Subject: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Joe Offer Date: 17 Nov 08 - 02:33 AM So, I've been asked to write an article about Mudcat for the Folknik, the newsletter of the San Francisco Folk Music Club (SFFMC). Mind you, many members of SFFMC don't frequent Mudcat, and many think it's just frivolous fluff and a lot of infighting. So, what should I tell them, emphasizing the good parts of Mudcat? -Joe- |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: stallion Date: 17 Nov 08 - 02:46 AM connects people instantly worldwide to share info on an, albeit fragmented, genre of music and performers and becomes a fairly useful research tool as well as forging new and lasting friendships at home and in the wider world. Peter |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Melani Date: 17 Nov 08 - 02:48 AM Well, you can certainly tell them it's an incredible resource for songs, tunes, lyrics, knowledge of all things musical. I am about to look up a set of lyrics. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Gedpipes Date: 17 Nov 08 - 02:49 AM Good points Excellent forum to elicit and solicit information regarding tunes, songs, history and lyrics. Friendly and free advice with people going out of their way to helpful. Can be funny, critical and supportive Well managed and evenly regulated Not so good points Can bring out some really very nasty personal posts Anonymous posting can be sometimes irritating People (including me) use threads for personal messages Such as 'Joe - I've sent you a personal message'! Usability Generally very good and easier than other sites such as The Session to navigate IMHO Length of threads some times problematic |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: VirginiaTam Date: 17 Nov 08 - 02:51 AM Mudcat is like a multipersonality virtual John Peel. I am exposed to a global encyclopedia of music and ideas. I joined to keep up with newly made folk friends, local folk events and learn more about traditional folk music in Great Britain. But find I am rediscovering my own Appalachain roots and a renewed love of blues and a kindling interest in jazz. As an American and new folkie living in the UK, I find MC an invaluable resource. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Richard Bridge Date: 17 Nov 08 - 03:10 AM As far as the UK goes it's invaluable for keeping on top of what is happening where and to encourage people to attend events. Some of the "learned" threads (eg about "Reynardine") are wonderful. It is mostly a helpfully supportive community. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: JohnInKansas Date: 17 Nov 08 - 03:44 AM An old (2005) thread that might tweak some thoughts: Mudcat History. I'm pretty sure there was a more recent one where people contributed thoughts about the history (which is a part of what the 'cat is) but I haven't found it yet if there is. John |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 17 Nov 08 - 03:46 AM it can be addictive! |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Megan L Date: 17 Nov 08 - 03:48 AM Jo you could start with the report in the Northern Times from the McMudgather Northern times the reporter was most interested in the cat and how we all got together. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: JohnInKansas Date: 17 Nov 08 - 03:53 AM A more recent one: Tell Me About Mudcat - this year at least. It isn't the one I think I was thinking of; but some guy named Joe has put a list of related threads at the top of this one (and some comments in the thread) that might also suggest some eloquent prose. John |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: The Sandman Date: 17 Nov 08 - 05:08 AM 1.what a good resource it is for songs. 2.an excellent place for exchanging musical tips/technique. 3.that it is only as good as its members. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: quokka Date: 17 Nov 08 - 06:32 AM Ah, but do we really want EVERYONE coming here?? Or do we want to keep it a well-kept secret how good it is? Only jokin', Ollie! I've been raving to my friends about Mudcat ever since I discovered it! And Sandra - I agree absolutely...it IS addictive! |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: nutty Date: 17 Nov 08 - 06:40 AM It's just like any normal family Sometimes people get on - sometimes they don't. Some are very likable whereas others get on your nerves Some are in constant touch where you only hear from others occasionally But the one thing binding every one together is an abiding love of the music. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: kendall Date: 17 Nov 08 - 07:21 AM It provides a vehicle which allows us to connect with like minded music lovers all over the world. If you have a question, ask. Someone will answer, usually within a day, and often in minutes. Personally, I've met at least a dozen people who have become lifelong friends. I even married one! |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 17 Nov 08 - 07:32 AM I hasten to add it's a good addiction, quokka. Mudcat is my homepage & my community & my source of much (but not all!) info on folk music (my local friends provide a lot, too) Some interstate & overseas Mudctters I've met, others I'll never meet, but I know them well from their posts, & I can buy their music (92 Mudcat CDs, so far!!) It's a wonderful place to belong. sandra |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Bobert Date: 17 Nov 08 - 08:22 AM What??? These folks don't come here??? That's problematic so here's what ya' do... Ya' tell 'um that in order to visit that they have to be recommended by a current Catter... Tell 'um that if they don't have that recommendation that the moderators have a secret way of ifentifying their isp's and after a certain number of GUEST visits without a recommendation that Mudcat will refuse them entry... Then tell them that if they are interested in visiting that ***you*** can clear their isp's with the moderators so they can visit... This will work... It's kinda like getting rid of kittens... No one will take a free one but if they have to pay $5 for one they will line up around the block to get one... B~ |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 17 Nov 08 - 08:36 AM As for the BS side of it, there's a lot to be said for being able to argue about stuff that isn't do with music, knowing that most of the people you might disagree with share something very important with you in a love of the music. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Amos Date: 17 Nov 08 - 09:15 AM Feel free to use anything you like from the Mudcat CD blurbs, Joe. A |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Nigel Parsons Date: 17 Nov 08 - 09:24 AM Maybe it's something to add to the "Message from Max" thread. Now 'Guests' can't start BS threads, and we have the BS discussions 'below the line' why not put that whole section out of view of the general public. It would make The 'Cat look much cleaner to casual visitors! |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: wysiwyg Date: 17 Nov 08 - 09:26 AM I pasted that over there-- GREAT idea. ~S~ |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Dave Hanson Date: 17 Nov 08 - 10:00 AM Don't mention WalkaboutsVerse whatever you do. eric |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Richard Bridge Date: 17 Nov 08 - 11:34 AM Oh, and a cable tow about the neck, and the right heel slipshod |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: dick greenhaus Date: 17 Nov 08 - 12:52 PM Max's best estimate is 22,000 regulars |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 17 Nov 08 - 01:03 PM While the 'Cat is an invaluable source for lyrics and factual information about music, it's also a great place to share opinions on musical and non-musical topics. As such, it's subject to the same set of Internet "social problems" that affect any other lightly moderated forum. The vast majority of people who post here are pretty well-behaved, but any forum that's not moderated with an iron fist is going to be plagued by a small minority of people who see anonimity as an opportunity to misbehave with few consequences. It's not anything unique to the Mudcat, and the benefits of being able to interact freely far outweigh the occasional desire to crawl through the screen and punch some jerk's lights out. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Amos Date: 17 Nov 08 - 01:45 PM Really??? 22,000 REGULARS? My word!! I always thought I was nestling up with a few hundred pals. I may have to clean up my act!!! :D A |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: PoppaGator Date: 17 Nov 08 - 01:57 PM Hmmm, do you need to mention the BS section at all? ;^) Probably so, I imagine, assuming that the member's negative impressions of MC stem from what they've seen (or perhaps only heard) about our non-musical catfighting. It's probably important to point out that we have separate forums (or sections of the forum) for musical and other discussions. Anyone who has no interest in arguing politics, or whatever, can easily read through the music-section discussions without the slightest exposure to the other stuff. If any of the SFFMC might be turned off to Mudcat from actually visiting (briefly) and feeling that we're too UK-centric, you might note that this was originally a completely American folk-and-blues site, that we have many US members from that earlier era and many more of more recent vintage, and that there is still plenty of talk about US-based traditions, as well as about the shared British-Isles traditions that are the basis for so much American folk music. The fact that our site now includes a lot of additional material that concerns our members in other countries around the English-speaking world is just that: additional. No discussions of US folk music have been displaced; anyone can start a thread on any topic at any time. You can scan through the list of topics, and only look into those which interest you. Take what you need and leave the rest... |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Dave the Gnome Date: 17 Nov 08 - 02:07 PM just frivolous fluff and a lot of infighting. Them ARE the good bits Joe:-D Seriously - The fact that anything goes but seems to be, generaly, self regulating is a very good point. The fact that we are all, generaly, friends and we can treat each other accordingly. We can argue and fight and then get over it to discuss the meaning of lyrics or support each other in difficult times, just like people should do everywhere. Pretty much a microcosm of what, hopefuly, goes on in real life. Cheers DeG |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Seamus Kennedy Date: 17 Nov 08 - 08:48 PM Joe, since I'm from Belfast my initial (and I'll admit, knee-jerk) reaction is: tell the fuckers nothing! Seamus |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: open mike Date: 17 Nov 08 - 09:18 PM i would emphasize the family aspect....albeit dysfunctional... i have gained several friendships here that seem like family members....and have felt a great outpouring of compassion from my new family. these connections are not just surface ones, but genuine caring people are found here...what a refreshing find these days!! don't know what life would be like without these mudcat friends!! |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Rapparee Date: 17 Nov 08 - 09:38 PM Mention Mom MOAB. Also point out that MC is a FORUM, not a blog, and as such many diverse points of view are tolerated and even encouraged -- and that it's a MODERATED forum. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: JohnInKansas Date: 17 Nov 08 - 10:01 PM I would personally be impressed, if I didn't already know about Mudcat, to be told that: People actually discuss real subjects of mutual interest, and have their own actual opinions, and/or their own thoughts on the opinions of identified others. Participants write actual sentences with (mostly) intelligible grammer. Emoticons are only rarely seen (and only when appropriate and actually useful to convey meaning). The are no flashing graphics, illegible "backgrounds," idiotic pasted cartoons, blaring music clips, or other inane distractions from the communication. *** Of course, anyone who hasn't been here to see it will never believe all those things can be done on "the modern web." John |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Cluin Date: 17 Nov 08 - 10:03 PM Tell them there's a lot of sex going on here. I know advertising; I've been paying attention. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Joe Offer Date: 18 Nov 08 - 04:47 AM I just checked - we have 22,547 registered members of Mudcat - I have no idea how many of those are active, and how many could be considered "regulars." We also have a very few clueless people who submit a new membership every time their cookie gets corrupted. I caught up with one who had TEN memberships. There have been 2,496,477 messages posted, and 116,298 threads. Oh, and there are 10,365 songs in the Digital Tradition. -Joe- |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 18 Nov 08 - 05:50 AM & all this activity since 1996! |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: VirginiaTam Date: 18 Nov 08 - 06:33 AM Yay! Mudcat rocks! Or should that be folks? Have to plead guilty to multiple personality (log in) syndrome. Until recently I rarely visited MC and only had guest appearances as poetspider. I suspect some other name (possibly wordweaver) used way back in 1998 or 99 when searching out colleague (Allen Clark Mudcat radio performance). That was in the day when MC had audio and video. Memories |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Escapee Date: 18 Nov 08 - 09:37 AM All the negative stuff is optional. Don't like a thread? Don't click on it! Lots of good people to communicate with. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Big Mick Date: 18 Nov 08 - 10:16 AM Seamus....... I am splitting a gut (a substantial job in my case) over that one.... Mick |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Mr Red Date: 18 Nov 08 - 10:26 AM Itsa family. Itsa community. It's like real life, you have to be discriminating with who you liaise. And when. At it's worst it is an open forum, one of the better ones. At it's best there is a host of helpful erudite people. Some of who have actually "collected" songs that might have been lost to the wilderness. tell them that. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Nigel Parsons Date: 18 Nov 08 - 10:28 AM Tell them about the 'in depth' information they can get by putting "DTStudy" into the filter box & timescale 'All'. 54 threads in which serious discussion is made of separate songs. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Cluin Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:07 AM As an open forum, this one is a helluva lot friendlier than most others on the net. Don't believe me? Check a few out and see. I second, third and fourth what has been said about Mudcat being an invaluable resource for lyrics, background info and music info in general. Max deserves a trophy for keeping the site running so long and so streamlined and unbogged with rules and useless bells & whistles. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Lizzie Cornish 1 Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:31 AM From Joe: "I just checked - we have 22,547 registered members of Mudcat.." I don't know how to tell you this, but er......22,537 of those are me, Joe :0) "We also have a very few clueless people who submit a new membership every time their cookie gets corrupted. I caught up with one who had TEN memberships." Tish, tish. I am SHOCKED! (she says, muffling her giggles like crazy.) Hey, tell 'em we have Corrupt Cookies, Joe...that sounds even steamier than telling them we have sex! Quick, Nurse...The Screens! |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: open mike Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:41 AM some of those registered folks are now mwembers of the heavenly choir, if you know what i mean... logging in from a different sphere... vote early, vote often... also amke sure to tell them to search for us by "dot org" or they may get a sacramento baseball team or a river channel excavating business... |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 18 Nov 08 - 03:10 PM Or for a politer variant on Seamus's suggestion "Whatever you say, say nothing." .......................... I'd have thought if they think that they'd be lining up to register. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 18 Nov 08 - 03:10 PM Or for a politer variant on Seamus's suggestion "Whatever you say, say nothing." .......................... "...many think it's just frivolous fluff and a lot of infighting." I'd have thought if they think that they'd be lining up to register. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Mo the caller Date: 18 Nov 08 - 05:03 PM Tell them about the generosity of Catters to strangers. My first enquiry (where to find easy tunes for a fife beginner) brought a little music book winging from the US. I was amazed. |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: olddude Date: 18 Nov 08 - 07:32 PM Tell them we have Spaw!! that should drive them over to us he will keep them laughing for days |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Charmion Date: 18 Nov 08 - 07:43 PM Tell them you can wander in all innocent, fresh from a Google search, looking for the words to a song your mother used to sing 40 years ago and -- quick as a flash -- 10 years pass and you have a dozen (or two!) real, live friends in foreign countries you would never otherwise have met, let alone be crashing on their couch. (Thanks, Peg in Albany, Susan A-R in Montpelier, SINSULL in Portland ... !) |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Uncle Phil Date: 18 Nov 08 - 08:35 PM I suggest writing about what a good source of information on folk music Mudcat is. Nonmembers may not know anything about discussions or community, but they all sure know that Mudcat is the best place on the web to find a song. I've heard Mudcat recommended as a song source by nonmembers at music camp and song circles One example -- I walked up to the Sing Out! booth at a festival last year. A customer couldn't find a song he was looking for in any of their publications and the salesman was explaining to him how to find in the DT or, failing that, how to post a request to the forum. I later asked the salesman if he was a 'catter and he said no - just someone who uses Mudcat to look for songs. - Phil |
Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Joe Offer Date: 19 Nov 08 - 08:45 PM Well, here's the article I submitted:
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Subject: RE: What Should I Tell Them About Mudcat? From: Amos Date: 19 Nov 08 - 10:47 PM A good start, Joe!! Low-key while definitely carrying a whiff of the underlying enthusiasm that marks the Cat's box. So to speak..... A |
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