Marc

I think it's getting to get worse before it gets better. Like politicians and publicity, more image but less value.

If music don't bring money, I don't see the point in art.

Thanks guys, I have found a solution.

Does that mean that Windows XP retreives the ID of the computer you're using? Was it about that when there was a privacy protection scandal a few years ago? And that Microsoft decided not retreive private information? I don't remember. I don't want to go back to Windows 98. If using the same WinXp on multiple machines doesn't work, it's an abberation. It's like I couldn't listen a CD I purchased on the CD player in my basement, but only in the one in my living room. Or I couldn't read a book I bought but in my home... and would have to buy another copy of the same exact one when I read it anywhere else.

Big brother might be watching... let us not appear too conspicuous :

It think it should work, I don't see how (technologically) they can enforce such control. Are there any microsoft agents in here? If there is, it's just an idea I had, and have no intention of doing it...

I'm buying a new computer. I have Windows XP Home Edition. Can I install it on my second computer? I mean, will it work when I request the XP updates, will it register correctly? Or it (XP) acknowledges license on one computer only? Thanks!

The Soundblaster Audigy EX isn't that bad. It's got a really low noise level (lower even than high end systems), 96Khz/24 mixing, several digital connectors... and, most importantly for me, 5.1 analog outputs. But I don't use soundfonts anymore, and the built-in DSP is superfluous and less flexible than VST effect processors.

Really, I think it's in those moments that I'm most creative: I need so much to escape that my creative side is solicited ... I've created a dozen of new songs in the past weeks. It's a good thing a bought that digital pocket recorder. It's full!

The function of a 3000$ processor isn't to ameliorate signal to noise ratio?

My 10 last posts are indicative of the poor mental health I am suffereing from. I think I on the brink of a depression. I'm not despairing though, only 3 weeks to go before my vacations!

http://www.computerhistory.org/exhibits/highlights/ Courtesy of Didier Listen to the Mp3s ... that printer could play music!

Does Didier use an abacus? Kidding, Didier

If honesty was permited in business, the system would certainly fail! John has interesting comments.

Calm and nice? of course, but make insistant demands from the start in this fashion. If they are not answered satisfactorily, you should, with as much calm and dignity use means of pressure that will make them rethink their custumer service.

It is a horror story really. Were it me in your position, Those salemen would have a REALLY REALLY REALLY hard time. Oh, no physical agression... but psychological, yes, indeed. I would do everything to put them out of business, permanently. And try to hinder the boss and his employees from getting another job afterwards, if they do not repent. Why not ask John to put a banner you could create, something that would warn consumers against Carillon? The banner would link to this thread or a web page containing all the horrific experiences consumers had with Carillon. Then invite the Carillon boss to check it out.

http://www.freemuse.org/sw263.asp 03 May 2004 POST SEPTEMBER 11 FORTHCOMING FREEMUSE REPORT ON FREEDOM OF MUSICAL EXPRESSION AFTER SEPTEMBER 11 Within hours of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, media conglomerates like Clear Channel sent an advisory to their many stations, warning them of songs that would be inappropriate to broadcast under the circumstances. When one of The Dixie Chicks said in a concert that she didn't support her fellow Texan George Bush, many radio stations and conservative organizations organized a boycott of their music. These and so many other instances are representative of a new chill in the United States on freedom of musical expression, but the efforts don't stop there. Artists from diverse cultures are being barred entry to the United States on purely political -- and not security -- grounds. While some are outrightly prohibited performance visas, others are presented with such obstacles so as to either discourage or delay artists enough so that they desist. America, after September 11, is experiencing a chill in free speech and performance that is hitting musicians as much, if not more, than anyone. This forthcoming Freemuse report (planned release November 2004) will examine the instances and explanations for a growing censorship and speak with many of the individuals either responsible for carrying out these policies or who are harmed by them. It will examine the effects, focusing on the situation in the United States post September 11, but also with a global outlook: How has the event affected the situation for freedom of musical expression around the world?

Hallo I am a german emmigrant now livink in the United States. I kome from East Germany und lived when the soviet wall was still ereckt und ze STASI spied on every citizen and inkarcerated them when zey spoke against politicians und questioned politika decisions. Mein question is: as an artist, can I zing against ze war of ze USA und ze government in mein songs or there is a form of repression like there was in East Germany? Tanke

Check this out also: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/May03/arti...silentdrive.asp "There doesn't seem to be any medical evidence for direct hearing damage from computer noise, but a number of researchers have reported secondary and psychological effects. Tomas Risberg, the author of the Silent PC web site, has collected a number of theories about how low-intensity noise might affect brain performance by competing for attention with the sounds you do want to listen to. The activation of the central nervous system caused by background noise might also have long-term effects on your health. " http://www.silent.se/info.php

I just watched a BBC documentary about the noise generated in cities. Scientists say that they hinder brain and biological functions having to do with the ability to think at a deeper level. I thought, what about the computer I use everyday? The fans sure make a lot of noise. And if I want to be inspired near this machine, it needs to quiet down. So I found this interesting site: http://www.buildsilentpc.com/index.php Next month, I will build a new computer following the recommendations. Art doesn't settle for less!

He's an attraction at a stand. But I have yet to see him in an artistic or musical context, it would prove interesting! I prefer the slap part at the end.

Don't: - Buy a Celeron or its AMD equivalent. Using VST instruments (samples) and virtual effects processor require in some cases a lot of CPU cumputation. A CPU needs more than 128K cache to perform well as a virtual music studio. - Buy a motherboard with less than 4 memory slots. If you're using large samples, you need memory. My old board has only two slots, both occupied by 256MB chips. To expand, I have to discard one of them and replace it by a 512MB one. - Buy a hard drive less than 120GB. Large samples need it. It's prudent also to buy a DVD recorder to backup your work. A CD recorder, with its limitied capacity, makes you have to burn several CDs of a single collection. Why do that when it can fit on a single DVD? - Settle for old, limited and limiting technology when you have the means. Your inspiration will have a better voice to manifest itself.

I think that there always has been the need to look for something greater than us. It's incredible how they answer the demand sometimes. Like, people always have to eat, and they've created fast food. How many french fries and burgers can one ingest before getting really sick? Not much more by seeing how many people suffer from obesity in the US. So with different symptoms, the music industry is similar.

I don't know... something has to break. They also thought Rome would last forever. We'd have to make a model, to see if this industy, with the ressources it consumes, can sustain another 40 years, taking into account the economic, political, environmental, cultural "fed-up" parameters.

It will be the death of stars, glamour, manipulation and marketing... but I think music will survive.