Host without Hoster?

[muzicman144]

I believe Lonman has lost the real point here. The question is if one "had" to go back to disc. I believe most who use hoster and certainly all who "entertain" realize the importance of having a backup plan when something fails. I, and i believe most hoster users also do, have a backup computer. The cost factor for the backup computer versus having a cd player for backup is not out of line when you factor in the advantages. Many hoster users don't even own a karaoke player anymore as there is no need. I don't have one anymore and don't intend on buying one. Lonman's only choice as he states it is to go back to a disc player and using the disc. Many Hoster users do not have the need or have the equipment to use disc the "ole fashioned way" nor have they ever done it that way.
I don't need anyone to apologize for me if i "choose" not to do a show because I only want to produce the best quality product that the customer is used to and entitled to. Nascar cancels when it rains and certainly survives to run another day and true fans understand and return. A decision to cancel a show for a legitimate reason certainly doesn't give all Kj's a "bad name".
As for the reference to "maybe" not owning the disc as a reason to cancel, you queston another's integrity without basis. I would suggest to you that maybe you are out of line to make such a general statement that questions the hoster user's professional judgement call on whether to cancel or not.

Muzicman144

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by muzicman144

I believe Lonman has lost the real point here. The question is if one "had" to go back to disc. I believe most who use hoster and certainly all who "entertain" realize the importance of having a backup plan when something fails. I, and i believe most hoster users also do, have a backup computer. The cost factor for the backup computer versus having a cd player for backup is not out of line when you factor in the advantages. Many hoster users don't even own a karaoke player anymore as there is no need. I don't have one anymore and don't intend on buying one. Lonman's only choice as he states it is to go back to a disc player and using the disc. Many Hoster users do not have the need or have the equipment to use disc the "ole fashioned way" nor have they ever done it that way.

I didn't LOSE anything, I was answering the question which was "Basically, If somehing happened to your computer or software, and if you were down to a choice between lugging all your CDG's in and setting up your old karaoke machine to do the gig, or cancelling the gig,
would you show up without Hoster? And Bryant even reiterated THAT was what he meant. Not talking about backup computers or anything else.

A decision to cancel a show for a legitimate reason certainly doesn't give all Kj's a "bad name".

Because you no longer have the convenience is not a legitimate excuse to me! I take karaoke pretty serious - it IS my job. If I had to run a show with my discs again, I would, I wouldn't do that to the club nor my customers - Oh sorry guys, yes I have means to plays the show, however i choose not to because it's TOO MUCH WORK! Which is what you are making it seem like.
Whatever!

As for the reference to "maybe" not owning the disc as a reason to cancel, you queston another's integrity without basis. I would suggest to you that maybe you are out of line to make such a general statement that questions the hoster user's professional judgement call on whether to cancel or not.

Muzicman144

As for bringing up the possibly not owning the discs, I didn't bring it up first - I responded to it, but it would certainly be possible. I saw a thread started by someone recently that pointed in that direction that since she went to Hoster and lost her files, she indicated that she no longer has the source material to reimport - didn't outright say it, but that was the indication & she hasn't been back for response since it was pointed out to her that without the original discs she is running illegally - so YES it IS possible that people got rid of their discs which would make them automatically illegal at that point anyway!

[bobcox- with the Lord]

OK, I would use my disc if i had to.
we have about 12,000 cdgs.
i would have to carry about 2,400 cdgs and 1,200 cds for music, to do the same show i do now.
also about the last 600 cdgs for my main system are not in sleeves and are not in order to use.
so it would be a task to say the least, to try to do a show with disc.
and i also know I WILL NEVER HAVE TO.
I thank God & MTU for that.

[CerealKiller]

Wow that got kinda heated there!! I just finished my new books and took the time to organize my discs in 8 100 disc holders so there numbers whould match those in my books. Can you guess why i took the time to do this? Yes its so just in case something happens I can go back to discs, and i always have a cdg player here so people can bring their own cdg's in. What did some of you that said you would cancel do before you had hoster? One phrase comes to mind

"The Show Must Go On"

if you do not believe in this i do not believe you are in this for the right reasons.

[bryant]

Originally Posted by CerealKiller

Wow that got kinda heated there!! I just finished my new books and took the time to organize my discs in 8 100 disc holders so there numbers whould match those in my books. Can you guess why i took the time to do this? Yes its so just in case something happens I can go back to discs, and i always have a cdg player here so people can bring their own cdg's in. What did some of you that said you would cancel do before you had hoster? One phrase comes to mind

"The Show Must Go On"

if you do not believe in this i do not believe you are in this for the right reasons.

I thin I am the only one so far that has said "I will not let the show go on without HOSTER, a compliment to Hoster, however, the show will go on because I will pay someone else to do the work without HOSTER . I am just to pleased with Hoster to do without.

[bryant]

[quote=

"The Show Must Go On"

quote]

But it doesn't have to be with me, My question wasn't "will the show go on or not", It was, "Will it go on without Hoster and without me?" I have backup discs (1000's like Lonny, yes), and I also have backup DJ's like Lonny and you that are more than willing to work for less than me shuffling around discs all night, and on those rare nights (hasn't happened yet, though) that I am w/o Hoster, I stay home and let the disc shufflers strut their stuff. As for me, I'll stay home with Hoster and relax.

Don't really need the money, or the shuffling. that bad,

Thanks MTU for the program.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by bryant

[I have backup discs (1000's like Lonny, yes), and I also have backup DJ's like Lonny and you that are more than willing to work for less than me shuffling around discs all night, and on those rare nights (hasn't happened yet, though) that I am w/o Hoster, I stay home and let the disc shufflers strut their stuff. As for me, I'll stay home with Hoster and relax.

Why would I make less money 'shuffling' discs? Around here it's quite the opposite unfortunately, the computer users charge less as a rule - but then many of them are also running illegal libraries to boot.

[muzicman144]

Bryant, Again i wholeheartedly agree with you. My last post was strictly bait, and, guess who responded. Now Hoster gets less money in Tacoma than disc users. Guess it's who uses it. I'll make sure this is my last response to this thread, don't respond to many anyway, but sometimes this gets interesting.
Thanks to all who listened anyway.
Muzicman144

[mindonstrike]

[quote=bryant;63218]

Originally Posted by

"The Show Must Go On"

quote

But it doesn't have to be with me, My question wasn't "will the show go on or not", It was, "Will it go on without Hoster and without me?" I have backup discs (1000's like Lonny, yes), and I also have backup DJ's like Lonny and you that are more than willing to work for less than me shuffling around discs all night, and on those rare nights (hasn't happened yet, though) that I am w/o Hoster, I stay home and let the disc shufflers strut their stuff. As for me, I'll stay home with Hoster and relax.

Don't really need the money, or the shuffling. that bad,

Thanks MTU for the program.

The poll asked:
Will I CANCEL the show
or
Will I revert to disks

I do not have employees so if I don't play, I don't get paid. Karaoke is my only bread and butter so I really do need the money and shuffling disks is not all that difficult, I did it for three years before Hoster. I have the three computeers with Hoster listed in my signature at my shows and another that stays home so using disks will never be an issue but I would do it if needed.

Sam

[bryant]

Yeah, I see, Mindonstrike. I don't have any employees either and also don't get paid if I don't play. I think I and a few others on here just got too spoiled to do it without Hoster. One time it was close, as my show computer was in the shop and my backup was acting funny.

I remember saying "Sheesh, what'll I do if this thing craps out and I have to go out to the truck and grab all those disks and cdg player."

Just a frightful thought at the moment.

[bryant]

Originally Posted by bobcox

OK, I would use my disc if i had to.
we have about 12,000 cdgs.
i would have to carry about 2,400 cdgs and 1,200 cds for music, to do the same show i do now.
also about the last 600 cdgs for my main system are not in sleeves and are not in order to use.
so it would be a task to say the least, to try to do a show with disc.
and i also know I WILL NEVER HAVE TO.
I thank God & MTU for that.

Great, that is exactly what I think as well! I have got 2 or 3 backups of everything and don't expect to ever, ever, ever, use disks, and that is my WHOLE POINT!!

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by bryant

Great, that is exactly what I think as well! I have got 2 or 3 backups of everything and don't expect to ever, ever, ever, use disks, and that is my WHOLE POINT!!

That wasn't your question though. You are stating you have backup computers (or drives).
Let me pose this - let's get into legalities for a minute. IF the possibility arose that the laws absolutely state that a computer run show - transferring your discs you legally purchased to hard drive - and crackdowns arose where ANYONE using a computer was getting busted, WOULD you go back to discs or just drop out of the game altogether? I would still use Hoster as a player, just through the temp imports of each disc instead of an actual player, since the files don't actually stay on the hard drive after it's played. Still get the benefits of the computer minus the actual hard drive storage.

[muzicman144]

We could argue this point forever and i guess we would all be right to an extent. However, i think all would agree the reason we use Hoster is because it is one huge step above the alternative. I do believe that anyone who uses Hoster would never go back to the disc player because a backup computer just makes more sense than a backup disc player. It would be like a truck driver having a team of mules to replace his truck. Just doesn't make sense.

Gentlemen, Ladies, we are arguing a mute point.

muzicman144

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by muzicman144

I do believe that anyone who uses Hoster would never go back to the disc player because a backup computer just makes more sense than a backup disc player.

But you would be wrong, I already stated I - a Hoster user - would go back to discs & players if needed & could still run my show without skipping a beat. I don't have a back up computer, there is no need, I have my discs & players on site!

[TTowntenor]

No cancelling a show here, I have no problems with discs, ran them since '93. Went computerized last year, but I still bring all my discs with me in a dj cd coffin tucked under my table & always have a player set up for customer discs...don't do it so much for back up, but they do serve that purpose, but I do it for proof of what's on my computer.

[Garry A. Leslie]

Hey All,
This thread is interesting in as far as the original question went.
I still read there are sources in the US trying to stop shows using laptops and all kinds of hoster programmes, because they claim they are illegal anyway.
bobcox puts his finger on the problem of how many discs we all used to have to carry, when he mentions 2400 cdg's and 1200 cd's.
I have always questioned this outlook, as most kj's can only deal with between 15 and 20 songs an hour making 60 to 80 songs used in a 4 hour session.
I always queried the amount of deadwood we all had in our books.
I could never see the sense in carrying every disc just in case someone wanted to sing something obscure and you mightn't have brought it.
Although it's real nice to listen to some different songs from the run of the mill, but you can always promise to make sure you've got it next time.
They've got something to look forward to.
Regards from across the pond.
Garry

[bryant]

Yes, that is what I do. Promise to have it next time, and I do, but also every time after that, and that adds up to a lot of discs after a while. Many of those obscure songs on a particular disk may also have one or two not-obscure songs as well, and disk needs to be there anyway.

[scotobryan]

first, I dont own a karaoke player anymore. secong I live in IL and my buisness is in KY. I hire someone to run karaoke. Karaoke as far as im concerned doesn't make any money and the only reason we keep it up is for the guys who work for us. Last the CDGs are 3 hours and $75 in fuel away from the employee. So yes I would cancel or hire another company to run the show for the night.

I purchase software because I want it to work every time i use it. I get used to running a show a certian way and thats the way i want to run it. My employees are trained to use this software, we have been using it since it came out. I have a backup machine on site at every show. If it was an issue of the software being unreliable I would rip my discs to mp3+g and use one of the far superior softwares out there right now.

my only gripe with this software is the time it takes for support to get back to you. I turn a support ticket and by the time they get back to me ive moved on to more important things.

I understand wanting to protect the software but i think you should be more responsive to those who paid for and depend on it to make money.

[bobcox- with the Lord]

what superior software????.
i have tried them all, and none compare to Hoster.
as far as karaoke making money, we have bought a lot of realastate off of karaoke.
if your good at it, have a great selection, and are willing to work.
you can make a very nice living at it. Bob

[scotobryan]

I dont mean to set anyone off on this forum but every karaoke company in my area are using illegal copies of karaoke discs. We started doing karaoke 10 years ago and purchased hundreds of discs. These other guys dont have near the investment that we have but have a selection that towers over ours. I cant compete. We will do some high end karaoke contests every once and a while and get upwards $1000 to $1500 per show. Other than that we do 4 shows a week on week nights for $150 a night. I pay the employees $100 a night so there is not alot left over after song updates and then most importantly profit.

We have to fight tooth and nail to keep the under bidders from taking our gigs. The only thing that keeps them out of our house is the fact that our KJs are entertainers first and KJs second.
In my opinion buying a $20,000 song colection to make $50 a night is not profitable compared to most of the other things we have going on.

I like the program just fine my problems are with the slow responses to emails. If I have a problem I want to get it fixed fast so i can move on and stay productive.

Im glad to hear that there are those who can make a good profit at doing karaoke.