Goals of RCoaster

 - Derek Lewis

I have a number of goals in mind for rcoaster.  Most of these were goals for the
original "Coaster" project, and since rcoaster has replaced it, it also inherits
those goals.

1. MP3 player on a user's desktop computer.  Should have a
responsive interface (possibly based on native widgets, like GTK) allowing the
user to perform all the actions that are appropriate for a desktop media player.

2. Set-top media player.  This implies control through methods
different than a desktop computer.  Most likely is an IR remote.  May or may not
have any sort of visible output (TV out, LCD, etc).  Control methodology is
likely to be quite different in an environment where feedback to the user is
limited, as visual cues won't be available.

3. Car audio system.  This is similar to the set-top box, but
with slightly different limitations.  May involve somehow synchronizing with a
home computer, or set-top box.  Will need some method of retrieving/storing
media files to/from removable media.

4. Streaming audio radio station.  Should be able to integrate with common
streaming servers, such as shoutcast and icecast, to stream mp3s, ogg, or any
other appropriate format.

5. Household media system.  Serves as a media player for a
household/company/whatever, where people can log-in, and song-weightings will be
affected by user preferences and votes/ratings.