This shouldn't be about a competition between .Org and HSQ, though it's not very nice to copy a forum that already exist for a very long time.
It's all about common sense.

If there are 2 sites that comments bootlegs or bootleg trading, there will be a serious risk that PP police will not tolerate that. As we know, it will cost lots of $$$ to both sites to fight the laywers. So most likely both sites should close such a forum wich would ne a lost for all the Prince fans.

So my 2 cents to .Org, leave it up to HSQ to run the bootleg forum!!!

Ohh well .. I actually decided NOT to go to into this as I´m both a member here at the Org and then also Moderator at Housequake.com (even a Moderator with responsibility for Bootleg-discussion.)

But this is going too far. Sorry to all of you presenting different views on the subject. I think we should all contribute to the Prince Internet fan community. For once I think what we need is what NPGMC preaches: Unity.

I mean we´re all fans (some might even be fams ) We all like to talk about Prince, see pictures and watch videos, talk about his music and some other stuff.

There are different sites out there in the Internet world. That´s cool. But what I like is the sites to be different. Why would I come here if it was the exact same content as on Housequake????? No need. So I like the diversity of the sites.

I don´t think this would (or should) turn into a WAR between sites. But I think we each should focus on our strengths and not copy each other. And btw also develop new features for both or all sites. We should not be the same sites.... let´s all be different. Thanks.

IMO housequake stuck out it's neck when it comes to fighting the PP police. U guys shouldn't profit on that. Be creative, i'm sure u have some mindblowing alternatives.....

I want to reply to this thread, simply because this discussion concerns Housequake.com very much, and I want people to know where I stand in this matter. Let me first say Prince.org can do what ever he wants of course! Let there be no misunderstanding, because who am I to interfere in Ben's plans for Prince.org? I can't, but that does not stop me to add my 2 cents to an important (to housequake.com) public discussion. I think it's best for me to reply to Ben's post only.

ben said:

Yes, every idea is a mix of elements that already exists in some form already. So you can't speak of a truly original idea indeed. Someone has to start 'something' for the very first time. Whether it's done already in some form or not. But the fact remains Housequake.com was the first website to have a completely dedicated Bootleg Trading & Discussion Forum in the Prince online community. Sure it’s probably done by other artist fan sites before, but that’s not relevant now.

ben said:

New type of experiences is what we want on Prince.org Ben, do something that hasn't been done before! If your track record tells you, you already have experience doing that, I hear by challenge you to keep developing and surprise the online Prince community with something they really need.

ben said:

Ben, we are talking about a bootleg discussion & trading FORUM (like you can see on Housequake.com). Of course there where 'discussions' in some form going on, on other Prince sites and on AMP, but not in the format I am doing it since early 2001. Check archive.org if you don't believe me. The legal issues are there indeed, but it's very clear you CAN discuss bootlegs online. But that's really old news already. The existence of Housequake.com for many years is a living proof it's not an issue at all. I have already had a ‘cease and desist’ letter from a Paisley Park law firm, but I simply stood ground, and I didn’t brag about it either.

ben said:

People are judged IMO for what they have accomplished, not for what great idea's they might have in mind, so that's not really relevant to this discussion. Because I have also great idea's. So what? BTW what do you call 'innovative' Ben? Like these org features: Your porting of AMP? Your photo gallery? Quotable members? Those ‘innovative features' you mean?

You need to work hard for a living? Damn, that's a coincidence; I need to do the same thing! Argh! Life's a bitch indeed. :-]

ben said:

If Prince.org really has that 'long history of innovation', we don't have to worry that you would start a similar bootleg discussion/trading forum like we have on Housequake.com right? Housequake.com is known for its bootleg & photography/video forums & questionnaires. Is it possible perhaps to think of something else with all respect?

We are currently talking about ideas & good features in the online Prince community Ben. And I completely agree to Chastity post about diversity, simply use one of you’re ‘great innovative idea’s’ and create something ‘new’ in our relatively small Online Prince community. The Prince fans will love you for it, and the online Prince community can always use an extra boost before it’s getting totally boring ;-]

There are also a couple of remarks I have, that I think are relevant to this discussion. Just think about the amount of time it would take to moderate the bootleg forum and have everyone following the rules (keep in mind the 'identity' of some org members, with all respect) And almost everyone knows that there is a bootleg discussion/trading forum on Housequake.com and those interested in bootlegs have joined already (including lots of Prince.org members)

I really want to prevent any type of Prince.org vs. Housequake.com wars, so if Ben, or anyone else like to contact me, I am always open for a decent discussion.


Best regards,


Aaron | Administrator @ http://www.housequake.com
-----
[This message was edited Mon Aug 9 6:31:26 2004 by housequake]

Housequake said:

Yes, I have thought of many other things. But that doesn't mean I won't also implement a trading forum, or a bootleg discussion forum. I may not, but the reason probably wouldn't be just because another site has some version of it. I launched the gallery because there wasn't a gallery like ours available elsewhere, and it was a relatively easy project to implement, and it was something I personally had wanted for a long time.

Housequake said:

Aaron, I realize you don't mean to sound patronizing, although I suspect a lot of folks will read your comments that way. Diversity is good in most things, and definitely when it comes to information and services on the Internet. No matter what happens, each online Prince site of any size will have a different feel to it, and the community will be diverse. When you try to tell me what features I should or shouldn't add to the site, it sounds less like a "call for diversity" and more like fear. Why don't you support lots and lots of sites with bootleg discussions? That would truly be diverse, and almost undoubtedly better for the trading community.

I know you are not an arrogant person, and so I doubt you believe that the specific implementation of a trading forum you guys run is the "perfect" solution. I certainly don't think the org is perfect, and I welcome suggestions to improve it, or anyone else building other solutions they believe to be better. I'm not sure why you guys don't feel the same. We can only enlarge and improve the experience of Prince fans online by offering choice (and yes, even the dreaded "competition"!) Personally, I don't want to be a monopoly; I just want to provide a lot (in quantity and quality) of services and information. I'm sure that goes for you too, and most site owners. Or at least I hope it does.

Well said!

@ this thread....

nevermind
[This message was edited Mon Aug 9 18:51:08 2004 by Tessa]

This thread is yet another reason I'm proud to be associated with this site. I think the instigations and responses thereto have pretty much illustrated who has class and who needs to chill out and show some damn respect. Some folks pioneered the game - some folks wanna act like they own it.

Ben with all respect, we clearly see things different concerning the diversity in the online Prince community. What you just stated in your reply, will mean that every Prince site will have exactly the same functionality like any other Prince fan site. That is absolute poverty and my worst nightmare. Just think 'out of the box', and dare to be different. I am sure you realize that Prince.org will probably always monopolize the Prince fan community simply benefiting because of it's catchy domain name and of course due to your work! But still, I am asking you to give the other Prince fan sites some air to breath, and given a chance to develop their own identity, and let them grow their own community. And that's another reason to emphasize diversity in functionality.

It wasn't my attention to sound patronizing indeed, but I recall you mentioned "the Org's has a long history of Innovation" Well? How does that sound to you? I know you are not arrogant either, but IMO it sounded like that very much. And you mentioned the Org Gallery, well you know there's still some discussion about that needed, because the content there still remains questionable, and that problem can't be ignored for a long while more. I am fair person, and so are you. Let's solve this together.

But once again: it's not up to me of course, but it's my prerogative to comment about your plans if I want too, because this is an open discussion forum. Apparently & sadly enough there are people replying here that likes to diss Housequake.com with every opportunity possible, and I really urge them to try to understand my reasonable point of view. And hereby I really invite them to come over to Housequake.com and see how friendly, helpful and dedicated we are.

Best regards,

Aaron | Administrator @ http://www.housequake.com
-----

housequake said:

Oh puhleeeease will you quit yo yapping! Who gives a shit who does what?! If Prince.org makes a bootleg discussion gallery what's the problem? You can't complain about copying; when Prince.org opened its gallery you "brought back the new, spiced-up housequake gallery" - coincidence? I think not.
Now, Prince.org has ~1000 users online at any one time day, last time I checked HQ had ~100 therefore it is safe to assume that Prince.org receives the majority of users and is therefore the more popular site. So, by providing a bootleg forum prince.org would be catering for the masses - is that wrong? making more people happy? No - no one cares about this Org vs HQ shit except for one or two users. Most people couldn't give a damn so I suggest you quit following up what everyone says with a counter-argument cause you just provoking everyone.

Prince.org can do what prince.org wants and HQ can do what HQ wants quit trying to compete with one another, and if that means stayin the hell outta each others way then so be it.
[This message was edited Tue Aug 10 13:45:33 2004 by Spookymuffin]

Spookymuffin said:

Another one of those "unique features"!

It's fixed now.

Housequake is funny ) It's only the internet folks.

i wonder how it is that housequake's Aaron has time to even run his site, when all i ever see is him all over the Princeternet pointing out what is and isn't his


get over it. as lovemachine said, it's only the [fucking] internet. you don't own it. so don't act like you're going to pick up your ball and take it home so none of us can play on it.

Tessa said:

Precisely what i said - who gives a shit.

[i]sorryi'mdrunkandcan'ttypeeditp[ih/]
[This message was edited Tue Aug 10 18:54:44 2004 by Spookymuffin]

Props to Aaron and the people at HouseQuake for making a user-friendly site.

NothinG said:

www.housequake.com

I think that the org should copy alt music prince. That place seems to be going great guns.

Spookymuffin said:

I'm guessing this thread will be locked and sorted out in private soon enough - but Spooky's post get's my monthly award.

I'm looking forward to this.

when I turn on my computer I open6 windows




first prince.org

next

npgmc.com

next

housequake (sometimes fams but I swear hq is my next choice)

next google

and last yahoo for my emails



I support you all


btw I thought you guys sent all the bootlegs to Prince as he asked....



why would you guys wanna piss him off and have londell serving you papers sooner than later?


I wouldn't be able to check out your sites anymore!





keep it legal


and ben, keep it real!!

I found a link at Prince.org to somebody selling bootlegs!

There are frequently folks on here breaking the rules by either asking for bootlegs, offering to buy/sell bootlegs, or asking/offering for copies (cdr/p2p) of official releases. Most of the time the mods pick up on it, but there are still threads from a while ago here in contravention of the rules. It does seem like if a post is not reported it can go unnoticed sometimes, and that makes me think that a bootleg forum here would soon turn into a free for all, or at the very least be a major headache for the mod/s.
Obviously it is a little naive to suggest that the Prince fan community could not sustain another bootleg discussion/trading forum. However, my opinion is that one should focus and expand on the current strengths of a site rather than add a feature just because it is possible or because another site has it.
Finally, there is no need for an "us and them" mentality, but from some of the posts in this thread you wouldn't know it.

gsh said:

nice word

Tessa said:

I like it.

discussing bootlegs is non-profiting.

everyday, people live, breed and die for new information from a book, magazine, gossip, TV, internet, etc.

the prince.org and housequake.com offer information about prince and that's what the prince fans live, breed and die for. what the hell does npgmc.com offer? there's nothing there to satisfy a "fan".

i am just talking about information.... discussing bootlegs is information. selling them... oh... that's another thing.

I could give a shit about bootlegs and yadda yadda yadda. But I am apalled at the tone of voice that housequake is using. ben's right, I caught onto - and I'm commenting on - your incredibly patronizing voice. You're not on your ground, you came over here, so be nice. It's the same of what you'd ask of anyone else on housequake.com.