Hi everyone, especially those who live in Australia! One issue that I find very perplexing regarding the MiniDisc format in Australia is why aren't manufacturers releasing MD boomboxes into the Australian market? The only MD boombox released in Australia so far has been the JVC "bazooka-style" CD-MD-radio unit -- a very large unit for that market segment. Manufacturers could give the same old excuses like the weakening Australian dollar or the market's too small; but why can't they try to release some of these units into our market just to see if it is really worth it. The boombox is still considered a very important product segment in the Australian market because of its outdoor lifestyle. These units don't even have to be battery-operated just to prove their worth in the Australian outdoor culture. All that is required of them is to be a single-box unit that is carried out to the backyard, plugged into the mains (whether into the nearest power outlet or via an extension cord) and used to play music or sports broadcasts as part of hte backyard activities like a barbecue; outdoor playtime or even "handyman" work in the backyard. In some cases, I have seen boomboxes and transistor radios perched on windowsills; with the speakers facing the backyard (where the action is); and if the window is an awning or casement type, the window leaf is closed just enough to stop the boombox or radio falling out. Judging from a barbecue that I attended last Saturday where a CD boombox was set up on a laundry windowsill with the speakers facing the backyard, this unit's deep design made it very stable in this situation. It may be also true of the US, where there is still an outdoor culture, but few MD boomboxes exist in that country. I hope manufacturers and equipment retailers wake up and realise that they still need to keep interest in that product segment in those countries where the outdoor lifestyle matters. With regards, Simon Mackay ----------------------------------------------------------------- To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
