Ampache

Ampache

For the Love of Music
Original author(s)	Karl Vollmer
Initial release	Apr 29, 2001
Stable release	6.2.1 / Jan 9, 2024
Preview release	develop
Repository	github.com/ampache/ampache/
Written in	PHP
Operating system	[OS Independent]
Platform	Web platform
Type	streaming media / file manager
License	AGPLv3
Website	ampache.org

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Ampache is a free software web-based audio file manager and media server. ^[1]The name is a blend of the words "amplifier" and "Apache". Originally written to take advantage of Apache's mod_mp3 module, it has since been adapted to use its own streaming method.^[2] Ampache's Mascot is a squirrel called Fraz, originally drawn by Kirsten Petersen, later digitized by Ben Shields, and redesigned by Agnès Champavier in 2008.^[3]

Ampache was released in 2001. Its original author, Scott Kveton went on to create the OSUOSL at Oregon State University and passed the developmental lead to Karl Vollmer who was responsible for it from early 2003 to early 2011. Since then, lead development of Ampache has changed hands several times. To date, Ampache has support from over 100 different contributors.^[4]

Ampache's goal is to allow access to one's music from anywhere in the world. It is written specifically for private and small group implementations, but does allow an admin to enable public registration. Ampache's primary objective is to maintain a simple, secure and fast web front end that will run on almost any hardware and any platform that supports PHP. It is also written to accommodate large music collections.^{[citation needed]}

Ampache also provides an application programming interface (API) for extracting meta data in the form of XML documents. Ampache data can be accessed via the many methods supported in the API, originally created for use with Amarok2, but which can also be used to create other front-ends to Ampache. Access to the API is controlled by internal Access Control Lists; for performance reasons, all requests currently have a 5000 result limit. The following applications are known to have plug-ins that use Ampache's XML API:^{[citation needed]}

• Amarok (2.x)
• Coherence (UPNP A/V MediaServer)
• Rhythmbox Plugin
• Terratec Noxon iRadio
• Ampache Mobile (WebOS Client)
• AmpachPre (WebOS Client)
• AmpacheX (iPod Touch/iPhone Application)
• iAmpache (iPod Touch/iPhone application)
• Ampacheberry (Ampache client for the BlackBerry)
• Ampache HTML5 Player (Google Chrome App)

Since version 3.7.0, Ampache is compatible with Subsonic clients and Plex clients.

Ampache's features make it a powerful instructional and assistive technology for students with language-based learning differences. At the Chelsea School, a group of advanced technology students recognized Ampache's potential for providing important accommodations and modifications that serve their learning styles; they built and configured an Ampache server that was put to work to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom.^[5]

Ampache's video-streaming features have also been used to enhance teaching and learning at the Chelsea School. Rather than having students watch instructional videos as a group, the assigned material was streamed to their individual workstations. Independent viewing reduces distractions, and allows students to progress at their own pace, pausing to take notes or repeating segments for clarification.^[6]

Ampache has been featured in numerous online blogs and technical articles.^{[1][citation needed]} The O'Reilly book Spidering Hacks details security testing of online applications. Ampache was found to be immune to standard spidering hacks, and by focusing on security during its development, has continued to be.^{[citation needed]} The code philosophy listed on Ampache's wiki specifies security as one of the most important considerations during application development.^{[citation needed]}

• Official website