6. Customizing Songbird

1. Add-ons
1. 1. 1.1.1. What are add-ons?
  2. 1.1.2. Acquiring and Installing add-ons
  3. 1.1.3. Managing add-ons
    1. 1.1.3.1. Checking for extension updates
    2. 1.1.3.2. Extension optionspreferences
  4. 1.1.4. Display Panes
  5. 1.1.5. Popular add-ons worthy of investigation by user
  6. 1.1.6. Installing Languages
2. Feathers
1. 1. 2.1.1. What are feathers?
  2. 2.1.2. Finding feathers
  3. 2.1.3. Switching to feathers

Add-ons

What are add-ons?

Add-ons are installable enhancements that allow you to modify or add entirely new features to extend the functionality of your Bird. They allow you to customize Songbird to your own personal needs and tastes, and add the features that you prefer. An add-on is as powerful as your bird's own built in wings, as they have access to the full, open Songbird API, which makes their possibilities endless. Add-ons can be made by anybody. And while the Songbird developers make some add-ons themselves, most add-ons are from the awesome community behind Songbird.

Acquiring and Installing add-ons

Select Tools › Add-ons then click on Get Extensions at the bottom, this will take you to the Songbird Add-ons page. Or click on the Songbird Add-ons link in your bookmarks.

There you can browse through the add-on categories or search for a specific add-on. When you find one to your liking, just click on the big green Install button.

Songbird will then display the Software Installation window:

Click on Install Now and you're add-on will be downloaded and installed.
To complete the installation, you must restart Songbird. To restart, click Restart Songbird which will appear after installation is complete. If you install add-ons this way, you will be notified automatically when an add-on gets updated.

✓ Each add-on indicates a minimum and maximum version of Songbird on which it can be installed.
Keep in mind that you might not be able to install/find all add-ons. When the install button is gray, this means there is a compatibility issue with the add-on and you will need to wait for the author to update it.

✓ You can download and install any number of Songbird extensions. However, each installed extension requires additional memory.
If you install too many extensions, Songbird performance may be impacted.

Managing add-ons

After you have downloaded and installed Songbird extensions, you can manage them through the Add-ons window.

To manage your extensions,

Select Tools › Add-ons.

✓ You can temporarily disable an add-on by toggling the Disable/Enable button of an add-on. The changes will take effect after you restart Songbird.

Checking for extension updates

To check for updates to your add-ons, click Find Updates at the bottom of the Add-ons window.

Extension optionspreferences

If an extension offers configurable optionspreferences, you can review and change them by selecting the extension, then clicking OptionsPreferences.
In the OptionsPreferences screen for the extension, you can change optionspreferences for the extension.

Display Panes

Many add-ons use a display pane to enhance your Bird's features.
There are a total of 3 display panes; at the left, bottom, and right side of Songbird.

You can turn this....
Into this...

Popular add-ons worthy of investigation by user

A list of recommended add-ons can be viewed here.

Installing Languages

A language can be acquired by going to File › Languages. (Make sure you are connected to the internet) You will see the installed languages and the additional languages you can install.

Feathers

What are feathers?

Feathers is the term used for an add-on that enhances the visual appearance of Songbird.
They are also known as Skins or Themes in other programs. They can be installed and managed the exact same way as other add-ons.

Finding feathers

To add feathers,

Select View › Feathers › Get More Feathers...

or go directly here.

Switching to feathers

You can change feathers by selecting View › Feathers, then choosing your desired feather.
Or by right-clicking on the title bar of the Songbird window.

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addons.png	blank.PNG	curved_arrow.gif
Extension managerextensions.jpg	install.PNG	installbutton.PNG
custombirdlargeheartedboy.png	Display pane select buttonpaneselect (1).jpg	service panesservicepanes.png
songbird-1.png	songbird2songbird-2.png