Message 6/12
Date: 15-Jan-07 @ 01:49 AM -
RE: Dancetech Chart
DT's independence is noted and cherished. I for one think you've done a champion job. I remember when you were talking about setting it up - way ahead of the pack! I didn't think you'd do it - something I'm really glad to have been wrong about.
If it were just a matter of folk getting their friends to vote for them I wouldn't be mumblin'. I've done that myself before, it's not a bad thing for DT (new folk visiting DT, keeps me in touch with people, etc...) and I doubt anyone I know would vote if they didn't like a tune. It's the fact it's a bit of software. Does no-one any good but the people setting it (asides from a quick lesson in IT of course - there's always a silver lining).
There was an article in the New Scientist (pre-christmas edition) about sites such as DT (though they forgot to mention DT by name, going instead for the more obvious choices) and how they engage us users.
Badges was one, and we've got that with the gourmet thing.
Community was another, and we've got that 'cos we're all musos.
Reward was the thing that seemed to fire most folk. The idea of a chart seems to me to be good. Trouble with a negative chart is that when I mention DT to people asking to hear my sounds, loads of them (well, two so far, but that's not out of many) ask why I'm not in the chart, as if they see the chart as an indicator of the best current tunes on the site. That's bad promotion for me. Tempts me to recommend other sites where the competition is fair or there is no chart. Couldn't it be based on complete plays, or downloads, or get a voter to add a comment, or, or, or...I can hear you saying you don't have the time.
After a year of using the site regularly, the chart is my biggest gripe. Listening to random new posts on DT is still my favourite source of new music.