Grateful Dead

While I too am disappointed at the decision made to change the format, I am still appreciative that they allowed us to download all they did to this point. At the end of the day we are all left wondering why they made the change and why it was not communicated. I am sure the decision was made for revenue consideration, and the same could be said for the reasons behind not communicating. Perhaps they were concerned that if word got out ahead of time that those who had not DL the files would do so in a frenzy and effectively crash the system. (I am sure that most of you already had the majority archieved properly) I also wonder if or how this plays into the new GD station on Sirius radio, among other things. I guess it really doesn't matter. In the end I can still say that I am appreciative of the files offered for DL and still look forward to the opportunity to receive more "freebies" if/when they elect to do so. There will be more "for fee" options coming out I am sure, I will just have to be more selective in deciding which are most worthy (they all have value) and look forward to objective feedback/ratings from the others here to help drive those decisions.

#415... It is a shame that the collective reaction has seemingly exceeded the boundaries of "reason" but I understand the reasoning, given the lack of communication to this very moment, the emotions being expressed and certain comments that seem to have been edited after the fact... and the lack of the music we had all come to look forward to each Monday morning. I say "shame" because I thought perhaps if any population were qualified to assume the best or find resolve in a time of loss in "selflessness", it would be the deadheads. On the other hand, assuming the best seems rather foolish and though I wish less anger had been expressed here (for collectively selfish reasons) it is understandable given the entire history of downloading Dead music and the very much anticipated new releases that exist only in concept form next to a calculator on someone's desk. Let's face it... we have full access to the Vault. It's out there... somewhere. The more years that pass the more places it will all become available. We don't need Rhino. Hunting tracks and concerts down even is part of the fun. Despite this, we have been supporting Rhino and we even seem to be trying to find ways to help them let us continue to support them which is plain ironic and is either a really good sign or a really bad one. I personally don't want any mainstream anything distributing GD merchandise but what I want is irrelevant really. I just fear that Rhino will offer the following response "Well f___ you too!" but don't be surprised that it never lands in your inbox... as it's bad for PR. The point raised earlier about bandwidth Rhino has to shell out for us to listen to the new format is an excellent point and makes me want to take the longest file I can find, set it to play continuously overnight or for as long as my machine is turned on and ask others to do the same... but this wouldn't be right (or environmental for that matter). I don't think we should resort to threats such as punishing ourselves further by boycotting this site and community and not partaking in the sale of future releases. A spade is a spade and we're in it for life and we're most definitely going to be buying that next release... whatever it turns out to be. I don't believe everything in life has to use that same old boring typical pathetic sad cheap model... though I won't be surprised to find out that it's too late either. I think it is important for people to express themselves and technically useful for Rhino since as it occurred to me earlier today while sitting in my office... some execs had to have been discussing exactly all of this as I was glancing over the comments and contemplating giving that streaming a second try. I did not. I just think we should remember that the individual can impact the whole community and ideally we should express ourselves wisely and as constructively as possible. If those expressing themselves in such fatalistic and final ways were correct in saying that no one with any heart has any say in any of this and we are left to deal with the "corporation" (and we all know how much sympathy and accountability they've been known to instill in the masses) then please accept my apology for this well intentioned "distraction" of mine. I am hoping for the best and getting tired of having to do so. Certain sad and pathetic recurring themes... boring even! Let's show Rhino the best of us and maybe we'll get to see the best of them. Personally, I'm going to await the best possible response from the administrators of this site and from Rhino outlining the best possible reasoning and the best possible proposal to provide the best possible outcome. It will be a personal experiment, even if fit proves to be a foolish move in the end. I have come to this conclusion because I won't allow myself to resemble in any way what it is that I am supposedly opposed to and myself aside, what is done... is done. This is my final comment at least until we hear back. I guess someone else gets that #420 I was hoping to land on. Fingers crossed...

Concerning this whole mess- it was first a bit of shock, a disappointment, an aggravation. I've tried the patience thing, read all of the posts and realize it's out of the hands of those that actually care about the music, i.e. DG and DL and i'm sure others (who have no control in the matter), But after no official comment or explanation with such a large response of concerned postings, my feelings about all this have turned to apathy. If the powers that be don't care enough to shed some light on things, i don't care anymore either. Certainly more important matters going on in this country and world where open dialogue and reasonable discussion may or may not change things. Yeah, that's right, I give up on this site. I still care about the music and will find it elsewhere, but jeez, what a debacle this has been! It's generated plenty of discussion if nothing else. Thanks for everything! "Feels like it might be alright"