> Has anyone thought of compiling a centralized database of abc tunes > similar to olga.net.. I find that resource incredibly useful. > Basically something like John's tune finder, except that it saves > everything to a local database. > I would be willing to donate computing power & storage space to such > a project.
This could be a good idea, as your site is considerably more reliable than MIT. But a few things need to be done to ensure data quality: 1. Make sure the copy is up-to-date. Most ABC files on the web don't change but some of the most interesting ones do. 2. Make sure you aren't replicating something that's already been replicated, perhaps with mistakes or computer garblement en route. We don't need 105 identical versions of "The Irish Washerwoman" hiding one original take on the tune. (An easy way for file providers to do this is to add an "S:" line giving the original URL if the tune is a literal copy of one from another site). 3. Provide a human contact for every file (you'll have this anyway if you've asked permission) - lots of ABC files raise questions, and the TuneFinder interface provides no way of getting answers to them, as what you get doesn't even have a URL included. Also, as you're going to be writing a hell of a lot of "I am not responsible for that content" messages to people who fire queries at you, it would seem to be simple self-preservation to be able to name somebody who *is* responsible for it. None of this should be difficult to arrange for files that are being actively maintained by a live human. =================== <http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/jack/> =================== To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
