Geetarz FAQ
Indicates a title has cover art
VHS Format Videocassette
Video CD Format
Commercial (pressed) DVD release
DVD-Recordable
12" Laserdisc Release
Sound Quality ratings are made on a scale of 1-6 as follows:
- Horrible. Absolutely awful, for only the most hardcore collectors.
- Bad. Useful usually only as a souvenir or as a momento.
- Mediocre. Fairly listenable at least.
- Good. The threshold at which something is listenable for entertainment.
- Very Good. Really quite good but perhaps not perfect.
- Excellent. As good as it gets!
SB = Soundboard Recording
Printing Cover Art: Most contributed cover art scans are in the JPEG format. For cropping and trimming there are many programs available. We recommend CD Cover++ for most printing tasks.
A Glossary and Some Common Terminology (Courtesy J.S. Kountz):
1) A Leech is:
A Jerk who never reoffer's the item back to the group, or who deceives us into thinking that he did.
It is important to post everything n the group publicly except for your street address or Last Name if you prefer. Obviously, we do need a "Name" that you will go by.
This is so we can keep everyone legit. This is so "so and so" can't just say "so and so" is getting it and then "so and so" never RE Offers it back to the group. Maybe "so and so" is fictitious. We want to keep the trades and offers clean.
2) A Vine is: When you pass on the original disc to the next person after copying it and they have to do the same. You don't even need a burner.
3) A Weed is: When you start or are a part of an ever growing chain of people who receive a disc and make a "few" copies to offer back to the group.
4) A tree is:
A "tree" is the organized cooperation of numerous people all over the world for the purpose of receiving and passing along some item such as a tape, a CDR, or a video. The tree originates when an individual (or group) decides to publicly share something of interest with other fans--a pure gesture of kindness. The assistance of others is then sought. These others are called "branches". There are also folks who help by providing the original source material being treed, inserts for the tape/CDR/video, etc.
5) What does a branch do?
A branch commits to duplicating a certain number of copies of the tape/CDR/video for others. Of course, this means that the branch has the equipment necessary to make copies, i.e. a dual tape deck, a CDR burner, or two video player/recorders.
6) How does the tree begin?
The person organizing the tree (the "administrator") makes a public announcement stating what is being offered, along with any specifications (how to sign up, how long the tree is "open", etc.). Those who register to receive a copy are called "leaves". The administrator collects the names of the "leaves" (and branches, who may also be recruited at the same time), along with their e-mail addresses and their locations (state/country).
7) How does everyone receive their copy? The administrator (or source person, i.e. the "seed") makes copies of the tape/CDR/video for the branches. The branches then make copies for the leaves. Leaves don't make copies for anyone. Once the tree closes, the administrator determines which branches will be connected to which leaves, i.e. who will make copies for whom (this is the tree "structure"). Everyone is responsible for mailing their own blank (tape/CDR/video), plus postage for its return, to the person supplying their copy. Some choose to set up a private trade rather than sending blanks.
8) How long does all this take? A tree can be months in planning and finishing. The time involved includes organizing the tree, sending numerous e-mails back and forth, mailing blanks, copying, returning copies, etc. The most important thing to keep in mind if participating in a tree: BE PATIENT - it is well worth the wait!
GLOSSARY:
TREE
an organized cooperative with the purpose of sharing music in the form of DAT tape, analog tape, video tape, or, more recently, CDR. A tree is usually comprised of the following: seed; administrator; branches; leaves. **Note: the administrator is not necessarily the seed.
ADMINISTRATOR
the individual/s responsible for the organizational aspect of the tree. The administrator makes all relevant public announcements (posts) concerning the tree, collects and collates all pertinent information from branches and leaves, and determines and issues the final 'structure'. The administrator is usually the one to contact regarding any problems you may encounter. Decisions of administrators are final.
SEED (or Source)
may refer to an individual or an item. In the case of an individual, the seed is simply a generous fellow fan willing to share the wealth of music. In the case of an item, the seed refers to the original item (tape or CDR) from which branch copies are made. In the case of an individual, a seed often wishes to remain anonymous.
BRANCH
an individual with the capability to copy the particular media being offered, who volunteers to share the work of copying for leaves. Most branches commit to handling anywhere from 5 to 10 leaves, though cases vary.
LEAF
an individual who wishes to receive a copy of the item being treed, but cannot (for whatever reason) copy for others.
STRUCTURE
A list of names and email addresses that may be publicly announced (posted) or handled privately. The structure lets everyone know whom to contact in order to receive their copy of the item being treed. Simply put, the structure says 'who copies for whom'.
B&P (Blanks and postage)
On a tree, everyone is responsible for providing their own blank media and sufficient postage to have it returned to them. For example, if the tree is offering a 90 minute tape, everyone involved, branches and leaves, will supply their own blank 90 minute tape *and* a self addressed, postage paid, return mailer (sort of a SASE for trees). When participating in a tree, ALWAYS BE CERTAIN that you have supplied enough return postage in the form of stamps. **Note: In the likely event that participants are in different countries, trading is always encouraged.