#945088 - 06/27/00 05:52 PM
Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anderton
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Hey everybody,
I'm going to be delivering a short talk at the Nashville NAMM show about where the internet is heading for musicians. I would really like your opinions about what's important to you about the web (e-commerce? e-learning? news? downloads? something that doesn't exist yet?), what you'd like to see on the web, how you feel about streaming audio/video...that sort of thing. This presentation will be given to some pretty influential people, so SPEAK NOW and what you want to see just might come to pass!!!! Thank you very much.
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#945089 - 06/27/00 06:24 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Uh Clem
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I like the notion of remote collaboration like where RocketNet is heading. Of course I want more - faster, better quality, transparent to my studio applications and hardware.
I also would like to see some progress on distribution and progress on getting artists matched with audiences with less control by major production companies as Courtney Love and others suggest. Not sure that is what your audience will want to hear, though.
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#945090 - 06/27/00 06:56 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anonymous
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I want (in no particular order):
1. faster, cheaper connections (DSL _with_ basic phone service for under $40 per month would be nice)
2. higher quality streaming audio and video (which goes with number 1)
3. A way for artists to control the distribution of their work and get paid for it if that's what they want
4. Better online support from companies: more online manuals, FAQs, hints, patches, demos, etc., etc.
Jonathan
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#945091 - 06/27/00 07:04 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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staupep@hotmail.com_dup1
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Craig,
Are these only record industry folks or are internet folks also included?
Thanks
Eric
[This message has been edited by staupep@hotmail.com (edited 06-27-2000).]
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#945092 - 06/27/00 07:45 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anderton
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Originally posted by staupep@hotmail.com:
Are these only record industry folks or are internet folks also included?
Sorry, I didn't make this clear...it's mostly for musical instrument/software manufacturers who are trying to make sense of what they should be delivering on the net to their customers.
Your opinions are already helpful, please keep them coming!
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#945093 - 06/27/00 10:18 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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lwilliam
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Real-time on-line tech support!
Many of us don't have time to wait on hold for 20-30 minutes, but having a quick way - even a chat area - for tech support questions, might reduce the phone line charges (for both parties) and speed up customer service requests for things such as challenge/response codes, a particular usage question, etc.
Most of the time when you send to techsupport@company.com, it takes a day or so for them to get back to you. Speeding that process up would certainly help.
With real-time support, a tech person could actually be addressing other people's questions while someone re-boots, or installs a patch, etc.
I believe Sweetwater advertised something like this in a recent flyer, but I haven't followed up on it.
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Larry W.
_________________________
Larry W.
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#945094 - 06/27/00 10:54 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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alphajerk
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...it's mostly for musical instrument/software manufacturers who are trying to make sense of what they should be delivering on the net to their customers.
i want factory direct ordering at wholesale prices. retail outlets provide me with nothing but a headache. i think the middlemen of the world need to find another profession.
also better online tech support, its easier to search for a problem online than dialing for an hour to get through the busy signal, then wait on hold for the next tech support person. also keep up to date with patches and latest drivers. ALL(including old equipment) manuals should be online in case i cant find mine. i think downloads of free sounds for synth manufacturers is necessary for the ungodly amount you have to spend for them.
_________________________
alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson
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#945095 - 06/28/00 12:53 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anonymous
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Support, support, and more support. That's what I want (and fortunately often get) from manufacturers. Manuals on the web is a definite desire. User communities as well... the smart companies realize that the serious users are ready to communicate and let them know where they REALLY need to go with their products. Streaming video is nice, but still too low-res to be of very much use... and pretty useless if you don't have DSL/cablemodem.
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#945096 - 06/28/00 03:09 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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alphajerk
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i want factory direct sales with wholesale pricing because retail serves me no purpose.
i want better tech support sections so i dont have to keep dialing for an hour because the line is busy.
_________________________
alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson
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#945097 - 06/28/00 11:48 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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staupep@hotmail.com_dup1
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Being able to collaborate on a recording project without leaving my home would be the apogee for me. So that means high speed connections and lossless compression.
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#945098 - 06/28/00 12:37 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anonymous
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Originally posted by Anderton:
Hey everybody,
what's important to you about the web (e-commerce? e-learning? news? downloads? something that doesn't exist yet?), what you'd like to see on the web, how you feel about streaming audio/video...that sort of thing.
What's most important to me is what makes me musical life easier and more meaningful. For distributors and manufacturers I guess that means putting things on their web sites. Archive of Owner's Manuals, tips and tricks on how to use their stuff (manuals are usually not good enough), programs/patches, on-line forum for the users, product demos in MP3 format, video clips (when the band width gets here/there) and trade show coverage.
E-learning is such a mis-used word that it's hard to put a real meaning to the it(I work with it every day and I know) but some kind of e-learning would be nice. Not only product specific but general topics as well. Lexicon could teach how to place your tracks/instruments in your recorded audio space and Warmoth and Stewart-MacDonalds could have a joint course on guitar building/assembly.
Fender could have video clips of master classes with their Signature Series Artists. Gibson can do a video Tour of their Custom Shop. Yamaha/Roland could have a article on differences in artist's living and working conditions between Japan and the western world. Topics are many and I'm sure my suggestions are boring compared to some ideas sure to pop up in the near future. Maybe even on this list.
It doesn't stop there however. So many companies have web sites that are really hard to navigate. Some because the graphics are so overbearing that you really can't see what's going on. Some use a combination of technologies that prevents me from seeing all of it and some are just plain stupid in the way they deparementalize stuff and link in non logical ways.
So many manufacturers have problems with their product user interfaces. It is very clear that some of them has transferred those problems to the web. In short: It doesn't matter what goodies they put on their sites if they don't make their sites attractive, easy to navigate to find the expected high-quality, high value content.
Just my two cents.
Go get them Craig!
Mats Nermark
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#945099 - 06/28/00 05:26 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anderton
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>>Fender could have video clips of master classes with their Signature Series Artists. Gibson can do a video Tour of their Custom Shop. Yamaha/Roland could have a article on differences in artist's living and working conditions between Japan and the western world. Topics are many and I'm sure my suggestions are boring compared to some ideas sure to pop up in the near future. Maybe even on this list.<<
The biggest problem with these excellent suggestions is that manufacturers really aren't in the business of delivering content; they are in the business of making instruments, and the market is very competitive. Would people be willing to pay more per instrument to get more of this kind of support? I think not, overall.
However, this is where I see MusicPlayer.com as being in a good position to provide this type of content. The "How to Replace an EPROM" article is a good example of something we can do that takes some of the load off of manufacturers. We hope to do complete online seminars in the future. Speaking of which...I get the message loud and clear about online collaboration and tecn support. What do you think of online seminars? Not just a "talking head," but with links to reviews, patches if appropriate, independent user groups, background material...let me know.
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#945100 - 06/29/00 07:13 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anonymous
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Originally posted by Anderton:
>>The biggest problem with these excellent suggestions is that manufacturers really aren't in the business of delivering content; they are in the business of making instruments, and the market is very competitive. Would people be willing to pay more per instrument to get more of this kind of support? I think not, overall.
You're perfectly right! They are in the business of making instruments and the market is very competitive. They are however selling much more then instruments. They are selling dreams, hopes, ambitions, enthusiasm, vibe and tools to make people happy with their lives.
With this in mind it's very easy to see why some companies are doing better in business than others. The ones who are doing good not only have a good product but has also realized what I stated above. At a trade show I once had a conversation with an senior executive of a large and well known guitar manufacturer regarding their Custom Shop. I asked the man why a certain guitar from the Custom Shop cost twice as much retail as another Custom Shop model when the first one only cost half as much to produce. I got a thought provoking answer. "The Custom Shop doesn't sell guitars. They sell legends. We can charge more for legends." Seeing how they market these very expensive Custom Shop guitars (legends) and how the market has reacted to them (buying loads) I can only deduct that he was right.
Take then into consideration that we are entering into a new era of communication (of which MusicPlayer is a part) where we change our values and priorities regarding what we want and how we want it done. I (but one of many) shop where I get good service even if it does cost a bit more. Not very much more but I still shop there very much aware of the fact that I could get the product elsewhere at a cheaper price.
What do I value? The interaction! The personal interaction in the store or by phone as well as the interaction of a well designed web site. All of this adds value to the product. All of this makes me feel better about my purchase and gives me the ability to use my product more efficiently and thus get greater value out of the product itself.
This is why the manufacturers must start getting involved in non-traditional and in some ways non tangible content if they want to exist in the future.
One business sector of society that has always been critizised for their lack of humanity is the banking business. Today they are in the forefront of creating extra value for their customers using the web and other technologies. Not only to get customers but to retain them.
Many companies refuse to accept the fact that it will always cost them money to keep a customer. What the fail to realize is that it is som much more expensive to attract new customers. So to get an increased market share you first have to make sure you keep your old customers.
Is there a better way to keep a customer than continually providing her/him with the feeling that the instrument bought was the right instrument? By providing the customer with ways to improve her/his relationship with the product over time? By educating me not only about the product but about all surrounding aspects (to open my eye to new products I "need")? The company which does this to me can count on my turning to them first the next time I'm going shopping. The chance is that they will be the only place I visit before I walk home happy and confident with a new purchase.
Regarding your speech to the music industry people, I think this is not only food for thought but also food for their cach registers. I would happily tell them all this myself given the chance. Just fly my over there!
Get them again Craig!
Mats Nermark
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#945101 - 06/29/00 07:15 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anonymous
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Originally posted by Anderton:
>>What do you think of online seminars? Not just a "talking head," but with links to reviews, patches if appropriate, independent user groups, background material...let me know.
I like it!!
I would read them and participate.
Mats Nermark
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#945102 - 06/30/00 04:37 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anderton
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I've noticed nobody has really mentioned "e-commerce" as something that appeals to them. Are y'all inclined to buy stuff online? If so, why? If not, why not?
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#945103 - 06/30/00 05:27 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Uh Clem
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I buy online any chance I get. why: no traffic or wasted time at GC or Mars when they may not even stock what I need.
Having software products that can be downloaded instantly would probably boost sales too - when I think I need a plug-in or a whatever, I'd often like to be able to get it without having to chase all over the country for someone to special order it or worry about getting sent an old or wrong platform version. Some do this already and it is great. Not really a related topic, but those damn hardware keys (dongles) have got to go too.
I also am more likely to purchase products from companies with good web sites with plenty of information on their products. I think that point may have been made earlier by someone else.
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#945104 - 07/01/00 02:01 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anonymous
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What I buy online depends to large degree on what I can buy local and where. I have a couple of local stores I like to deal with (great personal interaction), but they don't carry everything. And even with them, if I find something seriously cheaper on the web and they can't or won't at least approach it (not often) I'll buy off the net. It works out that I mainly buy software, sound disks and blowouts off the net.
This, of course, does not include Ebay (g)... all bets are off there.
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#945105 - 07/01/00 05:37 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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alphajerk
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I've noticed nobody has really mentioned "e-commerce" as something that appeals to them. Are y'all inclined to buy stuff online? If so, why? If not, why not?
read my previous post: I WANT DIRECT SALES AT WHOLESALE PRICES, no more middle man.
of course i live in the middle of nowhere and the one store here rapes you. so i gotta mailorder regardless. but im tired of paying a commission to a store that doesnt help me, half the time im getting drop shipped direct from the manufacturer anyways. so i know they can ship door to door.
_________________________
alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson
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#945106 - 07/09/00 07:32 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anderton
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One more question about web involvement...
With regards to manufacturer's sites, how interested are you in the "community" aspect, such as forums, chats, etc.? Would this be a viable means of tech support? Would "community" options be suspect because it would be assumed manufacturers would edit out messages from unhappy customers? Thoughts, please, then I'll leave you alone for a while!
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#945107 - 07/09/00 05:54 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Uh Clem
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Originally posted by Anderton:
One more question about web involvement...
With regards to manufacturer's sites, how interested are you in the "community" aspect, such as forums, chats, etc.? Would this be a viable means of tech support? Would "community" options be suspect because it would be assumed manufacturers would edit out messages from unhappy customers? Thoughts, please, then I'll leave you alone for a while!
TASCAM has a BBS similar to this that has been very useful.
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#945108 - 07/10/00 02:36 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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dave.aston@beer.com
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I definately would like to see more online collaboration forums. The whole concept of adding your vocals / guitar tracks to something that someone has created 100s or 1000s of miles away completely blow my mind !!!
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#945109 - 07/10/00 06:50 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anonymous
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Originally posted by Anderton:
One more question about web involvement...
With regards to manufacturer's sites, how interested are you in the "community" aspect, such as forums, chats, etc.? Would this be a viable means of tech support? Would "community" options be suspect because it would be assumed manufacturers would edit out messages from unhappy customers? Thoughts, please, then I'll leave you alone for a while!
I've seen that some "big name" manufacturers remove critical posts at their forums. The posts I've seen removed has for the major part not been critical of the products sold but rather towards the ethics of the companies involved. This is in my view scarier than if they just didn't want people to read about product problems. A truly open forum, however, would be great.
A forum would be a viable *part* of tech support. There should still be well manned phone support and web support in forms of FAQ's and e-mail address for specific questions.
Best regards,
Mats Nermark
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#945110 - 07/10/00 06:52 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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lwilliam
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Both Steinberg and Digidesign have pretty active forums. Digi's is especially active (11,000 registered users of the forum). Unless the forum's rules (personal attacks, vulgarity, etc.) are broken, I've seen that both companies tend to leave posts up even if they are not particularly complementary to their products. Both companies even leave the "this %#&* thing crashed again" type posts alone.
I know I rarely have to call tech support for help with a product. I first look for a manufacturer's forum. If they don't have one, then I email their customer support and then check with a mailing list that might be relevant. I also use deja.com a lot.
I don't know if the Yamaha's, Rolands and Kurzweils of the world have such forums, but I bet they could reduce their customer support calls by having one.
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Larry W.
_________________________
Larry W.
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#945111 - 07/12/00 10:42 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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mam@forum.dk
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Take this fantastic site. I really love it. I'm a self made musician, and here - I can get the knowlegde to be as good as I want to be.. I can meet like-minded people, I can select what I want and don't want. As for the future... just multiply this site by the X-factor. I'm very exited.
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#945112 - 07/12/00 10:50 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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mam@forum.dk
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oh... and by the way I have to say: The fact, that I can sit here in my appartment in Copenhagen, Denmark... getting advice from some of the big experts on music... just send chills down my spine...
Also, about e-commerce. I need faces on the people that I shop with. I need a face to tell me - that the product I'm bying for several $ and sent to Denmark, is right and ready to use. Call me old-fashioned (though I'm not in most cases) - but I look forward to on-screen-video sales is a common thing.
Michael.
P.S. Sorry if my english is bad, but I'ts hard to explain such things in a different language.. hope you get it right!
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#945113 - 07/14/00 05:29 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anderton
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>>As for the future... just multiply this site by the X-factor. I'm very excited.<<
We hope to be doing some multiplying for this site pretty soon. We have had technical problems that have stalled the content part of the site somewhat, but once those bugs are worked out, we'll have some cool new things for you.
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#945114 - 07/14/00 05:34 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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Anderton
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>>oh... and by the way I have to say: The fact, that I can sit here in my apartment in Copenhagen, Denmark... getting advice from some of the big experts on music... just send chills down my spine...<<
I feel very much the same way. We are developing this very interesting community here, and one thing I really appreciate is the participation of people outside the US. Mats from Sweden, Dr. Walker from Germany, and others help broaden the perspective. It's a cliche about being wired into a global village, but Marshall McLuhan sure got that prediction right back in the 60s. As time goes on, his words become more and more prophetic. It is really quite exciting that we can all participate in a discussion even though we live thousands of miles away.
And don't worry about your English, it's more than good enough to get your points across. We do NOT assign grades for grammar or spelling here, all we care about is ideas.
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#945115 - 07/14/00 06:38 AM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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alphajerk
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And don't worry about your English, it's more than good enough to get your points across. We do NOT assign grades for grammar or spelling here, all we care about is ideas.
see, isnt that what learning is about??? all that BS i put up with in school only gave me maybe 1% of my overall knowledge. grades... i dont miss that.
_________________________
alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson
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#945116 - 07/19/00 11:23 PM
Re: Opinions needed PLEASE: What do you want from the net?
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mam@forum.dk
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I'm glad you liked what I wrote Craig. And by the way - the only reason I found this place - was because you mailed me a link. You were here in Copenhagen - making demo on a mixingdesk. And you gave your e-mail adress. Cool.
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Michael Adler Miltersen
Copenhagen, Denmark
http://sepia.hjem.wanadoo.dk
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