I saw some nice arguments about the simplicity of use of a CD Player.
Remembered the simplicity of use of my cassette player in the days gone bye forever.
To those who don't want to read much I just have this to say - You don't have to have a list of songs on the computer. Agreeably thats horrible as you have stated.
Modern playback software offer music library management and there is what you will get - View songs by Album, Artist or Genre.
So simplicity-oriented people can just rip their CD and on their software when they choose to view by Album, they will see only the songs of their selected CD. Just push play and let it play all songs.
Now for something more -
Having been in the computer industry for some time, I have tried to tackle this exact thing. Here's whatever little I have:
a) The experience of actually operating the device is known as
User Interface Experience.
Some design principles (that Apple follows well) make it intuitive and easy to use.
The goal is that "
the device should not interfere with one's experience" rather "
facilitate or bow away".
But in audio systems I see that this would not be enough.
Consider the feature of playlist. Now this is also pointed out by some people to be very useful and it is.
Thus the software needs to have both simple and extra usability features.
iTunes has both in my opinion (Plus the whole iTunes Store feature). Maybe some other software too has it. Take your time to explore it. You may find a view in it that suits you.
Plus it also allows WASAPI.
b) Along with User Experience there is another thing - the computer with its clicking and desktop and all those things are disliked by some. In a way those things interfere as well. They can seem complicated to some people. Plus, even after many customizations, it might feel like - "Its a computer after all" not "my audio device". This is a point that some people might be sensitive to.
Take heart.
There are a few things that I have tried that are listed in this post -
http://www.hifivision.com/home-thea...learnt-about-building-htpcs-2.html#post612774
Along with the above point, there is the point of "
Screen". CD Players with their small screens may not give enough info or options and you have to enter menus or click many buttons on the remote. Now that itself is a good point for some. But for those who want to see the album art as well, there are players like
olive doing exactly this thing + the functionality of PC storage.
The PC with its screen (you can have ANY size here - even the small 15" screen) has this feature already and if a way can be found where the Screen "doesn't interfere with the experience" then all the more good. (Don't forget the simple screen saver !!)
This too I have tried to tackle in the above listed attempt.
I will be unable to take it any more forward and I offer it here in the hope that you may find it useful. Hopefully it will be taken as a starting point.
For anyone willing :
1) List the problems you want to solve or features you want to have like the ones listed above "Not in technical terms but the Human Issues".
2) Think a bit about the broad points from above in Design terms regarding how the interface will function
3) Then, search for software that will help you do that.
4) If not 3, try to find someone who has tried it.
Its what the PC is all about. An Open System to cobble together what you want.
These days almost all of them modify the PC to 'be their goal system first'
Then they manufacture their products.
And also, don't think in front of the screen until you reach step 3.
My Mentor/Philosopher Architect used to say -
"Even monkeys can type when given a keyboard. Get your pen and paper and do your thinking first !!!"
Regards