Readers' Comments

Reader Comments on Aardvark Daily 4 April 2003
Note: the comments below are the unabridged submissions of readers and do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.
From: selwyn
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: cd copying and live performances

I agree with your sentiments about the recording industries
untrammelled greed, especially when they conveniently ignore
the promotional value that 'pirated' material has for live
performances - probably because they don't get as big a
slice of the pie from live acts.

I'll give you an example. A while ago my brother had an
original copy of Jack Johnson's recent album which I sort of
liked the sound of, but probably not to the extent that I
would have bought it if I had actually gone to the trouble
of listening to it at a cd store. Anyway, he suggested that
it would grow on me and so he burned a copy for me.

It did grow on me, so much so, that when I found out that he
was touring NZ with Ben Harper I rushed to get tickets at
$80 a pop. This was money well spent after a superb concert
the other night and I might even buy both of their upcoming
albums.

However, despite my attendance, the RIAA and their NZ
lackeys would still brand me a 'thief', even though I feel
that I have more than paid Jack back, and with a 25% bonus
to boot (i.e. $80 ticket/2 artists = $40 compared against $30).

The exploitative cockroaches could argue that radio is the
preferred medium for promoting artists. However, this
positon is flawed because not everyone behaves like the
corporate lemmings they are, and listens to the drivel being
churned out on commercial radio stations.

A final thought, what would an artist prefer to be, popular
or unknown? Ridiculous cd prices, "format-shifting" laws and
annoying hurdles that people have to circumvent if they
aren't playing music on 'approved devices' certainly isn't
condusive to the former.




From: Rob
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: CD backups

Any CD I buy nowadays instantly becomes the backup for
itself.  As soon as I get it home it's ripped to my
jukebox form where it will be enjoyed.  The CD is then
safely tucked up in a large box with all my other original
CD "backups".

Now consider that I only ever listen to ONE copy of the
music, I don't see why I should be breaking the law.  I
paid for ONE copy and I listen to ONE copy.  The fact that
they are on different formats, should be irrelevant.

The recoding industry is a greedy giant which turns out
mostly rubbish music in the hope that the occasional gem
might stick in people's heads.  I used to buy 1-2 CDs per
week but now I rarely buy a CD - not because I rip them
off other people, but beacuse the music isn't worth the
plastic its burnt on.

I've always believed that the recording artists AND labels
should work to make the format they're plugging more
interesting.  When you buy a CD you literally get a case,
CD and a folded piece of paper which mostly contains thank
yous and "shouts out back".  That's it.  No, embedded
lyrics, music videos, mini-docos about the making of the
album, nothing.  Occasionaly you might stumble one of
these on a CD but it's rare.  I guess with DVDs taking
off, we might see this change, but I doubt it.




From: Robert
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: Music Cd's

Is it worth investigating what if any warrenty come with a
CD ? If you cant back up this informaition and the cd fails
for any reason can will thay replace it without question
for the life of the owner ?

Also is not sony one of the music giants but widly promote
there mini disk as a portable option ( alt media ) for your
misic collection ( the drive thru take away add on TV )




From: James
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: RINZ And Radio

As I understand it, most radio stations "format shift" by
copying the CD tracks on their plylist to a computer. The
computer then controls the playback of these tracks. In
fact, some radio stations, even put the announcers voice on
computer so that you hear the same announcer 24/7.

I presume that the RINZ are going to sue these stations for
copyright breaches.
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