Currently it looks as though a requests page is going to win. I asked figgy if she had any design ideas and her only answer was "Forums".. I put in a vote for a requests page as well, but I had always imagined it as its own custom page where midi attachments, comments, and user voting could take place.

So, since me and Figgy are not agreeing with each other we're coming to you guys. Lets discuss the ideas you have for a requests page and argue how feasible a forum thread could cover the requirements.

My ideas on a custom page would kinda be like the above voting system. Each user would be given a limited number of request votes. With each vote they could suggest their own song or vote on another's existing request. Requests in the grid would be ordered by the number of votes they have. At any time, user may move their votes to and from other songs. If all votes are removed from a request, that request will be deleted.

The above system would perhaps be the beginning of a point system as well. People will be awarded points based on the number of votes on a filled request.



So lend your input here please. It would be dumb to code a custom page for requests only to have it become obsolete when the forums are inevitably installed.

I'd just like to add my vision of requests. While I certainly love Warden's idea of the requests form (as we discussed this concept a very long time ago), as someone that makes ABCs I'd prefer it to be a rather interactive event. I think there's a lot of merit in a "popularity contest" between requests, so to speak, which will save a lot of people making a ton of blind requests and never actually coming back to the site. But part of me would rather do it in a forum so that discussion can take place on the songs, Midi files can be supplied, shared and exchanged, fixes and suggestions made. Myself personally, I'm quite happy to take requests, but I'm of the opinion if you want something, contribute; Provide a midi file! Some ABC transcribers have different levels of ability and dedication. I might spend time converting drum parts, others may not. If the source is open and someone posts up a midi file for a request, then you could get more than one person in on it. So as long as the above issues are taken into consideration, I'm all for a requests form. It could certainly work beautifully. I do see forums happening eventually though. And it would be nice to finally be able to do something here rather than sit and twiddle my thumbs. Maybe I should make some LOLcats...

I have a request I don't see anyone else made, though maybe I just missed it. Can you do away with the download cart and just have the clickable files in the song post? The cart is a pain to use and slow as well. Maybe the download cart helps keep track of files? Anyway, a quick way to get a song would be helpful.

I am part of a band called Eriador Music Society. We write and test songs and use our own songbook. Once a song is tested and we like it, it comes over here for everyone to play - usually Keptwise uploads it here. We use files at the bottom of each song so anyone who goes to the song can get it almost immediately. http://s1.zetaboards.com/Songbook_of_Laurelin/index/

Anyway, I am posting here to say also that any requests for new songs should have a forum, and each request should be an individual thread that someone can answer as to whether they did it or not and maybe the file there as well. I am an advocate of "simple is best" and forums are much simpler (is that a word?) than fancy pages that are pleasing to the eye but are hard to navigate.

Makalaure

I'm all with ya with simpler (I'm not sure if it a word either, but I like it). The only gripe I've got against forums is that I don't really care for them. I have nothing against them (installation or having them on the server), I just don't want to have to maintain them. I like thinks to be automated.. For instance, I kinda blew off the fat lute for the last 6 months and it just maintained itself (for the most part :). If I implemented a home brewed requests system, I could mimic a thread style submission process but also include self cleaning processes that weed out requests that are old or have not had enough interest. I'd hate to have a requests page and then 3 months from now, you have no clue what requests are still outstanding and which ones are the most sought after.

Those are just my thoughts. In the end it doesn't matter to me. Its what you, the members want. So, thanks for taking an interest in the matter and your opinions on the matter will not be taken lightly.

Since this one of the more complicated issues, I'll leave it open for another week and then we'll make a decision.

All these idea's sound great. A interactive request page/forum, would be a benefit to all members. I also like the idea of being able to get a song without using the download cart, although I must say that I have had no issues with it "taking to long" but for a single file download, not having to use the cart would save a few clicks of the mouse. I also want to say I love your announcement post about verifying e-mails, got a chuckle from it! :)

Good to hear your voice Durinsbane! Between you and Mak, that's enough incentive to give into 'instant download'. This weekend is tight as it's my best friends bday and the hangover shall be monumental. Come Tuesday though, look for a link atop every individual song's page. -- Figgy, break out the sketchbook.

remember to take aspirin, and drink a couple glasses of water before going to bed! :) Enjoy your celebration!!!

I think either version of the idea would benefit the site, regardless. I work within the box I'm given, and with the decisions you two have made thus far, trust your judgement.

Why not have the best of both worlds?
I also think a forum with 1 thread per request is inevitable for best results if you expect people to work together.
And for the "casual" surfer with a musical interest add a (selfmaintaining) requests-section on the front page with voting that holds ... let's say the top 10 or top 20 of requested songs with a link to the respective thread in the forum.
I'm not that much into PHP and stuff, so I don't know if it's possible to automagically create forumthreads from a form that accepts new requests.

I appologise for the mass upload frenzy I made today, just felt like getting it done in one sitting rather than dragging it out for days... And I think Durinsbane is on to something with the instant download button as well. The download-cart is great, but it's all about instant satisfaction these days =) Cheers on the website Warden and the things you guys do to make our musical worlds better!

Just want to give Makalaure the credit for the instant download suggestion, I just seconded it. :)

Makalaure said:

"I am part of a band called Eriador Music Society. We write and test songs and use our own songbook. Once a song is tested and we like it, it comes over here for everyone to play - usually Keptwise uploads it here. We use files at the bottom of each song so anyone who goes to the song can get it almost immediately. http://s1.zetaboards.com/Songbook_of_Laurelin/index/"

Just to clarify...I only upload my own songs here from The Eriador Music Society testing. Members are encouraged to upload their own songs that have been tested to FatLute.

Thanks to all our members for their time and effort in testing all our ABC that our members have created and uploaded.

And many thanks to Warden and Figgy for their time and effort to run and maintain FatLute. :-)

That said, I have a good size backlog of my songs to submit to FatLute, but, I'll try to spread them out over time rather than posting them all in one day.

It would be nice to see a "requests" forum here, and simple and self-maintaining would be a plus for those who have to maintain it. <winks at Warden and Figgy>
As far as the Download Cart here, I usually cut/paste from the song's page to Notepad and save as an abc file with a filename I can remember, so no suggestions from me on that function as I don't really use it alot. :-)

This isn't a request, it's a question. What does that % sign in the sort column mean?

The % is the rating that that song file has been giving by members of the Fat Lute. 1 - 100,if there is not a number there, it means no one has rated the file yet.

Just had a strange thing happen to me. I had some songs in the download cart and when it asked me if I wanted to download them to a file that I didn't want downloaded I shut the window and it told me I had downloaded them and my cart was empty. However, they are not in the folder it told me I was going to download them to... I can't find them. I will do a search but actually I expected to return to the download cart still with my songs in it to chose another option for downloading.

any plans for slayer tool or rob zombie i cant find many heavy songs here

Tabbyfight, I don't think heavy metal songs translate as well on the limited abc system we have in game. Maybe one day they will give us another octave and more instruments that actually sound like the instruments they are supposed to be. :P

That is your opinion not mine

Sorry tabbyfight, I agree with Makalaure, the ABC system as it is now simply won't do Heavy Metal song very well. some yes, some no. But again, Music IS in the ear of the listener, so.... if someone will transpose the songs you want, you may be very happy with them, but others may think they are awful files.

Sorry for MASSIVE upload spam. Hope folks enjoy. :)

imo, if we get Forums on here, There can be a separate request forum. Then you've killed two birds with one stone. Damned logic.

Just wanted to say Thanks for a great site.

Thanks for the site, was told to check it out and so far it looks great hehe. Confident enough to delete my abc files and start anew. -Playing music in bree since day one of the game and only lvl 29, it's just too fun to go out and level. *grins*

ok, i am having troubles downloading and putting these files in my lotro game
after i click the download cart button then what must i do ,step for step, to put them on my lotro game files to play them on lord of the rings online

thanks for your time

I would enjoy filling other peopls requests, I generally dont make a song unless is hasnt been done already. Sometimes I just like my versions more. But I am always looking for songs that others cant seem to find. Those are the ones I like to do, its just so many have been done that having a hub where I can go sit down and make 5 songs that havent been done before would tickle me pink.

Hi there!
This my 1st post in fat lute! U guys got here a well done job, cgrtz!

I need a little help...
Plz dont think im a lazy one, i never tryed to do a ABC before but i would give it a try, it happens that i cant simply find the midis for it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forsaken_(Korn)!)

I got a Elf-maiden to surprise, since she loves this movie soundtrack i would love to give her as a gift.

I would do the abc´s myself (or at least try it since i ever done one), but i can´t find the midis for it anyway. I already tryed the (http://freemidi.org) and some more.

Can someone give me a hand on this.

Please!!

Best regardz

Wotanwine,
I'm not sure what song, or songs u are requesting. when I put your wiki link in my browser, it gives me lots of different information. please be more specific, Song title, artist, movie (you mentioned soundtrack).

Thx for reply durinsbane.

I´m really sorry cause i copy pasted the wrong link =P...

So this one would be the correct one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_the_Damned_(soundtrack)

I would be really happy if at least got the abc for the (Redeemer - Marilyn Manson**).

Then again, Thx once more.

Best regardz

Looking through the song lists, I thought of something to be added/changed. It needs to be easier to tell which song goes with which download link. I had to look 5 times and draw the mouse in a straight line to make sure I was trying to add the song that I wanted, instead of another by the same artist.

(Sadly, I am one of those people that only come here a few times a year. I just don't use the in game music feature often enough to visit more. New goal! MORE MUSIC!!)

I can't express enough how happy I found this place. I've spent most of the weekened laughing and finding songs with family/friends. I would REALLY love to see Forums, and search by instrument. However, huge hug for all the work you've already done. Thank you!

I've really been churning out the files over the last month, and recently came up with a problem: I had to break the song parts up into two listings for two of my songs (Raider's Theme and Blinded By The Light). They are 10 part and 9 part songs respectively, and would like a little more room for parts under a song.

Also, would it be possible for the author to delete their own listing? I had some early uploads that just came out horrible, and in at least one case, ended up having two more parts than when I first uploaded. There's no way to edit a song listing to add parts AFTER the initial post.

One of the greatest things about the music system is that we are able to play in groups. I've been trying to find a band to regularly play with on Silverlode for quite a while now but with no luck. I recently switched to Elendilmir in hopes I could find other active players.

So this post is in part an advertisment, but I would also really like to support having a Looking For Band page. This could also be done on forums. Muchos thanks!

Apologies for the big upload spam! Hope you enjoy :)

For all who are loking for some high quality midis.....

www.vgmusic.com lots of midis.
Its all video game music, I found it when I was searching.

Sadly I do not have the creativity or patience to clean them up into ABCs but I did not want it to go unknown!

What I really miss are genres. I am no musician or do hear music a lot - therefore not very aware of titles or artists. I refuse to play any modern song while playing Lotro - so it would be very nice to sort the songs by "Folk", "Classical" etc.

I voted for both requests and forums...but probably having a forums area with a section on requests would solve both.=) The first song I'm going to request is Barber of Seville, so really hope that a request page or something comes soon.

This is my first time here and I love this site. Thank you so much for putting in all the effort and time to start and maintain it.

Cerauilos of Brandywine =P

Can any convert the swedish National Song to a abc?
i can send it to a mail the songfile is 2.61MB and in format MP3

Vinces

Aldia of Vilya

My Kinship is Southern Cross and i am looking for a lute/theorbo version or any version of
"Southern Cross" by Crosby,Stills, and Nash, a very awesome song. Please someone submit it thank you, and thank you "The Fat Lute" you guys are doing a awesome job.
Enjoy the music of life everyone.

Tech Question? Downloaded songs from the Songbook. Tried to move to the My Documents/Lord of the Rings Online/music file folder in My Documents by using an online forum primer. Required me to copy the abc file to Notepad, save, etc. But keep getting same msg. that Windows labels the file as Unknown and refuse to open. So I can't copy. Any suggestions?

Aarn, I posted a version, I am not to happy with it, will try to find time to make a multi version, it may sound better.


Bandoe, not sure what u are doing here, can you explain further?

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