dbodoff's Blog

Just curious, what kind of practicing tips does anyone have? Does anyone have any cool methods that have discovered to help them get better with their instrument?

some of the functionality of our forum is a bit different than what is done normally. We had one or two unique circumstances that these forum were able to work with better than any of the others. The only strange one that effects us is the issue of changing usernames. You would have to create a new profile.

Yeah, that got a little out of hand. But, sometimes brainstorming like this is really good. I say, well done. Good dialogue.

so, I'm thinking it might be a cool idea to branch something like this off of the Portland, Maine Wikipedia page. I mean, that's what it's there for, isn't it? I was just checking it out and that really seems to make the most sense.

You know, a Wiki would probably more appropriate for that. That's something we should think about.

I second that, Sam!! Perhaps the PMF could become the Musician's Lobby!!

this is a great sounding project! Would it inappropriate to share the final product? Just seems like a valuable piece.

the points that you guys have made here are all the things that it took me a long time to accept. I think, deep down, I was hoping that there would be this big "F the man" movement and all the bands would move to a platform that was more in line with artistic principles. I was a bit younger then, I suppose. What it comes right down to is the MySpace serves a great function for a band. It makes a lot things that were difficult for a band to do online before, a lot easier and with the introduction of MySpace Music many of my current gripes may go away.

But, how does a band reach someone, who is Internet friendly and doesn't use MySpace? If that band only exists within MySpace, then they do force a potential fan to join. And if that potential fan doesn't join MySpace, then have they lost that person? How else do they connect with that person? Believe it or not, there a lot of these people out there.

My only other concern with only existing within MySpace is that it seems to homogenize the artists appearances. And I don't really know where to go with this one. I mean, if a band doesn't have the manpower to create a website, then do they have the manpower to customize their MySpace page?

So, the MySpace thing is an interesting wrinkle in to the RSS subject as well. (full disclosure: Sam I'm a geek too), the RSS issue is interesting, and you're correct, sometimes the work/ reward ratio can be a little daunting.

But, I am convinced that things like the show listings from MySpace don't have a feed in order to force people to visit their site. That is, afterall, how they make they're money.

This is a conversation I have had with a number of my friends. It frustrates me to no end. But, I have just recently come around and seen the other side of the argument. I would really like to see why some bands/ artists prefer to only have a MySpace page and not their own website.

The easiest way that I can think of to explain RSS is that it will turn a frequently updated portion of a website into a feed. That feed is something to which a person can subscribe.

By subscribing to this feed, the subscriber will be made aware of the updates that occur within that portion of a website. The person who controls the feed can decide what that "awareness" will be.

For example, if I use Google Reader to subscribe to Band X's news feed, when I open Google reader it will display, in chronological order, the news that Band X has been updating.

In my opinion, this can be seen as a service provided to the fans. It is something that makes keeping on top of the happenings of a band easy, even passive, for a fan.

got a little nostalgic there and missed the point of this topic.

I'm just really excited to see another really good room in a cool location who will be able to get good shows to that age group.

I've had two good experiences with eBay, believe it or not. Really didn't think that it would be such a great idea. But, I got rid of a nicer electric bass and an old synth pedal. I got pretty much what I wanted for them too.

if you are currently in a band and looking for a new member leave a post in this topic. Or, if you are looking for a band, try leaving a post here.

Anyone looking for bands to add to a show?

This forum is provided as a way to begin and continue various dialogues regarding the Portland Music Foundation and the music community in Maine. The expected use is for it to be informational and constructive. If your intentions are counter to these expectations, please refrain from posting.