BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN CD "BRUCELEGS" TAPE LABELS

CD "BRUCELEGS" TAPE LABEL MAKER Version 1.0b

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Introduction

I was learning Perl and JavaScript just for kicks and got bored with the standard tutorials. You know the ones I mean, for some reason they all start out with writing some meaningless "Hello World" script. I needed to do something that had some practical application - something that I could really use. I've been experimenting with creating tape labels using HTML for a while, but I was looking for a way to make it easier. To make a long story short, I've created something here where I've combined what I've done with Perl, JavaScript and HTML. The only reason I'm putting this out on my site is that I assume there may be a few other folks that could use this too.

The reason I've classified this as a beta release is because I've only been able to test using Netscape Navigator 3 & 4 for both Mac and Windows as well as Internet Explorer 4 on Windows. I do know that this will not work on older versions of both Netscape and Internet Explorer. Since I've gone about as far as I can, I need others to test it out and give me some feedback on the problems they may encounter.

Description

This is an automatic cassette tape label maker. I created a Perl script to parse through all the discography files to extract certain information such as CD title, label(s) or catalog number(s), source, location and date, tracks, etc. All this information was used to create JavaScript output which is stored here based on CD "Bruceleg" title. In addition, the disc and/or tracks times from the discography files were used to determine which songs would fit onto sides of a tape and how many tapes would be needed for the CD "Bruceleg" being processed. Also, if there was a graphic scan of the front cover of the CD "Bruceleg" on my site, I've included a reference to it in the output too.

I've created some HTML tape label templates, each with plenty of features and JavaScript code all by themselves. The end result of all this are tape label HTML JavaScript "forms" which, when filled-in and submitted, create a new HTML window containing the tape labels. This new HTML window can then be printed on either a color or grayscale printer, the labels cut out and inserted into your tape cases. It's hard to describe everything that's going on in here, but hopefully the usage will be self-explanatory to anyone trying it out. In case it isn't, I've provided instructions below.

Future Enhancements

Although I already have a few thoughts about future enhancements, I'll entertain any ideas.

Instructions

Step #1:

There's basically two (2) types of tape label form templates. Which type of tape label form template you get depends on what you select in the left-hand column. If you select a CD "Bruceleg" title you will be getting the type that contains a button, otherwise you will be getting a blank tape label form template that will require you to enter all the information.

Step #2:

The first part of all tape label template forms allows the user to select the background and text colors for the tape label(s). If the tape label template allows for multiple tapes (those generating either 2, 3, 4 or 5 tapes), the background and text colors can be selected individually for each tape label. For example, Tape #1 can have a silver background with red type while Tape #2 can have a white background and blue type, etc.

Tape Text Color Background Color Length
#1
#2

In addition to the above, the tape lengths can be selected in this section as well, with multiple different tape lengths allowed depending on the number of tapes included. For example, Tape #1 can be 90 minutes while Tape #2 is 100 minutes, etc.

Step #3:

Click on the button. This will automatically fill in all the CD "Bruceleg" information for the particular CD "Bruceleg" you've selected. The button will be covered later in the instructions.

For those using one of the "blank" tape label templates, click on the button. Otherwise, this button only should be used if you want to start over or if you need to clear out all the values after successfully creating a tape label.

Step #4:

The next part of the tape label form template deals with the certain details that will appear on different areas of the final tape label(s). Most of this section will have been automatically filled-in if using a "pre-fill" tape label form template, but some are not and require input. The following describes the various input fields:

Text Font Size:

Text Font Size: This can be used to adjust the font of the final label by globally increasing the font size. For those using Windows, the "Normal" setting is sufficient. For those folks using a Mac, you may want to select the "Larger" setting for reasons that will be explained later.
In some cases, there will be a string of text on a pre-filled title that is just too long to fit in the space provided without making some area of the tape label too big. If you run into one of these titles, you can either modify the text or select the "Smaller" setting and re-generate the tape label.

CD Title:

CD Title: This can either be entered directly on blank tape label form templates or modified on "pre-filled" tape label form templates. Whatever is entered will appear on the "spine" of the tape label(s).

CD Label:

CD Label: This can be entered directly on blank tape label form templates or left blank. For "pre-filled" tape label form templates, this will be automatically filled-in and is for the most part unmodifiable. The only way this field can be modified on "pre-filled" tape label form templates is when a particular CD "Bruceleg" has been released on more than one label - in which case you can select the correct label name and hit the button to finalize the change. Failure to hit the button may cause something to be incorrect on the final tape label(s).

Date Created:

Date Created: This is either the date the tape was made or the date the label was created - it's up to you. The default is the current date.

Taped By:

Taped By: This is where you would enter your name if you are making a tape for someone, or someone else's name if you are just creating a tape label for a tape someone gave to you.

Source:

Source: The original source medium. This can be entered directly on blank tape label form templates or left blank. For "pre-filled" tape label form templates, this will be automatically filled-in but is still modifiable. Example sources are "Audience," "Soundboard," "Radio Broadcast," etc.

Noise Reduction:

Noise Reduction: Select from the available noise reduction values. The default is "None."

Artist:

Artist: This is where the artist or group is entered. This can be entered directly on blank tape label form templates or left blank. For "pre-filled" tape label form templates, this will be automatically filled-in but is still modifiable. This will appear on the "spine" of the tape label(s) as well as on top of the front cover.

Venue / Location:

Venue / Location: For live shows this is where the show took place. This can be entered directly on blank tape label form templates or left blank. For "pre-filled" tape label form templates, this will be automatically filled-in but is still modifiable. This will appear on the front cover.

Date:

Date: For live shows this is when the show took place. This can be entered directly on blank tape label form templates or left blank. For "pre-filled" tape label form templates, this will be automatically filled-in but is still modifiable. This will also appear on the front cover.

Step #5:

This is the part of the tape label form template that contains the track list as well as some way to indicate which tape side each track belongs to. For a single tape, there are 2 tape sides: Side A and Side B. Tracks you would want to appear on Side A of the tape label have an "A" in the input field next to it and similarly a "B" for tracks that will appear on Side B of the tape label.

For CD "Brucelegs" that require multiple tapes, I've had to expand on this a bit as outlined below:

A - Tape #1, Side A
B - Tape #1, Side B
C - Tape #2, Side A
D - Tape #2, Side B
E - Tape #3, Side A

F - Tape #3, Side B
G - Tape #4, Side A
H - Tape #4, Side B
I - Tape #5, Side A
J - Tape #5, Side B

Tape Side Tracks

For a multiple tape example, tracks you would want to appear on Side A of Tape #1 have an "A" in the input field next to it and similarly a "B" for tracks that will appear on Side B of the Tape #1. For Tape #2, the tracks for Side A are actually designated with a "C" on this form, and similarly a "D" for the tracks for Side B of Tape #2, etc.

The maximum number of tracks that can be assigned to a single tape side is 20.

When you actually make your tapes, note the last track on each side. Then, while you are creating your tape labels, if you find that the tracks listed for a particular tape side here either don't really fit on a tape side or there was enough time left on the tape to fit an additional track - just modify the "Tape Side" indicator. In the above example, if one used a 100 minute or higher tape they might find that the first song listed as being on Side B actually was the last track on Side A, then they could simply change the "B" to an "A" for that track and the tape label would be created accordingly.

Keep in mind that I can only do so much with the listed disc and/or track times. Also note that the "pre-fill" values are based on a standard 90 minute tape - at 45 minutes a tape side. Some tape brands actually have more time per side so your actual results may vary. Given the differences of how track times are indexed by various CD "Bruceleg" labels, don't expect the results of the "pre-filled" to be exact as to which tracks actually would fit on a tape or a particular tape side - and especially if you're using a different tape length other that 90 minutes. This is meant to be a template in which you can still modify whether a track will go from an "A" to a "B" or vice-versa. Similarly, on a multiple tape template, if you have to push a track from one side to another, you will have to go through the rest of the tapes and modify them accordingly. The real time savings here for "pre-filled" templates is that you shouldn't have to type in all the tracks. As for any "bonus" tracks you choose to add from sources other than the CD "Bruceleg" being processed, you will need to input that information yourself.

As a final note, if, for a 90 minute tape, you actually determined that what I've got listed for a tape and/or a tape side is wrong, send me a note with the details so I can make the appropriate corrections.

Step #6:

The final input area of the tape label form is a section where you can input any notes or comments you would like to have included on the inside portion of the tape label(s). This is a free-form area that may be partially filled-in on the "pre-filled" template. For multiple tape templates, there's a separate notes section for each tape. Information that you can include here can be similar to the "Notes" sections within the discography listings. And, of course, if you've included any "bonus" tracks from other sources this is probably the best place to write appropriate information about them.

Tape Additional Notes

#1

Step #7:

This only will appear on tape label forms that produce more than one tape label. Due to the nature of how some browsers deal with printing tables, you may find that part of a tape label shows up on the bottom of the page rather than appear all together on a subsequent page. I have no control over this, but what I have provided here is a means of adding a number of blank lines to force the tape labels to each appear on their own page. Only use this if you are having problems, otherwise leave this set to zero (0).

Add blank lines between tape labels to force a page break.

Step #8:

After you've checked everything over, hit the button. This will process the data and create a new browser window containing the tape label(s).

For those using one of the "blank" tape label templates, the button acts the same as the one discussed previously.

Step #9:

Carefully check over the tape label(s) that were generated before printing them. If there's a mistake, you should close the new tape label browser window, make your corrections and try again. If you want to start over from scratch, just return to the top to hit the button at any time - and note you may have to "re-apply" the correct CD label name.

Step #10:

Print the tape label(s). This is the area I have the least control over since there are a variety of printers around, each with their own idiosyncrasies. And all bowsers do not behave the same way when it comes to printing. You may have to "tweak" certain settings to get the desired output, but since I'm no expert on this you're basically on your own.

For those printing from a PC using Netscape, hopefully you should be all set to go straight to the printer. You might want to check your "Page Setup" settings, as this is the most likely area of problems if you find that text displayed on the tape label(s) isn't being printed. For those using Internet Explorer, the only way to get the background colors to print correctly is to select "Internet Options" from under the "View" menu for the browser window containing the label, go to the "Advanced" tab and scroll down to select the check box next to "Print background color and images."

For those printing from a Mac using Netscape, you may need to modify your "Page Setup" to change the "Reduce or Enlarge" setting from it's normal 100%. I've tested printing after setting the "Reduce or Enlarge" to 75% with the desired results, but your results may vary. (Note: This is why the "Text Font Size" field specified above was set to "Larger".) Now you should be all set to go straight to the printer.

For those having problems getting each tape label to print on its own page, see Step #7 above.

You are visitor number to the Brucelegs Tape Labels page since May 31, 1998!

Mail any corrections, suggestions and/or comments to rpb@richbreton.mv.com.

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