March 14, 1999
Editorial
Much Ado About Nothing -- the new millenium's twist on Shakespeare. There is much truth in this statement, in light of current events in the MIDI and other internet music-related communities.
Sites such as Deb's MIDI Haven and the International Lyrics Server are being sued for millions of dollars, and in the case of Deb's, from what I have heard, without due process of law, though I find this hard to believe, since the case would have little merit in court if this were true.
Some sites have been sent nasty letters threatening a lawsuit if they don't close down.
There are sites, like mine, Sonic Excellence, which are shutting the doors before they get threatened. I want to steer clear from even a hint of the wrong side of the law. I cannot risk losing my computer.
Some sites are vowing to stick it out to the bitter end. I have a feeling that it WILL be a bitter end, because as much as we would like to ignore it, the fact is, if you research copyright law, as I have (and you understand it), you will find that any representative form of music of a copyrighted work is prohibited without being licensed. And ignorance is no excuse, as it is said.
In the end, I believe, sites will be forced to a) close, b) obtain the proper licenses, or c) go underground, as many MP3 sites have done.
If the license fees weren't so danged high, even for non-profit sites, like most MIDI sites, I would get licensed. But who can afford $1000 just to BMI and ASCAP alone. Then there is Harry Fox and other agencies of its type, plus you practically have to get a license individually from all the songwriters, publishers, artists and musicians. Maybe you even need to get permission from the roadies and groupies. Hehehe.
In some ways, it is a sad commentary of the inroad that commercialization has made upon the internet. There are those that are saying now, "I told you so; this is what you get for allowing commerce on the web." Now we have to live with it.
January 11, 1999
The site has finally gotten a much needed design overhaul. It began to take shape when I created the banner ad and just flowed from there. Please let me know what you like or don't like about the new design.
The screenshots program has improved. You now have some control over how you want to view the sites, and I hope you will find it faster loading. I hope to be able to add a keyword search of our sites in the future.
Another new feature is the ability to come here and get a new webring graphic for your site. You are not locked in to just one or two. We now have four to pick from and you can change them whenever you want. They are also much easier to work with, too, as we are now serving all images from this site. All you have to do is enter your ID#, click on the picture you want and the program will spit out your new custom code for you to copy and paste. That's it. Check it out today!
The application process has been streamlined as well. It's now much easier for new members to get signed up. As always, we are stressing that we want high quality rather than quantity. If anything, I have tightened the qualifications rather than loosened them. I have removed some sites that were not up to par. However, if a site is lacking in one particular area, but makes up for that deficiency by clear excellence in the rest, I am likely to add it to the ring. If anyone wants to know what our policies are, they can be found on the first page of the application form.
