for every option and function would be appreciated and very helpful for most users. I guess it's easier to update the help file (or Wiki) at the time new function or option is described or explained on the forum.
If users found what they are looking for in the help file they wouldn't keep asking about the same features and options on the forum.
And the Wishlist would be shorter I guess
For example all
Layout settings that can be configured in various places of the app could be described in one section of the help file (Wiki) for better accessibility.
Moreover, if You want to avoid verbose help file, maybe embedded links with detailed information about a function or an option that can be found on the forum (in How-To section for instance) or a reputable external website (
Hydrogenaudio or
AccurateRip for example) would be the solution
This approach is successfully used in Foobar and many other apps for the users convenience.
Compare how understandably
Drive Settings are explained in Easy CD-DA Extractor online help file. I wish
MB help file was located online as well . Users could ask for the options and function under the appropriate section of the help file and its excerpts could be updated accordingly to meet users' needs.
I assume MB
Wiki has failed not because it's not needed but because it's hard to build something from scratch. Just move all the help file content to the Wiki and encourage forum users to expand and update it and You will be surprised with the results
Explain every new function or option it the Wiki and then announce it on the forum to avoid double work.
Every time the same question is asked users could provide a link to the Wiki and update the content accordingly when it turns out the Wiki is insufficient or unclear. Instead of answering the same question in different places of the forum we could improve Wiki and help file every time a question is asked until there is no question at all
MB Wiki Home Page could look like
Audacity one for example. I've never liked the editor, but its Wiki Homepage looks really user friendly IMHO.