MeFiSwap

October 19, 2005 11:38 AM

So... it appears that MeFiSwap is dead or becoming dead. Dreama appears to be very busy with a new kid and everything else that happens in life.

Are people interested in reviving this? I would be willing to do the administration aspect. I would NOT be able to start it until about 3 weeks, as I will be traveling and dealing with school related stuff. Undoubtedly my site style/options will not be as slick as Dream's setup, but I see no reason why it would not work.

This post is just to inquire how much interest there is.
posted by edgeways to MetaFilter Music at 11:38 AM (47 comments total)

Please note, I have waited patiently for several months it to become active before posting this, and I am in no way trying to slight Dreama or the fine work she has done.
posted by edgeways at 11:38 AM on October 19, 2005

It probably didn't help that the signup process required immersion in 7th dimensional ultraspace, or something, or whatever.

I love burning (and getting) mix CDs, so anytime anyone wants to do this, let's just make a list and shuffle it in Excel if that's what it takes.
posted by selfnoise at 11:45 AM on October 19, 2005

I'd love to do it -- I could never manage to figure out the previous signup process, though, so if it could be simplified or streamlined in some way, that would be groovy.
posted by scody at 11:49 AM on October 19, 2005

I still have the software and hosting I wrote for a previous swap and would be happy to revive it if folks want to get back on the swappin train.
posted by cmonkey at 11:50 AM on October 19, 2005

Yeah, I'd love to. I registered with the last version of the swap but didn't hear anything more, so I guessed Dreama was busy with sprog. Count me in.
posted by TheDonF at 11:51 AM on October 19, 2005

I did it once and I got a bunch of hippy music.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 11:56 AM on October 19, 2005

I would love to do this.
posted by Tuwa at 11:57 AM on October 19, 2005

I'm definitely in! Thanks for taking the initiative, edgeways.
posted by mds35 at 12:05 PM on October 19, 2005

totally want to do this!! thank you edgeways for initiating this!!
posted by seawallrunner at 12:23 PM on October 19, 2005

I'd be in. (And if anyone is around Ann Arbor that's interested, I've got a local swap going on Friday. Email's in the profile if you're interested in that...)
posted by klangklangston at 12:38 PM on October 19, 2005

I'd be interested, but only if I can get a bunch of hippy music.
posted by mmahaffie at 12:47 PM on October 19, 2005

I was involved in the last one and I got loads of hippy music. I'd be interested in joining another if only to off load it on mmahaffie.
posted by oh pollo! at 12:57 PM on October 19, 2005

And if anyone is around Ann Arbor that's interested, I've got a local swap going on Friday.

Do you PRAA* people purposefully always schedule these things for when I'm out of town?

*People's Republic of Ann Arbor
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 1:02 PM on October 19, 2005

People still listen to hippy music?
posted by scody at 1:03 PM on October 19, 2005

I'd love to do the swap (same with local AA swap, but I can't on Fri).
posted by blackkar at 1:09 PM on October 19, 2005

Shit, I'm in. I even have the CDs all burned and everything. Gimme five addresses and I'm ready to go. Count me in.

I'd been wanting to post this question here, too. I've emailed Dreama once or twice, but I figure she's got bigger and more important things to deal with than the cd swap.

Do you think it would be a good idea to email everyone who has already registered on Dreama's site? I think, as a registered user, you can see other users' emails/profiles.
posted by Dr. Wu at 1:12 PM on October 19, 2005

cmonkey ran a good swap last time. no real hippy music, thankfully.
posted by dobbs at 1:40 PM on October 19, 2005

I'm sure that, if one asks Dreama real nice, she'll open access to the database of current interested MeFites
posted by seawallrunner at 1:43 PM on October 19, 2005

Anyone fancy explaining what the swap is? I understand that it involves burning mix cds and sending them to other MeFites, but are there any rules/guidelines regarding what the music is?
posted by Lotto at 1:49 PM on October 19, 2005

I'm in, only so I can top dobbs last mix, which was a 12 cd box set that came with a poster and a free movie ticket.
posted by Quartermass at 1:51 PM on October 19, 2005

are there any rules/guidelines regarding what the music is?

Nope. Just so long as you actually send it out on time to the folks in your group, and maybe label "not safe for work" songs as such (in case someone listens to then at work for some reason). I've gotten some really awesome music that I had never heard of, which makes the whole process totally worth it.
posted by cmonkey at 1:56 PM on October 19, 2005

I think it might be best to start fresh, keep it simple. As to guidelines Lotto, I would say only simple ones, such as 1) Any obviously content-offensive music should be clearly labeled, or avoided, 2) Standard CD file format, 3) Stick to the deadlines. I think usually it has been something like send 5 copies off, get 5 different copies.
Basic stuff ya know. So it sounds like interest is high enough. If you want to wait the 3 weeks 'till I can devote the time to site set up that is fine, or if cmonkey wants to roll with it I would not be offended. Just make sure to include me?
posted by edgeways at 2:04 PM on October 19, 2005

doh
posted by edgeways at 2:04 PM on October 19, 2005

I *really* need an excuse to send jonmc a suitcase full of Merzbow...
posted by hototogisu at 2:08 PM on October 19, 2005

I'm debating whether I'm interested in this or not. I tend to prefer the MetaChat swap because (a) it's all electronic (no envelopes!), (b) you get everyone's mix instead of just 5 of them, and (c) I've consistently gotten high quality content.
posted by matildaben at 2:47 PM on October 19, 2005

Blackar and PST: This'll be the third one I've done, with one a month. The quality's been high, but mixed, and I had to reschedule to Friday after the last two scheduled days fell through due to lack of participants.
It's on upcoming.org, if you use that. Or on the Ann_arbor_ypsi LJ community...
posted by klangklangston at 2:51 PM on October 19, 2005

edgeways: I'll reactivate the site this afternoon, and let y'all know where to go. Should be smooth sailing since the bugs were worked out last time.
posted by cmonkey at 2:51 PM on October 19, 2005

OK, it's up and running at mefiswap.ciphermonkeys.org.

Lemme know if the schedule is too tight or whatnot.
posted by cmonkey at 3:16 PM on October 19, 2005

cmonkey: Looks good, I've signed up.
posted by Lotto at 3:36 PM on October 19, 2005

Me too! Looking forward to it.
posted by scody at 3:48 PM on October 19, 2005

I filled out the form.

re final two questions on the signup form:
...people still make tapes?...
posted by seawallrunner at 4:42 PM on October 19, 2005

cmonkey, pardon the newb question (or, I don't know, consider it a chance to expand your FAQ), but are the swaps random? by choice? some other method entirely?

And what's a swaplist? the list of names and addresses, or the CD's songlist?
posted by Tuwa at 4:50 PM on October 19, 2005

re final two questions on the signup form:
...people still make tapes?...

Probably not, but I figure it's better to be clear about that, since I'm sure plenty of people out there have ditched their tape decks.

but are the swaps random? by choice? some other method entirely?

I have a script that randomly pulls 6 people out to be in a swaplist, and then I make sure that they're not all clustered in one region, to keep things interesting. So yeah, random with some hand tweaking.

And what's a swaplist? the list of names and addresses, or the CD's songlist?

It's the list of 6 people and their physical & email addresses. They're not linked from anywhere but an email you'll get when they're ready, so don't worry about someone coming along and using the addresses for nefarious purposes.
posted by cmonkey at 5:04 PM on October 19, 2005

All right, then. Thanks for the explanation.
posted by Tuwa at 5:38 PM on October 19, 2005

...people still make tapes?...

Until about a year ago, I did. I still miss the more labor-intensive process of making a mix tape -- which took time and some serious planning to get exactly right! -- over burning a mix disc. There's something a bit unsatisfying about just picking out songs, making a playlist, and hitting a button. I'm an old-fashioned girl that way, I guess.

Hey you kids! Get off my lawn!
posted by scody at 5:39 PM on October 19, 2005

Shit, I'm in. I even have the CDs all burned and everything. Gimme five addresses and I'm ready to go. Count me in.

What Dr. Wu said.

You are now signed up for the Metafilter swap

Yay!
posted by rhapsodie at 5:39 PM on October 19, 2005

I done signed up! Yippee! Thanks, edgeways and cmonkey, for getting this together. I'm looking forward to it.

Have either of you communicated with Dreama? She oughta know about this, methinks. I'd be happy to write to her if youse guys haven't done so already.
posted by Dr. Wu at 6:53 PM on October 19, 2005

I had written her awhile back offering to help with the swap she was running, but did not hear back. So, i assume she is involved in other, more vital, activates. I assume she will notice this.
posted by edgeways at 9:27 PM on October 19, 2005

I'd like it to work again...
posted by nile_red at 3:35 AM on October 20, 2005

Yay! I'm signed up. I really hope dobbs is in my swapset.
posted by mds35 at 7:43 AM on October 20, 2005

Dreama wholeheartedly thanks you for your support and for organizing a swap off her shoulders. Have fun with this go 'round and I'll be ready to go with the regular swap after 01/01/06.
posted by Dreama at 8:07 AM on October 20, 2005

I'm signed up, but what's with this TAPE option? I mean, if we are going to be nostalgically embracing completely outdated technology, can I get an 8-track mix?
posted by spicynuts at 9:03 AM on October 20, 2005

I posted a note on the MeFi Swap site about our discussion here
posted by seawallrunner at 10:51 AM on October 20, 2005

Can we swap USB flash keys? What about compact flash cards? Is that cool?
posted by nearlife at 6:41 PM on October 20, 2005

I want a stack of 78s.
posted by dhartung at 10:09 PM on October 20, 2005

Can't do it this swap as wont have time. Hope it goes well!
posted by asok at 8:43 AM on October 25, 2005

Sweet! I'm on board. My wax cylinders are already cut and just need to be shipped.
posted by horseblind at 12:42 PM on October 25, 2005