# Webamp

> recreation of Winamp in HTML5 and JavaScript

**Wikidata**: [Q114772319](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114772319)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/webamp

## Summary
Webamp is a free and open-source web application that recreates the Winamp media player experience using HTML5 and JavaScript. It allows users to run the classic audio player interface within a modern web browser and is compatible with Winamp 2.x skin files. The project is built primarily in TypeScript and is distributed under the MIT License.

## Key Facts
- **Definition:** A recreation of Winamp built as a web application using HTML5 and JavaScript.
- **License:** Distributed under the MIT License.
- **Repository:** Hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp`.
- **Platform:** Functions as a web application (client-side browser software).
- **Programming Languages:** Written in TypeScript and JavaScript (Q2005).
- **Compatibility:** Capable of reading and utilizing WinAmp 2.x Skin files.
- **Initial Release:** Version 0.0.1 was released on October 18, 2017.
- **Major Release:** Version 1.0.0 was published on April 14, 2018.
- **Website:** Accessible at `https://webamp.org`.

## FAQs
### Q: Is Webamp free to use?
A: Yes, Webamp is classified as free and open-source software released under the MIT License. The source code is publicly available for viewing and modification.

### Q: Does Webamp support classic Winamp skins?
A: Yes, the application supports the `WinAmp 2.x Skin` file format, allowing users to apply classic visual skins to the web-based player.

### Q: What technologies are used to build Webamp?
A: Webamp is constructed using HTML5 and JavaScript. The primary development language listed for the project is TypeScript, which compiles to JavaScript.

### Q: When was the first version of Webamp released?
A: According to release data, the first version (0.0.1) was made available on October 18, 2017.

## Why It Matters
Webamp serves as a significant project in the realm of digital preservation and web emulation, demonstrating the capability of modern web technologies to recreate complex legacy desktop applications faithfully. By utilizing HTML5 and JavaScript to rebuild the Winamp environment, it bridges the gap between vintage software aesthetics and modern browser-based accessibility. This allows a new generation of users to experience the interface of a defining piece of 1990s software without needing to install legacy executables or manage compatibility modes on modern operating systems.

Furthermore, the project highlights the maturity of the TypeScript and JavaScript ecosystems in handling audio processing and complex UI rendering. As an open-source initiative with a permissive MIT License, it provides a practical codebase for developers studying how to implement audio visualizations, skin parsing, and component-based architecture in a browser environment. The successful implementation of Winamp 2.x skin support ensures that a vast library of user-generated content from the early internet remains accessible and functional.

## Notable For
- **Authentic Recreation:** It is specifically noted as a recreation of Winamp, aiming for high fidelity to the original user experience.
- **Browser-Based:** It functions entirely as a web application, removing the need for desktop installation.
- **Skin Support:** Distinguished by its ability to parse and render the specific file format of WinAmp 2.x skins.
- **Open Source:** Fully open-source under the MIT License, encouraging community contribution and transparency.
- **Modern Tech Stack:** Utilizes TypeScript, a superset of JavaScript, distinguishing it from the C++ codebase of the original Winamp.

## Body
### Technical Overview
Webamp is an instance of a web application and free and open-source software (FOSS). It is designed to replicate the functionality and appearance of Winamp. The project is authored in TypeScript, a strict syntactical superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript. It also utilizes standard web technologies including HTML5.

The application is hosted on GitHub under the repository `captbaritone/webamp`. The official website for the project is `webamp.org`, which is presented in English.

### Features and Compatibility
A primary feature of Webamp is its ability to read the **WinAmp 2.x Skin** format. This allows the web player to load custom visual interfaces created for the Winamp 2.x series, maintaining the customization options that were a hallmark of the original software.

### Development and Release History
The development of Webamp is tracked through a series of version releases documented between 2017 and 2018. The project follows semantic versioning.

*   **Initial Phase (2017):** The project began with the release of version **0.0.1** on October 18, 2017.
*   **Rapid Iteration (Early 2018):** Development continued with frequent updates in February and March 2018, including versions **0.0.2** (Feb 11), **0.0.3** and **0.0.4** (both Feb 20), **0.0.5** (March 25), and **0.0.6** (March 29).
*   **Stable Release:** The first major stable release, version **1.0.0**, was published on April 14, 2018.
*   **Subsequent Updates:** Following the v1.0 release, updates continued with **1.1.0** (June 22), **1.1.1** (June 24), and **1.1.2** (June 28).

### Licensing and Rights
Despite being open-source, the copyright status of Webamp is listed as **copyrighted**. The code is explicitly licensed under the **MIT License**, a permissive license that allows software to be reused with very few restrictions. References for these facts are derived from the GitHub repository and Wikidata.

## References

1. [GitHub](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/blob/master/LICENSE.txt)
2. [GitHub](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp)
3. [Release 0.0.1. 2017](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/0.0.1)
4. [Release 0.0.2. 2018](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/0.0.2)
5. [Release 0.0.3. 2018](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/0.0.3)
6. [Release 0.0.4. 2018](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/0.0.4)
7. [Release 0.0.5. 2018](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/0.0.5)
8. [Release 0.0.6. 2018](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/0.0.6)
9. [Release 1.0.0. 2018](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/1.0.0)
10. [Release 1.1.0. 2018](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/1.1.0)
11. [Release 1.1.1. 2018](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/1.1.1)
12. [Release 1.1.2. 2018](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/1.1.2)
13. [Release 1.2.0. 2018](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/1.2.0)
14. [Release 1.3.0. 2019](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/1.3.0)
15. [Release 1.3.1. 2019](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/1.3.1)
16. [Release 1.4.0. 2019](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/1.4.0)
17. [Release 1.4.1. 2020](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/1.4.1)
18. [Release 1.4.2. 2020](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/1.4.2)
19. [Release 1.5.0. 2021](https://github.com/captbaritone/webamp/releases/tag/1.5.0)