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A really cool idea struck me the other day, so I thought I'd run it up the flagpole and see what everyone thinks:

1 -- People create a 'share' address on their profile with their mailing address (not viewable by anyone except the user)

2 -- People flag mixes that they've made as being 'up for trade'

3 -- Two people agree to exchange mixes

4 -- Each person send *us* their mix, in an unaddressed, postmarked envelope with an exchange ID written on it,

5 -- We generate labels and resend to each person, thus keeping the end-user's contact information private.

6 -- Sending is broken into two or three 'batches' throughout the month.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? Insults? Hurl them my way.

comments:

Bea

Level 21

It sounds like a good idea. But are people willing to pay the postage it takes to send to the States from other countries? I'm from Denmark, and I know we have users in Belgium, Germany, Brazil, the UK etc. I'm personally all for it!!, and I don't think this would be an actual issue. About time this hit MTC. :)

A little confused on what mixes would be 'up for trade' - can we decide to flag all previously uploaded mixes as being 'up for trade' for instance?

PS. Time limit on mixes here is 80 minutes, but tapes (most, right?) have a limit of 90 minutes - do we just freestyle on those last ten?

10/31/07 1:16pm

eric

Level 25

Yeah, people would have to pay postage, which is drag, but there's just something about holding a physical mix that makes it seem so much more valuable than a collection of mp3s.

The flagging option would allow people to only flag mixes that they could actually make.

Per the 80 minute limit, I was thinking CDs, since they are lighter, but tapes could be totally freestyled. This is all still very drawing-boardish.

Rock on.

10/31/07 1:53pm

tellinore

Mixtape Contest XXIV - Winning Team Badge badge

Level 19

I really like the idea, and I don't think people would mind paying the shipping costs if it means that they get a physical copy of the mixtape(CD). It definitely would give the users more creative options regarding the artwork, and foster a little more closeness among the already great community.

10/31/07 2:08pm

johnny_luddite

Level 40

Great idea. Maybe each person could state whether they wish to send/accept cassettes, cd's or both! Eric, I think you maybe ought to set this up as an optional feature. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned.

10/31/07 4:59pm

sal_paradise

Level 28

I support this decision.

I've said my piece.

10/31/07 6:10pm

sledgbrainerd

Level 36

What if i still would rather look at tracklists and imagine what they would sound like?

10/31/07 7:53pm

sledgbrainerd

Level 36

Also. I think self made artwork (in whatever form) should be whatever is next to mandatory (encouraged, maybe?)

10/31/07 7:54pm

sledgbrainerd

Level 36

Also eric, what if the tracklists for the mix are the actual MTC page for the mix with the descriptions and comments and such? What I mean is that when someone sends a mix in ,the Mix's MTC page gets printed up and stuck in there as a little insert before its shipped back off?

10/31/07 7:58pm

galaxiepi

Level 26

You know, as someone who hasn't made an official MTC mix in ages, I'm down for this. I'd be willing to get all sorts of crafty with my album art. I promise I won't use blood. Unless that's an option we can flag as well.

10/31/07 8:10pm

johnny_luddite

Level 40

As a way to kick this all off, maybe we could have a competition where everyone participating sends in a Cd or tape of their mix, and in return recieves a copy of the winning mix. The winner however could chose which of the other mixes to receive. (Maybe the winer gets a couple of them or something) I am up for the artwork idea as well

10/31/07 10:19pm

Bea

Level 21

@johnny_luddite: I hope Qulca participates.

11/1/07 12:17am

beel

Level 22

I dig it. Maybe make it a monthly or bi-weekly membership thing where it's kind of like "Mix of the Month" or something like that.

11/1/07 8:24am

Rachael

Level 26

I like the sound of everything that has been said.

11/1/07 11:45pm

LustyKazoo

Level 19

A wonderful idea. For the past few years I've been taking part in the mix trades at mixies.org. Everyone sends in two or three copies of their contribution to the month's theme plus a buck or two extra for shipping costs & then the girl that runs the trade mixes them up & sends them out. Everybody gets at least two & if they sent in three they get a copy of the mediator's contribution as well. It's one of the best things ever ... getting mixes in the mail.

11/2/07 12:34am

Qualca