My silence in the last week has not been a neglectful disappearance. I've been hard at work with the help of one of my Admins, Beta2k as well as utilizing the insights and coordination's of Tracy for the implementation of the Boycott RIAA Internet Relay Chat Network using the Synchronet IRCd (Internet Relay Chat Daemon) Software.

This innovative new chat network will be a much welcomed relief due to the extremely hated and therefore unused current implementation for chat that our website currently has implemented. For those of you who are not familiar with IRC, it will give the user (you guys) more power and ability to do as you wish. You will be able to create and control your own chat rooms (music or non-music related), secure transfer of files between users (either through fservs or person to person -- and yes, the distribution of authorized independent music won't simply be allowed -- but ENCOURAGED!), secured private chat between users and much more!

As much as we appreciate comments on the articles and posts in the forums (once we have new forums), real time chat logically offers more efficiency for exchanging ideas and getting things accomplished.

IRC also allows you a wide variety of choices as to HOW the chat rooms are accessed, directly depending on what YOU feel is preferable.

- Telnet and SSH textual availability is great for high speed chatting and saving system resources such as RAM and CPU
- The PJirc Web Interface is simple and easy to use for those who would prefer to chat using their favorite browser
- Client Software (such as MiRC for example) is a program you install to your PC in which the settings, preferences, look and feel of the environment are entirely up to you

The ability for other sites and servers to join this network not only spreads the word for Boycott RIAA but also allows for no one server to bare the bandwidth burden when alot of users decide to pop on.

Before we can go live, a few things must be accomplished. I shall explain in as simple of terms as possible what needs to be done and what has been done:

There are currently two hubs (and thats all that is needed for now):

- Cerberus BBS (Services and Leaf Server Hub) +o Beta2k
- Malkavia BBS (Leaf Server Hub) +o Time Warrior (me)

A leaf server is a server that joins the chat network. Services are what give IRCops (Internet Relay Chat Operators) their ability to Administer and Control the Network as well as gives users the ability to register their nick / alias and register as well as control their chat room environments.

Real Life Endeavors have made this process longer than it might normally be -- however alot of progress is being made and should not take too much longer. So far, the two hubs have been linked. The services are in the process of being implemented (like anything both powerful and reliable -- the setups can sometimes decide to give you alittle bit of hell and offer some annoying roadblocks -- but these are of no consequence as they are easily but aggravatingly rectified) and then the last step will be to test leaf server connectivity. Once done, the Network will go live for our users and you all can begin to have your fun :-)

We are also working on means to generate revenue for Boycott RIAA so that programmers can be hired by leflaw to speed up these processes and I've also been coordinating with Winnie Jow on what will hopefully be a "real life musical event" in Chicago, IL if our efforts are successful.

Somewhat odd off topic, sorry...

TO RAIDHHI:

My appologies for the ban lasting longer than two days, it was NOT intensional. Leflaw *forgot* and I asked about it and apparently there isn't even a web cp for banning -- must be done directly via mysql. Similar to the new BRIAA website -- DMusic is also undergoing a massive redesign -- and right now the current BRIAA site is controlled by the DMusic engine. Jack is working on getting you unbanned asap.

My warnings i mentioned about future bannings still apply, but i'm not some cruel and uncaring fuck. So i wanted you to know that the longated ban was a result of a technical flaw and those in charge (above me) being forgetful. Although it was partly my fault to assume people wouldn't forget. I should have inquired sooner and I appologize for that. So I just wanted you to know the extened period was NOT intensional and my appologies for the inconvenience.

http://www.woot.com/Blog/Archive.aspx?StartDate=1/10/2007
check what the woot is saying about the RIAA
Funny stuff

UPDATE FOR ALL USERS AND ADMINS OF BOTH DMUSIC & BRIAA:

With the MixerJax install of Joomla being a pain in the arse -- and DMusic compadibility needing to be maintained while simultaneously accomplishing a complete SPLIT between the two -- my rescent corospondance with Jack [DMusic Tech] has bore some very interesting fruits.

With DMusic under re-design as well -- Jack and I will be merging our efforts and creating a "carbon copy clone" of DMusic on an unpublished (until further notice) url where him and I can begin the proccess of taking that clone and making it alot less like DMusic and alot more like BRIAA.

So account sharing between DMusic and BRIAA will remain so no imports / exports / re-creating accounts will be nessesary -- just as is the case now -- but otherwise there will be a complete seperation. BRIAA will have its own DB that is independent of the DMusic engine.

This means we can improve what you are ALREADY USED TO -- which has been a concern of BRIAA users. Change is good, but the users still want to have the level of familiarity that are used to with the current site. This is now possible.

The web links DB from Joomla will be backed up as to not make mine and Shmoo's efforts of adding links to have been a waste of time. They will be imported into some sort of web links interface Jack will create at a later unknown time.

This cloning also allows for a "Guinea Pig Testing Environment" for an idea leflaw and I discussed extremely breifly before but otherwise there were no defined plans for its implimentation -- until now.

To help other music sites generate money as well as to increase DMusic's income -- it was proposed for a portal system (similar but different of a concept to cafe press) where leflaw would set down a bare minimum acceptable service and monetary requirements upon which the portal vender would add onto.

Exactly what this will entail and how it will be done or when -- is currently unknown. Jack, leflaw and I will need to discuss this at length in the near future. So there are no promises, only plans we're trying to carry out.

We will be adding some sort of anti-spam measure for PHPbb for the forums as well, seeing as that is currently a problem. I would also like to somehow have Jack figure out how the PHPbb posting interface can be used to also post comment replies to BRIAA articles so that we might make use of any preview and spell checker functions -- as has also been a much needed BRIAA feature on everyones wishlist.

Twarrior, please do the "time-warp" trick on the Odds & Ends thread for us and put it back near the top of the page. (I have been stuck at the dayjob all week and am unable to do any admin functions from this computer.)

Hey, I finally got on a 'puter that allows me to log into the DMusic admin section and I did the "time-warp" trick on Odds & Ends...

...but, due to the "tangle", It put the thing on the top of DMusic's news page too. (Since there is an image tied to it, I assume Tracy wanted to have our latest version of "Odds & Ends" at Dmusic for some reason.) Same as I am unable to post to the DMusic news directly, I am unable to completely wrestle an article back once a DMusic admin claims it for their news section.

Get with Jack and see what needs to be done to fix this kinda thing.

We NEED a way to have an article or two here at the top of the Boycott Riaa page that doesn't affect or is effected by DMusic's stuff.

Twarrior, whatever abitious things you and Jack and the Dmusic techs work out with all the planned web 2.0 "bells and whistles" are fine by me.

But just please remember to keep our current Boycott-Riaa thing in place as the front page and/or portal to all things else from the visitor/user perspective.

That way, EVERYBODY wins.

Shmoo -- new articles and topics need to be posted as things change and the old must fade into the archive. That way, everyone wins. As opposed to having to wade through the initial article and 943304 comments below it to scroll down for ten years to find the newest announce. lol

Speaking of which... more updates...

After efficent usage of sledge hammers, blow tortches, some granades and a few sticks of C4 -- chat services are now fully functional! Only ONE STEP REMAINS before the chat goes LIVE! Leaf Server testing! We're ALMOST READY to be RID OF the pre-existing crappy chat and move on to better environments! More improvements to come! Stay tuned!

PS - thanks for all the help, Jack! It's gonna be great working with ya! (note to everyone else: beta2k is helping with the chat -- Jack will be helping with the DMusic / BRIAA splitoff -- just so no ones confused)

Go forth and kick ass!

I hate to be construed as a naysayer (but then again, I am a pessimist, nicht wahr?) -- did someone first check sometime back that chat services will likely be used enough to justify the efforts you people had to undergo?

pesssimist,

God Ding Dag Darnit

...We already kno that YOU (yes YOU) ARE "one of us" already.

get in GEAR

Hello all, been busy installing and getting to know Linux....slightly different......

I thought that this site WAS the chat room for D Music. : )

Uh...

Only sorta pmmusic.

Dmusic is an indie music site on it's own.

Boycott Riaa might be hosted (and, technically owned) by DMusic

...but we are "something else" entirely.

"pessimist,
get in GEAR."


There's a time to gather.
There's a time to scatter.

There's a time to be in gear.
There's a time to be in neutral.
There's a time to be in reverse.

(Reverse is a gear, too, y'know.)

However, I'll make a valiant attempt to remain in forward gear -- though reserving the cautious option of being in 1st gear, for the most part.

"I hate to be construed as a naysayer (but then again, I am a pessimist, nicht wahr?) -- did someone first check sometime back that chat services will likely be used enough to justify the efforts you people had to undergo?"

Yep, past attempts failed, and I know why they failed and how to keep that from repeting.

The "Dead Room Factor" was not concidered.

You see -- in a chat environment -- you will have tons of people logon and look around -- but when the /list looks something like this:

(3) #boycottriaa
(2) #dmusic
(1) lobby

This is a most UNIMPRESSIVE list and people come to the conclusion that the rooms are not in the proccess of growing, that they are instead neglected, abandoned and otherwise DEAD.

They need to see something that looks more like this:

(15) #boycottriaa
(12) #dmusic
(35) lobby

Which is why the Boycott RIAA IRC *NETWORK* will be exactly *that*

1 server = failer
network = success

If you have 15 servers joined and even an average of 3 users per server, thats 45 people logged on and it encourages growth of the rooms

If you only want ONE server then you either 1) better not care if the rooms live or die 2) join someone elses network

Otherwise, your gonna be really sorry ya went through the trouble of the attempt.

"Go forth and kick ass!"

It's a slow proccess -- but once BRIAA has the means to generate revenue and when it is in fact being generated -- i promise to be up leflaws arse about hiring some BRIAA coders

It's just right now -- no coders = he cant be up my butt about it. no money = i can't be up his, either.

When we reach the greed as opposed to the red, you'll see some major ass starting to be hauled. But in the mean time -- we're doing our absolute best to reach that point. All this is going to take awhile -- but is is being done.

From what i've been told, before I was asked to fill this role -- people talked about getting things done, people tried to get things done, but nothing really got done.

My progress is slow because the tools and resources i have available determine the speed of things -- but at least things are getting done and i assure all of you -- this place is going to get whipped into shape if i have to use real whips to do it!

"It's just right now -- no coders = he cant be up my butt about it. no money = i can't be up his, either."

he = leflaw

"When we reach the greed as opposed to the red"

GREEN.

Even a spell checker can't save us from such typos. lol

And when ya type 60wpm and dont have to look at the keyboard -- every key may as well exist in the exact same point in the space-time continuum. lol ... the most funny of these speed-typos of course are the accidental inuendo.

"sec" "sex"

etc..

lol

"Hello all, been busy installing and getting to know Linux....slightly different......

I thought that this site WAS the chat room for D Music. : )"

Hey cool. You should check out a site i'm putting together: http://windowsforlinux.net

It's purpose is for helping Windows Users to migrate to Linux.

FYI: For those of you who remember the letter I wrote to Wierd Al -- i've gotten back NOTHING. At this point I doubt Wierd Al ever even received it. The RIAA Cronies that read his mail for him likely hit the DEL key faster than you can say "we don't want him to read this!"

Thanks T , got a "Could not find server" error at that link... still finding Linux ... interesting : )

Hey Twarrior,

Why wasn't the article I got from maine ever posted? Are you guys only accepting articles that show the riaa losing now or did you think the article was fake or what?

If it was avoided because I submitted it, I respectfully ask that you not dismiss articles based on who submitted them, but rather on the content of the article itself.

On another note, You seem to want people on irc... You have considered the bandwidth your server will chew once the service actually goes live yes?

And what will you do about security? Does your irc server mask the users IP address, or will a /whois still provide it?

Are you going to warn users of the risk of running mIRC (not MiRC) with default settings, or let them learn the hardway?

Theres alot to be considered when one brings an irc server online... Security, bandwidth, resistance to DoS attacks, etc... This shouldn't be done lightly.

What's up with the future dates people?

http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/81636

A leaked letter (pdf via Slashdot) notes how the RIAA is trying to get ISPs to put pressure on illegal file downloaders, in a new plan that would let ISPs offer 'guilty' p2p users a $1,000 settlement option -- provided an ISP holds on to 180 days worth of records for the RIAA. It looks like this is simply an RIAA effort to keep the process out of the courts, and grab some extra easy cash in the process. Later this month a website will be set up (www.p2plawsuits.com) where ISPs can direct targeted users to automate their settlement process with the RIAA, without all the muss and fuss of a trial.

As it stands, the RIAA either sues an accused file trader, or has the ISP send them a DMCA warning letter -- after which we've never seen any follow-up action taken (see one of hundreds of such examples from our forums). Scared (and usually very young) users frequently visit our forums asking what they should do...apparently the RIAA is eager to create a system that lets those users shell out $1000 to make ammends -- without the RIAA having to do much legal footwork, or spend much on prosecution.

Techdirt seems to be one of the only websites that remembers the RIAA's previous efforts to get around the subpoena process and the law -- an effort that resulted in an RIAA legal loss against Verizon.

DeadMan2003 —
That story deserves nearly top-of-the-page treatment on our sites here.

The broadband link site above has it wrong as far as~~~"in a new plan that would let ISPs offer 'guilty' p2p users a $1,000 settlement option"~~

The riaa is offering a $1000.00 REDUCTION..as if this is a great incentive to settle up with them....idiots!

RaidHHI is an RIAA agent ignore him.

US Citizen! Your country need You!

Please joint the operation "Phone-storm" in progress right now against the settlement center:

Please call them and let them know what you think of their jobs.

Ph913)234-8181 fax913) 234-81812 Open Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm.

pepe512000
Date: February 14, 2007 @ 1:08 PM
.....

The riaa is offering a $1000.00 REDUCTION..as if this is a great incentive to settle up with them....idiots!

Maybe we'll start seeing TV ads a la walmart style with an Evil Happy Face (RIAA) running around dropping prices on instant settlements.

$1000 off...get in on it now!!

"I assure all of you -- this place is going to get whipped into shape if i have to use real whips to do it! "

The most recent posts at the thread titled Odds & Ends
shape my perspective about proposed changes.

Shmoo: "Pessimist, get in GEAR."

pessimist: "Reverse is a gear, too, you know."

(Okay, I'll make a valiant attempt to remain in forward gear -- though reserving the cautious option of plodding along in 1st gear, for the most part.)


And as long as most of the cats around here can't be herded anyway, my maverick tendency would seem to be about par for the course.

Straight and to the point:
We don't need live chat.
We don't want things that may cause problems.
Don't bring in new features that aren't necessary
or that stand less than an optimum chance
of being put to worthwhile use.
Don't change the site appreciably.

I think that about sums it up for most of us.

pessimist, although these days I am "out of the loop" most of the time, (and am only able to functionally serve part-time as a "moderator/article submitter" instead of the actual admin as used-to-be)

...the signs I am reading behind the scenes make me think your (and everybody's) points about all this are being taken under serious consideration.

leflaw, Tracy, Twarrior, and Dmusic techs had all been trying to get in touch with me about something while I was away this past week. I am betting it has a lot to do with "site direction" issues.

Normally, I only communicate with the "higher ups" via quickie DNotes/e-mail and/or in the open here in front of you all at Boycott Riaa.

When they want me on the phone, that always tells me "something's up" or "in the works"

Okay; thanks for the info.

lol

If I ever get in touch with them and find out what the "info" is, I will pass it along.

(Seems I always have the opposite "day's off" than the rest of the DMusic/Boycott Riaa crew.)

Okay.
I used "info" rather loosely in the sense of
your providing some background as to what goes on.

But it'll be interesting to see what news there may be from the rest of the admins.

Hey, who knows? They might all be gathering to figure out a way to say "thanks for all the fish"

...then, fire me.


lol

I hope not!


Say, Mike, I wonder what they were trying to contact you about.

--inquisitivegeezer

Don't know yet grumpy. I've been playing phone-tag with 'em the past couple of days. (Got called into work again and missed 'em Mon and Tues.)

I should be home most of today (Wed) but will be out of the loop again on Thursday thru Sunday.

Andrea keeps the cell phone when I am away and she rarely answers numbers she doesn't recognize. (We have very limited hours on the plan.) And, if I can't be reached on my home phone, best thing to do is give me a Dnote or e-mail.

Interesting article about DRM and HDTV

http://www.edn.com/article/CA6413792.html?partner=enews&nid=2019&rid=1503465

Hint:
It has NOTHING to do with the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, contrary to any conspiracy theorists.

regarding Protocols of the Learned Elders of Sion (Zion):

May have been originally conceived with expectation to be met with outrage and to be widely discredited as being anti-semitic, but the globalist agenda in part of the Protocols might still be followed.
Doesn't matter if you or anyone else ignores the entire Protocols as insignificant conspiracy, as long as it contains plans that could be implemented, it might still be serving a purpose for one-worlders.

By the way. The Elders of Zion. Just pretend they're powerless.

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20070126/i/r358880774.jpg

"Date: February 13, 2007 @ 7:38 AM
Thanks T , got a "Could not find server" error at that link... still finding Linux ... interesting : )"

Thats because it's a really bad idea to post when your tired as hell but sometimes I have to do so anyways. lol

http://linuxforwindows.net

Sorry. A bit of a dyslexic moment

"Why wasn't the article I got from maine ever posted? Are you guys only accepting articles that show the riaa losing now or did you think the article was fake or what?

If it was avoided because I submitted it, I respectfully ask that you not dismiss articles based on who submitted them, but rather on the content of the article itself."

Shmoo is the Articles Admin, not me. Apparently he has been more MIA lately than usual. Give me the title of the Article and i'll validate it immediately. I've been busy doing what i've been hired to do, as well as the rest of my other work, life and various other things. I wasn't aware that Shmoo had "gone missing" for so long. Next time this happens -- please Dnote me on DMusic. I check Dnotes regularly. This also goes for everyone else, too. If you've got a problem / question / suggestion / etc... please Dnote me. If you have a Boycott RIAA account, you also have a dmusic.com account (for those who didn't already know that).

My appologies for Shmoo's extended abscence. I'll attempt to track him down.

"On another note, You seem to want people on irc... You have considered the bandwidth your server will chew once the service actually goes live yes?"

Providing the success level of such a network gets to the point of eating that much -- yes. Which is why it's going to be a network. A round robin is also being worked on.

"And what will you do about security? Does your irc server mask the users IP address, or will a /whois still provide it?"

That question is better answered by Beta2k who is running the security for the Network. I can have him Dnote you, if you wish. Not sure if he has a Boycott RIAA / DMusic.com account but if he doesn't -- i'll have him create one asap.

"Are you going to warn users of the risk of running mIRC (not MiRC) with default settings, or let them learn the hardway?"

Yes, they will be warned. Modded clients and / or "something other than MiRC" are always the best options. I'm going to have a download list of as many programs as I can for as many OSes as possible.

So thank you for your critisism. You bring up alot of very valid points.

"Date: February 13, 2007 @ 5:53 PM
Theres alot to be considered when one brings an irc server online... Security, bandwidth, resistance to DoS attacks, etc... This shouldn't be done lightly."

Agreed. Which is why I'm not the security Admin for the Network. A friend / programmer / Admin who i've known for years and is much more knowledgable than I for such things is making sure all of these things are properly addressed.

"DeadMan2003 —
That story deserves nearly top-of-the-page treatment on our sites here."

Yeah, where the hell did Shmoo go. I gotta track down our Article Admin. He's been derilict in his duties. I'll read through all this again and get articles up that need to go up. It's Shmoo's job to make sure all this gets done so i'll try to find what hole he's been hiding in and drag him out of it.

"Date: February 14, 2007 @ 4:39 PM
RaidHHI is an RIAA agent ignore him."

MajorTreat -- despite his reputation and prior offences RAIDHHI has neither said nor done nothing wrong and has actually made some very valid points. My only issue with him prior was his lack of respect. He is as of now, being very respectful and I've found the concerns that he's addressed to be very helpful, informative and accurate. A difference of opinion doesn't make him a troll nor an RIAA Agent. In fact -- we welcome the RIAA's point of view. I actually wish they weren't such cowards and would send us some sort of a representative from their own news syndication department.

"leflaw, Tracy, Twarrior, and Dmusic techs had all been trying to get in touch with me about something while I was away this past week. I am betting it has a lot to do with "site direction" issues.

Normally, I only communicate with the "higher ups" via quickie DNotes/e-mail and/or in the open here in front of you all at Boycott Riaa.

When they want me on the phone, that always tells me "something's up" or "in the works"

"

You are quite correct. But you don't even read / answer Dnotes lately. I've even sent you one. It's STILL marked unread last i checked. So, I guess i need to hunt you down and drag you out of your cave. I tend to have to put alot of effort into it, but I can do it, and have before

"lol

If I ever get in touch with them and find out what the "info" is, I will pass it along.

(Seems I always have the opposite "day's off" than the rest of the DMusic/Boycott Riaa crew.)"

When it's time for that info to be passed along, Tracy, Leflaw and / or myself will be the ones to pass it along. Thats our jobs. Would be nice if maybe you'd do yours and validate articles people like RAIDHHI submit

"But it'll be interesting to see what news there may be from the rest of the admins."

Yep. Alot in the works. Thats why i've been somewhat quiet lately. Theres been alot to do. Alot of coordination going on. It's been alittle crazy, but I must admit -- its been fun too!

"Hey, who knows? They might all be gathering to figure out a way to say "thanks for all the fish"

...then, fire me.

lol"

You always fire yourself with 1-3 week dissapearances. Firing you ourselves would be somewhat redundant! lmao

"Don't know yet grumpy. I've been playing phone-tag with 'em the past couple of days. (Got called into work again and missed 'em Mon and Tues.)

I should be home most of today (Wed) but will be out of the loop again on Thursday thru Sunday.

Andrea keeps the cell phone when I am away and she rarely answers numbers she doesn't recognize. (We have very limited hours on the plan.) And, if I can't be reached on my home phone, best thing to do is give me a Dnote or e-mail."

A game of tag requires two or more players. lol ... i haven't gotten a single voice mail, return Dnote or any attempts at communication what so ever from you. lol ... so i'm not sure why you think it's a game of tag. More like I've been playing a game of "Where's Shmoo the Waldo" lol

W00T!

Burried in a Linux Tree MAZE of identical friggen twins -- I have FINALLY FOUND the TEMPLATE FILE for the MAIN PAGE of THIS SITE!

So as we continue with the naggingly slow proccess of exactly how the redesign should be done -- at the very LEAST -- i can correct / update / add / fix links on THIS SITE in the mean time -- which EVERYONE has wanted done for a small eternity now!

What follows is a sampling of opinions from another thread about the issue of revising this website. And I'd like to add my voice to the chorus of those who prefer to keep things mostly as they are.


kyodylee  
Date: February 16, 2007 @ 4:28 PM

I also agree with Raid and Dreddsnik that "He [Twarrior] should concentrate on the site itself, not additional services . . ."


grumpygeezer  
Date: February 16, 2007 @ 6:03 PM

I'm also in the camp with those who would just as soon keep what we have on BRIAA and merely add several things such as an edit feature.
As RAID and some others have pointed out, it's preferable to stay on the safe side (given the already noted circumstances).


kyodylee  
Date: February 16, 2007 @ 6:25 PM

Pepe said: "Chat means you have to actually sit at your computer for who knows how long ..."

Exactly. Which is one of the reasons chat isn't really for me. If I want to chat, DMusic's shoutbox serves a similar chat function.


pmmusic  

Date: February 17, 2007 @ 10:16 AM
I'm with grumpygeezer and pepe on the simple, safe alternative (in regard to site revision).


pessimist  
Date: February 18, 2007 @ 1:49 PM

Straight and to the point:
We don't need live chat.
We don't want things that may cause problems.
Don't bring in new features that aren't necessary
or that stand less than an optimum chance of being put to worthwhile use.
Don't change the site appreciably.

I think that about sums it up for most of us.

"What follows is a sampling of opinions from another thread about the issue of revising this website. And I'd like to add my voice to the chorus of those who prefer to keep things mostly as they are."

As I have already said -- I would love to just be able to build onto what is already here. Additions to the website, theres never anything wrong with. For those of you whom chat doesn't suit -- don't use it. For those of you who enjoy chat -- use it. So things such as that are really a moot point when no one is going to force anyone to use any features they do not wish to use.

As for changing what does exist -- as i've explained in the past (as has shmoo, leflaw, jack, and a variety of others) the current website can not be built onto because it is not running So-n-Such CMS v2.0 or something that is anywhere near easy or feasable to add onto.

Boycott RIAA has no money. DMusic runs Boycott RIAA. DMusic has *limited* funds and as for hiring coders to focus on Boycott RIAA -- DMusic's budget is zero dollars and zero cents.

Now I will make this proposition to you all:

Find me a *good* coder willing to work for the lucrative wage of $0 to help improve the existing interface and everyone can get their wish. But until or unless one of you with coding talent steps up to the plate and renders assistance -- or some good semaritan gives us actual money to hire a coder -- then i'm afraid we have to make due with what we can make due as for any sort of redesigns. Which means free and open source stuff.

So please -- I concur and agree with all of you in and of the fact that it would be far less problematic to add onto what we have so far *IF* it were possible. But pending either a good coder voulenteering to help or some generous donation of some sort or my winning the illinois state lottery -- it's not going to happen.

So i'd like to know what you all think we should do to either 1) aquire a coder willing to help or 2) generate the funds to pay one

I'll also quote what Leflaw told me when I asked him to hire a coder for Boycott RIAA:

"Show me the money"

I pass his request onto you all.

FYI -- if everyone donated one dollar for every complaint they've posted about wanting things to stay the way they are -- they would be able to stay the way they are. Food for thought.

People want a preview function. People want a spell checker. People want this. People want that. Well, we need either a coder willing to work for free or money to hire one, to give you people what you want. So either this magical help will appear -- or we'll switch over to whatever platforms cost $0 to switch over to.

*gets off of soap box*

One other thing -- if even 20 of you would subscribe to DMusic (that aren't currently subscribers) i'm sure Leflaw would grant my request for hiring a coder.

In that case, I suggest another choice (which I don't think you've offered): Keep the present site!
(i.e., don't make a new site, since you can't revise the one we've got).
The BRIAA site we have is okay enough, really.
At least, a number of us would think it preferable to not lose it.

You wrote: "FYI -- if everyone donated one dollar for every complaint they've posted about wanting things to stay the way they are -- they would be able to stay the way they are."

???
Why would you need money from the bunch of us who want to keep things as they are so that we can keep things as they are?
That sounds not only weird but superfluous to boot.
Speaking of superfluous, that's an apt adjective to apply to what some of us think you're doing: the unnecessary!

"In that case, I suggest another choice (which I don't think you've offered): Keep the present site!
(i.e., don't make a new site, since you can't revise the one we've got).
The BRIAA site we have is okay enough, really.
At least, a number of us would think it preferable to not lose it.

You wrote: "FYI -- if everyone donated one dollar for every complaint they've posted about wanting things to stay the way they are -- they would be able to stay the way they are."

???
Why would you need money from the bunch of us who want to keep things as they are so that we can keep things as they are?
That sounds not only weird but superfluous to boot.
Speaking of superfluous, that's an apt adjective to apply to what some of us think you're doing: the unnecessary!"

You have a good point. Unfortunately, the road to hell is paved with good points (and intensions).

I'm the Head Admin but *not* the boss. Leflaw is the boss. He seems to want BRIAA to be split off from the DMusic engine which currently controls it. I don't know why he wants it split off. Thats his business. He owns the hardware, the bandwidth, etc..

Now even if he was agreeable to leaving things exactly as they are, having me improve the look and feel (and update the content, etc...) of the current website and all of that -- your still going to have a large group of people that will say "well it sucks that we cant preview before we post" and "it sucks that there is no spell checker" and "i want this to be added" and "it would be great if this could be implimented" and granted -- these are all very minor and very reasonable and logical requests.

However -- they also require a coder. I'm stuck in the middle of a paradox that I am attempting to unravel, but i do appreciate all of your support, suggestions and ideas. Please -- KEEP THEM COMING! They're very helpful!

Okay, that's what it is then — the boss's decision, and we're stuck with it. Just like at work. Just like the government. Just like everything.

We won't be able to keep the present site as it is.
We won't be able to modify it and keep it.
It's going to be swept away.
Yes, gone like the wind.
Nice things get swept away like the snow in the rain.
(sniff) I think I'm going to cry.

Hark, I hear the sound of the beat of a different drum.
And I hear a voice calling me away from all that saddens.
Onward to a happier place!

[end melodrama]

happier place = a different site


Fare thee well.

. . . . . . . .
- - - - - - -

"Okay, that's what it is then — the boss's decision, and we're stuck with it. Just like at work. Just like the government. Just like everything."

When you work for someone else, it's their descision. Just like when you own your own home and you have a guest -- you expect that guest to follow your rules, seeing as you are the owner of that property upon which you have allowed them access.

No one pays us to keep this site going.
Servers, bandwidth, etc... costs money.
People need food and such to live.
These things cost money also.

So why don't you give all the money you make from your job to us so we can hire a coder? I'll tell you why not. Because you need your money and you'd find it utterly reduculous to sacrafice your needs for a public service website.

"We won't be able to keep the present site as it is. We won't be able to modify it and keep it. It's going to be swept away.
Yes, gone like the wind.
Nice things get swept away like the snow in the rain.
(sniff) I think I'm going to cry.

Hark, I hear the sound of the beat of a different drum.
And I hear a voice calling me away from all that saddens.
Onward to a happier place!

[end melodrama]"

Melodrama, indeed. Theres a concept that I like to live by. Those who do not at least try to rectify a problem waive their rights to bitch about it. So, what have you to offer towards a solution other than complaining and whining? Or is that too intelligent of a question to be practical for me to have asked?

"happier place = a different site
Fare thee well."

This site is about people willing to work together towards the common goal. If that description doesn't fit your resume then you are best to simply fare thee well. We only want people who *really* support the cause. Those people whp truly support it who have given us help and insights many times in the past and continue to do so -- we thank you. Keep it coming! We appreciate it!

"Those who do not at least try to rectify a problem waive their rights to bitch about it."

Not applicable in this case. There is no way to rectify the problem in my eyes and other like-minded members (in the sense of keeping the site as is, or mostly as is, unless the wildly unexpected happens -- sufficient money being donated).


“So, what have you to offer towards a solution other than complaining and whining?”

It’s not just any solution that will do for me and some others. We want the site as is, or mostly as is. For you, and likely for leflaw, “a solution” will satisfy that doesn’t involve keeping the site as is or mostly as is.

“Or is that too intelligent of a question to be practical for me to have asked?”

Nope, not too intelligent.


“This site is about people willing to work together towards the common goal.”
“We only want people who *really* support the cause.”

Long-range goals are sort of like a long trip. It matters how you get there; i.e., what kind of conveyance. The scenery matters; comfort matters; all that and more.
Kind of like the sum of the parts making up more than the whole.
If I’m taking a long vacation to Canada for the summer, there are some routes that do not appeal to me AT ALL. There will always be that one way that I hold dear, and that’s the one I will choose to use.
Changing this site drastically -- or more correctly, doing away with it -- does not appeal to me AT ALL, any way or fashion.
Sorry.
The only thing I’d be curious about is how many others are willing to speak up and concur with my opinion.

For those such as myself who live two thousand miles from Canada, it matters what route, what accommodations, and having a road-worthy vehicle, and so forth.
How to get to a distant goal can be a major deal.

Making drastic changes can be unpredictable or unpleasant, and even more unpleasant when there's a loss of something you strongly prefer.
That's the sense of loss of something a number of us hold dear.

"The only thing I’d be curious about is how many others are willing to speak up and concur with my opinion."

More than you might think, less than we might like. The problem does not have no solution, it is simply a challenging problem. Not to mention -- not only have you left out the other possibility of a coder voulenteering his or her services -- but you can see a problem as a problem -- or you can see it as a challenge and accept the challenge.

The most important thing isn't a bell or whistle this website may or may not have. The most important thing is fighting the RIAA. So i'm sorry to say that even though you present your point intelligently as well as articulately, you also present it irrelevently with a very defeatist attitude.

One way or another, solutions will be found. So you can attempt to be part of the solution, or just a ney sayer bitching about the problem but otherwise offering nothing towards the overall goal.

For those here who know me well enough -- when I'm faced with a problem I don't get all hot and bothered. I look for solutions. Solutions typically come with time, research and alittle patience.

Pehaps in the next few months Leflaw will for reasons that will be none of our business -- be able to afford to hire a coder. Perpahs one will read this debate and reply with "hey, I can code. how can i be of service?"

People seem to be too busy going 90MPH to get nowhere fast. Patience, young Skywalker. Or never a Jedi will you be.

This site will change. Regardless, is has to grow one way or another. Mistakes may be made, but to simply continue this way will accomplish nothing.

Most of us have been here for years. How many new people do we attract? Relatively few. Twarrior will expose many more people to our site, and we may even find a few valuable allies.

Yes, this is like a road trip, and we may take a few wrong turns. Nothing that can't be rectified if it doesn't work. And if you don't like certain features, then don't use them.

But think about it... how many new posters have we had? We are all sold on the idea now. We need to reach out to others. And it may not be a comfortable transition, change seldom is at first. But give it a chance before you condemn it.

Well spoken. Or typed, rather. hehe.

Lucky for me...

One thing about attracting people tho: You could attract a million people and only 100 will post. Lurkers are the majority. Participants are the minority.

Change is needed, but, "if it aint broken, dont fix it" tends to be a good policy too. So heres my happy middle ground descision so far:

#1 - For now, i'm gonna work on making http://boycott-riaa.com as useful as it can possibly be without any coder assistance.

#2 - The other domain, http://boycottriaa.com running Joomla I think I'm gonna not require user regs, make it an open system for the purposes of information pages, offsite links, etc... it won't be a replacement for the current site.

#3 - When Jack is done with what he needs to do with DMusic -- whenever THAT is -- he can help me cut the DMusic cord making THE CURRENT SITE a seperate engine.

#4 - I can add chat and stuff like that to attempt to make the site more resourceful -- but until I get some friggen help -- all of you people who would really like a preview function, spell checking, etc.. can simply go bug leflaw about it It's not within my power right now.

#5 - Some of you may have noticed I've implimented a Boycott RIAA Ad System at the top of the site. I'll be building that ad system with my websites, leflaws websites and anything else appropriate to just have something there at the moment. Once we're in a possition to accept paying advertisers -- pending Tracy and / or Leflaw's approval to do so -- hopefully this will generate some money to hire a coder.

So, what do you all think? The people who want things to stay the same get their wish. The people who want a few major changes will have to be patient and WAIT but will get their wish EVENTUALLY.

Whats everyones opinion?

" Whats everyones opinion? "

Mine ??

Interrogator was created on Feb 14 ( just over 10 days ago ), and has made 10 posts, all of which attack ( though very subtle ) the site or the admin in some way, so this .....

" happier place = a different site


Fare thee well.

. . . . . . . .
- - - - - - - "

Doesn't mean much.

I wonder who might be trolling under an alias ?

Twarrior: “The people who want things to stay the same get their wish.”

You mean things TEMPORARILY will “stay the same”, right? Because, in the long run, as ShadowMom wrote, things about this website “will change” (not stay as they are).


Twarrior: “Change is needed...”

We perceive this as primarily owner & admins viewpoint, as opposed to our keep-things-basically-as they-are side (the side that obviously, by comparison, doesn’t count for much).


Twarrior: “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it...”

When you say things like THAT, you could make a fine spokesperson for the cause of the group of us (which may be quite sizeable) who would much prefer the status quo when it comes to the way the current BRIAA looks and works!
Unfortunately, that principle of yours isn’t meant to apply to our side.
(I’ll continue that train of thought about our side vs. owner & admins side later.)

Reiterating what you wrote:
“If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.”
“The people who want things to stay the same get their wish.”

Sounds WONDERFUL!
Too bad it applies exclusively to you guys’ side of the equation.
(And, BTW, that makes the equation unbalanced.)
Plus, I almost want to hark back to an observation I already made last night.


ShadowMom said: “We are all sold on the idea now.”

Owner and admins are “all sold” (on the change idea), I guess you mean!
What THAT says to us member/readers is: owner and admins are all what really count. Pulling rank; principle noted.


More pronouncements from the ShadowMom:
“This site will change.”
“And if you don't like certain features, then don't use them.”

Extending that concept, we’re back to what I posted earlier during the night. So, if I, and others like me, “don’t like” losing the way this site looks and works (and don’t like the replacement one), then we won’t use it! (thus, we should leave it and go elsewhere or do something else). And, quite frankly, you can just about count on a certain percentage of us doing that.


“Mistakes may be made, but to simply continue this way will accomplish nothing.”

THIS mistake is practically inevitable: getting rid of our site’s present configuration.
THIS outcome is practically inevitable: pissing off a significant group of members.


progressive: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
conservative: “Ah, but can you avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater?”



Incidentally, thanks for the affirmation of my being a worthy debater.
Too bad, though, I’m fairly sure it’s all for naught.

Attrition will take its toll; I’ll leave, and I won’t be the only one.

"Interrogator was created on Feb 14 (just over 10 days ago). . ."

So what?
I had been a reading lurker for quite some time, but decided to make my mark when this crucial issue of changing the site hit the inevitablility fence.


"I wonder who might be trolling under an alias?"

I can just respond that your wondering "doesn't mean much" (to quote something I read on your post).

And if I may be so bold as to ask: What are your qualifications that merited acquiring your troll-hunting license?

"Owner and admins are “all sold” (on the change idea), I guess you mean!"

Nope. In fact -- 98% of the problem has absolutely nothing to do with the users. It's the Administrative Staff and the Owners having difficulties "selling eachother" anything.

Besides -- what ShadowMom said "everyone" (the users, not the Admins) are "sold on" is (i'll quote the whole section seeing as you conveniently did not):

"But think about it... how many new posters have we had? We are all sold on the idea now. We need to reach out to others."

The idea everyone is sold on is the need for some form of advertisement / awareness / reaching out to others / creating allies as was further detailed prior as per:

"Most of us have been here for years. How many new people do we attract? Relatively few. Twarrior will expose many more people to our site, and we may even find a few valuable allies."

Now, can you please make your points without twisting the words of others to completely change the context? Or are you standing on such unstable ground that twisting peoples words is your only means of making headway? The Taliban have done that to the Koran. Maybe you're a "digital terrorist" lol (yes, that was a joke. your not actually being accused of terrorism. but i'm sure you'll twist my words to make it seem as if i was doing so lol)

a 'fly' on the wall.

" And if I may be so bold as to ask: What are your qualifications that merited acquiring your troll-hunting license?
"

None needed, some are quite easy to identify.

" Attrition will take its toll; I’ll leave, and I won’t be the only one. "

No, you won't
you haven't left after all this time, after
so many bans. No reason to think
you will now either.

If you do, ok .. byeee

At any rate, you have shown what you are, and I am out of this non debate.
Please continue without me

"a 'fly' on the wall" --

Is that pertaining to me??
Oh, dredd-ful trollhunter, I applaud thy profundity.

I need to respond to what Twarrior posted, but I don't have time at the moment. (Don't worry; I won't neglect him, and I'm never short of rebuttals.)
I must have struck a nerve, because he came back at me with great vigah.

I also don't have time now to show how there are others who feel similarly to me (i.e., I'm not an isolated case by any means, in case that's in any kind of doubt by anyone).
Just go to a compilation post put up the other day by someone who recounted the positions of several members.

Okay, I found it. It was on the 24th, by CriticalCodger.
Re-read those quotes.

So long for the time being.
I shall return this afternoon.

Hey, Dredd-ful, YOU'RE the one who started the crap, man, by insinuating that I'm a troll (without evidence).
(See your initial post at 8:41 a.m.)
That was a slap in the face, fellow.
Thus, you deserved, and got, a remark fired right back at you (about your trollhunting credentials).

But, that's fine; leave the debate for good if you prefer (or leave the kitchen, if you can't stand the heat, whatever).
No problem.

I have to clarify something before anyone else misunderstands. We are all "sold" on the idea of the Boycott-- not the change. I know change is difficult. I know this kind of change is very difficult. I also know those higher up on this particular food chain we're in care what you all think. But nothing remains the same forever. Standing still never got anyone anywhere.

I would also ask that name-calling and labeling each other stop now, please. We throw the word "troll" around loosely, too loosely. It serves no purpose other than to spur a response of negative vitriol. Don't get personal here. It de-rails the thread.

To ShadowMom:
Okay; thanks for clarifying what you meant.


Twarrior wrote:
"Now, can you please make your points without twisting the words of others to completely change the context?"

"twisting the words of others to completely change the context" --

Okay, let’s dissect that notion a bit... and you’ll see the irony of it after we examine whether the context was clear or not.

It was NOT intuitive that "We are all sold on the idea now" referred to “the boycott” (the boycott word was not stated in any paragraph). What precluded a reader from considering “the idea” to refer to the website's imminent changes?. . . especially when, still in the same paragraph, came this sentence:
"And it may not be a comfortable transition; change seldom is at first."
So, here was even the “change” word, in fact.
See what I mean?

And, actually, Twarrior, YOU evidently thought she meant (your own words now):
“The idea everyone is sold on is the need for some form of advertisement / awareness / reaching out to others /...”

So, “the idea” must have not been clear to you as well as to me; you didn’t know she meant “the boycott” either at the time she said “the idea”.

This was not a case of my grabbing at ambuiguity and turning it to my advantage. I merely responded to what seemed like face value, just as you did.

Based on that, your accusation against me seems rather hollow, doesn’t it?

Twarrior wrote:
“Or are you standing on such unstable ground that twisting people’s words is your only means of making headway?”

Strident assumption!
Strident AND incorrect.


ShadowMom, to her credit, wrote:
“We throw the word "troll" around loosely, too loosely.”

Thanks for alluding to that important fact.
In doing a little searching of the past, I find that several people
had been mislabeled (such as RaidHHI and mroop, for example); so, there is some precedent for the tendency to occur around here.
A case in point at present is how Dreddsnik wanted to dismiss me as a troll.
I appreciate ShadowMom maintaining a proper perspective.
That’s one of the hallmarks of a true leader.

Hi interrogator! And welcome to the site!

We have a bunch of hard-heads here (as you point out with ShadowMom's observation that we throw the term "troll" being used too quickly.)

However, I do ask that you calm down with your indignation against our regulars. (That is at least, HERE in the OPEN threads.)

Virtually all of our long-time regular members can be reached directly via e-mail, Dmusic notes, or other means when need be.

All the above smells like a flame-war about to errupt. We DON'T NEED THAT KINDA CRAP ON OUR FRONT PAGES ANYMORE!

I'm not trying to pick on interrogator

...this message goes DOUBLE for our "regulars" who should all know better by now.

"Virtually all of our long-time regular members can be reached directly via e-mail, Dmusic notes, or other means when need be."

...meaning, ALL of us should "hit back" at any percieved indignations directly with the person whom we were offended by INSTEAD/BEFORE airing dirty laundry here in the Boycott Riaa forums.

THATS the change I'd most like to see here at Boycott Riaa.

Or, at least. If we MUST pick and prod or "dis" on each other... do it AWAY from the front page.

I kinda think some of Twarrior's ideas and intentions about starting up IRC/BBS scene/chat (etc.) stuff was aimed at this goal.

------

IMHO:

Incorporating the Dmusic shoutbox system into Boycott Riaa would be MUCH more viable and acceptable than all the complex other stuff.

That way, signed in "regulars" and other folks could bash each other all they wanted. (Or *gasp* dare-I-say-it, COLLABORATE on POSITIVE things!)

CriticalCodger
pmmusic
kyodylee
pepe
pessimist
grumpygeezer
interrogator

(partial list of those wanting to keep the format
of the BRIAA site very close to what it is)

CriticalCodger,

You can add me to that list.
I'd prefer to keep the site as is, An edit button would be awfully nice, but if it can't be easily added, then it can't be easily added. It's something we can probably live with.

Thanks, Raid!


To anyone else not yet included but who cares, I want to say
"Help the list grow."

rather:
To anyone else who cares but is not yet included . . .


Yeah, that edit button really would be nice.