LilyPond problems with Windows

[Mark Dewey]

Hello,

I'm having trouble with all LilyPond versions I've tried except for version 
2.4.6 for Cygwin, which works fine.

Anyway, version 2.6.0 for Cygwin seems to install fine, but when I go to 
compile an ly file, I get the following error every time:

GNU LilyPond 2.6.0
warning: can't find file: 'mySong.ly'
error: failed files: "mySong.ly'

Yes, I'm sure the file is in the correct directory.

Now, for the regular Windows version 2.6, and the beta releases I've tried 
(with the regular Windows version), I get partial functionality.  For 
instance, it won't create midi files.  There may be some other files it 
doesn't make, but I usually only use PDF and midi anyway; it makes ps files, 
but they are corrupt for some reason.  Also, when I put lyrics in the song 
with special characters, such as ð, ß, í, é, or pretty much anything that's 
not typable without pressing alt + the number for the character, then these 
characters do not show up at all (they do in 2.4.6 for Cygwin, 
however)--these are not unicode characters, but extended ASCII, commonly 
used in txt files, when dealing with anything that's not English that still 
doesn't require unicode; anyway, I figure the problem has something to do 
with the way LilyPond was designed for Linux or something.

While I'm at it, where do I go to request new features?  I've been wanting 
piano introduction marks for some time now (they look like little brackets 
of sorts, used with hymns and such)
Also, I was wondering if there was a way to put a single rest on the staff, 
in the vertical middle, to represent a rest for both/all parts on the staff 
(right now, I have to have a rest for every part).  Also, I was wondering if 
it is possible to lessen the space between verses of lyrics, as I would 
prefer it to be minimal.  Also, I was wondering if one can add extra verses 
that are on the paper, but not up with the music (although I do enjoy the 
ability to have loads of verses in the music, quite frankly).  Also, I was 
wondering if there is a way to add a word to indicate the mood of the song 
in the upper left hand corner (such as Boldly, or Earnestly--in Italics).  
Also, I was wondering if there is a convenient way to visually add the tempo 
markings at the top of the music (i.e. have a quarter note followed by and 
equals sign, followed by a range of numbers, such as 69-84).  Also, is it 
possible to put slurs under the note brackets instead of over them?  Also, 
is it possible to transpose music written in a certain key to a certain 
other key without re-writing all the notes in the ly file?  Hmm, it would 
also be nice to be able to put the information about who wrote the song at 
the bottom of the song, and to be able to write notes (and to make it so the 
composer isn't necessarily capitalized)

Most of the above concerns relate to choral music, and making things more 
convenient for it.  It would be nice if there was a special section devoted 
to explaining how to do things like this, in detail, if/when there is 
already a way.

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! 
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/