Re: Fw: (idm) huge autechre MP3 archive folding

From James Skilton
Sent Fri, May 22nd 1998, 18:45

You wrote:

>  -kiya
> i am a copier.
>                                            we are not all copiers.      

Is that supposed to be some sort of answer to my email to you?
And why did you forward my private mail to the list? This is not the sort
of response to a polite query that I am accustomed to from my fellow net
people (not to mention idm-ers). I would not be asking you this in public
had you not responded in public 
(Yes I would like an answer please)

This is a public message though, and I would like to point out that my
timing in emailing Kiya was probably a little innoportune, coming as it did
some time _after_ the closure of his site. (I'm rather busy and was about 3
days behind onmy IDM mail at that point).

It seems that my concerns over keeping links quiet were borne out by
events. One large (non-idm) archive I know of is not actively linked
anywhere on the web and the URL is not published even on related lists,
much to the frustration of those who didn't read older announcements. Did
no-one stop to think about how quickly WARP got wind of what was going on?
The net is a public information exchange, and governmental and
non-governmental organisations have access to every list and every forum
and every archive going, so watch what you say chaps.

Anyway it's a pity that things went the way they did, from both the
perspective of a useful site being closed, to the slagging and ranting that
has ensued, particularly some of the personal comments directed at Greg and
WARP. I think behind it WARP are really defending the principle of
copyright. This follows from much of what CiM has already said, but if
unlicensed MP3 does not yet present a big threat to labels like WARP, you
can be sure it will one day. By nipping it in the bud they are helping
prevent greater difficulty in the future.

If anyone still believes that WARP is some large impersonal concern with
money 
it's only interest, then please re-think. Half a dozen or so people
operating in an old ballroom, where the managers, artists and visitors all
come and go on an informal basis, is more like it. I too don't doubt that
Autechre were actually consulted about the decision. Hell, it's a personal
operation on the part of Rob and Steve, which has grown into a modest-sized
success. Sean is married to Chantal, and the couple met at WARP, where she
worked and he was signed as an artist. When I was there a couple of years
ago, the teddy suits from the Aphex video/shows were there, just lying
around. The place was half empty, and I had to sit watching unreleased
Aphex and Ae videos for an hour because Chantal's train was late.
OK that was rambling a bit and before anyone says "what's this go to do
with..." just go back to where I started. WARP is like a family, not some
megabuck megacorp.

BAck to the busines at hand
Yes it's a shame for fans who "just want to hear" these difficult-to-find
tracks, and yes it is hard work tracking down this stuff, but if you are
really keen and really try, you will get them (and as many have pointed
out, with the wealth of on-line stores and sale/trade lists active at any
time, for anyone on the net it is considerably easier than for their
non-connected peers). And there's still nothing to stop you doing a tape
trade with another obliging listmember.

ah well, another chapter passes I suppose.

J
^


np: Kool FM Midlands (downstairs)
    Sean Deason - Razorback (here)

Steady J  aka  James Skilton               xxxxxx-x@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Autechre & SKAM discogs @  http://subnet.virtual-pc.com/~sk393820
"I don' have any idea 'bout what's going on..."