OK, so it may not be the most popular audio player any more, but I still rate Winamp above iTunes. Not just because of the way it combines immense functionality with streamlined performance, but also because its developers are a lot more generous in handing out Easter eggs. In fact, I would argue that the treasures I’ve dug up this time are better than my previous hauls in Photoshop and Windows XP.
If you’re into music with filthy, insane beats then there are two wonderful Winamp tricks that you’ll instantly fall in love with. Firstly, you can apply an effect that changes the transparency of the program’s interface in unison with the beat of the track you’re playing. Load the program with a classic skin applied, hold down Ctrl+Alt+Shift and type the letters ‘n u l l s o f t’ (you don’t need the spaces). After each ‘l’ you need to press Esc otherwise Winamp will recognise this as the Load shortcut key.
The second beat-related Easter egg is even better. Stretch the main player window until you can see the Beat visualisation, then hold down Ctrl+Alt+Shift and left-click in the centre of the small circle in the middle. Two llamas will now appear and they will nod their heads in time with the beat.
Interesting Facts reveals another cool llama trick. Click on ‘Options’ and choose ‘Preferences’. Highlight the ‘Input’ option under plug-ins. Now click on Nullsoft NSV Decoder and go to ‘About’. A little llama picture will appear and you can keep clicking this to change the effect.
However, by far my most favourite Winamp Easter egg has to be this one: As before, go to ‘Preferences’ and ‘Input’, only this time pick the Vorbis decoder. See the little fishy? Click him and he’ll start to spin. Now keep clicking as fast as you can. Faster. Faster. Let me know if you can beat my score of 631 RPM. OK, I’ll be back tomorrow with some more Easter eggs. If I can tear myself away from this fish, that is.
Continue with the Easter egg hunt here.
