wannabe music journalists!

[Behemoth]

Send me stuff for an online music magazine / review rag / fanzine that I'm composing.

Anything as long as its not going to get me locked up under copyright laws. News, reviews (old, new, live, recorded-whatever), cartoons, jokes. The skys the limit. Obviously theres no pay, but you may get you name published ;)

[DaoK]

You will have a website?

[Sastraxi]

If it's okay with Igor I'll send you some of his stuff for ToW!

[Behemoth]

Sorry I've not had the opportunity to reply for a while. Ideally I'm looking at commercial music in a fanzine type way, but I'll happily put some personal work in too.

If you want to send me anything (I need articles and reviews at the moment), either post it here or mail it to me

[Behemoth]

*bump*

yes Daok, eventually I will have a website. For now I'm going to set up and test at www.geocities.com/noisyplanet_net, but I'll move it over to a proper server when I've got some content.

[Beacon]

ok behemoth email/pm me what you want and i try and write something up when i have time!

Things like what you want in the article. Is it just an review or a biography on the band etc.?

It'll be most probably about an Aussie Band or an upcoming festival i'm off too!

b
:)

[Behemoth]

Sorry I've not been around for a few days mate, I took some holiday and i've been well away from the monster that is the Internet ;)

I recieved your article, It looks cool. I've only just downloaded it as I'm typing this, but I'll upload it shortly. Thanks for taking the time out for me. Feel free to send me anything and everything you can. It's all greatly appreciated. The more stuff I've got, the quicker its going to take shape.

I'll probably reply more often in here than by mail - the work internet/email policy is a bit dodgy, so I'm probably safer in here.

catch you later :)

[Beacon]

Hows it all going behemoth?
Whats the latetest!

[Behemoth]

nowhere :(

I really want people to send me some stuff. Everyone's let me down so far (except you, Beacon), but the one article isn't enough to get the ball rolling.

Please people. I need you now.

[Sastraxi]

Okay, I can send you the music but not an article on it, I don't want to "mark" work made for my own game :rolleyes:. But, here it is. Also, all of the song names are the file names (and if there are brackets the name in those). Eg. Credits (Valiants' March) would be Valiants' March.

[Beacon]

Behemoth where's the site?

I probably can get some more people to write something but they'll probably want to see the site and examples.

Anyway i've quickly whipped one up it's only short but it's an albulm review so it's not going to be like an essay.
I figure albulm reviews should be quite short not novels!

I'll attach it when it's done!

[Beacon]

Here ya go!

b :)

[Behemoth]

Sas: that's some really good stuff. Which member of the team did that? It's not quite what I imagined putting up on the site, but if I can find a relevant section to put it in I shall. It deserves recognition.

Beacon - brilliant, thats exactly what I'm after -in fact it inspired me to write a review of my own! 2 down, 298 to go (j/k :D)

[Sastraxi]

I might be able to do some of the newer bands over in Canada and stuff like Nelli Fertado (I think Arbiter likes her but over here ech)

[Beacon]

I'm into the more alternative stuff, indi and oz music!
Really anything that sounds good!

I loathe the Factory bands like Five, backstreet boys, kylie etc etc.

Sastraxi nellie fatado come on!!!

Anyways here's another of the eels new one!

[Behemoth]

Ive been trying to rebuild my system since Tuesday now. Guess what? I don't have winzip. I'm going out in a couple of minutes, but later (perhaps tomorrow), ill have a look. I really liked the last review you did for me, and I want a big bunch more.

I want some advice about domain names and hosting. I have no idea what its going to cost me. currently, theres a holding page at www.geocities.com/noisyplanet_net.

When I get chance, I'll mail you the page templates and stylesheets so you can have a look what I'm planning. I'm thinking of setting it up for include files at the moment, probably switching to database driven in the future.

I also loathe manufactured crap. Arbiter has decidely odd music tastes :D I prefer rocky stuff. I've written a Tool review so far. More to come.

Sas: thanks again, I'd love as much help as you can offer. Are you interested in helping with the site itself too, like Beacon?

[Beacon]

Perhaps Sas would i like his TOW site. :)

Domains:

Well noisyplanet.net since .com is taken would be obvious if thats what you wanna call it.
I reckon noisyplanet is a tops name.
As for hosting well i dont think i can help since i can only comment on Aussie companies.

Reviews:
Well the eels one is alright i think!
I just gotta buy more cd's. hehe :) But i spose i could do a few on older albums!
It's concert season down here so i will right a few about upcoming tours up this way.

Will you do emailed newsletters??

[Behemoth]

a newsletter isnt something i'd thought about, but its a cool idea. I like it.

Yeah www.noisyplanet.net was my ideal domain. Just need to buy it. Does anybody know anything about pricing?

I read through your eels review, but havent done anything with it yet, my PCs just settling down after a major rebuild last week :rolleyes:. I like it, by the way :D

Eventually, it'd be nice to get on to relevant record companies for samples and freebies to review...Only time will tell.

[Sastraxi]

For your site I'd recommend:

Windows 2000 Server:
150MB Space.
ASP Support.
SQL Server or Access with SQL Support.

Unix Server:
150MB Space.
PHP/CGI Support.
Some kind of database.

If you're going to have clips of songs you should get 500-700 MB for 30 second clips for each song.

[Sastraxi]

Also you could backorder NoisyPlanet.com as it seems to be inactive.

[Sastraxi]

Some more things - NoisyPlanet.Net will cost you $30.00 a year with NetworkSolutions, it'll cost you about $400.00 a year if you want to have product sales and Versign authenticity.

http://www.communitech.net/products/virtual/plans/windowsstandard/

Here's a nice one that gives you streaming Windows Media; So you could have video and audio coming from your site to the client. That would be pretty neat. I'm still trying to find a good low-cost one for you...

http://www.comparewebhosts.com/CompanyList.asp

Here's some others with really nice features, they will all cost you $240 a year.

[Behemoth]

Sas - hold on a minute, you're going WAY over my head...

I dont know as much as I ought to about this whole palaver. to start with, I simply want space for text and pictures, eventually with server-side database interaction (I used to know a bit of ASP, but I believe PHP is the way to go). I was simply going to link to the tracks for download.

Im grateful for your input, but could you give me the layman version? thanks.

[Sastraxi]

If that's the case I think you should ask Chenko (or whoever it is that has the ProMasc fora) where he gets hosted. For what I've said before - having just a little disk space and ASP/PHP support usually dont connect. The best I've found is about 100 MB with ASP.

Yes I know I've gone over your head =) Forgive me!

[Behemoth]

don't worry about it...how else would i learn...;)

[Beacon]

Ok behemoth you couldnt just have links to songs for download without specific copyright stuff!
Which would probably cost you money.
As the Record companies wont give away music!
Though they will send short 30 second demo's or if you ask kindly they may give you some songs to stream as SAS said!
But it all depends on HITS!
They'll be more "friendly".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now i reckon you should start like Dimava did!
He started at freeservers i think then bought his own domain and hosts his forums on it.
Start simple get a host with good bandwidth and then as the site gets bigger upgrade!
I'm sure the hosting company wont mind at all.
I would start by registering the domain name and getting a host.
Put your site up and just work on it for a while. Register with google get some advertising on it perhaps advertise on other sites. Then expand from there.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As for getting samples to review well i could get in contact with Sony Music Australia and others but they wanna see a site for one and may even want site statistics!
Till then i can probably get music from and old old mate who's in an upcoming aussie band and he may be able to give me contacts. Dont worry there really quite good not a pub band or nothin!

Also i recommend you vistit this site
http://triplej.net.au and then click on the NOISE link!

[Arbiter]

Originally posted by Behemoth

Arbiter has decidely odd music tastes :D I prefer complete bollocks that gives you headache and whiplash when you dance to it!


Careful pigf**ker - don't think that I'm not watching....

[Beacon]

Originally posted by Arbiter


Careful pigf**ker - I like watching....

:eek:

Hmmm ok then!:rolleyes: :p ;) :)

[Arbiter]

Originally posted by Beacon


:eek:

Hmmm ok then!:rolleyes: :p ;) :)

:rolleyes: :D

[Behemoth]

Do you actually have anything useful to post in here..?

[Arbiter]

Just defending myself from unwarranted abuse.

It's rude to talk about people behind their back you know....

[Behemoth]

"decidedly odd music tastes" is no insult I know of. Anyway, can you put them to any kind of good use in here?

[Arbiter]

Sorry, don't have time - though I have been keeping an eye on what's happening in here.

Should I ever have something worthwhile to contribute - I shall do so.

PS - you haven't answered my question in the Sentience Comms thread....

[Beacon]

Whats happening behemoth????:confused: :confused:

[Behemoth]

Arrgghh!

It's hell trying to coordinate something like this!
I'm having trouble posting (as you may or may not be aware), I'm looking for a job (as my contract ends 5/1/02 :( ), and Chrismas means that I'm not able to put full effort into this.

It's time for my second wind...

Keep posting everyone, I'm going to pull all of this together as quickly as I can.

I still want some beginners information into kicking all this off.


firstly I need a domain name. I think this is quite a high priority, as I have a specific one in mind, and would like to get hold of this before it is snapped up by someone else.
hosting is something I want to take time over. For the time being it can sit on Geocities until I know exactly how things are going to progress. Eventually, it will be database driven, but for now I don't think that's necessary. When I eventually decide to move into this, I'll learn PHP and mySQL, and then it wont matter where its hosted (right?)
I'll post all the bits and pieces I've pulled together and see if any of you lot can help me with where I'm up to.
I still need articles

[Sastraxi]

The server must support PHP and MySql databases...

Here, I'm going to go see what I can "wrangle" up for you, just a huge list of providers and you can select.

[Sastraxi]

http://www.primemaster.com/comparehosting.html

Look here- this host is heavenly. It supports PHP and MySQL, 2gb transfer, 500mb disk space. It seems to be a very good plan.

[Behemoth]

Originally posted by Sastraxi
http://www.primemaster.com/comparehosting.html

Look here- this host is heavenly. It supports PHP and MySQL, 2gb transfer, 500mb disk space. It seems to be a very good plan. ok, slow this down a bit...what is "transfer"? is 2gb a lot, or just sufficient?. How much disk space would I expect to use? how much would all this cost? do I have to buy my domain name separately? I wasn't joking when I said theres a lot about this I don't know :p

[Sastraxi]

Transfer = How much information can flow from your site to the outside. Basically, I know it sounds stupid, but if you had 1 mb, your whole site could be accessed 2048 times a month. Since you probably'll have around that much, that's how many visitors you can expect. If you need more transfer you must pay for it; and the cost is at the site.

Yes, you'll have to buy the domain seperately.

[Beacon]

Behemoth dont differ from that domain name your thinking of it's great!

noisyplanet.net sounds good!

As sas said you'll have to buy the domain separetly but you can just ask the provider to orgainise this for you!
Otherwise go throught the company that deals with .net domain names. Dont know who it is!
But if this is the first thing you want to do(buy the domain name) then you'll some upfront $!

I know who does .com.au(aussie sites)!

Articles:
Ok i'll write some more then!
I still dont see your geocities site it just says it doesnt exist!
Once thats up i can help with the design if you want!
What i'd prefer to do is upload them to a server though instead of posting here but hey!
I've got some time as it's holidays soon!
I'll see what i can do about the other things i listed above.
Like tour reviews, on the wire etc.

later
b :)

[Behemoth]

bummer. I didn't know you couldn't even access it. I put my own "under construction" page up...

Ok, I'll look into it. I'll also discuss articles with you both further later. For now, I've got work to do :( :rolleyes:

[Beacon]

Ok i'll write some more cd reviews!

I think a list of songs and there artists would be good!
Because many ppl no oh i love that song but dont know who sings it!

[Behemoth]

ok, sounds cool

[Beacon]

Behemoth:

I can work on some site stuff if you want?

Why not start off witha database?
I aint the most experinced web programmer but i know databases pretty darn well!

Wait on Geurillas article! Almost done.

b :)

[Sastraxi]

If there's any ASP involved ask me if you have any problems. I only do access and asp though, that's all I have :)

And I can't do it full-time, because I'm working on the ToW site too.

[Behemoth]

ok...

I don't really know where to begin. I did some really good Access/ASP stuff at college (built most of the pages for www.ecampusltd.com myself and got someone else to make em look pretty), but I've forgotten a lot of it. I know it wouldn't take me long to pick it up, but I've no idea where to start.

[Sastraxi]

Okay :)

If you were going to put up a section for original music then our ToW stuff could go there. Getting back on track, you can download a new Mp3 of it at http://www.crystal-rain.com/download.asp.

[Beacon]

Well i'm still learning ASP but doesnt look that difficult i wouldnt think.

I think database driven is the only way to go so much more profesional!

[Beacon]

Where to start:
I persume you mean in the design well i would:

1) Develop some sort of introduction page like in flash or something. Perhaps i could ask the guys over at pctsonline if ya want?

2) Define what sections you want on your page!
Some i reckon are:

Feature Album - 2 each fortnight have review and short download. Just above album reviws section of main page!
Tours and Events - select country - has it's own page
Album reviews - say 5 of the most recent along bottom of main page!
Tour and Concert Reviews - in the tours and events page
News - Have recent news on main page then archives
On the Wire - with the news section
Forums - obvious
Lyrics perhaps - own page
Release Dates - upcoming or new releases on main page others in news section.
Downloads - own page that contains everything from .mp3's to pictures.
Links - links section
Original Artist section - as sas suggested for at home artist could send moderators a song and then could get it posted online!
Newsletter - sign up for monthly or quaterly newsletter!

3) I reckon you'd have 1 main page with lots of information on it. As stated above then have different sections. A cool menu of some sort would be good! The information on this would change regulalrly!

4) Work out a theme for the page like backcolors etc.

Then once you've done this you can build the DB and code it!

What you think of those ideas? Perhpas i may be thinking too big but designing big gives room to expand!

b :)

[Beacon]

That above list i would cut out news or bits of it because you may not have time to keep it up to date!
Unless someone offered to keep it up to date by surfing the music producers sites!
Anyway
For example:
A list of upcoming releases of new albums by Sony Music and there affiliates:

14/01/2002 Darren Hayes : Insatiable
14/01/2002 Darren Hayes : Insatiable
14/01/2002 Heaps Cool : Heaps Cool 2
14/01/2002 Hi-5 : Double The Fun - Jump And Jive With Hi-5 / It's A Party
14/01/2002 Indie 2000 : Indie Volume 8
14/01/2002 The Derailers : Here Come The Derailers
14/01/2002 Tina Arena : Dare You To Be Happy
14/01/2002 Wu-Tang Clan : Wu-Tang Iron Flag
21/01/2002 Creed : My Sacrifice
21/01/2002 Herbie Hancock : Future 2 Future
21/01/2002 Jamiroquai : Synkronized
21/01/2002 Jamiroquai : Travelling Without Moving
21/01/2002 Shakaya : Stop Calling Me
21/01/2002 Various : God's Kitchen
28/01/2002 Various : Waveriderz

[Beacon]

So whats happening behemoth i will have a look at the stuff on monday or wednesday been real busy.
Should have a review for you soon!

later
b

[Beacon]

Ok here's another review.

Few more coming.:)

[Behemoth]

any feedback on the stuff I've done so far?

[Beacon]

Just got back to work so gimme a few days to catch up then i'll have a look c.
Sorry got to tend to a few servers and the like sort stuff out when i got a spare 2 secs i have a peak!

thanks
later
b :)

[Beacon]

Behemoth that link to that .zip file dont work i get that missing link page!!!

Any ideas? wanna email it to me or just gimme a password!
hehehe ;)

Later
b :)

[Behemoth]

it should work, I've just checked it. I'll mail you the link again

[Beacon]

Yep got it working now will have a look at it!

later
b :)

[Beacon]

Cool behemoth i spose thats the backbone it would be better in .asp with a database though but hey cant to to picky.

Few things:

1) Why are the reviews one big word doc? I'd separate them because it will grow!
2) The folder eski should be put under reviews! And have an upload section where people can upload there reviews and you or someone reads them if good enough put them in the reviews section.
3) The structure should be somewhat like the following:
a) Reviews - this folder has all the review docs in it
b) News - News section has release dates, remours etc.
c) Gallery - what is this behemoth?
d) Images - for the site
e) Upload Reviews - for ppl to upload to
f) Orginal Artist - MP3's that ppl made themselves
g) links - link section
h) Forums

Thats how i reckon it should look instead of now just more organised. Have subfolders like archived reviews, classic reviews etc.
What do you think about that?

4) Dont have a gig guide it would be too hard to fill in world wide gigs just in the news section have tour dates or something.

5) Charts section should have UK and USA charts listed!
UK top of the pops and the US equivalent would be good!

What do you think needs to be done now?

I think:

1) Design the index page! At least the layout for it i can give you a rough outline nothing fancy if you want ideas!
And yes i have seen the template which is goodish lemme see what i can come up with.
2) More information to be added once the sites design is set up.
3) I can ask some guys too see if they wanna help with a cool flash intro if you want they may or may not want to do it and i can ask for reviewers at another site if you want? lemme know!
later
b :)

[Behemoth]

sorry beacon, I thought I'd posted in reply to you last week. perhaps vbf stole it.

Not had much time to work on it recently, and I think time is becoming scarcer at the moment. I don't want to give it up tho...

Any suggestion.

[Beacon]

Hmm ok.
I'll work on some site design when i've got free-time and email it to you.
I wonder if Sastraxi is still interested?
There is enough content to get it up and running now or at least enough to build a site around.
I say anyone who's interested in helping build this site you could send them that .zip you sent me and they could have a play around with it and email it back to you. Then you can go with either one or the other or incorporate bits.
With your permission i would like to ask a few guys over at dimava's site pctsonline.com and see if there's any interest.

Once the sites design is agreed on i reckon you get the domain and put it up.

later
b :)