The Context View

The power of Amarok is in the Context pane (in the centre of the default Amarok window), where you can install any of a range of display options to help you enjoy and explore your music. Most of this additional information is obtained from the Internet, so a suitable connection is important to get the most out of your Context pane.

Default layout

The default Context pane searches for the lyrics of the song you are playing. If it finds the lyrics, it displays this in the bottom half of the Context pane, the top banner of the Context pane containing the Album cover and track information for the current music. The lyrics is not always available, because they may not be stored in an appropriate resource on the Internet. In addition, the track information for the current track needs to be stored (tagged) correctly for the lyrics to be found. Common problems are an inappropriate numbering system of the tracks within the same album and the presentation of unusual text, for instance when the title of a track should contain characters with a circumflex, cedille or accent (ê,ç,à).

How to customise your Context pane

At the bottom of the context pane are three buttons. They allow you to display different types of information in the Context pane, different from the default lyrics. You can install individual favourites or remove them with a click on the wrench at the bottom right. You'll see those you have installed all lined up with an X - click that to remove. Click the green + to add more display options (see image below). Drag the labeled buttons to re-order what you have, and click the wrench again to try out your selections. This makes the context pane extremely flexible, maximising the possibility of a custom display that fits your preferences.