Zencp - a command line utility for transferring MP3 files to Creative Zen Players
#################################################################################

zencp is a program that lets you copy MP3 files to a Creative Zen MP3 Player.

I was fed up with the fact that I always had to boot into Windows in order to 
copy one single track to my player and that stupid Creative MediaVision software 
sucks more than a vacuum cleaner. Of course, there are alternatives on Linux,
the probably best known being gnomad2, but I did not want to install loads of
gnome packages on my KDE computer. And additionally, I dit not want to click
myself through the directory structure of my harddrive just to find the right
media file. All I wanted to have was a small program that can be used like cp.

Usage of zencp is quite straight forward. You just call zencp followed by the
names of the MP3 files you wish to transfer and the rest should be done by
the program.


Disclaimer
##########

zencp is a quick and dirty piece of code. It works fine for me on my PC (AMD64)
and my laptop (IA32) but I do not know if it will work for anybody else. It does
not have any automated build mechanism like the autotools or something similar,
nor does it have any good makefile. Therefore, BEWARE:

  If you want to use zencp, you do it at your own risk. I will not hold any
  responsibility for deleted MP3 files, broken Zen Players, corrupted hard
  drives, burning fridges or rotten milk.


Compiling
#########

So you really want to use zencp? Ok, this is how to compile.

Zencp is written in C and comes with a C++ wrapper for a function in id3lib that
has not been made available for C by the id3lib guys. Thus you will need both,
a working C compiler and a C++ compiler.

Zencp relies on two libraries: libnjb (>=2.0) and id3lib (>= 3.8). 

libnjb controls the communication to the MP3 player and implements the whole
protocol stuff. Get it from http://libnjb.sourceforge.net/. You need the
development files, too.

id3lib is used for ID3 tag handling since Creative players rely on that piece
of information. Get it from http://id3lib.sourceforge.net/. You need the
development files, too.

As already mentioned, there is no automated build mechanism. There is no file
discovery, no validation of library dependencies and no compiler check. There is
absolutely NOTHING. You are completely on your own in providing a working build
environment.

To compile, type make. If everything works fine, you will get a zencp executable.


Bugs and stuff
##############

I already mentioned: zencp is a very quick and dirty piece of code. If you are a
good C programmer, be warned: never ever look at the code, it will be a serious 
threat to your health.

Valgrind for example refuses to assist me in debugging ("I will stop here, go fix 
your program") and I have seen a lot of weird behaviour. 

Nevertheless, I would be happy to improve the code. If you encounter any problems,
please report them to me. If you have any kind of bugfix, please do not hesitate
and send it to me. Comments, questions, everything is welcome (except for Viagra
ads).

I can be reached via email: tb@256bit.org


License
#######

GPL2
