| |
|
Two things
1) If you can't connect to WinMX, go download the new version (3.3) That solved my problems (the new version also has a few improvements that make the system a little easier to work with)
2) Another option to throw in the mix, Furthur Network.
Now, before you go running off, this network has several differences from other P2P that need to be noted.
The biggest difference is intent. The Further Network was set up by the "live tape trading" community (people who trade "tapes" [now ussually CDs] of live performances) for the purpose of spreading live recordings. As such it only allows for two formats, mp3 and shn. It also contains no officially available material. I'd imagen that all of it is made up of live performances, but there may be some random demo tapes floating around as well.
The "live tape trading" community tends to revolve around the Grateful Dead/Phish/jamband scene. And those areas are deffinetly well represented, but there is also a small representation of bands that many here would dig (Bjork, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Jicks, Wilco, and a few others).
And for those who are worried about the quality of these recordings, know that this community is notorious for anal retentive tapers. (tapers=people who record the shows) I'd say over 90% of the serious tapers I've met will simply not spread a show that doesn't sound good. And thier definition of sound good is a lot stricter then yours (many can litterally hear the sound degredation caused by mp3s) So while everything might not be mint, the signal to noise ratio is going to be better then any other P2P network.
And an added bonus is it's probably the closest thing to bullet proof that the P2P movement has. None of the material on the site is available for official release, which cuts down on the "stealing" arguement. And almost all (if not all, I don't know) of the bands represented have given permission for the trading of these recordings (as long as money doesn't change hands). So, with the possible exception of may be one or two bands, the entire network is completly legal.
Um... what else (I gave up on sleep last night about an hour before I had to be at work, so forgive the rambling)
For information on the shn format (including software for transfering it to CD) check out etree.org
Oh, and Flux, if you're still looking to check out some Lake Trout, they've got a strong representation. Anything from 'cortex' (basically the band's archivsts) should sound great. And speaking of sounding great, I've heard really good things about the recording of the Reliegh, NC Sonic Youth show from this last tour. The guy who submitted it was 'datgeek' who's also a really good taper.
Um, I think that's it. |
|
|
