interactive possibilities that an ipad or similar create are exciting.

Absolutely. It's called HTML5.

But Mum! You haven't seen the gorgeously vivid Marvel Comics app on the iPad!

Bring it next time you come to visit, dear, along with the soft nougat.

And I wouldn't read a graphic novel on a backlit screen on any light – I'd do it on paper.

I suspect for some graphic novelists, the interactive possibilities that an ipad or similar create are exciting. Creating bridges between comic, film, computer game etc.

I understand. And I wouldn't read a graphic novel on a backlit screen on any light – I'd do it on paper. So what's your point?

But Mum! You haven't seen the gorgeously vivid Marvel Comics app on the iPad!

Seriously, it's great. Better than paper, even.

Sure, but the Kobo doesn't show color in any light. I couldn't use it to read graphic novels unless I was happy for black and white only.

I understand. And I wouldn't read a graphic novel on a backlit screen on any light – I'd do it on paper. So…

The price difference: A$199 or NZ$295.

Sure, but the Kobo doesn't show color in any light. I couldn't use it to read graphic novels unless I was happy for black and white only.

It would lose one of its main advantages (battery life) if you made that change. They tend to work by having thousands of…

And the iPad doesn't work in the sun.

Sure, but the Kobo doesn't show color in any light. I couldn't use it to read graphic novels unless I was happy for black and white only.

This isn't really an e-book, more an app for the ipad, but it's pretty clever. I won't be in the market for one this year, but it does have a lot of scope for innovation in delivery of content.

That's brilliant and coming close to the Stephenson's vision of the…

But the kobo isn't really for reading graphic novels, is it? Black and white.

And the iPad doesn't work in the sun. The two technologies will have to overcome their shortcomings at some point. Meanwhile, those who don't mind the backlighting will opt for netbooks or iPads, those who do…

This isn't really an e-book, more an app for the ipad, but it's pretty clever. I won't be in the market for one this year, but it does have a lot of scope for innovation in delivery of content.

Anyhow it looked great – I've always been in the "until it looks as good as paper, don't wake me up" camp.

0ld 5k00l? I find reading off paper harder now. I guess it's what you get used to, but books held in the hand are just not my bag…

I can't see anywhere that Kobo would be able to play other media like videos, if it could that would be neat, but I guess it would be on the premium version.

It uses an e-ink screen, which is greyscale and not back-lit. That's the reason why battery life is…

Gotta say, kobo looks neat. 800x600 is decent resolution for reading.

It's not just the resolution, it's the lack of backlighting. The first time I saw it I thought it was off and they had put on some sort of display mask on it (I'm an idiot, I know). Anyhow…

Can you scan on your own computer titles you own and then upload them to the KoBo?" (This would be the killer ability for me...)

Yes you can. It reads PDF. I looked at one of these today and it seems very functional for the job it was designed…

(And I like the idea of the netbook, too. More for less always sounds good to this cheapo consumer :)

Fair call. But in the US, it appears that the iPad is laying waste to the netbook market.

A more recent survey shed some further light on why netbook sales…

and don't forget the kayak

I deliberately only mentioned the things that aren't distracting. My grog cabinet doesn't really help me work....

I've checked the website – seems to be an exercise in enticement but doesnt answer questions like "Can you scan on your own computer titles you own and then upload them to the KoBo?" (This would be the killer ability for me...)

It would seem so, the article says:

you…

I'll go to the workstation, which is much better set up with a proper chair, desk with notes laid out, dual monitors, mice, ergonomic keyboard, headsets, quiet room, telephones, printer, servers, router, fridge, coffee, library, strong lighting.

and don't forget the kayak

an archive which co-ordinates the digitalization of the audio past.... then making that available to the public

would be a marvellous thing- but a copyright nightmare, eh?

Not necessarily, if the Film Archive in Wellington, and other such institutions are anything to go by.

Until 2 weeks ago when I…

cheerz-

Anybody know anything about the KoBo, whitcoull's just available- here e-reader?

Funny you should ask that, Peter McLennan was just telling me this afternoon about his first encounter. Sounds like slothful performance and some poor interface choices count against it. However, maybe that's only apparent if you've used an iPad…

If you turn the iPad over, it doubles as a chopping board.

So *that's* why they didn't stick a camera in it

I've checked the website – seems to be an exercise in enticement but doesnt answer questions like "Can you scan on your own computer titles you own and then upload them to the KoBo?" (This would be the killer…

Is there a non-slip version? You know, something with grips to hold onto while in the bath? :)

You can download an app for that.

Well you can read an ipad in the bath. But like a book, don't drop it.

Is there a non-slip version? You know, something with grips to hold onto while in the bath? :)

would be a marvellous thing- but a copyright nightmare, eh?

put it on a Chinese server.

Can I read it while I'm soaking in a hot bath?
If not, then it's no use to me.

coming soon the iLilypad...
(complete with transmorphed Prince...)

I know the number of people that come to my site because the bits and pieces, like the Zodiac data, are not available…

would be a marvellous thing- but a copyright nightmare, eh?

Having music available would be desirable but not essential. First thing you'd want is a complete record of every piece of music released in NZ. After you've spent a couple of years compiling that, you can start trying to add…

If not, then it's no use to me.

would be a marvellous thing- but a copyright nightmare, eh?

As George says, do-able, but clearly you work within the boundaries that you can negotiate and some things are easier than others. I'm not talking about uploading every record ever made in NZ but the data relating to much of…

an archive which co-ordinates the digitalization of the audio past.... then making that available to the public

would be a marvellous thing- but a copyright nightmare, eh?

Not necessarily, if the Film Archive in Wellington, and other such institutions are anything to go by.

I thought the National Library (maybe Turnbull or Hocken) archived all NZ releases (and ephemera) – might be a simple, and supportive, step for them to make that available somehow – perhaps along the NZ film/on screen model...

Yes they do, but I'm talking of something more than that, an…

Because the App Store doesn't sell porny apps? Really? You might be making a bit much of one phrase ("freedom from porn") in a personal email to a punter. It's not that unreasonable to cite that as a selling point on a device kids will use.

But I do find…

Loro adorazione è religiosa.

Darwinian, more likely.

If you turn the iPad over, it doubles as a chopping board. True story.

if you're making pizza, you can use it as a peel.

I'm your annoying cousin.

Hey, we have a theme song even!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e0u11rgd9Q

Here we go again, the iPhone as a killer device.

...or as God would say – take two tablets and call me in a coupla thousand years...
I'll be moseying on then.

I think the iPad media hype track was about 90 seconds long in the end. We wanted something lighter to go out on, which is pretty common.

But in the context of the preceding segment – here's something you don't get to hear about in the NZ media, and it…

Anyway, what are you, my mother?

And RB, while I personally appreciate your defence of…

I've got it

that does sound appropriately turtle-neckish

Well you have a point there. They should use this scenario for an iPad ad.

I've got it: groovy-looking dude makes some electronic music on his iPad, uploads it to an MP3 blog, tweets about it, then takes his iPad into the kitchen to cook something special for his hot…

As a media commentator, Russell has an obligation to do what everybody else is doing? No, I don't think so. I thought in fact it was the whole point about Media Watch and Media7 – to examine what the media are doing, critically.

I think the iPad media hype track…

There's much discussion going on about the iPad's usability, with app developers…

(And incidentally, you know what else has the right form factor for that? A bloody recipe book. Or a printout if it's a recipe you found on the net.)

But if you don't have the Recipe book you want on hand, and don't want to consume paper…

As a media commentator, Russ almost has an obligation to cover such things,

As a media commentator, Russell has an obligation to do what everybody else is doing? No, I don't think so. I thought in fact it was the whole point about Media Watch and Media7 – to examine…

Well, firstly, it's sort of my job to have media gadgets

Oh. See you had me confused, for a while it looked as though your job was to only have Jobs gadgets :-)

I feel like I'm being hectored now.

Not half as much as…

iTunes is great for making your own comps though.

the evolution of the Mix Ape

a central, funded, NZ music archive

I thought the National Library (maybe Turnbull or Hocken) archived all NZ releases (and ephemera) – might be a simple, and supportive, step for them to make that available…

I feel like I'm being hectored now.

I have that effect on people sometimes. Actually I think this time it was a genuine attempt at hectoring. I was a little frustrated to be honest in the Media7 ep. with McVicar which was so desperately stretched for time to find some…

Well, firstly, it's sort of my job to have media gadgets

That is one of the most perturbing sentences I've ever read!

I imagine it'll be a lounge-room device, but I could see it being a suitable form factor to sit on the kitchen sill with a recipe on it.

…

On the other hand, if you follow the iHype you would think the problems world hunger, war and ugly clothes had been solved and would continue to be solved if we only let the nice Mr. Jobs get on with managing our lives.

Kyle, I have tried Apple's computers, honestly.…

On the other hand, if you follow the iHype you would think the problems world hunger, war and ugly clothes had been solved and would continue to be solved if we only let the nice…

For what values of "just works"? I have tried an iPad and found it doesn't work for just about everything I use a computer to do...other than browsing the Internet, and even then there is a massive youtube fail.

You can do even less computing on an iPhone, which runs…

If you wanted something to do what a computer does, why didn't you try ..... a computer?

instead of a fashion accessory.
There, fixed it for Ya.
:-)

I have tried an iPad and found it doesn't work for just about everything I use a computer to do...other than browsing the Internet, and even then there is a massive youtube fail.

If you wanted something to do what a computer does, why didn't you try apple's extensive line…

But I'm not going to be hating on Steve for making an appliance that just works, and defending that just-works status.

For what values of "just works"? I have tried an iPad and found it doesn't work for just about everything I use a computer to do...other than browsing the…

Yes, you're quite right, I've been regretting that all day, sorry about that Islander. I think perhaps I should start drinking again.

Onya.

Islander, no more suggesting other people have been drinking — unless you're absolutely bloody sure they have. ;-)

In a culture that marketed Elvis as the King of Rock n Roll?

He has some claim:

Elvis' five Sun singles pioneered the blend of R&B and C&W that would characterize rockabilly music. For quite a few scholars, they remain not only Elvis' best singles, but the best rock & roll ever recorded.

…

After 25 years, 32 trips and over 10,000,000 miles of flight.

After this preparation (beautiful photo-essay of one…

Just trying saying "I see it differently" rather than applying "scrutiny" to someone else's personal opinion.

Yes, you're quite right, I've been regretting that all day, sorry about that Islander. I think perhaps I should start drinking again.

In a culture that marketed Elvis as the King of Rock n Roll? Seems pretty same-old from this neck of the woods.

Well, yeah, same old. That is after all the criticism.

The idea of a reigning king of guerilla art is rather odd, I have to say.

In a culture that marketed a white boy as the King of Rock n Roll?

"high brow/low brow are a horribly hangover from an (unfinished) art history major"

I think when you get to…

Notions of high brow/low brow are a horribly hangover from an (unfinished) art history major.

Boy did we have a thread for you recently.

reigning king of guerilla art

I'm personally impressed by the ballsiness of Banksy's efforts like "Early Man Goes to Market" (inadvertently, then proudly) displayed at the…

Actually, that's ridiculous. I just don't really like Lady Ga Ga, and while Banksy is amusing,…

I just bought Buffalo on FLAC and of course it won't run on my stupid iTunes... d'oh!

There is a mildly complex way to play FLACs in iTunes here
here

If that doesn't work, send someone at TPF an email

and we'll see what we can sort out.

ninjacloak is a reasonably reliable web based proxy. for stickier workarounds,

Mostly in Thailand things flow through without much hassle but you get the odd kneejerk by some over-enthusiastic bureaucrat who blocks a list, which slowly gets unblocked when worked through by smarter heads bit by bit.

The only real…

You know, me too. But that doesn't make Job's control freakerie any more attractive. His "think of the children" line is exactly the one being used by China, Australia and the "entertainment" industry to close down the freedom of the internet as we know it.

Because the App Store doesn't…

I like artists who don't take themselves too seriously

seems pretty calculated to me

I feel like a punk again (cue: first Clash album)

Having just had my blog blocked by the Thai censors I know how the children feel

Weird. Your blog is hardly a glowing endorsement of the Red Shirts, or any other shirts for that matter, and if anything it resembles a (cautious and caveated) endorsement of Thailand.

Could it be…

His "think of the children" line is exactly the one being used by China, Australia and the "entertainment" industry to close down the freedom of the internet as we know it.

Having just had my blog blocked by the Thai censors I know how the children feel

. . . does anyone remember Man's single 2oz of Plastic With A Hole in the Middle? Or Bauhaus's album Press Eject And Give Me The Tape?

No, but do I remember this.

I like artists who don't take themselves too seriously.

Also, I'd be happy to see Flash die.

You know, me too. But that doesn't make Job's control freakerie any more attractive. His "think of the children" line is exactly the one being used by China, Australia and the "entertainment" industry to close down the freedom of the internet as…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK71SW9-wjw

I like JB for their pricing[..] but I don't linger there.

Christ I'll say. I went in to the Wellington one in the BNZ Centre last week for the first time. It nearly induced vomiting. I had to beat a hasty retreat.

But put me down for any files "at least CD size" then... why starve yourself with a 128kbps hissy piece of crap when you…

it came in at over 2,000kbps! Who knew that was even possible?

TV gear utilises a sample rate of 48kHz instead of the 44.1kHz standard of CDs etc. I'm no expert, but the bit depth is probably 24 instead of 16; between the two, that would account for the near…

a central, funded, NZ music archive

NZ on Ear?

256k AAC — generally pretty good, but occasionally problematic.

I'll take anything 192kbps and above with FREE downloads, sure... but if it's mine and I have a choice, I ain't runnin' nothin' less than full CD size. And Apple/iTunes clearly are no use there. The default factory setting on my…

+1 for Lady Gaga.

I just want to look at her outfits and videos. Her music leaves me rather cold – it doesn't seem to have what I need in the way of hooks, or something. Which is a bummer, because I am usually all about big fun pantsless pop…

Pay me to tag your shop, it's still antibusiness.

I'm going to say no, it's not. Just a "new" idea in capitalism. There's plenty of corporate organisations that use anti-corporate messages to sell their products. Still selling shit.I'm going to say no, it's not. Just a "new" idea in capitalism.…

we need a music archive, the amount of music that is and has slipped from the public sphere is sad... to put it mildly

It's a hobby horse of mine and has been for years. We have bits and pieces out there doing sterling jobs but a central, funded, NZ…

Record stores of olden times were a place to both purchase music but also discover music. Purchasing music has moved online, but – as Russell noted above – it's hard to discover…

Me I like albums and even buy some, very few from NZ stores as they are generally souless and have not that which I want

I…

I wouldn't trust anything that guy says.

nah, me neither. Wanna buy a Nice'n'Urlich box set?

didn't know this was a council thang – thats well cool

The label itself wasn't council but grew from the council scheme which funded the people who set it up.

Sadly the label is yet another example of a thing that is slowly being tossed into history and forgotten as…

artists can't live on praise alone

But it does help!

t It's one thing scooting around taunting capitalism in your twenties, but he's 36 now and probably has a family and a mortgage to suppor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9RJobsmuro

Did you know that writers get a tiny, little bit of performance rights money every time you listen to an iTunes preview?

No I didn't – wow that's actually kinda cool.

Pay me to tag your shop, it's still antibusiness.

This doesn't add up, no pun intended, much. Some graffiti artists have used their often incredible talent to brighten up city walls (I'm still gutted by the Kingsland wall being covered over for the world cup), and in some cases have…

Re iTunes – I use it as a first call 'pre-listen' source for new (and old) albums etc.
Great for getting an idea about something before hand.

Did you know that writers get a tiny, little bit of performance rights money every time you listen to an iTunes preview?

I still feel he's relevant as being an artist(among many) whose motivations, defy the self serving (feedback/ finance) generalizations presented.

What Islander was talking about was that artists can't live on praise alone, and that sometimes it just gets too hard to continue.

I don't think there are many artists…

Pay me to tag your shop, it's still antibusiness.

I'm going to say no, it's not. Just a "new" idea in capitalism. There's plenty of corporate organisations that use anti-corporate messages to sell their products. Still selling shit.

The issue is whether or not you are comfortable with Steve Jobs deciding he is king of the world.

If I was king of the world, I'd want it to be more powerful than able to declare "flash is dead", and then have three quarters of the world ignore me.…

Same – so I'll take Simon Grigg's stats over your opinions about album sales trends, if that's all the same.

I wouldn't trust anything that guy says.

Re iTunes – I use it as a first call 'pre-listen' source for new (and old) albums etc.
Great for getting an idea about something before hand.

doesn't seem that useful in responding to what Islander says. He's wealthy, successful and he gets to travel. It's not like he has to get a job so he can afford to eat.

Certainly not the best example assuming that is in fact his current status, but given the climate…

I'll stick to the more informed pundits on here.

Same – so I'll take Simon Grigg's stats over your opinions about album sales trends, if that's all the same. Like albums myself, just not silly enough to think that makes me the standard consumer propping up the music industry.

Did that half a mil for a Banksy include the building it was on?

No, stand-alone works. He also sold six works for a total of nearly £400,000 in two days at a Sotheby's auction in 2007.

He duly updated his website with the message ""I Can't Believe You Morons…

Actually, we are told those young kids get it for free – what gives?
I 'spose their mums buy it for them.

Clearly you weren't paying attention, so here it is again – I'll even use a big red crayon if it makes it easier.

So what's filling the gap?…

The iTunes shop, as with so, so many things Apple, can kiss my big ass. I've never been there, you can only access it through your iTunes right? And you have to download or do something or other to get it to work eh...

It's spectacularly easy, really. One-time set-up,…

Tom – you obviously have lost your passion for the tactile nature of the physical side of music – fair enough

The packaging comes a long way behind the fun and sense of discovery I get from The Big Internet Music Store. Most days of the week I'll grab something…

What? Have you even listened to her album? She writes and performs really good pop songs. Songs that make me want to dance and not wear any pants.

I guess that's the purpose. I hear it and find myself distracted by inanimate objects and minor household chores. But if it…

You do know what market segment buys almost all the music, right? Here is a clue: A lot of them have a crush on Justin Beiber.

Actually, we are told those young kids get it for free – what gives?
I 'spose their mums buy it for them.
Hence that…

But you are from Dundein, they still serve scones on two tier plates down there.

Fnahh Fnahh. I bet they still spin at 78rpm too.
It's all bagpipe music down there anyway.
;-)

I'd be happy to see Flash die

Bad luck if it's the video format itself you don't like. (VP8 looks like being great for quality and file-sizes: as good, if not a tad better, than H264.) If you don't like Adobe's proprietry ownership of the world's web-video format (who does)-…

whether or not you are comfortable with Steve Jobs deciding he is king of the world.

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates

Sorry but people do still "buy albums".
Possibly 18-21 year olds prefer singles

You do know what market segment buys almost all the music, right? Here is a clue: A lot of them have a crush on Justin Beiber.

I still (almost exclusively) buy albums.

But you are from Dundein,…

'Flash' is actually quite an apt word to describe it.

Also, I'd be happy to see Flash die.

The technology isn't the issue. The issue is whether or not you are comfortable with Steve Jobs deciding he is king of the world.

No one buys albums anymore.

I still (almost exclusively) buy albums. Even if I buy digitally (which I don't much at all) I prefer to buy a whole album and play it as such. Threw out an old taped copy recently and bought Tricky's Maxinquaye in full digitally. I find…

No one buys albums anymore.

This has to be the lamest line trotted-out regarding the music business in recent times.

Sorry but people do still "buy albums".
Possibly 18-21 year olds prefer singles ie. they can't afford a whole album or do not have the attention span to listen to…

Oh, and it looks like they are coming for iTunes, and good job to, ever since Steve Job's decided to go go after Flash his arrogance has creeped me out.

Hmmm. If Apple has simply said "if you want to do an exclusive promotion with them, that song doesn't get…

I suppose that is what happens when you carry the weight of the world on your back...

Selling us garbage like Lady Gah Gah (sic) does a disservice to music.

What? Have you even listened to her album? She writes and performs really good pop songs. Songs that make me want to dance and not wear any pants.

And you know her stage name is a play…

Selling us garbage like Lady Gah Gah (sic) does a disservice to music.

I LOVE Lady Gaga, she rocks!!!

But a recent slump in music sales could see The Warehouse back away from CDs.

One of the chief victims of digital downloading has been the 12-18 track album, since people are now just downloading self-selecting top 40 compilations. No one buys albums anymore. In a sense, we are going…

There's nothing wrong with good wallpaper, unless it is pretending to be a painting. Know what I mean?. Selling us garbage like Lady Gah Gah (sic) does a disservice to music.

I don't believe you're obligated to buy it, or listen to radio stations that are playing it, etc.

They even ran their own label for a while and it was a thoroughly worthwhile exercise in many ways.

didn't know this was a council thang – thats well cool

they had some cracking releases, have all those on discogs (you do good work there alonside a few others Mr…

the ubiquity of music in modern life, it no longer has a rarity value and sadly, is becoming more like wallpaper, however good it is.

True, to a point. Music is all around us now — many of us don't feel the need to buy it to hear it. But…

Then in part two, he looks at what's happened to record shops

Can someone look at what has happened to all the Blacksmiths Shops? My Horse needs new shoes and the buggy needs new rims.
Conflating the issue of music sales with book sales is a bit pointless as the…

antibusiness practices

that might be the problematic phrase – you're setting up a binary opposition rather than a spectrum of different approaches

How this became specifically about Arts in ANZ, what I'm drinking or accusations of stupid and unfounded comments, is obviously a point of contention.

The "what are you drinking" crack was unnecessary, but I also don't want to see yet another thread derailed by personal bickering.

Just trying saying "I…

from the quote I was responding to I assumed the gratification you aspire to is…

Chris, are you drinking something that has erm, effects?

no. I simply don't feel your statement stands up to scrutiny. There are countless artists, some anonymous, some imprisoned, who's motivation is anything but fortune and feedback.

And outside the renegade sphere I've met quite a few artists in their 60s…

And WTF – "if you're in it for fame or fortune. If not, *it's anti-business as usual.*"

Chris, are you drinking something that has erm, effects?

The present is incredibly rosy for the Wellington…

why it's not just the independent stores closing down, but the mega stores too.

For the most part, it's the mega stores that have done worse. Well actually I can't back up that claim, but when Tower Records shut down in the states Amoeba seemed to be doing quite well.…

In part one he looks at how record shops used to be, recalling how vastly social they were in the 1960s, the hippy…

I wonder how much impact stuff like the huge increase to Australian gyms for the use of music in workout sessions will have on this figure next year.

With a stronger musicians' union they could all be forced to have live musicians instead...
somewhere for the next gymee hendrix to…

They contributed to almost wiping Real Groovy out and as they spread around the country people who buy their music at The Warehouse will realise it's just as cheap at JB Hifi but is actually filed and displayed logically not just tossed randomly onto a table.

That's one of the…

The positive side is that the restructuring of the business side of the audio arts in recent years has made it a lot easier for artists to get paid.

Hallelujah for that! I'm pleased to hear it.

I have been urging the Scandanavian model (guarenteed minimum wage for artists after…

A lot of us will do it for love, up to a point, but we need to eat and pay the rent just like anyone else.

The positive side is that the restructuring of the business side of the audio arts in recent years has made it a lot easier…

@Samuel Scott
"a)you have to get your music our there or you(r) brain will explode..."

Yep. Applies to most works of art – which is why any kind of artist can be held over a barrel.

I work in the visual arts, and I can so identify with both these…

I gather Simon has had problems with downloads in Thailand, but I do like Bandcamp as a place to buy music.

Just that one album actually, Buffalo. The rest of the time I have had no issues. Took a day to get it down the pipe.

eMusic cut me off…

Yep. Applies to most works of art – which is why any kind of artist can be held over a barrel.

But – if, after trying for quite a long time & as best you know…

My favourite record store is the internet. It's a shame that eMusic hasn't localised here (or most countries), because that's a nice way…

I do know quite a few cynical types working at JB too and quite a few of them know their music/movies.

I think Brent who used to run Smoke CDs and Capital Recordings is a buyer at JB...and to be honest, the vinyl range in Wellington was small but incredibly…

I have not been into a Red Shed to buy anything since JB Hifi opened.

Yes there is a whole lotta "Digital eating physical" cannibalisation going on, but on a street level JB are eating the Warehouse's (and any other remaining high street mass retailers ) lunch for them.

I…

I wonder why most artists bother

I suppose because in the old days, even though the game was rigged, it was the only game in town.

Also, I should think most bands get into the game aiming for the stars (if they're thinking that far ahead at all), rather than…

Well, you bother because;

a) you have to get your music out there or you brain will explode

Best line ever on a PAS music thread. Sums it all up. Little else anyone can add.

But I will:

b) if a record company screws you sideways money wise (which I…

You just have to be very shrewd about what sort of deals you sign. And these days most artists are much more aware of they're getting themselves into, and seek advice accordingly.

Yeah, that's a big change from the, er, old days. There was near-total absence of knowledge about publishing…