faq table of contents
System Requirements and Compatibility
How do I know if I can use budtobud?
budtobud is an application that allows people to play music for each other. They can connect from anywhere with an Internet connection on a range of personal computers, smartphones, and game consoles. budtobud currently runs on Mac OSX and supports iTunes, Spotify and Rdio. Stay tuned for announcements of budtobud running on additional operating systems, added compatibility with additional music sources, and support for smartphones.
The current budtobud system requires a 64- or 32-bit Macintosh computer running Mac OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and up., iTunes 10.5 and up or Spotify App or Rdio App and a connection to the Internet.
topInstallation
How do I install budtobud?
Installing budtobud is easy. Simply follow the instructions in the quick start guide. It will step you through the installation process and getting started using budtobud.
How do I uninstall budtobud?
Just drag the budtobud application from the application folder to the trash can.
topRegistration
How do I register with budtobud?
Once the app is installed, budtobud will launch automatically and the Facebook Connect registration window will be presented. If you don’t have a Facebook account or don’t wish to use Facebook to register, complete the short registration form. Note that some fields are required and that your budtobud username is your email address and cannot be changed once you’ve registered. Other fields can be edited later. If you already have an account, select "Already have a budtobud account?"
How many accounts can I register?
You can register as many accounts as you wish. budtobud uses your email address as your permanent identity for any given account. Be sure to use a valid email address so that you can validate your account through an activation email that the system will send to you. Accounts not activated within seven days of creation will be deleted.
topLogin
When I start budtobud, I get a screen that says to login but I’m not registered. What should I do?
Select the “Don’t have a budtobud account?” link from the Login window and complete the short registration process. To log in, you will then use the username (email address) and password that you registered with.
Why do I need to select a mode?
budtobud connects you to the system and its users in a variety of ways. In order to do that properly, we need to know what you’d like to do. Do you want to find DJs playing music? Or do you feel like spinning some music for your Buddies? Keep in mind that you can change your mode at any time by clicking the mode buttons on the right of your avatar.
What do the different modes mean? Why do I need to choose one?
Here’s a quick rundown of your mode options:
In DJ mode, you can spin music for your Buddies in Party mode. Others can see the metadata of what you are listening to and can Ask to Listen. You can play whatever you’d like and invite Buddies to Listen.
In Party mode, you can Ask to Listen to a Buddy in DJ mode or a DJ may Invite you to Listen.
Operation – Main Window Navigation
What are the basic elements of the main budtobud windows?
- Account display
- Mode control
- Media LCD
- Add Buddies
- Buddy folders
- Social Network update
What’s the Media LCD for and what are those buttons that appear there?
The Media LCD is where the metadata for the music you are listening to is displayed. The button upper right-hand portion of the Media LCD is the Song Crush button. By clicking it, you can flag songs that you love to a list along with who you heard it with. The lower right-hand corner button takes you to iTunes so that you can buy the song (or album) that you are listening to.
What are the DJ’s and Partyers folders for?
DJ's and Partyers are folders in the Main Window that are used to navigate the system. Clicking on the folder title bar expands the folder so that the detail for each Buddy is shown.
The Partyers folder shows your Buddies that are currently online and in Party mode. The metadata for the music being played by Buddies in Party mode will be displayed. If you are in DJ mode, you may invite a Buddy to listen by selecting Invite to Listen from the Buddy Detail display or via the Party dropdown menu.
The DJ’s folder shows your Buddies that are currently online and in DJ mode. The metadata for the music being played by Buddies in DJ mode will be displayed. If you are in Party mode, you may make a Ask to Listen of a Buddy in DJ mode from the Buddy Detail display or via the Party dropdown menu selection.
How do I add my own friends to be Buddies?
You can add Buddies by typing the email, name or nickname in the Add/Invite Buddies window that is accessed throught the buddy with a + icon next to your budtobud nickname or through the dropdown menu Buddies at the top.
If no Buddies show up in the Partyers or DJ’s folders, then none of your Buddies are online at the moment.
top
Buddies
How do I add Buddies?
Once you’re logged in you can start adding Buddies by entering the email, name, or budtobud nickname of a fellow budtobud user in the Add/Invite Buddies window that is accessed throught the buddy with a + icon next to your budtobud nickname or through the dropdown menu Buddies at the top. When the system finds them, click the box next to “Add as a Buddy” and click Add/Invite to send them a Buddy request. That user will then appear in the Buddies folder of the Main Window though their status will be Pending (white color) until they accept your Buddy request.
What is the Facebook icon in the Add/Invite Buddies window?
In addition to being able to search for users with budtobud accounts, by clicking on the Facebook icon in the Add/Invite Buddies window, you can browse the Facebook Friends from your associated Facebook account. If your Facebook Friends’ emails are in the budtobud system, their entry will have a budtobud logo and you can click the box next to “Add as a Buddy” and click Add/Invite. If their emails are not in the budtobud system, you can check the box next to “Invite” and click Add/Invite to send them an email inviting them to join you in the fun.
Can I invite friends to join budtobud if they are no not on Facebook?
Yes. In the Add/Invite Buddies window, you can enter up to three email addresses at a time and click Add/Invite.
topDJ Mode Operation
How do I find Buddies online to party with?
Your Buddies that are online and in Party will appear in the Partyers folder. To invite them, expand the Partyers folder and invite them to listen from the Buddy Detail display or via the Invite to Listen from the Party dropdown menu. If the Buddy that you’d like to party with you is in DJ mode, you can send them a Chat message and tell them to switch to Party mode.
Can other users see what I’m playing and request to join my party?
Yes. Your Buddies can see what you are playing and can chat with you and Request to Listen (in Party mode). If a user is trying to reach you, a Message Center window will pop up.
I can see a Buddy in the DJs folder playing some music that I want to listen to. Why can’t I join their party?
While you are in DJ mode, you will not be able to join other DJ’s parties until you switch to Party mode.
Why can’t I see the metadata from the song I’m listening to in the Media LCD of budtobud?
First of all, if you are using iTunes as your music source, be sure that there is metadata in iTunes then make sure you have the selected your music source from budtobud for the application to capture the metadata.
I have music playing and Buddies in My Party. But why can’t they hear the music?
Make sure you selected your music from budtobud first and then select the songs, album or playlist to play.
topParty Mode Operation
How do I find Buddies to party with?
Your Buddies that are online and in DJ mode will appear in the DJ’s folder. To party, you can expand the DJ’s folder and Ask to Listen from the Buddy Detail display or via the Party dropdown menu. If the Buddy that you’d like to party with is in Party mode, you can send them a Chat message and tell them to switch to DJ mode and spin something good.
How do get into a party?
When in Party mode, you can Ask to Party of any Buddy who appears in the DJ’s folder from the Buddy Detail display or in the Party dropdown menu.
topMessage Center
What is the message center and how does it work?
The Message Center is the means by which you communicate with other budtobud users to engage in Parties and Chat. It is invoked when you click the Chat icon or Invite to Listen/Ask to Listen in the Buddy Detail display or make a party-related selection in the Party dropdown menu. A Message Center window will appear for each user with whom you are communicating with and is sensitive to your current status with a particular user.
topSocial Networks
How does Facebook registration work?
When you use Facebook to register, you simply enter the email and password that you use to log in to Facebook. The budtobud system uses that information then gathers relevant information from Facebook and configures your budtobud Social Network Preferences to issue updates to Facebook.
Besides Facebook, what other Social Networks does budtobud connect with? What can I do with them?
budtobud allows you to automatically and/or manually update your associated Facebook and Twitter accounts with your activity on budtobud. In the Social Network tab of budtobud Preferences, you can configure what you post and where. First, in the Setup area, you enter your credentials for Facebook and/or Twitter. If you registered with Facebook then the account you used will be already associated. In the Automatic Updates area, you set what you would like to post and at what time interval. Click Apply and you’re all set.
The automatic updates are cool but sometimes I want to post what I’m doing at that very moment. Can I do that?
Yes, you can. Once you have a Facebook and/or Twitter account associated with your budtobud account, the small icons in the lower left-hand corner of the Main Window will be in full color rather than gray. Whenever you want to post your activity at that moment, simple click the Twitter or Facebook buttons and the system will do the rest.
Will you support updates to other Social Networks in the future?
We will continue to add support for third-party system registration and updates over time. Check for this and other new functionality when you do an update.
topMusic Source
Will budtobud support other music sources?
If you have a particular favorite, please drop us a line at feedback@budtobud.com.
Can I play a CD through budtobud?
Yes, but in order for the cover art to be displayed you will need to rip it to your hard drive.
topMy Account
Why can’t I login using my budtobud nickname and password?
Your budtobud username is your email address, not your nickname. Your email address is permanent for any given account and cannot be changed. You are welcome to change your nickname as often as you like.
If I change my nickname, will other users who have me in their Buddies lists need to add me again?
No. budtobud tracks your account changes and presents them to your Buddies dynamically.
How do I change my password?
You can change your password in the Profile tab of budtobud Preferences. Simply enter your new password in both password fields and click Apply.
How can I change my avatar?
Your avatar can be changed in the Profile tab of budtobud Preferences. Select from one the four system default avatars or browse for your own avatar then click Apply.
top