Instead of the specific "Show Rotation" item in the Video menu, change it to "Show Template Screen" or "Show User Template" or some such. This submenu would be populated by templates which reside in the same folder as the rotation screen, currently ~/Library/Preferences/kJams/Producer Templates (technically this really should be ~/Library/Application Support/kJams, according to Apple, but I'll live. To make this even more user friendly, This might also be a user selectable path, or put in the same directory at playlists and singer .xml files)
Anyway, this will allow the user to create any screen they want, just about, with the Producer plug-in, and then throw it up on screen any time they want. They could even throw it up while a singer was singing, say during one of those 112 measure instrumental breaks, without interfering with the song.
This would allow many things simultaneously. It would allow a user (sorry, I hate the term "KJ") to put up sponsor screens (to maybe supplement their meager income) send humerous or not so much so messages to the audience, or the current singer, advertise drink specials (a big selling point for users in getting jobs, keeping their current job, etc.) break up those often awkward, uncomfortably long instrumental breaks, display local sports logos, announce upcoming events (kamikaze, or karaoke contests) or many other fun things the user's heart might desire (all with the kJams logo, of course!
.) You could even use it to show the occasional rotation screen!If these templates could include video elements, even better!
I know some of these features are already planned, and this would provide a quick, easy method of incorporating them, as well as an elegant, simple interface. It would also increase people's exposure to the Producer plug-in, and might generate a few extra sales.
You could even add an "Instant Template…" (Kamikaze Template?) item that would use a user editable basic template with a user definable editable field. Selecting this menu item would bring up a dialogue box that would allow text entry. Enter text and it would be assigned to the variable text field in the "Instant Template" and displayed as usual. VOILA! Instant realtime messaging for the show MC. Show them the latest score for the local football game, show some karaoke related trivia, announce a set of lost keys. Whatever you want.
Dave and I have already talked about this, Dave would say ad nauseam, but now I'd like other to chime in and perhaps ad to the chorus of how amazing this would be, and how great it would be for this idea to be bumped up a few slots in the development queue.
To The Top, Baby, To The Top!!!
