New Wave Outpost Forum

So, for a number of years I have lived in a very technologically impaired world; I wasn't (am still not) particulary computer savvy. I could do the basics and the rest . . . well, just didn't interest me really. Recently, I began swapping mp3's and noticed a somewhat peculiar pattern that I may be misinterpreting - mp3 sharing etiquette.

Is it wrong of me to be more than slightly irritated when others download from me and not simply say "thank you"? I am genuinely curious. I mean, am I missing some sort of unspoken mp3 file sharing code that says that it is unnecessary to download many songs from another person and not say "thanks" or even acknowledge them afterward? Or, is this just my own pettiness and (obvious) lack of knowledge on the whole subject? I have been wondering this for a while.

While I certainly don't [i]mind[/i] sharing, it just somehow seems to be bad form to download music from someone and then simply not acknowledge that you did so, or thank them for the effort. I always try to say "thanks" to those who share music, whether someone requested a song or they simply volunteered the music. But, like I said, I could very well be missing some sort of etiquette that has yet to have been imparted on me about the "rules" of sharing.

Help me out here. I am very curious. Do you only say thanks if you've requested the song and someone was nice enough to share? Or, do you say thanks if you never asked for the song, but downloaded it anyway? Or, thank them for sharing even if you just listen to the song but not downloaded. Or do you not have to whatsoever?

Things they never teach farm boys.

Technofear. [}:)]

I've wondered about this myself because I never thank anyone on a P2P unless I'm in a conversation with them.

I suppose my thinking is that I have a bunch of stuff available too & that's what sharing is all about - I take from you & vice versa.

It's a little different on this board though - if someone posts something that I like, I'll acknowledge that. If I asked for something - then absolutely thank them.

I try to always thank them. It's just common courtesy. The music didn't just jump off the vinyl onto the yousendit or rapidshare by itself.

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[quote]Originally posted by ExRat
[br]So, for a number of years I have lived in a very technologically impaired world; I wasn't (am still not) particulary computer savvy. I could do the basics and the rest . . . well, just didn't interest me really. Recently, I began swapping mp3's and noticed a somewhat peculiar pattern that I may be misinterpreting - mp3 sharing etiquette.

Is it wrong of me to be more than slightly irritated when others download from me and not simply say "thank you"? I am genuinely curious. I mean, am I missing some sort of unspoken mp3 file sharing code that says that it is unnecessary to download many songs from another person and not say "thanks" or even acknowledge them afterward? Or, is this just my own pettiness and (obvious) lack of knowledge on the whole subject? I have been wondering this for a while.

While I certainly don't [i]mind[/i] sharing, it just somehow seems to be bad form to download music from someone and then simply not acknowledge that you did so, or thank them for the effort. I always try to say "thanks" to those who share music, whether someone requested a song or they simply volunteered the music. But, like I said, I could very well be missing some sort of etiquette that has yet to have been imparted on me about the "rules" of sharing.

Help me out here. I am very curious. Do you only say thanks if you've requested the song and someone was nice enough to share? Or, do you say thanks if you never asked for the song, but downloaded it anyway? Or, thank them for sharing even if you just listen to the song but not downloaded. Or do you not have to whatsoever?

Things they never teach farm boys.

Technofear. [}:)]
[/quote]

I've done the p2p thing for about 5 years, and it has done a 180 in that time. The etiquette part of it has gone out the window for the most part. Where I used to get a thank you for the files I made available, I now get demands for faster access, and preferential treatment. Combine that with the myriad of rules/regulations/blackmail you must submit to before even accessing people's shares, and it's enough to sour you on the whole experience.

Now I use p2p strictly as a convenient upload tool for a few people.

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I was smellin' alright, and lookin' alright.

From my perspective it depends on where you are sharing the files.

If it is a message board like NWO or Stairway to Heaven, then I usually try to leave a thank you if I either requested the song or had never heard of it before and really liked it.

Similarly, if I'm downloading from a blog I try and leave a comment if I really liked the file. I have to confess though that there are times when my greed gets the better of me and I download way more than I have time to acknowledge (or even listen to). Some of the blogging softwares out there have such convoluted registration processes that I just can't be bothered to go through them just to leave one comment.

Lastly, if it is a P2P package (I tend to use eMule myself) then I don't usually leave any acknowledgement at all. Most of the file traffic on those packages happens when I am not even there, and I assume it as a quid pro quo for the files that I have shared in the past (a long winded way of saying I agree with WolverineSyr). On eMule I don't really pay any attention to the message/chat features at all, because they are a bit infested with spambots.

Certainly P2P (or any file sharing) systems seem to fall apart either as a result of outside lawsuits or an overabundances of leeches. I vaguely remember leaving Kazaa because they had built their business model upon selling privileged access to my files to "premium" users, which really wasn’t my idea of sharing.

Even on eMule, which does a fairly good job of linking access to the amount shared it can still get a little discouraging to have a file downloaded 25+ times and see it shared by nobody else.

Bottom line is (again in my view), if in the long run you are sharing at least as much as you are gettin’ then you’re doin’ alright regardless of any individual thank yous.

[quote][i]Originally posted by Terim[/i]


I vaguely remember leaving Kazaa because they had built their business model upon selling privileged access to my files to "premium" users, which really wasn’t my idea of sharing.


[/quote]

Although I wouldn't call it their business model, Soulseek offers this option as well. It is handy if you find files that are looking to be a 3 month wait. Often, you have the files in a day or so.

Sharing has evolved into hording on most p2p sites anyway...you're far better off looking at a place like NWO.

I normally send a short msg. advising them that they have been added to my userlist and thanking them for actually sharing files.

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This post was reviewed and disagreed with by Salsynth.

On Slsk, I always try to say thanks and make sure if I take something from someone I add them to my list. As long as you share I'm not in any real need of a Private Message every time you take something from me. I also pay for privileges on SLsk as it has proved valuable.

As far as NWO goes, if someone posts it and if I take it, I try to make sure I say thanks, as I realize the amount of work it takes. I have sent several private e-mails to those who share regularly that I download from. When I post a song on NWO, it's nice to hear comments, even when they aren't positive.

Thanks everyone.[:p]

On larger P2P sites such as SoulSeek and Limewire, I understand that it is impossible to acknowledge everyone you download from. And, I often (usually) don't say "thanks", just as people on those larger file-sharing sites don't thank me. I'm fine with that because it is obvious that it would be an impossibility to thank everyone you've snagged mp3's from.

However, I suppose my issue with the whole thing is with the smaller sites such as this. On another small board set up for interaction and conversations, it seems that every time I share a tune, there are a few people in particular who seem to be waiting like ravenous vultures to take what I offer, then not even bother to acknowledge the effort on my part (however minimal). This just really irritates the piss out of me. While I am not asking for eternal praise or anything, a simple "thanks" would suffice - especially since they seem to download so [i]much[/i] of what I offer. Just seems like mooching to me, and of course it is usually from those who never offer others anything in return.

I should have clarified though, that this board is generally not like that and I really haven't encountered it so much.

Good. Now I can feel justified in being aggravated. [:D]

[quote][i]Originally posted by coop41[/i]
<br>
As far as NWO goes, if someone posts it and if I take it, I try to make sure I say thanks, as I realize the amount of work it takes. I have sent several private e-mails to those who share regularly that I download from.
[/quote]

Yes, but you draw the line at paying $6.95 for them right?[}:)]

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This post was reviewed and disagreed with by Salsynth.

On this board, I'll thank someone for sharing and add a comment on how cool the song was. I admit that sometimes, I have dl'd, listened to the song, not particularly cared for it, deleted it, but didn't thank them for it. oops![B)]

I can't really think if I've ever really dl'd from someone's blog or not. I don't really check out blogs.

On slsk, as was said above, it's too big for me to thank people personally. But if I'm sharing (always share !!), then that's kind of a thanks...someone else can leech from me, it's all good. Sometimes I see someone I know and maybe talk to/ thank them.
I figure that as long as I am offering something in return, then that's kind of a thanks. ExRat's query is very valid and makes me wonder...

[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by coop41[/i]
<br>
As far as NWO goes, if someone posts it and if I take it, I try to make sure I say thanks, as I realize the amount of work it takes. I have sent several private e-mails to those who share regularly that I download from.
[/quote]

Yes, but you draw the line at paying $6.95 for them right?[}:)]

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This post was reviewed and disagreed with by Salsynth.
[/quote]



You still haven't received that? [:0] I'd consult the local Mounties...

I am glad for this thread, because admittedly, I never thought to thank the person [:0]

I've done it this board, but I never thought to do it right on the spot. I can be a real dork [:o)]

But, now I know, and if it's not too late, I'd like to thank everyone who helped me out with a song or two. [8D]

Since I've shared a chunk of stuff in the past and have made some great finds due to the kindness of people on here, the main trio being Coop41, eight6 and Tiger_mn. Thanks guys, I appreciate the efforts you put in in making them available, especially with my tastes! [:D][8D]

I haven't bothered with P2P in years since I've stopped being able to find anything that interested me. The last time was over two years ago when I found 'The Show (theme to Connie)' by Rebecca Storm.

If you want it and I've got it then you can have it (with the expection of shopping lists) I don't mind as at the end of the day it all evens itself out.



--

"As chairman of the Cradle of Filth fanclub I'm the most insensitive man in Britain, but even I can see there's tension there"